News Archives for World - 2020-07-21

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World - 2020-07-21

Trump threatens defense bill veto over Confederate names, Afghan policy

The sweeping $740 billion NDAA sets policy for the Department of Defense. It has passed for 59 straight years.
Trump had already vowed to veto the NDAA over a provision requiring the military to rename bases named for Confederate military leaders.

Updated 22 Jul, 2020 12:20am

Kerb

Facebook places label on Trump's post about mail-in voting

"Mail-In Voting, unless changed by the courts, will lead to the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation's History! #RIGGEDELECTION," Trump wrote.
The Facebook label, which does not dispute Trump's claim, redirects users to details from a US government website on how to vote in the 2020 elections.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 11:20pm

Exchange

US lawmaker urges Trump administration to seek tougher rules for Chinese companies

The group includes Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton.
The Treasury, the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Federal Reserve, which received copies of the letter.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 11:00pm

South Asia

China agrees to ‘intensive’ WTO talks on fisheries

The WTO's 164 members are set to start "continuous negotiations" in September based on a draft text with a view to getting a deal by December.
China, the European Union, the United States, South Korea and Japan are the top five subsidisers - with Beijing and Washington at odds over details over this issue.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 10:53pm

USA

Trump orders voting districts to exclude people in US illegally

Including these illegal aliens in the population of the State for the purpose of apportionment could result in the allocation of two or three more congressional seats than would otherwise be allocated.
Proponents of citizens-only voting districts argue each vote should carry the same weight. If one district has far fewer eligible voters than another.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 10:41pm

Middle East

Iraqi PM arrives in Tehran in first trip abroad

Kadhemi, who was greeted by officials at Mehrabad airport, is expected to meet President Hassan Rouhani and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, among other senior officials.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 07:23pm

Europe

Armed man takes 'around 20' hostages on bus in Ukraine

The head of the local police service said shots were heard at the scene but no injuries have been reported so far.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 07:21pm

Afghan girl kills two Taliban fighters after parents murdered

The fighters were looking for her father, the village chief, local police head Habiburahman Malekzada told AFP.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 07:17pm

Europe

Dutch far-right slams 'weak kneed' Rutte over EU deal

Wilders, the peroxide-haired head of the Freedom Party (PVV), said the deal agreed in Brussels, was "madness."

Published 21 Jul, 2020 07:09pm

Iran reports record daily toll of 229 coronavirus deaths

"Sadly, we lost 229 of our compatriots to the COVID-19 infection in the past 24 hours," health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 07:05pm

Asia

Malaysia urged to halt 'barbaric' caning of Rohingya

But since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries which traditionally allowed Rohingya boats to land have been blocking them over fears the migrants could be infected.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 07:03pm

EU agrees landmark 750-bn-euro virus 'Marshall Plan'

"These were of course, difficult negotiations in very difficult times for all Europeans," said EU Council Chief Charles Michel, whose job was to guide the tortuous talks over more than 90 hours.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:56pm

Europe

Putin pushes back goal to halve poverty to 2030

In 2018 after winning another six-year term, Putin set targets including halving the poverty rate from the 2017 figure, increasing pensions and boosting the average life expectancy to 78 by 2024.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:49pm

Europe

Pompeo meets UK PM in heat of China standoff

Washington argues that the Chinese Community Party can force Huawei to either intercept UK data or shut down the British network in times of war.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:47pm

Coronavirus: latest global developments

The pandemic has killed at least 610,604 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT on Tuesday based on official sources.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:42pm

Asia

China demands proof of no coronavirus for all new flight arrivals

China has been relaxing a ban on most foreign travellers that was imposed in March to prevent an influx of infections after authorities largely brought the domestic epidemic under control.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:37pm

Africa

15 children 'in chains' freed from Nigeria Koran school

In the house where they were found, "three chains used to tie their legs were also recovered," he said.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:34pm

UK govt criticised for 'lack of curiosity' about Russian 'meddling'

A long-awaited report by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) had been expected to shed light on possible Kremlin interference in the landmark vote that saw Britain leave the European Union.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 06:31pm

Europe

Ukraine coronavirus cases exceed 60,000, 1,518 deaths reported

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week Ukrainians were fed up with the coronavirus lockdown and the government should be cautious about extending it.

Updated 21 Jul, 2020 05:55pm

Pompeo to discuss tackling China with PM Johnson after Huawei ban

"The UK made this important decision to protect its national security interests, just as countries around the world are doing," it said.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 04:26pm

Europe

Russia reports fewer than 6,000 new coronavirus cases

The country's coronavirus response centre said 153 people had died in the past 24 hours, bringing Russia's overall death toll from the virus to 12,580.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 04:17pm

Europe

Huawei will not be prevented from investing in France: Le Maire

Le Maire told France Info radio there was "no blanket ban" on Huawei in France, but that sensitive locations would be protected.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 04:08pm

South Asia

Hong Kong reports 61 new coronavirus cases, mostly local transmissions

Hong Kong tightened social distancing measures in July after a rise in locally transmitted cases and as authorities warned about a third wave of infections.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 03:43pm

Africa

Two South African ministers in hospital with coronavirus

Africa's most industrialised economy now has one of the highest rates of infection of the novel coronavirus in the world, with 372,628 confirmed cases and 5,173 deaths.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 03:42pm

Asia

Indonesia reports 1,655 new coronavirus infections, 81 deaths

The number of fatalities due to COVID-19 rose by 81 on Tuesday to reach a total of 4,320, the data showed, while 48,466 people have recovered from the virus.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 03:39pm

Europe

EU reaches 'truly historic' deal on pandemic recovery after fractious summit

Summit chairman Charles Michel called the accord, reached at a 5.15 a.m. (0315 GMT), "a pivotal moment" for Europe.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 03:36pm

South Asia

coronavirus deaths, 1,951 infections Philippines reports two new coronavirus deaths, 1,951 infections

In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths had increased to 1,837, while confirmed cases had reached 70,764.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 03:17pm

Europe

German economy minister to speak to parliamentary committee about Wirecard

Scholz is facing calls from rival parties to account for the regulatory failures that led to the collapse of Wirecard after it emerged he knew of concerns about the company 18 months ago.

Published 21 Jul, 2020 02:59pm

Gunman kills son of US judge in attack at her home

NEW YORK: A gunman disguised as a FedEx delivery driver shot and killed the son of a US federal judge and wounded ...

Updated 21 Jul, 2020 04:08am

US sanctions 11 Chinese firms over Uighur rights violations

WASHINGTON: The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement...

Updated 21 Jul, 2020 04:08am

Ukraine, US launch Black Sea naval drills

KIEV: Ukraine and the United States launched joint naval exercises in the Black Sea on Monday, in a show of US...

Updated 21 Jul, 2020 04:07am

UK suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong

LONDON: Britain on Monday risked worsening strained ties with China, as it suspended its extradition treaty with ...

Updated 21 Jul, 2020 04:07am

Europe

Macron and Merkel express hope for EU recovery deal

BRUSSELS: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday expressed cautious hope for...