News Archives for World - 2021-03-01

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Europe

Over 60% of Russians don't want Sputnik V vaccine: Reuters poll

Nearly two thirds of Russians are not willing to receive Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, and about the same number believe the new coronavirus was created artificially as a biological weapon, an independent pollster said on Monday.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:45pm

USA

Bill Gates says cheap green hydrogen would be 'huge deal' in energy transition

Gates also spoke about the so-called green premium, in which greener technologies sell at a premium to traditional materials or petroleum-based fuels.
"The green premium is the metric that says are you on your way to success in 2050?" Gates said at IHS Markit's CERAWeek.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 08:36pm

Europe

Italy's Draghi fires COVID commissioner with vaccination drive in spotlight

General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, the new commissioner, has been head of army logistics since 2018, Draghi's office said in a brief statement, thanking Arcuri for his "commitment and dedication ... in a moment of particular emergency for the country."

Published 01 Mar, 2021 08:14pm

Europe

EU to propose vaccine certificates in time for summer holidays

The EU executive aims to present its plans for a "digital green pass" on March 17 and to cooperate with international organisations to ensure that its system also works beyond the European Union.
The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad - for work or tourism.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 08:05pm

South Asia

Polish and Chinese presidents discuss buying Chinese COVID vaccine

At the request of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the president also raised the question of Polish-Chinese cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including the possibility of Poland purchasing vaccines produced in China.
Like other EU countries, Poland's vaccination programme has been hampered by delays in deliveries from producers like AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 07:59pm

South Asia

Biden Administration to reportedly initiate dialogue with Taliban

The Biden Administration's Afghanistan negotiator has begun a diplomatic trip, which will reportedly include the first meeting of the new administration with the Taliban.
The State Department did not immediately provide comment on the agenda Zalmay Khalilzad is bringing to the Taliban, which belatedly resumed peace talks with the U.S. client Afghan government last week.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 07:18pm

Europe

Ex-French President Sarkozy sentenced to jail in corruption trial

The 66-year-old was found guilty of trying to bribe a judge in Monaco in exchange for inside information on an inquiry into his campaign finances.
The same sentence was handed down to his co-defendants – lawyer Thierry Herzog and judge Gilbert Azibert.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 07:04pm

Middle East

First UAE ambassador arrives in Israel, eyes Tel Aviv embassy

Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit.
"My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:10pm

Middle East

Netanyahu blames Iran for ship attack, Tehran denies charge

The latest escalation between the sides came as the international community has been trying to salvage the troubled 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:07pm

Europe

EU urges dialogue to defuse Georgia crisis

A court in Tbilisi has ordered that Melia be placed in pre-trial detention after he refused to pay an increased bail fee in the case.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:06pm

Africa

Ghana president receives world's first free Covax jab

The first lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo also received a shot, one day before the rest of the 600,000 doses are deployed across the country.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:04pm

Europe

Hungary stretches vaccine supply to counter ‘exponential’ rise in cases

"Data show exponential growth (in infection)," Muller told an online press briefing. "The coming weeks will be very difficult."
Western procurement has also increased, with Hungary upping its order of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to 10.87 million from an earlier order of 6.5 million, Muller said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:02pm

World

UK hunts for carrier of Brazil Covid strain

Britain has Europe's highest death toll from the Covid pandemic.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:01pm

South Asia

US envoy in Kabul as questions over troop withdrawal swirl

The envoy is also set to travel to Qatar, where he will meet with Taliban leaders along with trips to unspecified regional capitals, according to the State Department.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:00pm

South Asia

Armenians barge into govt building to demand PM's exit

The president, however, refused to sign off on the general's removal on Saturday, declaring it unconstitutional.
The country's Security Council on Monday urged President Armen Sarkissian to approve the sacking, the Interfax news agency reported. RIA reported that Pashinyan also met Sarkissian on Monday.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 06:00pm

Europe

Fourth executive jailed in Britain's Iraq oil bribery case

Paul Bond, 68, was found guilty of two counts of bribery after a retrial at London's Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.
Bond is the fourth executive convicted after a five-year Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into Monaco-based consultancy Unaoil, which uncovered bribes of more than $17 million to secure contracts worth $1.7 billion for Unaoil and its Western, blue-chip clients.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:58pm

Europe

UK's Prince Philip, 99, moves hospital for heart tests

Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was admitted to London's private King Edward VII hospital two weeks ago for treatment for an unspecified, but not related to COVID-19, infection.
"The Duke remains comfortable and is responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week," the palace said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:57pm

South Asia

Crowds gather outside court after Hong Kong dissidents charged

Police on Sunday charged 47 leading dissidents with conspiracy to commit subversion in the largest use yet of the security legislation.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:55pm

Europe

Latest Irish lockdown pushed annual retail sales 14.1pc lower in January

Sales volumes were 21.8% lower compared to December, when the economy briefly reopened before a huge spike in COVID-19 infections led to the shut down of all but non-essential retail, most construction activity and the entire hospitality sector.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:53pm

South Asia

India's Modi gets Covid-19 jab as chaotic expansion of vaccine drive begins

India's 11.1 million coronavirus case total is topped only by the United States.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:53pm

Middle East

European lawmakers urge action against Israel's 'de-facto annexation'

"The previous US administration left the conflict farther away from peace than ever," it added.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:51pm

South Asia

Myanmar's Suu Kyi hit with two new criminal charges

She is now also accused of breaching communications laws as well as intent to incite public unrest, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:49pm

Middle East

Iran tensions at heart of UN nuclear watchdog meeting

The possibility of a resolution criticising Iran being passed at the board attracted sharp diplomatic comment in the run-up to the meeting.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:45pm

World

US, Russia warships dock in strategic Sudan port

In December, Russia announced signing a 25-year agreement to build a naval base in Port Sudan, part of Moscow's latest push into Africa as it seeks to renew its geopolitical clout.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:44pm

World

Rival rallies due in Armenia as crisis deepens

The political uncertainty is threatening to set off a chaotic power struggle in Armenia, an impoverished ex-Soviet republic on the borders of Turkey and Iran.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:39pm

Africa

Talks underway in Nigeria to free abducted schoolgirls

Since the incident, government officials have been in talks with the kidnappers, known locally as bandits, over the girls' release, two sources told AFP.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:38pm

Europe

France, Germany struggle to sell AstraZeneca vaccine safety

Only 273,000 AstraZeneca doses have been administered in France out of 1.7 million received as of end-February, according to health ministry figures.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:35pm

South Asia

New Bangladesh protests as UN calls for overhaul of security law

Riot police stopped them 100 metres from the government complex that houses all major ministries.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:34pm

Middle East

Israeli court limits use of spy agency to track virus cases

The government began using the Shin Bet's surveillance technologies in March 2020, when Covid-19 infections began to spike.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:32pm

Middle East

Pope's upcoming Iraq trip is 'dangerous': Benedict

Francis will become the first pope to visit Iraq when he begins a packed three-day trip on Friday.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:31pm

Europe

EU to propose vaccine 'green pass'

The pass would allow people to gradually "move safely in the European Union or abroad -- for work or tourism".

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:28pm

South Asia

Bali kicks off drive-thru virus jabs for hospitality workers

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, plans to innoculate more than 180 million of its nearly 270 million people.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 05:28pm

World

Khashoggi fiancee demands punishment for Saudi prince

Cengiz said if the crown prince was not punished, "it will forever signal that the main culprit can get away with murder which will endanger us all and be a stain on our humanity."

Published 01 Mar, 2021 02:02pm

World

Iran rejects Israel PM's charge it attacked ship

We strongly deny this accusation," spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:58pm

World

Argentina receives biggest batch yet of Sputnik V vaccines

The South American country has sourced several vaccines as it attempts to roll out an inoculation program before a potential new wave of cases over winter.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:41pm

World

US envoy on Afghan peace process to visit Afghanistan, Qatar for talks

Khalilzad and his team will also visit other regional capitals as part of a mission aimed at working towards.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:40pm

World

Auckland coronavirus lockdown tests New Zealanders' patience

"It has had devastating consequences, no question," Ardern told Newshub's "The AM Show", adding that any punishment was up to the police.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:37pm

World

Spokeswoman for Japan PM Suga resigns over expensive dinners with his son

Her dinner with Suga's son and other executives at the company, one of several that prompted reprimands for 11 bureaucrats, cost 74,203 yen ($696) per person, according to local media reports.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:15pm

World

South Korea's Moon says Olympics may be chance for North Korea, US talks

Both rulings drew a rebuke from Tokyo, which says the women and labour issues were settled under a 2015 deal and 1965 treaty, respectively.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:11pm

World

Modi takes home-grown vaccine as India widens immunisation drive

India has reported more than 11 million coronavirus infections and over 157,000 deaths.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 01:06pm

South Asia

U.S. wasted billions of dollars on cars, buildings in Afghanistan: Report

A report by a U.S government watchdog has revealed that the United States wasted billions of dollars in reconstruction aid in Afghanistan on buildings and vehicles, that were either abandoned or destroyed.
Out of the $7.8 billion spent on buildings and vehicles since 2008, only $343.2 million worth were "maintained in good condition", according to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).

Updated 01 Mar, 2021 02:32pm

World

France and Germany to require COVID-19 test for some border crossings

France has resisted imposing a new national lockdown to control more contagious variants, but has begun to toughen restrictions locally in places such as Dunkirk in the north and Nice in the south.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:14pm

World

Italy's former PM Conte accepts task of trying to revive 5-Star Movement

Nonetheless, he is expected to try to foster a stable alliance with the PD to try to compete with the rightist bloc of parties led by Matteo Salvini's League which currently lead in opinion polls. The next election is due in 2023.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:13pm

World

US disappointed by Iran move on nuclear talks, remains ready to engage: White House

She said Washington would be consulting with its P5+1 partners, the four other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - China, France, Russia, United Kingdom - plus Germany on the best way forward.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:11pm

World

German states send 15,000 COVID vaccine shots to Czech Republic

Prague on Friday tightened restrictions on shops, schools and movement for the next three weeks in a bid to slow a surge of coronavirus infections.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:10pm

World

China's CanSino says first vaccines packaged in Mexico will be ready in March

Mexico in early February received its first shipment of the active ingredient for the shot.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:09pm

World

US calls on African Union to exert pressure over worsening crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray

Blinken noted Ethiopian commitments to full accountability, including international support for investigations into human rights abuses and to allowing unhindered humanitarian access.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:06pm

World

Iran dismisses idea of talks with EU and US to revive 2015 nuclear deal

Iran and the new US administration of President Joe Biden have been at odds over who should take the first step to revive the accord.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:05pm

World

South Africa signs J&J vaccine deal, eases restrictions

The second phase of the country's vaccination programme, which includes the elderly, essential workers and those with co-morbidities, would start around late April or early May.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:03pm

Africa

At least two killed in skirmish at Chad opposition candidate's house

Hundreds took to the streets earlier this month to protest his candidacy in the upcoming election.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:02pm

World

Mexico registers more than 185,000 coronavirus deaths, one year after first cases

The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 12:00pm

World

Australian cabinet minister accused of rape in widening scandal

Hanson-Young also revealed over the weekend that she had also referred a rape allegation against an unnamed Labor member of parliament to police.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:37am

World

Netanyahu blames Iran for boat attack, says 'striking' back

"Iran is Israel's greatest enemy, I'm determined to block it, we're striking at it throughout the region," he said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:35am

World

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi appears via video in court: lawyer

Her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, told AFP the 75-year-old appeared healthy during the court hearing.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:29am

World

Iran rules out nuclear deal meeting, says time not 'suitable'

"Remember: Trump failed to meet because of his ill-advised 'Max Failure'," Khatibzadeh wrote on Twitter shortly after his statement.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:25am

World

UN calls for children in NE Syria camps to be allowed home

IS overran large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:22am

World

Syria intercepts Israeli missiles over Damascus: state media

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Saturday he believed Iran was behind the explosion Thursday on the MV Helios Ray, a vehicle carrier.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:20am

World

Covid vaccine acceptance rises in some countries: study

People in the six countries judged that Israel and Britain had done the world's best jobs with their vaccine rollout.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:16am

World

Over 20 million get first dose of covid vaccine in UK

There were 6,035 new daily cases reported Sunday and 144 deaths, the lowest figures since early autumn.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:14am

World

Conservatives in 'struggle for survival' of US: Trump

We're in a struggle for the survival of America as we know it.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:13am

World

US children could receive vaccine by year-end: Fauci

Earlier this month the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines urging schools to reopen safely and as soon as possible.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:07am

World

Trump airs grievances, teases 2024 run in post-presidential speech

"Get rid of them all," he seethed, while the crowd jeered.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 11:02am

World

Ex-president Sarkozy faces verdict in France graft trial

Prosecutors called for him to be jailed for four years and serve a minimum of two, and asked for the same punishment for his co-defendants -- lawyer Thierry Herzog and judge Gilbert Azibert.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:59am

World

US calls for release of Hong Kong democracy campaigners: Blinken

Police arrested 55 of the city's best-known pro-democracy campaigners in a series of dawn raids last month.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:54am

World

US to distribute 4 million J&J Covid vaccines by Tuesday

Overall, among 39,321 participants across all regions, the efficacy against severe Covid-19 was 85.4 percent, but it fell to 66.1 percent when including moderate forms of the disease.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:52am

World

Myanmar's Suu Kyi to face court after deadly crackdown

He said he hoped the court would formally approve his status as her defence lawyer.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:42am

World

Biden backs Amazon workers' right to unionize

"As President Biden points out, the best way for working people to protect themselves and their families is by organizing into unions," RWDSU head Stuart Appelbaum said in a statement.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:31am

World

'Light' after darkness as Philippines Covid-19 vaccinations begin

"Getting a jab is a moral obligation for everyone. We must not wait for the so-called best vaccine because there is no such thing," he said.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:30am

World

Ardern tells Kiwis to rebuke coronavirus rule-breakers

Authorities have the ability to take enforcement action against rule-breakers, but have yet to issue a single fine for not wearing a mask on a plane or public transport.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:27am

Asia

Myanmar protesters march again after bloodiest post-coup unrest

Protesters marched in Myanmar on Monday in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people a day earlier, as calls grew for a more united international response after the worst violence since a coup one month ago.
Clashes took place in various parts of the country on Sunday and police opened fire on crowds in the biggest city of Yangon, after tear gas and warning shots failed to clear protesters demanding the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:21am

World

Yemen donor conference seeks $3.85 billion to prevent famine

NRC spokeswoman Sultana Begum said they will "be forced to make further life-threatening cuts" if not enough money is given.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:20am

World

Indonesia's Jan foreign visitor arrivals drop 89% y/y

Data released by the statistics bureau showed on Monday.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:01am

World

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 4,732

The reported death toll rose by 60 to 70,105, the tally showed.

Published 01 Mar, 2021 10:00am

Africa

African currencies week ahead: Nigerian, Zambian, Kenyan currencies seen under pressure

LUSAKA: Nigerian, Zambian and Kenyan currencies are expected to weaken again next week against the US dollar....