News Archives for World - 2021-06-23

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Africa

S.Africa's health regulator to assess efficacy of Sinopharm vaccine

Now in the grip of a third wave of infections, South Africa is inoculating its population with Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines, but the rollout has been slow partly due to setbacks in supply.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 11:16pm

USA

White House says no increased violence against U.S. troops in Afghanistan

Psaki told a news briefing that while there had been increased attacks on Afghan forces and the government compared with a year ago "we have not seen an increase in attacks on our military or presence since February 2020."

Published 23 Jun, 2021 10:57pm

USA

US new home sales drop for second straight month

The median sales price of new properties climbed to $374,400, even as supply increased so that, if no more houses came onto the market, the stock would sell in 5.1 months at the current pace.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 09:11pm

World

WHO identifies issues at Russian vaccine plant

WHO approval has been sought for the Sputnik V jab created by Russia's Gamaleya research institute, which is already being used in 40 countries.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 07:48pm

Europe

Russia warns of 'explosive' virus surge

The highly infectious Delta variant, which first appeared in India, represents nearly 90 percent of new cases in Moscow, Sobyanin said.

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 09:13pm

USA

Canadian retail sales slide in April, May as COVID-19 shutdown bites

Retail trade fell 5.7% in April, the sharpest decline in a year, missing analyst forecasts of a 5.0% drop. In a preliminary estimate, Statscan said May retail sales likely fell by 3.2% as store closures dragged on.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 07:23pm

USA

US current account deficit rises to 14-year high in the first quarter

The Commerce Department said on Wednesday the current account deficit, which measures the flow of goods, services and investments into and out of the country, rose 11.8% to $195.7 billion last quarter.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 07:14pm

Europe

EU deal for N.Ireland 'not sustainable': UK minister

"The current position of the protocol is not sustainable," Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told MPs in London.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 07:09pm

World

Delta variant to account for 90% of new EU Covid cases: agency

"The Delta variant is more transmissible than other circulating variants and we estimate that by the end of August it will represent 90 percent" of new cases in the EU, she added.

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 07:32pm

USA

US factory activity index rises to record high in June

US manufacturing PMI rose to a reading of 62.6 this month.
IHS Markit said "average supplier delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent on record."

Published 23 Jun, 2021 07:01pm

Europe

France adds Russia to Covid red list

Namibia and the Seychelles are also being added to the "red" list, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 06:49pm

South Asia

Taliban control Tajikistan border crossing as Ghani heads to US

Tajikistan's national security committee confirmed Tuesday that more than 100 Afghan servicemen had crossed the border to escape the Taliban onslaught.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 06:47pm

South Asia

North Korea says talks with US would lead 'nowhere'

Foreign minister said Wednesday he welcomed Kim's rejection of the "hasty judgment, conjecture and expectation of the US".

Published 23 Jun, 2021 06:47pm

USA

Morgan Stanley to require Covid-19 vaccines at New York offices

The policy will operate on an honorary system and people will not be required to prove vaccination status, the person said.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 06:45pm

Europe

WHO cites concerns about Russian Sputnik V plant, which says issues resolved

Plant says it has addressed all of the WHO's concerns.
WHO, EMA reviewing Sputnik V shot for possible approval.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:55pm

Europe

No Scotland independence vote before 2024: UK minister

Scots in that vote opted by a majority to stay part of the bloc, with Sturgeon arguing that Scotland was being forced out against its will.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:54pm

Middle East

Brussels eyes extra 5.7bn euros for Syrian refugees

Under the European Commission plan, 3.5 billion euros would be provided to Turkey from 2021 to 2024 and the remaining 2.2 billion would go mainly to Lebanon and Jordan.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:51pm

Europe

EU considers 3.5bn euro migrant funding for Turkey

Turkey hosts some four million Syrian refugees.
EU leaders to agree more funds to help stop migrant influx.
European Parliament approval will be needed.
Many EU lawmakers critical of Turkey's rights record.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:44pm

South Asia

Italy says troop pull out could spark Afghan immigrant wave

US and NATO troops are pulling out of Afghanistan after 20 years of war, while the Taliban has been making huge territorial gains.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:39pm

Middle East

Iran says US to lift oil sanctions, Germany cautious on matter

Iranian remarks, by outgoing President Hassan Rouhani's chief of staff, echo previous assertions by officials in Rouhani's camp

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:31pm

Europe

Russia says to boost military ties with Myanmar as junta leader visits

We are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen bilateral ties based on the mutual understanding, respect and trust that have been established between our countries.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:31pm

Europe

More airlines join legal action against UK over travel curbs

EasyJet and tour group TUI said they had joined the action led by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) aimed at challenging the government for an alleged lack of transparency over travel rules.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 05:27pm

South Asia

Afghan translators fleeing the Taliban land in Britain

The government declined to comment on the reports about the departure of the flight over concerns about the safety of the relocating Afghan translators and their families.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 04:39pm

Middle East

Iran foils sabotage attack on atomic energy agency building: state TV

The incident comes as Tehran and world powers attempt to revive a hobbled 2015 agreement on Iran's nuclear programme in Vienna talks.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 04:30pm

Europe

Germany sees 'good chance' for striking Iran nuclear deal soon

Maas said there were still "several technical questions to resolve" on the landmark accord.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 04:28pm

World

Coronavirus toll at 1000 GMT Wednesday

At least 179,071,540 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 04:19pm

World

Indian delegation has met Afghan Taliban in Doha, claims Qatari official

Development comes in backdrop of US forces' withdrawal, reports The Hindu

Published 23 Jun, 2021 03:39pm

Asia

Afghan hospital burns after attack; Taliban seize border post in north

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied responsibility for the attack

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 04:15pm

Asia

China's COVID-hit Shenzhen suspends direct flights to Beijing

Flights to other mainland destinations appeared to be operating as normal.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 11:43am

USA

Members of Saudi hit squad that killed Khashoggi were trained in US: report

The New York Times says received training from a private American security group, a move first authorised by the administration of former president Barack Obama in 2014
It continued at least until the start of Donald Trump's presidency, the newspaper adds

Published 23 Jun, 2021 11:40am

World

US, China discuss possible meeting of secretary of state, Chinese foreign minister: FT

The administration of US President Joe Biden has also informed counterparts in Beijing that it would like Wendy Sherman.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 11:30am

USA

US defence chief favors reform to how military prosecutes sex crimes

The commission recommended including other related crimes such as domestic violence among those that would be removed from the chain's purview

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 01:24pm

Asia

US seizes Iranian state news websites

US action came as Washington seeks to restore the 2015 agreement between Tehran and six major countries to freeze its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 01:27pm

Middle East

Syria 'fixers' cash in on despair of prisoners' families

In war-torn country, a booming trade has emerged for "fixers" offering to help families locate or save their loved ones

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 01:23pm

USA

US experts to review heart problems among teens after Covid shots

Pfizer vaccine is currently the only shot authorised in adolescents aged 12 and up
Cases that have been confirmed were investigated following initial reports to vaccine safety monitoring systems

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 12:02pm

Europe

After Covid, could the next big killer be heatwaves?

With temperatures rising twice the global average in many regions, some severe impacts are baked in

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 12:04pm

Europe

Crushing climate impacts to hit sooner than feared: draft UN report

Transitioning to more plant-based diets could also reduce food-related emissions as much as 70 percent by 2050.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 10:27am

World

New Zealand brings back curbs in Wellington after COVID scare from Sydney visitor

New Zealand agreed to quarantine-free travel with neighbouring Australia earlier this year.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 10:04am

USA

Senate Democrats' election reform bill blocked on party-line vote

But the courts may not provide an easy win.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 10:01am

Asia

Hong Kong police arrest Apple Daily columnist under security law

A police representative said they had no immediate information on a second arrest.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 09:57am

Asia

China condemns latest US warship transit of Taiwan Strait

The US Navy has been conducting such operations in the Taiwan Strait every month or so.

Updated 23 Jun, 2021 10:58am

Europe

Five years on, Brexit bedevils pandemic-hit UK

The coronavirus pandemic has masked the economic dislocation caused by the referendum verdict, which backed severing five decades of integration with the European mainland.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 09:39am

Europe

World powers in new push for Libya peace

Representatives of Libya's interim government will join US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as well as the foreign ministers of France and Egypt at the UN-sponsored talks.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 09:36am

World

Strong earthquake shakes Peru's capital

Peruvian monitors said there was no risk of a tsunami.

Published 23 Jun, 2021 09:34am

World

US has 'wrong' expectation for dialogue: Kim's sister

SEOUL: The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday that Washington had "wrong"...