News Archives for World - 2021-03-31

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USA

Covid was third leading cause of US deaths in 2020: data

Heart disease was responsible for about 690,000 deaths, cancer for 598,000 deaths and Covid for 345,000 deaths, according to a new report.

Updated 01 Apr, 2021 12:02am

Europe

Macron to make COVID-19 address as third wave swamps French hospitals

Parliament will vote on Thursday on the measures announced by Macron. "That tells you steps will be taken on a national level," the government source said.

Updated 01 Apr, 2021 12:01am

Europe

Italy reports 467 coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, 23,904 new cases

Some 351,221 tests for COVID-19 were carried out in the past day, compared with a previous 301,451, the health ministry said.

Updated 01 Apr, 2021 12:01am

Europe

Turkey logs highest new daily COVID-19 cases since beginning of pandemic

The government eased measures to curb the pandemic in Turkey earlier this month, prompting a surge in new cases.

Updated 01 Apr, 2021 12:01am

World

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine safe, effective for adolescents in trial

Young people have been less likely to suffer severe disease and more likely to have asymptomatic infection, allowing them to unwittingly transmit COVID-19 to others.

Updated 01 Apr, 2021 12:01am

USA

APPAC hails President Biden’s historic appointment of Judge Zahid Quraishi

On Tuesday, President Biden released his first slate of 11 federal judicial nominations including nine women of diverse backgrounds.
“We are proud to have played an instrumental role in making this appointment happen and thank President Biden, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Charles Schumer and many other elected officials for hearing our calls about the need for a Muslim American Federal Judge."

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:38pm

Europe

Coronavirus toll at 1000 GMT Wednesday

At least 128,173,020 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:25pm

World

BioNTech-Pfizer say Covid vaccine 100pc effective on 12-15 year olds

BioNTech and Pfizer last week began studies of the jab on children, with the first group of five-to-11 year olds getting the vaccine.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:20pm

World

WHO experts say Chinese jabs show 'safety', but data lacking

Sinovac and Sinopharm have submitted data in applications for the WHO's EUL green light.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:15pm

USA

Biden to unveil massive $2 trillion infrastructure plan

The first phase of Biden's "Build Back Better" program, which he will unveil in a speech in Pittsburgh, will detail massive investment spread over eight years.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:12pm

Middle East

Yemen receives first coronavirus vaccines: UN

"This first batch is part of 1.9 million doses that Yemen will initially receive throughout 2021," it added.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:09pm

Europe

EU to have received 107 million vax doses by end of week

The overall figure was revised down dramatically after the Anglo-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca slashed the number it was providing from a contracted 120 million doses.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:06pm

South Asia

Myanmar's Suu Kyi in good health, lawyer says

Suu Kyi is facing a raft of criminal charges and conviction could see her barred from political office for life.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:02pm

Europe

EU agency finds no specific age risk for AstraZeneca so far

Germany on Tuesday became the latest in a series of countries to advise against using the AstraZeneca jab for younger people after rare reports of clotting.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:00pm

Europe

Erdogan eyes May visit to Nagorno-Karabakh

God willing, we will have a new Bayram together with our brothers by visiting Shusha after the Ramadan feast, Erdogan.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 08:00pm

World

BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 100% effective on 12-15 year olds: study

The vaccine was 100% effective in protecting against symptomatic disease, said the companies, who tested the drug on more than 2,260 children during phase three trial.
Researchers also didn’t find any safety concerns, Pfizer and BioNTech said.

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 05:18pm

World

US seeks Taliban's consent to extend stay of troops in Afghanistan

Under the US-Taliban peace pact, US forces must leave the country by May 1
The Taliban has not taken any decision over the US administration's request

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 03:32pm

USA

White House unveils $2 trillion infrastructure and climate plan

President Joe Biden on Wednesday will call for a dramatic and more permanent shift in the direction of the U.S. economy with a roughly $2 trillion package to invest in traditional projects like roads and bridges alongside tackling climate change and boosting human services like elder care.
He also aims to put corporate America on the hook for the tab, which is expected to grow to a combined $4 trillion once he rolls out the second part of his economic plan in April.

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 03:05pm

World

Italy police arrest Russian official, Italian navy captain in spying case

“The Italian official was taken into custody, while the position of the foreign national is still under consideration in relation to his diplomatic status,” the Carabinieri said.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 02:15pm

World

Investigation begins into how ship got stuck on Suez Canal

The investigation will include examining the seaworthiness of the ship and its captain’s actions to help determine the causes, Rabie advisor Captain Sayed Sheasha said.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 02:11pm

World

BBC journalist leaves China amid Beijing's criticisms of network's coverage

“John’s work has exposed truth the Chinese authorities did not want the world to know,” BBC News said. “The BBC is proud of John’s award-winning reporting during his time in Beijing and he remains our China correspondent.”

Published 31 Mar, 2021 02:07pm

World

India's daily coronavirus cases rise at slower pace than day earlier

Deaths were at their highest since mid-December, according to a Reuters tally, with 354 people dying of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the ministry said, taking total mortalities to 162,468.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 01:24pm

World

Google, BMW, Volvo, and Samsung SDI sign up to WWF call for temporary ban on deep-sea mining

Companies that hold exploration licences for swathes of the sea floor, including DeepGreen, GSR and UK Seabed Resources - a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin's UK-based arm - hope to eventually sell minerals from the seabed to carmakers and battery companies.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 12:48pm

World

Ukraine reports record daily high of 407 coronavirus related deaths

The previous high of 362 deaths was on March 25.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 12:43pm

World

Heavy gunfire heard near presidency in Niger's capital

The government of Niger was not immediately available to comment.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 12:11pm

World

Facebook to curb hate speech as Indian states go to polls

Opposition parties questioned the company's policy following the report, but the Menlo Park, California-based company maintained, "remains committed to be an open and transparent platform."

Published 31 Mar, 2021 12:09pm

World

ADB approves $450mn loan for Indonesia COVID-19 vaccinations

The loan will fund the purchase of at least 65 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for priority groups determined.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 12:07pm

World

Spain removes age limit on AstraZeneca vaccine, to give J&J to over-66s

A public health commission approved the change at a meeting on Tuesday, the broadcaster said.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 11:46am

World

US orders diplomats out of Myanmar as violence spirals

The KNU, one of the biggest rebel groups, took over an army base in eastern Kayin state at the weekend, prompting the military to respond with air strikes.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 11:20am

World

Ivory Coast's Gbagbo faces crucial ICC ruling

Gbagbo has been living in Brussels pending Wednesday's decision but plans to go home if it goes his way, thanks to an olive branch offered by his erstwhile rival.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 11:18am

World

Joe Biden nominates Zahid Quraishi as first Muslim federal judge

Quraishi, a New Jersey magistrate judge, if confirmed would be US's first Muslim American to serve on a federal district court.
Biden also nominated nine women of diverse backgrounds including several Black candidates and an Asian American.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 11:18am

World

Capitol police sue Trump over January 6 riot

The lawsuit compiles numerous instances in which it says Trump encouraged the insurrection.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 11:12am

World

China locks down city on Myanmar border over virus fears

Ruili will also test all its residents for the virus, and everyone will go under "home quarantine" for a week, said an official notice.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 11:10am

World

Crashed Indonesia passenger jet's cockpit voice recorder found: ministry

That accident -- and another in Ethiopia -- led to the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX over a faulty anti-stall system.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:59am

World

UN report points to Huthis for December attack on Aden airport

They were fired from "facilities were under the control of the Huthi forces at the time of the attacks," said a summary of the confidential investigative report obtained on Tuesday by AFP.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:44am

World

US VP Harris thanks Guatemalan president for controlling Honduras border

Still, at least 300 Hondurans left Tuesday in a new caravan headed for the US border. Since October 2018, more than a dozen caravans have left Honduras, heading north.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:42am

World

Brazil military chiefs exit in new turmoil for Bolsonaro

Some Brazilian media reported the trio had resigned in protest at Bolsonaro's surprise decision to replace defense minister Fernando Azevedo.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:39am

World

US opens army base for migrant kids as numbers mount

The children have overwhelmed CBP and HHS facilities, bringing criticism of Biden for overcrowding and forcing a rapid search for new capacity to hold them, as in Fort Bliss.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:33am

World

US leads concern over WHO-backed Covid origins report

Trump had promoted a theory that the virus could have leaked from a lab in Wuhan, which the WHO-backed experts dismissed in their report.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:30am

World

US orders departure of non-essential diplomats from Myanmar

The ordered departure status will be reviewed in 30-day increments, the spokesperson added.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:28am

World

Bolivia to speed up vaccinations on border with Brazil

It reported 719 new cases on Monday, of them 38.8 percent in Santa Cruz, 16.5 percent in Beni and 2.8 percent in Pando.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:25am

World

'It wasn't right': witness to Floyd death tells court

"It's been nights I stayed up apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life," she said.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:21am

World

Biden picks Black women, first Muslim for federal judgeships

Under the US Constitution, the president nominates people to serve on the Supreme Court and other federal courts for life, and the Senate votes on whether to confirm them.

Published 31 Mar, 2021 10:18am

World

French strike in Mali killed 19 civilians in January: UN

BAMAKO: A French air strike killed 19 civilians in Mali in January, a UN report said on Tuesday, prompting a strong...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

Comet ‘most pristine’ object from outer space seen in Solar System

PARIS: A newly observed interstellar comet is the most pristine visitor from outer space ever seen in our Solar...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

Slovak PM resigns over handling of pandemic

BRATISLAVA: Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic resigned on Tuesday following heavy criticism in the ex-communist...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

Myanmar crackdown death toll passes 520

YANGON: The civilian death toll in the Myanmar military’s crackdown on protesters passed 520 as armed rebel groups...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

Germany fights UK exclusion from EU research projects

BRUSSELS: Germany and other EU members are opposing a move by the European Commission to block Britain and Israel...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

Thai billionaire charged with royal insult over vaccine video

BANGKOK: A billionaire Thai opposition figure was charged Tuesday with defaming the monarchy after he questioned the...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

‘Go big’: Biden to launch sweeping infrastructure plan

WASHINGTON: It is a mantra that Joe Biden repeats at every opportunity: “Go big.” And this week, the US leader...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

Sisi promises investment to avoid another Suez closure

ISMAILIA, (Egypt): Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged Tuesday investment to avoid any repetition of the...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:15am

World

China to expand outbound investment scheme

SHANGHAI: China is planning to expand an outbound investment scheme to its southern province of Guangdong, state...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

ICC upholds conviction of Congolese warlord dubbed ‘Terminator’

THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court on Tuesday upheld the war crimes conviction and 30-year sentence imposed...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

UN chief says Syria border must stay open for aid

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that a closure of the last remaining border...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Russia stages fresh military drills in the Arctic

MOSCOW: Russia was holding fresh military exercises on Tuesday in the Arctic, a territory of growing importance for...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

UK concern over ‘opaque’ empire of billionaire Gupta

LONDON: Britain’s business minister on Tuesday confirmed Boris Johnson’s government had refused a £170 million...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Women in the majority as Spanish PM reshuffles cabinet

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reshuffled his government Tuesday, in a move that will see the majority...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Merkel and party chief at odds over virus measures

BERLIN: The leader of Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union party pushed back Monday against the chancellor's...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Forests, soil may not keep pace with CO2 emissions, experts warn

PARIS: The world is counting too heavily on soil and plants to soak up planet-ravaging carbon pollution, researchers...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Without Trump, political disinformation dips - for now

WASHINGTON: Twitter said it permanently suspended Donald Trump's account after the January 6 Capitol riot because...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Tsarist-era Moscow grocery store set to close

MOSCOW: A historic grocery store operating in central Moscow for more than a century selling exotic foods in lavish...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

US, 13 allies voice concern on WHO-backed Covid report

WASHINGTON: The United States and 13 allies on Tuesday jointly voiced concern over a World Health ...

Updated 31 Mar, 2021 10:14am

World

Global leaders push for pandemic preparedness treaty

GENEVA: World leaders pushed Tuesday for a new international treaty to prepare for the next global pandemic - and...