News Archives for World - 2021-03-20

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Europe

Italy reports 401 coronavirus deaths, 23,832 new cases

Patients in hospital with COVID-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 27,061 on Saturday, up from 26,858 a day earlier.
There were 243 new admissions to intensive care units, compared with 244 on Friday. The total number of intensive care patients increased to 3,387.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 10:16pm

Africa

Kenyan COVID vaccine offer to diplomats draws local doctors' ire

Kenya, where nearly 2,000 people have died of COVID-19, is battling a third wave and the health ministry reported 28 deaths on Friday, the highest daily toll since the pandemic began.
"We need to protect everyone resident in Kenya. It just made sense not to reach out only to Kenyans but also to the international community here," Kamau said

Published 20 Mar, 2021 10:09pm

USA

IMF sees signs of stronger global recovery, but significant risks remain

IMF First Deputy Managing Director Geoffrey Okamoto said that in early April the Fund would update its January forecast for global growth of 5.5% to reflect additional fiscal stimulus spending in the United States, but gave no details.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 10:09pm

South Asia

Thai army denies supplying rice to Myanmar forces

The Thai army is not supplying the Myanmar army and there has been no contact from the Myanmar army requesting help or demanding any assistance from us because they have their own honour.
"If there is anything, I think there is regular commerce at normal border crossings," Amnat said. "We are not blocking this if the conduct is not against the law and follows customs procedures."

Published 20 Mar, 2021 09:51pm

Europe

Portugal to quarantine travellers from South Africa via other countries

Direct flights from South Africa have already been halted and although few cases of the COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa have been diagnosed in Portugal so far, the measure was intended to prevent any further spread, the ministry said.
Flights to and from Brazil and Britain have been suspended until the end of the month, also to prevent contagion of COVID-19 variants. Passengers arriving through a different country must also test and quarantine.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 09:46pm

South Asia

International pressure on Myanmar generals grows as protesters march, one killed

Protesters return on Saturday.
Activists say they have adapted tactics.
Asian neighbours increasingly critical of Myanmar military.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 09:38pm

Europe

Britain on track to ease lockdown measures in line with plan

"There is no sign that we won't be able to make progress as set out in the roadmap," Hancock told Sky News.
Rising infections in Europe could derail Britain's plan to restart travel, which could possibly be from May 17.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

USA

US to place some migrant families in hotels in move away from detention centers

Endeavors, a San Antonio-based organization, will oversee what it calls "family reception sites" at hotels in Texas and Arizona, the person said.
The opening of the reception centers would mark a significant shift by the administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, away from the detention of migrant families in for-profit facilities.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 09:18pm

Europe

Thousands protest Covid measures in Switzerland

The protesters, many not wearing facemasks, held signs with messages reading "Enough!", "Vaccines kill" and "Let love guide you, not fear".

Published 20 Mar, 2021 08:25pm

Europe

Police clash with Covid protesters in German city

The movement has drawn in people from the far-left, conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers and right-wing extremists.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 08:23pm

Middle East

Iran's Khamenei, Rouhani promise better times as New Year starts

Sanctions have left Iran's economy grappling with rising inflation and a sharply devalued currency, a decline aggravated by the Covid-19 crisis.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 08:16pm

South Asia

Thai demonstrators clash with police at Grand Palace

"You're breaking the law!" said the police over an announcer as protesters used ropes to pull the lower containers out of place.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 08:14pm

Middle East

Iran ex-president Khatami blasted over New Year message

In his remarks, Khatami expressed hopes that the elections would be "free and inclusive".

Published 20 Mar, 2021 08:12pm

Europe

Europe's south calls for more solidarity in new EU migration pact

The EU has fought bitterly since 2015, when over 1 million people, most of them Syrian, Iraqi or Afghan refugees, arrived on its shores, the majority through Greece.
A new pact to tackle the issue was put forward by the European Commission last September but a final deal has yet to be reached.

Updated 20 Mar, 2021 09:20pm

Europe

Erdogan sacks another central bank chief after sharp Turkey rate hike

Shock overhaul brings fourth central bank chief in five years.
New chief, like Erdogan, a critic of tight policy.
Credibility in focus, analysts predict lira selloff.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 08:00pm

Europe

Britain says it stands with Bulgaria against 'malign' Russian activity

"We fully support Bulgaria's efforts in disrupting an alleged spy ring and taking steps to tackle Russia's hostile actions in its territory," Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Twitter on Saturday.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 07:55pm

South Asia

Quake hits Japan area devastated a decade ago, tsunami alerts lifted

The quake, with a magnitude of 7.2, hit the coast of Miyagi Prefecture at 6:26 p.m. (0926 GMT) at a depth of 60 km (40 miles), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
All tsunami alerts were lifted about an hour later, broadcaster NHK said after warning the public not to go near the shore.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 07:52pm

Europe

Denmark reports two cases of serious illness, including one death, after AstraZeneca shot

The two, both hospital staff members, had both received the AstraZeneca vaccine less than 14 days before getting ill, the authority that runs public hospitals in Copenhagen said.
The Danish Medicines Agency confirmed it had received two "serious reports", without giving further details. There were no details of when the hospital staff got ill.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 07:39pm

South Asia

Supreme leader ushers in Iranian new year with message of hope

"There is good ground for a production leap," Khamenei said, adding that the government needed to get rid of any legal obstacles to production and growth.
Khamenei said the new year of 1400 is "an important and sensitive" one because of the upcoming presidential election in June.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:53pm

Europe

Britain hits milestone as half of all adults get first vaccine dose

"The vaccine is a national success story and our way out of this pandemic," said Hancock, adding that he was "delighted".
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson got his first vaccine dose on Friday, receiving AstraZeneca's shot - which several European countries had temporarily stopped using earlier this week over safety fears.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:51pm

South Asia

China reaches 70mn COVID-19 vaccinations

China last reported four new COVID-19 cases on March 19, all of which were imported from abroad.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:48pm

Europe

Turkey's Erdogan quits European treaty on violence against women

Turkey signed on to Istanbul Convention in 2011.
Pact had split ruling conservative AK Party.
Femicide rate has soared in recent years.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:46pm

South Asia

China appoints new central bank monetary policy committee members

Cai is an influential economist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), a top government think tank, while Wang is vice chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), another think tank.
The policy committee, which meets once every quarter to discuss economic and policy issues, can recommend changes or action when necessary, but its influence is limited.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:33pm

USA

Austin says discussed with India its planned purchase of Russian air defence systems

There has been no delivery of S400 systems to India and so the possibility of sanctions was not discussed, Austin told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:25pm

South Asia

Fed policy changes could hit China's capital inflows

Capital inflows into China have increased as the yuan has appreciated, Wang told the China Development Forum in Beijing.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:19pm

South Asia

Thai police shoot water cannon at protesters near king's palace

About 1,000 protesters gathered near the Grand Palace in Bangkok in an area known as Sanam Luang, or Royal Field.
"We have prepared officers to maintain order," police deputy spokesman Kissana Pattanacharoen told reporters earlier, but declined to say how many officers were deployed.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:14pm

Europe

Parts of France enter lockdown amid confusion and frustration

The government announced the new measures on Thursday after a jump in COVID-19 cases in Paris and parts of northern France.
The new restrictions are less severe than those in place during the lockdowns of spring and November 2020, raising concerns that they may not be effective.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:09pm

Europe

Holidays abroad this summer unlikely for most Britons, scientist warns

Britain has banned travel for most people during the current lockdown and has said overseas holidays will not be allowed until May 17 at the earliest.
I think international travel this summer is, for the average holidaymaker, sadly I think, extremely unlikely.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 06:09pm

World

In Brazil, Covid increasingly hitting the young

Two, aged 56 and 53, are on ventilators. A third is breathing on his own, but writhing in agony. He is 26 years old.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:42pm

USA

Biden visits Atlanta, condemns violence against Asian-Americans

Biden's pre-scheduled trip to the southern metropolis was originally intended to focus on his Covid-19 battle plan.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:40pm

Europe

Paris enters new lockdown as Europe resumes AstraZeneca jabs

Worries that AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine may cause blood clots had seen countries pause its use recently.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:38pm

World

5.7 magnitude quake rattles Mexico

Despite the panic, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:36pm

South Asia

Bus crash kills 14 in Sri Lanka

Five of the dead passengers were women and eight were men, police said, while another 30 people sustained injuries.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:31pm

South Asia

Anti-coup protesters defy Myanmar junta's campaign of fear

The protesters in Shan state wielded home-made shields that said "protect unarmed civilians".

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:28pm

South Asia

China dominates Pentagon chief's first India visit

Last week saw the first ever summit of the leaders of the Quad, a four-way alliance of the US, Japan, Australia and India seen as a bulwark against China.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:26pm

Europe

Turkey treaty withdrawal 'huge setback' for women: rights chief

Turkey had been debating a possible departure after an official in Erdogan's party raised dropping the treaty last year.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:24pm

South Asia

7.2-magnitude quake off northeast Japan, tsunami advisory issued

The US Geological Service put the strength of the quake at 7.0-magnitude.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:23pm

Middle East

Qatar extends minimum wage to all as World Cup looms

The minimum became mandatory for all newly signed contracts from August 30, and will now also be compulsory for existing employment agreements.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:21pm

World

Record rains, flooding prompt evacuations in Australia

It warned the heavy rains were forecast to move down the coast over the weekend, "potentially leading to life-threatening flash flooding" in some areas.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:19pm

Europe

AstraZeneca exports can be banned if bloc not supplied first: EU chief

Leyen said AstraZeneca had delivered only 30 percent of the 90 million vaccine doses it had promised for the first quarter of the year.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:13pm

Middle East

Saudi coalition strikes advancing Yemen rebels

At least 70 fighters were killed, including 22 from the government forces, and dozens were injured in clashes in the past 48 hours.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:11pm

Europe

Fresh lockdowns in Europe as EU threatens AstraZeneca export ban

The pandemic is still speeding up worldwide, with the number of new Covid-19 infections rising globally by 14 percent over the past week.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:09pm

Europe

Five years on, Brussels attack survivor rebuilds life

Perpetrated by the French-Belgian jihadist cell that had already struck in Paris the previous November, killing 130.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:06pm

South Asia

Japan lifts tsunami advisory after strong quake off northeast

The US Geological Service put the strength of the quake at 7.0-magnitude.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:03pm

Europe

Coronavirus toll at 1100 GMT Saturday

At least 122,241,510 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 05:00pm

World

Tunisia revolution cost 129 lives: official count

A preliminary toll of 338 dead and 2,147 injured had been issued in 2012.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 04:58pm

Europe

UK vaccine drive 'huge success' after jabbing half of all adults

Britain's successful vaccination campaign contrasts with Europe, which has struggled with its own rollout and has been seeing a fresh surge in infections.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 04:58pm

World

Facebook says technical issue caused global outage of WhatsApp, Instagram

We resolved this issue for everyone, and we apologize for any inconvenience, Facebook said.
On Friday, Facebook-owned Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as the Facebook Messenger app, went down globally for more than 30 minutes.

Published 20 Mar, 2021 11:04am

World

Joe Biden stumbles as he boards Air Force One

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden on Friday lost his footing and tripped multiple times while walking up the steps...