Russian Pres Putin says hopes to resolve discord with US under Biden

MOSCOW, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin saidthat he hopes the administration of incoming US President Joe Biden will work with Russia to resolve disagreements between the countries. Putin told reporters at his annual end-of-year press conference thatrelations had become “hostage” to US domestic politics and said he hoped…

Covid-19: France’s Pres Macron tests positive

PARIS, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for Covid-19, the presidency said, adding that he wouldnow self-isolate for the next week. He is one of several world leaders who have contracted Covid-19, includingBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump. Macron was tested Thursday…

UK and Mexico sign trade deal: savings of £59 million worth of duties

LONDON, Dec 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The UK signed a trade deal with Mexico, locking in tariff-free trade and other benefits for British businesses and consumers. The UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement will particularly benefit the automotive, pharmaceutical, textiles, agriculture, food and drink industries and other manufacturing industries, the sectors where the…

Covid-19: Pres Bolsonaro says Brazil has guaranteed access to 300 million vaccines

BRASILIA, Dec 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The government of President Jair Bolsonaro said that Brazil has guaranteed access to 300 million vaccines, mainly those developed by Oxford University along with AstraZeneca pharmaceutical and Brazil’s Fiocruz foundation, as well as vaccines from the Covax Facility international initiative. The government is also in…

Chile: New constitution will reserve 17 of 155 congressional seats for indigenous communities

SANTIAGO, Dec 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chilean lawmakers approved a bill to reserve 17 of 155 seats for representatives of indigenous communities in its upcoming constitutional convention, a measure lauded as “historic” by the government of President Sebastian Piñera. Chileans in October voted overwhelmingly in favor of rewriting the country’s dictatorship-era…

Lockdown fuels child labour in Zimbabwe

A child works in a mine HARARE, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Reduced economic activity brought about by the prolonged lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid-19 may be fuelling child labour in Zimbabwe’s informal gold mines.Latest research by the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (Zela), a vocal watchdog of the…

US accuses Switzerland, Vietnam of manipulating currency

WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Treasury accused Switzerland and Vietnam of manipulating their currencies, partly to gain a trade advantage over American exports. In the semi-annual foreign exchange report, Treasury found the two countries were intervening in currency markets to affect balance of payments, and in the case of…

Fiji warns of huge waves from super cyclone

A resident of Fiji’s capital Suva prepares his home for the arrival of super Cyclone Yasa SUVA, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Coastal villagers in Fiji were told to flee for higher ground on Thursday, amid predictions that super cyclone Yasa will generate monster waves of 16m when it hits the…

Winter storm wallops US North-east, but some schools bury snow days

NEW YORK, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A winter storm marched up the US East Coast on Wednesday, delivering a disruptive blow to transportation systems and a welcome day off for some school kids, but not for many who have been learning remotely during the pandemic. By mid-afternoon, the Nor’easter had…

The posada must go on: Mexico celebrates Christmas against backdrop of Covid

XOCHIMILCO (Mexico), Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) – In Yuridia Torres’ workshop, the sale of pinatas is nonstop. Despite the Mexican government’s warning against traditional posadas — celebrations which began Wednesday and play a huge role in the country’s Christmas season — people in the capital’s Xochimilco neighborhood continued to buy the…