AstraZeneca buying drug developer Alexion for $39 billion

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca says it is buying U.S. drug developer Alexion in a deal worth $39 billion.

Italy's staggering virus toll poses uncomfortable questions

Italy could soon reclaim a record that nobody wants—the most coronavirus deaths in Europe—after the health care system again failed to protect the elderly and the government delayed imposing new restrictions.

Mexico approves emergency use of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine

The Mexican government's medical safety commission approved the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine Friday, making Mexico the fourth country to do so.

States get tracing apps to talk to each other as virus rises

As coronavirus exposure notification technology slowly rolls out across the country, every resident in 17 states and the District of Columbia will now be able to send and receive alerts beyond their home state if they've tested positive for the coronavirus or come into contact with someone who has.

Second young elephant dies from virus at New York zoo

A second young elephant has died at a central New York zoo despite frantic efforts by staff to combat a lethal virus, zoo officials said Friday.

Minnesota grants will prioritize EV charging solar panels

The next group of electric vehicle charging station grants from Minnesota's Volkswagen emissions-cheating settlement will prioritize projects that incorporate solar panels or other sources of local clean energy.

Flamethrower drone incinerates wasp nests in China

A drone has been converted into a flying flamethrower in central China in a fiery campaign to eradicate more than 100 wasp nests.

Virgin Galactic makes first flight from New Mexico site

A Virgin Galactic test flight Saturday ended prematurely when the spacecraft landed safely at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico after its rocket engine failed to ignite high above the Earth.

Icebreaker leaves Australia after 150 Antarctica trips

The giant orange icebreaker Aurora Australis left Australia for the final time on Saturday after more than 150 trips to Antarctica. Next stop: a shipyard in Dubai, where it will be refurbished and either leased or sold.

Oracle says it will move HQ from Silicon Valley to Texas

Tech giant Oracle Corp. said Friday it will move its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas, and let many employees choose their office locations and decide whether to work from home.

US says COVID-19 vaccine to start arriving in states Monday

The nation's first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning, U.S. officials said Saturday, after the government gave the final go-ahead to the shots needed to end an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.

EU flexes muscle against big tech 'gatekeepers'

US tech giants such as Facebook and Google face unprecedented regulation in Europe, as the EU prepares to unveil landmark proposals that could change the face of life online.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-eu-flexes-muscle-big-tech.html

Chile awaits total eclipse of the sun as Covid restrictions rise

Chileans will turn their eyes to the sky on Monday to admire a total eclipse of the sun, but unlike last year's phenomenon their numbers will be severely reduced by coronavirus restrictions.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-chile-awaits-total-eclipse-sun.html

Canada aims to beat 2030 climate target, says Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday an annual hike of his country's carbon tax by Can$15 (US$12) per tonne after 2022, and billions in new investments to try to beat its climate target.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-canada-aims-climate-trudeau.html

California to bring antitrust lawsuit against Google

California will join the US government and 11 other states in bringing lawsuits against Google for abusing its market dominance, the state's top prosecutor said Friday.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-california-antitrust-lawsuit-google.html

Second young elephant dies from virus at New York zoo

A second young elephant has died at a central New York zoo despite frantic efforts by staff to combat a lethal virus, zoo officials said Friday.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-young-elephant-dies-virus-york.html

Minnesota grants will prioritize EV charging solar panels

The next group of electric vehicle charging station grants from Minnesota's Volkswagen emissions-cheating settlement will prioritize projects that incorporate solar panels or other sources of local clean energy.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-minnesota-grants-prioritize-ev-solar.html

Flamethrower drone incinerates wasp nests in China

A drone has been converted into a flying flamethrower in central China in a fiery campaign to eradicate more than 100 wasp nests.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-flamethrower-drone-incinerates-wasp-china.html

Virgin Galactic makes first flight from New Mexico site

A Virgin Galactic test flight Saturday ended prematurely when the spacecraft landed safely at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico after its rocket engine failed to ignite high above the Earth.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-virgin-galactic-flight-mexico-site.html

Icebreaker leaves Australia after 150 Antarctica trips

The giant orange icebreaker Aurora Australis left Australia for the final time on Saturday after more than 150 trips to Antarctica. Next stop: a shipyard in Dubai, where it will be refurbished and either leased or sold.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-icebreaker-australia-antarctica.html

Oracle says it will move HQ from Silicon Valley to Texas

Tech giant Oracle Corp. said Friday it will move its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas, and let many employees choose their office locations and decide whether to work from home.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-oracle-hq-silicon-valley-texas.html