News Archives for World - 2021-02-15

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World

India producer to send Canada Covid-19 vaccines 'within a month'

The Serum Institute's chief executive Adar Poonawalla said his company was awaiting regulatory approval from Canada.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 09:23pm

Middle East

Jordan starts 'world first' Covid vaccinations in refugee camp

Jordan hosts 663,000 Syrian refugees registered with the United Nations.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 09:22pm

World

NATO will not leave Afghanistan before 'time is right'

Defence ministers are not expected to make a concrete announcement on the deployment's future at their meeting.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 09:20pm

Middle East

Around 1 percent vaccinated for coronavirus in Mideast: WHO

WHO's EMRO comprises 21 member states and is home to some 583 million people.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 09:18pm

Middle East

Dubai airport reports 70pc fall in passenger numbers amid pandemic

India accounted for the largest number of passengers at the Dubai airport last year, with 4.3 million Indians travelling through the hub.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 09:17pm

USA

Rio de Janeiro halts COVID-19 shots as vaccine supplies dry up

I have received the news that new doses did not arrive," Rio's Mayor Eduardo Paes wrote on Twitter.
Today we are vaccinating 84-year-olds and tomorrow 83-year-olds. We are ready and have already vaccinated 244,852 people. We just need the vaccine to arrive ... it should come next week.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 09:02pm

Africa

South African schools reopen after delay over Covid variant

The reopening comes as parents and teachers worry that not enough has been done to guard against infections.

Updated 15 Feb, 2021 09:17pm

Europe

Germany's Scholz lauds Draghi-led government as ‘very good sign’

In Italy, again, a pro-European government has been formed. That's a very, very good sign.
Mario Draghi stands for a very smart policy, he is very experienced in fiscal policy. He is well connected internationally and he is a true European.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:54pm

Europe

Spain to approve aid package for companies in March, minister says

What we are doing is trying to identify those companies that were fundamentally viable before the pandemic hit and whose solvency has been weakened as a result of the sharp drop in activity.
A government source had previously told Reuters that haircuts on state-backed loans could factor into the package.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:53pm

World

Erdogan accuses US of backing 'terrorists' in Iraq

The PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 that is believed to have left tens of thousands dead.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:47pm

Europe

Euro zone mulls stimulus calibration when economy restarts after COVID

The issue is how best combine to the commitment to short- term support with a credible medium-term fiscal strategy. Now the measures are non-discriminatory. With time, more and more sectors approach normality, it will be time to wean off the corporate sector from public support. Different sectors will have different recovery dynamics.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:44pm

Europe

Macron, Le Pen in battle for support of right

Le Pen was easily beaten in the 2017 run-off by Macron, a result partly blamed on a dire performance in a televised debate against him.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:43pm

Middle East

Iraq detects new UK-based strain, reimposes partial lockdown

Iraq has been among the countries hardest-hit by coronavirus in the Middle East, with more than 640,000 reported cases and over 13,000 deaths.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:42pm

Europe

Taliban must do more to meet its peace deal commitments, NATO says

We see that there is still a need for the Taliban to do more when it comes to delivering on their commitments ... to make sure that they break old ties with international terrorists.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:42pm

Europe

Iranian arrested in Turkey not consulate employee: Tehran

"No consulate employee has been arrested," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:41pm

Europe

UK's PM cautious on lockdown easing as new hotel regime starts

The government is due to set out a roadmap to relax the measures in England on February 22, and has indicated schools could reopen on March 8.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:38pm

Europe

Lavrov blames EU for demise of its Russia ties

Relations have been consistently torn apart by the European Union.
"Don't confuse Europe with the European Union. When it comes to Europe, we are not going anywhere," Lavrov said. "We have many friends in Europe."

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:33pm

Middle East

Palestinians push back vaccine rollout over delivery delay

He said the launch of vaccinations for the general public would be announced "at a later time," when sufficient supplies arrive.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:29pm

Middle East

Yemeni govt forces repel rebel attacks on key town

Two military officials told AFP that rebels had attacked to the north, south and west of the city.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:27pm

Africa

Nigeria's Okonjo-Iweala makes history as head of WTO

Okonjo-Iweala chosen as WTO's 7th chief.
Former Nigeria minister has strong reform record.
Geneva-based body leaderless for six months.
Trump paralysed some of WTO's functions.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:26pm

Africa

DR Congo starts Ebola vaccination after new outbreak

The WHO's office in the Democratic Republic of Congo said four people in Biene had been vaccinated and 334 other contacts would also receive the jab.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:25pm

Europe

Turkey summons US ambassador over statement on Iraq killings

The United States said it stood by fellow NATO member Turkey and that it condemned the killings if it was confirmed that responsibility lay with the PKK.
Now there is a statement made by the United States. It's a joke. Were you not supposed to stand against the PKK, the YPG? You clearly support them and stand behind them.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:25pm

Europe

Turkey summons US envoy over deaths in Iraq

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Washington's statement a "farce".

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:23pm

Europe

Slovenia MPs to vote on fresh bid to oust government

A vote on the motion is expected late on Monday.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:18pm

Europe

'Let's think big' - Germany wants to work closely with Biden on trade, China, climate

Transatlantic coordinator outlines economic, trade proposals.
Beyer in Reuters interview urges 'ambitious free trade deal' Germany supports WTO reform to raise pressure on China.
'Violations of trade rules must be sanctioned'.
Beyer also proposes joint carbon emission trading system.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 08:16pm

Europe

Russia to review effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccines against new variants

Russia has so far approved two vaccines against COVID-19, including Sputnik V, which has been deployed widely in Russia and also exported abroad.

Updated 15 Feb, 2021 08:17pm

Europe

Spanish house sales tumble in 2020 amid pandemic

Once the confinement began winding down, house sales grew," said a spokeswoman for online property portal Fotocasa on Monday.
The Balearic and Canary Islands, two archipelagos favoured by tourists and international investors, respectively lost 20% and 17% of their house sales volume in 2020.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:28pm

USA

Colombia's first COVID-19 vaccines to arrive Monday

Today we remember all the victims of COVID-19, the more than 57,000 irreplaceable Colombians who have left a void and who we will honor fighting the virus with a vaccine.
This afternoon the first shipment of vaccines from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer with the first 50,000 vaccines will arrive in our country from Belgium.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:25pm

Africa

J&J's vaccine implementation study in S.Africa gets regulator nod

South Africa hardest hit by COVID-19 on continent.
Govt still reviewing J&J's full market application.
Implementation study is to vaccinate health workers.
S.Africa expected to receive J&J vaccines this week.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:23pm

Africa

Cambodia detects first cases of UK coronavirus variant

The health ministry said the cases with the UK variant were two people from India and one from China, all of whom had been isolated.
The B1.1.7 variant, first found in Britain, is highly transmissible and its discovery prompted a tightening of travel restrictions globally among countries keen to keep it at bay.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:19pm

South Asia

India to ship COVID-19 vaccines to Canada as diplomatic tension eases

Trudeau said the months-long protests by farmers on the outskirts of Delhi were concerning, drawing a rebuke from the Indian government which said it was an internal matter.
Modi also said India would do its best to supply COVID-19 vaccines sought by Canada.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:15pm

South Asia

India's Jan trade deficit narrows to $14.54bn

The merchandise trade deficit was $15.3 billion in January 2020.
The merchandise exports rose 6.16% in January from a year earlier to $27.45 billion, while imports were up 2.03% to $42 billion, the data showed.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:09pm

Europe

Portugal's tourism sector slumps back to 1980s levels amid pandemic

The National Statistics Institute (INE) said just under 4 million foreign tourists stayed in Portuguese hotels in 2020, a near 76% slump from a record 16.4 million in 2019.
Overnight stays by Britons, one of the country's biggest foreign markets, fell by over 78% from a year ago.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 07:07pm

Europe

Erdogan says US supports militants who executed Turks in Iraq

Turkey said on Sunday militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) executed the captives, including military and police personnel, amid a military operation against the group.
Now there is a statement made by the United States. It's a joke. Were you not supposed to stand against the PKK, the YPG? You clearly support them and stand behind them.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:50pm

Africa

South Africa's ex-president Zuma fails to show at corruption inquiry

Zuma ousted as head of state in 2018.
Nine years in power marred by scandal.
Summoned to appear at corruption inquiry.
Does not show up to give evidence.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:44pm

Europe

Hungary's PM seeks renewal of special powers to fight COVID-19

The Hungarian drug regulator has also granted approval to Chinese Sinopharm's vaccine, also a first in the EU.
We want more than just (to) turn the 'Closed' sign on our door. We want to reopen the economy and the entire civic life.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:40pm

South Asia

Iran says it will end snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met

If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb. 21, the government is obliged to suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol.
It does not mean ending all inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog...All these steps are reversible if the other party changes its path and honours its obligations.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:38pm

Europe

French Finance Minister: talks ongoing with EU over possible further aid for Air France

Le Maire also told reporters at a briefing that he wanted any future remedies for Air France to be of a sustainable nature for the airline.
Earlier this month, Air France and its pilot unions had protested against EU demands that the airline give up takeoff and landing slots at its Paris base in return for government aid.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:37pm

South Asia

Renesas to resume chip production at quake hit plant on Tuesday

The 7.3 magnitude tremor off Japan's northeast coast caused strong shaking at the Naka factory in Ibaraki prefecture, which has the company's only cutting-edge 300-millimeter fabrication line.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned that aftershocks from the latest quake could last for several days.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:33pm

Europe

Kremlin calls Musk's idea for Putin to join Clubhouse app interesting, seeks details

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was commenting after Musk tweeted to the Kremlin on Sunday: "Would you like join me for a conversation on Clubhouse?"

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:27pm

South Asia

Indonesia lifts economic recovery budget again to over $49bn

Initially earmarked at 372.3 trillion rupiah, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has gradually lifted the programme's budget several times.
The budget for social assistance would be 150.21 trillion rupiah, below last year's 220.4 trillion.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:22pm

Middle East

Israel cancels participation in UAE defence expo, citing air travel curbs

Dozens of Israeli defence firms had been due to take part in the IDEX conference in Abu Dhabi from Feb. 21-25 - a first for both countries.
A Regional Cooperation Ministry spokesman said the request "had to be denied, despite the desire to advance promote defence activity.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:20pm

South Asia

Smaller protests in Myanmar as junta deploys more soldiers, armoured vehicles

Smaller protests in several cities.
Military deploys armoured vehicles, more soldiers.
Security forces fire rubber bullets in Mandalay.
Internet restored after overnight suspension.
Groups of protesters begin to gather in Yangon.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:18pm

Europe

Erdogan says US supports militants who executed Turkish forces in Iraq

Turkey said on Sunday militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) executed the 13 Turks, including military and police personnel, amid a military operation against the group.
Erdogan told supporters of his AK Party that the US statement showed it supported the PKK and the Syrian Kurdish YPG force, which Ankara considers an offshoot of the PKK.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:13pm

South Asia

Japan extends economic recovery as exports, capex shake off COVID hit

Q4 GDP beats forecasts.
Strong exports, rebound in capex underpin economy.
New curbs to contain pandemic cloud economic outlook.
Sustained recovery dependent of vaccine rollout – analysts.
Other Asian economies seen improving.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 06:09pm

Europe

UK PM Johnson says: lockdown exit will be sensible to avoid 'reverse ferret'

"That's the data we're having to look at and really work out what is going on," Johnson said.
"What people don't want to see is you know just being forced into reverse - we don't want to do you know a reverse ferret - let's take it at the right pace," he said.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:40pm

World

New Zealand's largest city enters lockdown as UK variant found

Ardern's office meanwhile announced that the first batch of coronavirus vaccines arrived in New Zealand on Monday.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:30pm

Africa

Nigerian president appeals for unity after ethnic clashes

Buhari in a statement late on Sunday "condemned such violence and gave assurance that his government will act decisively to stop the spread of any such violence."

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:21pm

South Asia

Himalaya flood disaster hits Delhi water supply

The Rishiganga valley in Uttarakhand state is 530 kilometres (330 miles) upstream to the northeast of Delhi but its water is a key supplier for the capital.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:19pm

Africa

Defiant Zuma snubs S.African anti-graft panel, again

The court in January ruled that Zuma had no right to remain silent during the proceedings.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:17pm

Middle East

Yemen's Houthis say they have struck Saudi's Jeddah, Abha airports with drones

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the attacks halted operations at the airports for two hours as a result.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen said early on Monday morning it had intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone fired by the Houthis toward the kingdom.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:17pm

Middle East

Israeli strikes on Syria kill 9 militia fighters: monitor

The attack began shortly after midnight and lasted for nearly half an hour, it said.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:13pm

South Asia

Japan quake knocks out 20pc of country's refining capacity

They refinery shutdowns in the world's fourth-biggest oil importer are another potential hit after the pandemic led to the evaporation of crude demand over the last year.
Eneos later said the company's 270,000 bpd Negishi refinery, had also closed and it had no date for the resumption of operations.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:11pm

Europe

UK rolls out hotel quarantine for 'high risk' country returnees

It has vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable people with a first jab, and is looking to inoculate all over-50s by May.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:06pm

South Asia

France 'helped Rwanda genocide suspects escape' in 1994

It is signed by Bernard Emie, a foreign ministry adviser who is now the head of France's DGSE foreign intelligence service.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:05pm

Europe

Malta frets as foreign nurses head to Britain amid COVID-19 crisis

Some 600 third-country national nurses work in Malta, but roughly 150 have moved abroad or else handed in their resignation since December. * Recruitment agencies in Britain and India have run Facebook adverts urging nurses in Malta to apply for jobs in Britain.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:04pm

South Asia

Stay-at-home orders in Vietnam Covid-19 hotspot

As of Monday morning, Vietnam had tallied 2,229 coronavirus cases and 35 deaths across a population of 95 million.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 05:03pm

South Asia

Singapore activist jailed for train protest

They were demanding "justice" for a group of 22 people arrested in 1987 under tough laws that allow for detention without trial.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:56pm

South Asia

More protests after Myanmar junta cuts internet, deploys troops

Some carried banners against the military that read: "They kill in (the) day. They steal at night. They lie on TV."

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:55pm

South Asia

Myanmar's Suu Kyi to face court this week: lawyer

Neither has been publicly seen since the coup, though Suu Kyi's party has heard that she is "in good health".

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:51pm

Africa

Two Malian soldiers killed in highway blast

The deaths bring the number of Malian, UN and French troop losses to 29 since the start of the year, according to an AFP tally.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:50pm

Africa

Zimbabwe gets first batch of Sinopharm jabs from China

As of Sunday, Zimbabwe had recorded 35,172 cases of the viral infection including 1,400 deaths.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:48pm

South Asia

Bali police hunt Russian wanted by Interpol

Police said Kovalenko was wanted by Interpol but declined to specify what crime he committed overseas.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:44pm

Europe

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle expecting second child

Meghan and Harry, who is Queen Elizabeth II's grandson, quit frontline royal duties in March last year and now live in California.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:43pm

Europe

Coronavirus toll at 1100 GMT Monday

At least 108,785,960 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 66,547,800 are now considered recovered.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:40pm

South Asia

Indonesian landslide kills nine with 10 missing

Twenty-one people were initially reported missing after the disaster struck Sunday evening in a rural part of East Java.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 04:40pm

Middle East

Iran says it will end snap IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met

Iran said on Monday it will block snap inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog this month if other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal fail to fulfil their obligations, a challenge to U.S. President Joe Biden’s hope of reviving the accord.
The Biden administration aims to return the United States to the nuclear deal, which then-President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

Published 15 Feb, 2021 03:56pm

Middle East

Syrian air defences intercepted 'Israeli aggression’ over Damascus

On Monday, the Syrian Army issued a statement that the country's air defenses intercepted "Israeli aggression" over the capital city of Damascus, in the latest surge in the bombardment of alleged Iranian targets inside the country over the past two months.
Witnesses heard large explosions on the southern edge of Damascus, according to local residents.

Updated 15 Feb, 2021 02:09pm

China

Russian Vaccine Team to Conduct Combined Trial with Chinese Counterparts

Russian developers are in talks with China's CanSino Biologics Inc., in an effort to test a combined regimen of their shots to better protect against new virus strains.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund, a partner in the Sputnik V vaccine program, forged a preliminary agreement with the CanSino and Petrovax Pharm, to reportedly conduct testing in Russia.

Updated 15 Feb, 2021 10:57am

World

Ex-Argentina president Menem dies

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s former president Carlos Menem died in a Buenos Aires clinic on Sunday at the age of 90,...