Russia ratifies deal on space cooperation with Argentina

MOSCOW, Dec 9 (NNN-TELESUR) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ratified a protocol on space exploration cooperation for peaceful purposes signed with Argentinan authorities on Oct 8, 2019. Besides the optical-electronic surveillance to alert over dangerous situations in the circumterrestrial space, the Protocol allows the deployment of ground stations supervised by the…

Argentina passes new tax on the rich; opposition claims it will further deter foreign investment

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentina has passed a new wealth tax to help the government pay for health supplies and economic relief measures amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers in the Senate passed the bill, dubbed the “millionaire’s tax,” by 42 votes to 26 late on Friday. It…

UN raises $370 million for 2021 emergency fund

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nationsannounced it has raised more than $370 million for its emergency fundto help respond to crises in 2021. More than 50 donors pledged money to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), managed by the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Mark Lowcock, according…

737 MAX to return to skies Wednesday in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 21 months after it wasgrounded following two deadly crashes, the Boeing 737 MAX will return to the skies Wednesday with a flight by Brazilian carrier Gol, the airlineconfirmed. Gol, the first company to resume commercial flights with the now-overhauled jet, said it…

White House proposes new $916 bn stimulus plan to break deadlock

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The White House unveiled a $916billion stimulus proposal in a final dash to break a months-longlogjam over new aid for the coronavirus-stricken US economy before President Donald Trump leaves office in January. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the plan, which he saidincludes “money for state…

Senior UN official warns against derailment of Sudan’s transition

Peacekeepers from Pakistan engage the local population in North Darfur, Sudan UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned that Sudan’s democratic transition could still be derailed despite progress in recent months. “Sudan is at a critical juncture. It can move forward…

Covid-19: UK records another 12,282 cases with 616 deaths

People wearing face masks walk in Apple Market at Covent Garden in London LONDON, Dec 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Another 12,282 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 1,750,241, according to official figures. The coronavirus-related deaths in Britain rose…

EU, UK leaders to meet late Wednesday to resolve post-Brexit agreement

BRUSSELS, Dec 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will arrive in Brussels for an in-person meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday evening, on the eve of the summit of the leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) member states. “I look forward to…

Second US judge blocks outgoing Pres Trump’s TikTok ban

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A second US federal judge has suspended a Trump administration executive order threatening to ban TikTok in the United States. The preliminary injunction granted by judge Carl Nichols in a district court in Washington DC comes more than a month after a similar decision in…

Covid-19: UN offers bleak outlook for East Africa due to pandemic

The region will see a sharp GDP growth slowdown from 6.6 percent in 2019 to 0.6 percent in 2020 ADDIS ABABA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Only four East African countries are still on course to record positive economic growth in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to…