North Korea fired two projectiles into the sea early today, the South’s military said, in what could be its first ballistic missile test during the administration of Joe Biden. The nuclear-armed North has a long history of using weapons tests as provocations, in a carefully calibrated process to forward its […]
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India, US to re-establish Homeland Security Dialogue
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N Mayorkas recently spoke to Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, wherein they agreed to re-establish the US-India Homeland Security Dialogue. According to a statement released by Homeland Security, both sides on Monday also agreed to discuss important issues such as cybersecurity, emerging technology, and violent extremism. During his talks on […]
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Yemen coronavirus committee calls for ‘state of emergency’
Yemen’s coronavirus committee urged the government today to declare a public health “state of emergency” after a surge in infections in the war-torn country. Six years of civil war has left Yemen’s weak healthcare system in ruins, and this week the country reported more than 100 cases in a day, […]
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Confusion as Brazil faces Covid-19 surge with two health ministers
As Brazil struggles with surging Covid-19 cases, President Jair Bolsonaro’s government can’t figure out who the health minister is: the one sacked last week or the still-unofficial replacement. The country has recorded the second-most coronavirus deaths, after the United States, and the situation is worsening. Brazil’s average daily death toll […]
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Israel holds its fourth election in two years
Israelis vote today on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political survival in a fourth election in two years, with the veteran leader hoping his role in a rapid Covid-19 vaccine campaign will win him another term. Opinion polls show the race too close to call. On trial on corruption charges he […]
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South Korea reports 346 more Covid-19 cases, 99,421 in total
South Korea reported 346 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Monday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 99,421. The daily caseload was down from 415 in the previous day, falling below 400 in seven days. The daily number of infections hovered above 100 since Nov. 8 […]
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Ten killed in mass shooting at Colorado grocery store
A gunman killed at least 10 people including a police officer at a grocery store in Colorado yesterday, police said, in the latest shooting to hit the western state — scene of two of the most infamous US mass murders. The shooter is being held in custody and was injured, […]
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Saudi Arabia offers ceasefire to Yemen’s Huthi rebels
Saudi Arabia today offered Yemen’s Huthi rebels a “comprehensive” ceasefire, among a series of proposals aimed at ending a catastrophic six-year conflict. The initiative includes “a comprehensive ceasefire across the country under the supervision of the United Nations”, a government statement said. Riyadh also proposed reopening the airport in Sanaa, […]
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Russia reports 9,284 new coronavirus cases, 361 deaths
Russia today reported 9,284 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,586 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 4,466,153. The country also reported another 361 deaths, raising the official toll to 95,391. — Reuters
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AstraZeneca vaccine safe and effective in US, Chile, Peru trials
The Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca was 79 per cent effective in preventing symptomatic illness a large trial in the United States, Chile and Peru, the company said on Monday, paving the way for it to apply for US approval. The vaccine was 100 per cent effective […]
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Erdogan and Bahceli move to ban Turkey’s third largest party
Before the ink was dry on President Tayyip Erdogan’s much-touted ‘Human Rights Action Plan’ announced on March 2, the autocratic President of Turkey showed his real “commitment” to human rights, by granting the wish of his ultra-nationalist ally Devlet Bahceli to take action to disband the country’s third-largest party – the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic […]
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Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro takes birthday swipe at Covid-19 restrictions
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro used the occasion of his 66th birthday yesterday to renew his attacks on Covid-19 stay-at-home measures, telling supporters he would fight for their “freedom.” The far-right leader has defied expert advice on social distancing and face masks to slow the spread of the new coronavirus — […]
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Europe can achieve herd immunity by July, says EU commissioner
Europe could have herd immunity against Covid-19 by July, a European Union commissioner has said, as incoming jabs are expected to speed up the continent’s sluggish vaccine rollout. The note of optimism comes even as several European countries have started reimposing restrictions as they contend with surging coronavirus infections, and […]
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Germany poised to tighten curbs into April as virus rages
Germany is poised to prolong and tighten a partial lockdown into April as new virus cases soar, according to a draft document seen by AFP ahead of a government meeting today. Europe’s biggest economy had begun easing restrictions, first reopening schools in late February, before allowing some shops to resume […]
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Miami Beach extends curfew, emergency powers to control spring break crowds
Miami Beach officials voted yesterday to extend an 8pm curfew and emergency powers for up to three weeks to help control unruly and mostly maskless crowds that have converged on the party destination during spring break. Thousands of people have packed the city’s Art Deco Cultural District causing bedlam and […]