Tuesday 1st February 2022

Americas

In Brazil, at least 19 people have been killed in landslides and flooding in Sao Paulo state. The flooding was caused by heavy rain. 500 families have lost their homes and governor Joao Doria has authorised 15 million reais in emergency aid.

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for COVID-19. He will continue to work remotely.

Also in Canada, Ottowa police say that some of the trucks blocking the city will begin to leave. Truckers are protesting against compulsory vaccine rules and have blocked roads in Ottowa city centre since Friday.

Africa

Mali has asked the French ambassador to leave the country. On Friday, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Mali’s transitional government is “out of control”. Yesterday, Mali said these comments were “hostile and outrageous” and has given the French ambassador 72 hours to leave.

Ivory Coast is experiencing a shortage of rain. There has been no rain for two weeks in most of the cocoa farm regions, meaning that crops could be damaged.

Europe

Germany has failed to meet its target of vaccinating 80% of its population by the end of January. By yesterday, 75.8% of Germans had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This is lower than countries including Italy, France and Spain.

Portugal’s Socialist party has won Sunday’s general election. Many people were surprised by the result, because the Socialists seemed to lose popularity in recent polls. Prime minister Antonio Costa plans to help Portugal’s economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.

In the United Kingdom, a report into parties that may have taken place at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s home and office during COVID-19 lockdown has been published. The report says that some of the behaviour in government is “difficult to justify”. The Prime Minister has said that he is sorry.

“Firstly I want to say sorry. And I’m sorry for the things we simply didn’t get right and also sorry for the way that this matter has been handled. And it’s no use saying that this or that was within the rules and it’s no use saying that people, were working hard. This pandemic was hard for everyone. We asked people across this country to make the most extraordinary sacrifices. Not to meet loved ones. Not to visit relatives before they died. And I understand the anger that people feel.

“But Mr. Speaker it isn’t enough to say sorry. This is a moment where we must look at ourselves in the mirror and we must learn. Mr. Speaker, I get it, and I will fix it.”

Asia

In Myanmar, seven people and two entities have received sanctions from the United States, Britain and Canada, one year after its military coup.

North Korea has tested a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile, the biggest nuclear missile to be launched since 2017.

And today is Lunar New Year. 2022 is the year of the Tiger. The tiger is known as a protector against evil spirits.

That’s your world news in 7 minutes. We are on social media: you can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @send7podcast. I’m Juliet Martin, tomorrow you will be with Stephen Devincenzi. Have a great day.