News Archives for World - 2021-05-25

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World

Mali's former coup chief takes power after military arrests president

The country's transitional president and prime minister were arrested on Monday after failing to consult him about the formation of a new government.
The two men were in charge of a transitional government created after a military coup in August that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Published 25 May, 2021 08:47pm

Middle East

Blinken says US to provide $75mn in assistance to Palestinians

Speaking after his meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Blinken said the United States would also provide $5.5 million in immediate disaster assistance for Gaza and $32 million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Published 25 May, 2021 08:21pm

USA

US new home sales fell in April as housing market cools

Sales fell the most in the Northeast, which saw a decrease of 13.7 percent, while the decline in the South and Midwest was around eight percent. The West saw growth of 7.9 percent.

Published 25 May, 2021 08:10pm

South Asia

Japan's PM fine-tunes spending plans as way out of COVID-19 slump

Eyes growth in digital, green sectors, regions, childcare.
Suga says 'coronavirus response' is top economic priority.
Gives no timeframe for achieving balanced budget goal.

Published 25 May, 2021 08:08pm

Europe

Sweden to donate at least 3 million vaccine doses to COVAX in 2021

"In this way Sweden contributes to more than our share of the EU's target of donating at least 100 million doses to low- and middle income countries in 2021," the government said in the statement.
Sweden said earlier in May it would donate 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to COVAX.

Published 25 May, 2021 08:04pm

USA

US home prices rose more than expected in March

The S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas gained 13.3% through the 12 months ended in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, the largest annual price increase since December 2013. A Reuters poll of economists had forecast a 12.3% increase.
On month-to-month basis, the 20-city composite index rose 1.6% from February. Economists polled by Reuters had been expecting a 1.2% increase.

Published 25 May, 2021 08:02pm

USA

Half of US adults fully vaccinated against Covid: W.House

More than half a million Americans have died from the coronavirus but the country is now a world leader in rolling out vaccinations.

Published 25 May, 2021 07:55pm

USA

Biden-Putin to hold first summit in Geneva

"The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the US-Russia relationship," Jen Psaki said.

Published 25 May, 2021 07:51pm

Europe

EU air traffic agency eyes Baltic routes for flights shunning Belarus

The EU will also shut out the Belarusian carrier Belavia from its skies and airports. Lufthansa, KLM, SAS, Air France, LOT and Singapore Airlines were among carriers that announced they would stop flying over Belarus.
"Airlines avoiding the airspace of Belarus may well have an additional time and fuel cost, depending on the route. Longer haul routes will generally be relatively less affected."

Published 25 May, 2021 07:35pm

Europe

Global carbon pricing schemes raised $53bn in 2020: World Bank

Many countries are using a price on carbon to help meet their climate goals in the form of a tax or under an emissions trading (ETS), or cap-and-trade, system.
"Despite the social and economic upheaval caused by COVID-19, jurisdictions and companies have not wavered in their commitment to fighting climate change," the report said.

Published 25 May, 2021 07:13pm

USA

Fed's Evans says easy monetary policy has his 'full' support

"I have not seen anything yet to persuade me to change my full support of our accommodative stance for monetary policy or our forward guidance about the path for policy," Evans said in remarks prepared for delivery to a Bank of Japan conference.
Government spending has lifted inflation expectations recently, he noted, in what he called a "welcome" development.

Published 25 May, 2021 06:49pm

Europe

Poland dangles lottery jackpot to boost COVID vaccination drive

Michal Dworczyk said that although 69% of Poles have declared they want to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, the biggest challenge was making sure they do it.
"We are carrying out another advertising campaign ... we have sports people involved, we have actors involved, influencers involved," Dworczyk told a news conference.

Published 25 May, 2021 06:47pm

Europe

UK regulator reviewing AstraZeneca's $39bn Alexion buyout

UK's CMA assessing if deal could hurt market competition.
CMA sets June 3 deadline for comments, sees decision by July 21.
AstraZeneca shares marginally lower, agreed deal in December.

Published 25 May, 2021 06:02pm

Europe

EU summit embraces Covid certificate to unlock travel

European Commission chief stressed that the union had made "steady progress on vaccination" -- permitting the reopening of travel.

Published 25 May, 2021 06:02pm

USA

Mexico swings to trade surplus in April, powered by record exports

National statistics agency INEGI said that adjusted for seasonal swings, Mexico posted a $249 million trade surplus last month after logging a deficit of nearly $3.4 billion in March.
A breakdown of the INEGI figures showed that Mexico sold $40.3 billion worth of exports in April in adjusted terms, 0.2% higher than the previous month, which was also a record.

Published 25 May, 2021 06:00pm

USA

US Senate banking chair plans interest-rate cap bill as he turns up heat on lenders

"The next step is going to be putting a national cap on interest rates," Brown, a consumer champion and Wall Street critic, said in an interview. "This is a continued fight."
"Enough people wronged by payday lenders have told their stories in Congress. It's a better time," he said.

Published 25 May, 2021 05:56pm

Africa

Suez Canal Authority says door still open to negotiation with container ship owner

The Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, became jammed across the canal in high winds on March 23, halting traffic in both directions and disrupting global trade.
On Sunday the court rejected a claim by Shoei Kisen, the Japanese owners of the vessel, to have the vessel released from detention.

Published 25 May, 2021 05:54pm

Europe

EU expects more than a billion COVID shots by end of September, document shows

EU to easily meet vaccination targets, 1.5 bln doses by year-end.
Doses coming from four drugmakers, not Sanofi, CureVac - EU doc.
EU leaders back goal of donating at least 100mln doses in 2021.
WHO's Tedros asks for much more.

Published 25 May, 2021 05:48pm

Europe

Spain to receive 94mn Pfizer vaccine doses from December under EU deal

Maria Jesus Montero said the total was equivalent to twice the target population in Spain, where around 8.1 million people have already received a full course of vaccines.

Published 25 May, 2021 05:22pm

Europe

Virus curbs hit German GDP more than expected in Q1

It was well below pre-pandemic levels, with Covid-19 curbs leading to a 5.4 percent drop in private consumption, according to the data.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:45pm

Europe

UK borrowing dips on easing Covid curbs

Public sector net borrowing slid to £31.7 billion ($45 billion, 37 billion euros) last month, the Office for National Statistics said.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:42pm

South Asia

Malaysia probes metro crash that injured over 200

Most suffered minor injuries but 64 were taken to hospital and six were in critical condition Tuesday, authorities said.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:39pm

Africa

Mali in turmoil after army detains leaders

The military kept the strategic portfolios it controlled during the previous administration in the reshuffle.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:36pm

Europe

Jailed Kremlin critic Navalny says facing three new criminal probes

Navalny was arrested in January upon returning from Germany after recovering from a nerve agent poisoning attack he says was orchestrated by the Kremlin.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:34pm

World

Coronavirus toll at 1000 GMT Tuesday

At least 167,197,690 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:32pm

Europe

Macron wants Belarus opposition to join G7 summit: presidency sources

The proposal comes amid outrage in Europe over Belarus's diversion of a Ryanair flight on Sunday and arrest of a dissident journalist on board.

Published 25 May, 2021 04:32pm

World

Belarus opposition urges US, G7 to up pressure on regime

In a call with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Tikhanovskaya "called on the United States to isolate the regime.

Published 25 May, 2021 02:02pm

World

Taliban promise 'safe environment' for diplomats, aid workers in Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem told AFP. "We will provide a safe environment for their activities.

Updated 25 May, 2021 01:59pm

World

Blinken arrives in Israel to try to bolster Gaza ceasefire

Egypt brokered the truce, in coordination with the United States.

Published 25 May, 2021 01:06pm

World

Several reported killed in shooting near Columbus, Ohio

WCMH said the crime scene was a home in West Jefferson, a town of about 4,000 residents about 15 miles west of Columbus.

Published 25 May, 2021 12:57pm

World

Thai king approves $16bn borrowing bill for COVID-19 response

The borrowing was less than an earlier plan of 700 billion baht approved by the cabinet earlier this month.

Published 25 May, 2021 12:48pm

World

Taiwan reports further rise in COVID-19 cases

It continues to readjust its infection numbers following delays in reporting positive tests.

Published 25 May, 2021 12:25pm

World

Britain probing AstraZeneca-Alexion deal over competition concerns

The Competition and Markets Authority said it was inviting comments from any interested party on the deal to help with its assessment. It has set a deadline of June 3 for the insight from any stakeholders.

Published 25 May, 2021 12:18pm

World

Singapore Airlines reroutes flights to avoid Belarus airspace

The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority.

Published 25 May, 2021 12:07pm

World

Egypt's Sisi and Biden discuss Gaza ceasefire, Ethiopia dam dispute

Last week, Sisi pledged $500 million to help reconstruction efforts in Gaza, which was pummelled by Israeli strikes for 11 days.

Published 25 May, 2021 10:51am

World

UN envoy still hopes to get to Myanmar

"I think a resolution must be very strong to be effective. But what is also very important is to show unity in the General Assembly," she said.

Published 25 May, 2021 10:46am

World

World community condemns Malian army detention of leaders

The reshuffle also came at a time of growing political challenges in the capital Bamako, and pressure to stick to the deadline for promised reforms.

Published 25 May, 2021 10:42am

World

Biden condemns 'outrageous' Belarus forced plane landing, backs sanctions

The TV footage showed Protasevich -- who could face 15 years in jail -- with dark markings on his forehead, saying he was being treated "according to the law."

Published 25 May, 2021 10:35am

World

EU cuts air links with Belarus over forced plane landing

The footage showed Protasevich -- who could face 15 years in jail -- with dark markings visible on his forehead, saying he was being treated "according to the law".

Published 25 May, 2021 10:33am

World

UN chief calls for release of civilian leaders in Mali

The military kept the strategic portfolios it controlled during the previous administration in the reshuffle.

Published 25 May, 2021 10:29am

World

Biden hosts George Floyd family on anniversary of shocking murder

Floyd's daughter Gianna, his mother, sister and brothers will be among those attending private talks with Biden at the White House, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

Published 25 May, 2021 10:14am

World

Afghan forces kill 50 Taliban fighters in fresh clashes

"The towns and cities the Taliban have targeted are of strategic importance given their proximity to Kabul as some are on supply roads to the capital," said Kabul-based security analyst Bari Arez.
"The setbacks suffered by Afghan forces also indicate that they had not expected such Taliban offensives so soon" after the US military started the final withdrawal, he added.

Published 25 May, 2021 10:12am

World

Australia to close Kabul embassy over security fears

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the facility would close as an "interim measure" on May 28 -- in just three days -- "in light of the imminent international military withdrawal from Afghanistan."

Published 25 May, 2021 09:54am

World

Hong Kong could soon bin millions of unused vaccine doses

A total of 3,263,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have been shipped to Hong Kong so far but only 1,231,600 have been administered.

Published 25 May, 2021 09:48am

World

Six Latin American, Caribbean heads call for equitable vaccine access

World Health Organization boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have already made similar calls for equitable access to vaccines.

Published 25 May, 2021 09:40am

World

US home prices to keep racing ahead

BENGALURU: US house prices will continue to race ahead this year, at nearly twice the pace predicted just three...