
By Veronica Díaz-Cerda (*) – At first glance, it may seem that the race to acquire COVID-19 vaccines has been won by western nations. But alongside the UK, Canada, USA and EU, another country has also secured a high number of doses relative to its population – Chile.

Chile's President Sebastian Piñera received on Friday the first dose of the Sinovac vaccine against the virus caused by Covid-19. The president is eligible to receive the inoculation with the Chinese vaccine along with those Chileans and residents aged 71 and over.

World Health Organization head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that all hypotheses on the origins of Covid-19 remain open and require further analysis and study.

The leaders of Brazilian congress two chambers announced on Friday priority will be given to reviving pandemic emergency payments to the vulnerable population, which are expected to be granted in four months, from March to June.

The Chinese cable channel CGTN no longer has permission to be broadcast in Germany, a press spokesperson for the state media authority of North Rhine-Westphalia confirmed on Friday.

Ecuador's Electoral Council announced on Friday a partial recount of Sunday's presidential vote following a request from the two candidates battling for second place.

British human rights lawyer Karim Khan was elected on Friday as the new prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a politically daunting position whose incumbent was slapped with US sanctions.

Brazil's Central Bank chief Roberto Campos Neto admitted on Thursday that the January interest fixing rate policy meeting release may have generated more confusion in financial markets, instead of more transparency in communications.

The Falkland Islands government is inviting all those over 50, and would like to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and have not already attended the vaccination program, please come to the FIDF Hall between 9am and 11.30am this Friday 12 February morning.

Brazilian economy minister Paulo Guedes announced on Thursday that pandemic emergency cash payments to the vulnerable will be extended, but with compensating cost-cutting measures to avoid bankrupting public finances.