News Archives for World - 2021-04-03

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Europe

Italy reports 376 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, 21,261 new cases

Italy has registered 110,704 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the seventh-highest in the world.
Patients in hospital with COVID-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 28,489 on Saturday, down from 28,704, a day earlier.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 09:28pm

USA

Kerry: US 'hopeful' it can work with China to tackle climate change

Sino-US relations have been strained in recent years by disagreements about trade, China's treatment of its Uighur minority, as well as China's actions in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Kerry said the countries would discuss how to reduce a reliance on coal, as well as how to "raise ambitions" on climate change ahead of November's conference.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 09:26pm

Europe

Turkey records 44,756 new coronavirus cases, highest level yet

Cases have surged since the government eased measures to curb the pandemic in early March, hitting new record highs over the past consecutive five days.
The total number of cases stands at 3.445 million as of Saturday, the data showed. The latest daily death toll was 186, bringing the cumulative toll to 32,078.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 09:25pm

South Asia

Myanmar protesters defy crackdown, five killed; junta hunts critics

Five killed in firing on protests - witness, media.
Arrest warrants for another 20 anti-coup celebrities issued.
US condemns internet shutdown.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:30pm

Europe

UK reports 10 more COVID deaths, 3,423 new cases

Official data also showed 31,301,267 people had received their first shot of a COVID vaccine.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:25pm

Middle East

Dubai aims to boost contribution of creative arts to GDP

Dubai, part of the Unites Arab Emirates, is a regional business and tourism hub. It has the hydrocarbon-rich region's most diversified economy and was one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The plan includes changes to the legislative and investment environment and steps to attract innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 08:29pm

Europe

Ukraine says joint military drills with NATO to begin in a few months

NATO voiced concern on Thursday over what it said was a big Russian military build-up near eastern Ukraine after Russia warned that a serious escalation in the conflict in Ukraine's Donbass region could "destroy" Ukraine.
The drills will involve more than 1,000 military personnel from at least 5 NATO member states and will be held in a few months, the Ukrainian armed forces said in a statement on Facebook on Saturday.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:24pm

South Asia

Iran rejects 'step-by-step' lifting of US sanctions

"No step-by-step plan is being considered," Khatibzadeh told state broadcaster Press TV. "The definitive policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the lifting of all US sanctions."
The US State Department has said the focus of the Vienna talks will be on "the nuclear steps that Iran would need to take in order to return to compliance" with the nuclear accord.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:22pm

USA

Argentine leader Alberto Fernandez says he tests positive for the coronavirus

"I am in good physical condition," the president, who turned 62 on Friday, said in a tweet. He had received Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus early this year.
"I would have liked to end my birthday without this news, but I am in good spirits," Fernandez added.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:17pm

Europe

Rutte's prospects of forming new government wane as coalition partner quits

This threw already stalled talks about forming a new government further into disarray, setting them back by weeks if not months and making it virtually impossible to predict the outcome.
Rutte, 54, had narrowly survived a no-confidence vote on Friday after parliament passed a motion disapproving of his behaviour during government formation talks following last month's election.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:10pm

South Asia

Philippines' Duterte extends coronavirus curbs in capital, nearby provinces

Strict quarantine measures extended by at least a week.
Philippines logs its second-highest daily COVID-19 cases.
Hospitals in the capital reach critical capacity.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:00pm

South Asia

Malaysia is independent, says minister who called Chinese counterpart 'elder brother'

Hishammuddin Hussein, on his first visit to China as foreign minister, had expressed hope that he and Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi would pursue closer ties between the nations, including post-COVID-19 cooperation and fighting the pandemic.
"This is not the language and style that should be used in the world of diplomacy and international relations because it seems to put Malaysia's status as a foreign puppet," Anwar said on Saturday.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:49pm

Europe

France calls on Iran to be constructive in nuclear talks

"I encouraged Iran to be constructive in the discussions that are set to take place," Le Drian said. "They are meant to help identify in the coming weeks the steps that will be needed in order to return to full compliance with the nuclear deal."

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:47pm

South Asia

Taiwan says first batch of COVAX vaccines to arrive Sunday

Taiwan, which has kept the pandemic under control thanks to early and effective prevention, began its vaccination campaign only last month, also with AstraZeneca shots, after getting 117,000 doses directly from the drugmaker.
Chen told reporters that the latest vaccines were also manufactured in South Korea and had been due to start arriving from February, but had been held up by global vaccine supply problems.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:43pm

Europe

Ukraine approves Chinese vaccine as COVID-19 cases hit new record high

Ukraine received its first batch of 215,000 Sinovac doses in March to boost its vaccination programme, which has lagged behind many other European countries and it has so far relied on a single batch of AstraZeneca vaccines from India.
"The vaccines of the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech can be trusted," it said.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:41pm

Middle East

Syria to get COVID-19 vaccines from China, Russia, WHO within days

The vaccines will be administered "according to a clear system", the report said without giving further details.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:38pm

Africa

Senegal to open consulate in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara

The Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence for Western Sahara, a vast desert region held by Morocco since Spain withdrew in 1975.
Morocco has long sought international recognition of its claim to the region it calls its "southern provinces". The Polisario movement and Algeria have denounced the opening of consulates in the territory.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:29pm

Europe

Police arrest 100 gang members who smuggled drugs into Spain on speed boats

The gang filled their boats with the drugs and headed across the Mediterranean and up the River Guadalquivir near Seville in southern Spain.
Some members of the extensive gang were employed to make sure the speed boats, which consume a large amount of fuel, were always ready to use.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:19pm

Europe

Hundreds join 'kill the bill' rallies across Britain against proposed protest law

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill would toughen measures officers can take to disperse demonstrations, such as imposing time and noise limits, which campaigners and activists fear would be used to curb dissent.
On Saturday, climate change group Extinction Rebellion (XR) and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement joined other activists for "kill the bill" rallies in London and other towns and cities, including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Brighton.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:15pm

USA

PM Khan 'puzzled' at the cacophony over Pakistan's exclusion from Biden's climate conference

On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that he was puzzled that Pakistan was not invited to the Leaders Summit on Climate in the United States.
The premier mentioned that his government's "environment policies are driven solely” by its commitment to mitigate the impact of climate change for future generations.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 04:40pm

Europe

Europe’s heat and drought crop losses tripled in 50 years

PARIS: The severity of crop losses driven by heat waves and drought have tripled in the last fifty years in Europe,...