News Archives for World - 2020-08-20

<<>>

World - 2020-08-20

Europe

Russia to test coronavirus vaccine on 40,000 people

He said mass vaccinations in Russia are expected to start in October and the first foreign deliveries in November or December.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 11:52pm

Trump meets Iraq PM, says US troops to exit 'at some point'

Trump said that military considerations as well as oil projects and development were on the agenda for his meeting with Kadhemi, who took office in May.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 11:49pm

Exchange

Macron offers EU mediation for Belarus, with Russia

Macron said Thursday that he, Merkel, and EU chief Charles Michel have had "several exchanges" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in Belarus.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 11:48pm

Europe

Macron and Merkel meet with Turkey, Belarus, COVID on the agenda

Paris and Berlin shared "a high level of convergence" on the issues.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 09:14pm

USA

Biden pledges 'a new path' as he prepares to accept White House nom

Pennsylvania, like Wisconsin, is one of a handful of states seen as crucial to Trump's and Biden's hopes of victory on November 3.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 09:12pm

Exchange

Pompeo to visit UN to trigger Iran sanctions 'snapback'

The move widens the gulf between the US and the other permanent members of the Security Council on Iran policy.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 08:30pm

US imposes Syria-related sanctions on six individuals

The Treasury said in a statement it imposed sanctions on Luna Al Shibl, Assad's top press officer, and Mohamad Ammar Saati bin Mohamad Nawzad.
The United States and its allies are united in continuing to apply pressure on Assad and his enablers until there is peaceful, political solution to the conflict.

Updated 20 Aug, 2020 09:07pm

USA

Former Trump adviser Bannon charged with fraud by federal prosecutors

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan announced that Bannon was charged in an unsealed indictment along with several others including Brian Kolfage.
The donors thought the money would go toward helping to build a border wall, prosecutors said.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 07:39pm

Israel deal should remove any hurdle to F-35 sale, UAE official says

The United States has sold the F-35 to allies including Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and Israel.
We have legitimate requests that are there. We ought to get them ... the whole idea of a state of belligerency or war with Israel no longer exists.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 07:33pm

South Asia

Millions likely infected by coronavirus in New Delhi, survey finds

We found that 29.1% of the population of Delhi had antibodies, which means that they were infected and have been cured.
Delhi has a population of 20 million and has recorded a total of 140,767 cases of COVID-19, out of India's total of 2.84 million.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 07:05pm

Africa

Africa reports 'hopeful' daily drop in coronavirus cases

South Africa has seen confirmed cases fall from a peak of over 12,000 to an average of 5,000, driving the drop in the continent-wide average.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 07:04pm

Middle East

Iran says holding UAE boat over fishermen deaths

Last year, Iran received a coastguard delegation from the UAE aimed at reviving maritime security talks.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 07:02pm

Middle East

Iran unveils missiles with increased range

Ballistic missile, Haj Qasem, was named in honour of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:59pm

USA

US weekly jobless claims back over 1 million

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 1.106 million for the week ended Aug. 15.
The previous week's level had marked the first time since March that new claims had registered below the 1 million level.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:57pm

Europe

Belarus opens criminal case into opposition bids to 'seize power'

Lukashenko's claim to victory sparked the largest demonstrations in Belarus since it gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:57pm

South Asia

India study suggests millions more may have caught coronavirus

A similar survey in June-July said 23 percent of people tested had been exposed to the virus in the city.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:56pm

Europe

Europe can fight virus without lockdowns: WHO

In the first week of August, 40,000 more cases were reported than in the first week of June when cases were at their lowest.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:54pm

South Asia

India's monetary policy committee constrained by rising inflation: minutes

Despite the dovish tone, the minutes suggest the bank sees little room for rate cuts in the current environment.
The MPC is mandated to maintain inflation at 4% over the medium term and keep it within a 2% to 6% range at all times.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:53pm

USA

$600 million settlement in Flint water crisis: reports

The Post reported that 80 percent of the settlement would go to residents who were exposed when they were under 18 years old.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:50pm

South Asia

Sri Lanka president vows to scrap reforms limiting his power

Mahinda was ousted from the presidency after a decade in power when he lost the 2015 elections.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:48pm

Europe

EU reaches virus vaccine deal with CureVac

The envisaged contract with CureVac would provide for the possibility for all EU member states to purchase the vaccine.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:47pm

Europe

Pressure on Belarusian leadership is counterproductive, Russia's Putin tells EU's Michel

The two sides agreed that an early normalisation of the situation in Belarus suited the interests of both Russia and the European Union,
Belarusian authorities launched a criminal case against a new opposition body earlier on Thursday.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:40pm

Europe

Russia to begin COVID-19 vaccine trials on 40,000 people next week

These were the first details on the shape and size of the upcoming late-stage trial of the vaccine given by its developers.
A range of countries is running an information war against the Russian vaccine," Kirill Dmitriev.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:40pm

Africa

West African leaders start talks on Mali crisis

The African Union, the European Union, United States and UN Security Council have all condemned the putsch and demanded the release of detained leaders.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 06:31pm

Europe

Poland's foreign minister quits amid Belarus crisis

Czaputowicz had signalled in July he may quit, as the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party announced it plans some personnel changes in the government.
Belarus has blamed the protests on foreign interference and said it is reinforcing its Western borders.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:41pm

Europe

Greek PM denies refugee pushback claims

Rights groups including the UN refugee agency have repeatedly called on Greece to investigate pushback claims.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:30pm

Europe

Rise in Portugal's unemployment slows, but jobless figure up 37pc on year ago

The figures released on Thursday showed the increase in unemployment numbers has slowed sharply.
Greater Lisbon, also missing its usual droves of visitors and struggling to repair its image after a persistently high infections tally across June and July.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:29pm

Europe

Merkel hosts Greta Thunberg for talks on climate crisis

Germany has promised to abandon coal-generated power by 2038, a date considered far too late by climate activists.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:29pm

South Asia

Iran says it detained a UAE ship and its crew on Monday

On Monday, an Emirati ship was seized by Iran's border guards and its crew were detained due to illegal traffic in our country's waters.
"On the same day, UAE guards shot dead two Iranian fishermen and seized a boat."

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:27pm

Africa

Nigerian army says 'in full control' of northeast town

Three soldiers lost their lives, two wounded while eight insurgents were killed during the gunbattle with the jihadists.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:23pm

Europe

Germany, France see virus surge as holidaymakers return home

Germany Thursday reported 1,707 new cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:21pm

Middle East

Israeli forces kill Palestinian in West Bank, military says he was planning attack

A military spokeswoman said members of a "terrorist squad" were hit by the gunfire but she had no details on their condition.
Zahran said two of the Palestinians shot by the troops were treated in Palestinian hospitals and that the military.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:21pm

South Asia

Hong Kong removes 'sensitive' content from school textbooks

The censorship is the latest move in a quickening campaign to eliminate dissent in the free-wheeling city.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:17pm

Exchange

EU, CureVac in advanced talks for 225 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses

EU concludes first round of negotiations with CureVac.
Talks include option to supply 180 mln additional doses.
EU in advanced talks with J&J, Sanofi, has deal with AstraZeneca.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:17pm

South Asia

Thailand ups pressure on protesters with flurry of arrests

The poll saw ex-army chief and mastermind of the 2014 coup Prayut Chan-O-Cha sweep to power.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:07pm

South Asia

Hong Kong slams US decision to end tax, extradition deals

The decision reflects "disrespect for bilateralism and multilateralism" under the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:03pm

Exchange

Kim calls rare congress for North Korea's ruling party

The UN Security Council, US, EU have imposed sanctions on the North over its banned nuclear weapons.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 05:01pm

Europe

Polish foreign minister quits, second top resignation in a week

President Andrzej Duda was returned to power in a run-off vote last month, backed by the populist right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 04:57pm

South Asia

Murderer, accused killer in Sri Lanka's new parliament

The SLPP won 145 seats in the poll and can also count on at least six allies in the new 225-member legislature.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 04:56pm

Europe

UK accused of ignoring warnings over virus-hit exams

The government said it would revert to teacher assessments after pupils took to the streets in protest.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 04:53pm

Europe

Germany adds virus-hit Croatian areas to quarantine list

Germany earlier reported 1,707 new cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest daily toll since April.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 04:49pm

South Asia

China faces questions over 'vaccinated' workers sent overseas

The country saw 12 new cases on Thursday taking its total to 359, with 159 active cases amid low rates of testing.

Published 20 Aug, 2020 04:46pm

South Asia

China defends ambassador walking on Kiribati people's backs

Zhao said some people had criticised the photos out of "political motives".

Published 20 Aug, 2020 04:44pm

Indonesia sees 2,266 new coronavirus infections, 72 deaths

Indonesia has recorded 6,418 deaths so far.

Updated 20 Aug, 2020 01:40pm

Kuwait approves new wealth fund law, delays debt reform

KUWAIT: Kuwait's parliament on Wednesday approved a law to make transfers of state revenue to one of its sovereign...

Updated 20 Aug, 2020 04:13am

Trump backs Oracle in reported TikTok bid

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has voiced approval of Oracle Corp's reported bid for TikTok, the Chinese...

Updated 20 Aug, 2020 04:10am

US blacklists UAE firms for supporting Iran airline

WASHINGTON: The US Treasury placed two United Arab Emirates-based companies on its sanctions blacklist Wednesday for...

Updated 20 Aug, 2020 04:11am

Suspected Islamist attacker runs amok on Berlin motorway

BERLIN: A man has caused a series of motorway accidents in Berlin injuring six people, including three seriously, in...

Updated 20 Aug, 2020 04:12am

Stem cell treatment offers new hope for diabetics

TOKYO: A new method to create insulin-producing pancreatic cells from stem cells and protect them from the body's...