News Archives for World - 2020-12-07

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World - 2020-12-07

Middle East

Iran hosts Syrian foreign minister in first visit abroad

Zarif emphasised the "necessity of vigilance and consultation" between Iran and Syria due to the "recent regional developments and condition", it added.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:20pm

Asia

Turkey court orders release of Russian reporters: official

Journalist Alexei Petrushko and cameraman Ivan Malyshkin from Kremlin-friendly NTV channel were arrested by police in Istanbul on Thursday morning.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:06pm

Europe

Greece to keep schools, restaurants shut until after Christmas

Greece had to enforce a nationwide lockdown in November, its second this year, after an aggressive surge in COVID-19 cases. It has extended it twice since then, most recently until Dec. 14.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:04pm

Europe

Hungary to maintain COVID-19 restrictions until Jan 11: PM

Orban also said in a Facebook video that New Year's Eve celebrations will not be held this year.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:01pm

Europe

French coronavirus infection rate unlikely to fall to lockdown threshold: minister

On Sunday, France registered 11,022 new cases, down from a high of over 86,000 per day a month ago. The number of people in ICUs fell by 10 to 3,220 on Sunday.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 07:56pm

USA

Biden names health team to tackle spiraling Covid crisis

When Biden takes office on January 20, his health team will be immediately responsible for rolling out a historic immunization drive -- set to launch later this month in a bid to gain control of a pandemic that has killed 280,000 people in the country.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 07:49pm

Europe

Macron rejects calls to get tough with Egypt's Sisi on rights

Macron hosted Sisi, whom he referred to as his "friend" for talks on the second day of the Egyptian's three-day state visit to France.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 07:46pm

Europe

Swiss say Pfizer/Biontech will deliver 3 million doses of vaccine

With two doses likely to be necessary, the contract means one and half million people in the country could be vaccinated, the government added in a statement.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 07:33pm

Middle East

Alongside Sisi, Macron says France will sell arms to Egypt irrespective of rights

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he would not condition the sale of weapons to Egypt on human rights because he did not want to weaken Cairo’s ability to counter terrorism in the region.
Both states - which share concerns about instability across the Sahel, threats from jihadist groups in Egypt and the political vacuum in Libya - have cultivated closer economic and military ties.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 07:22pm

Europe

Ukraine reports outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu

Citing a report from Ukraine's agriculture and food ministry, the Paris-based OIE said the virus found was of serotype H5 but gave no further details.

Updated 07 Dec, 2020 07:29pm

Europe

UK's Johnson ready to pull out of Brexit talks, The Sun says

“Today he will tell the EU he is not for turning as he vows to stand firm against 11th-hour Brexit demands from France,” says British publication.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 06:43pm

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 66.66 million, death toll at 1,533,752

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 05:09pm

Europe

Kremlin sees no need to impose broad lockdown

Infections have surged to record highs in recent weeks. Earlier on Monday authorities confirmed 28,142 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, including 7,279 in Moscow.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 05:03pm

South Asia

India considering accelerated review of COVID-19 vaccine emergency use: govt official

Serum Institute is making AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine in India and has applied for emergency use authorization.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 05:03pm

Europe

EU weighs up sanctions against Turkey in east Med gas dispute

Tensions flared in August when Turkey - a NATO ally and candidate for EU membership - sent a survey vessel to map out energy drilling prospects in waters also claimed by Greece.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:54pm

Middle East

Iranian official close to Khamenei's office says leader is in good health

Some unconfirmed reports on Twitter suggested that Khamenei had transferred his duties to his son because of concerns over his health.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:51pm

Europe

EU climate deal unlikely without breakthrough on budget, envoy says

"It will not be possible ... (it is) difficult to see that it's going to happen if there is no agreement on MFF," the senior diplomat said. If leaders resolve the budget spat, then there is a".

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:48pm

Asia

South Korea to boost testing as coronavirus surge threatens 'medical collapse'

Moon said testing sites should operate longer hours to allow people working to get tested at their convenience and more drive-through testing facilities should be set up, Chung said.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:35pm

USA

U.S. Congress closes in on COVID-19 aid bill as funding deadline looms

A range of emergency aid programs set in place in response to the pandemic, including additional unemployment benefits and a moratorium on renter evictions, expire at the end of December.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:24pm

Europe

French insurers to freeze premiums for hospitality industry: finmin

He said the freeze will relate to hotels, restaurants and bars, but also the tourism, sports, culture and events industries.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:22pm

Europe

Some 3,000 to 5,000 Hungarians could participate in clinical trials of Russian vaccine

Kasler said a Hungarian delegation of medical experts had received "detailed notification" about the Russian vaccine in Moscow.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:17pm

Asia

Iran says 'smart satellite-controlled machine gun' killed top nuclear scientist

Iran has blamed Israel for the assassination of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the killing, but in the past has acknowledged pursuing covert, intelligence-gathering operations against the nuclear programme of its arch-enemy Iran.

Updated 07 Dec, 2020 04:41pm

South Asia

China calls for new talks with US after Biden win

Beijing and Washington have locked horns over issues from trade and China's human rights record to its expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:05pm

Europe

Erdogan seeks 'win-win formula' in Greece gas row

NATO members Turkey and Greece have been at loggerheads over maritime territory in the eastern Mediterranean, believed to be rich in energy resources including natural gas.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 04:01pm

USA

Southern California goes into virus lockdown

California, the most populous US state, has seen more than 1.3 million cases and nearly 20,000 deaths. It recorded 30,075 new infections on Saturday.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:57pm

Europe

UK minister Gove heads to Brussels amid Brexit deadlock

The planned talks were confirmed by Sefcovic, who said he and Gove would discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol under Britain's EU divorce treaty.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:53pm

Europe

Decision time nears as Brexit talks enter endgame

Barnier and Frost will resume face-to-face talks later on Monday before reporting back to their respective bosses, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:49pm

Middle East

European powers rebuke Iran after uranium enrichment announcement

France, Germany and Britain said on Monday that they were alarmed by an Iranian announcement that it intended to expand its nuclear programme.
The powers further stated that this move was also incompatible with the accord and Iran’s wider non-proliferation commitments.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:47pm

Europe

Iran centrifuge plan alarms European trio

Under the terms of Iran's 2015 deal it is only meant to enrich uranium with a less sophisticated variety of centrifuges.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:44pm

Europe

Romania's pro-European party on course to stay in power

Romania is one of the EU's poorest countries, and four million of its citizens have left in recent years to seek better lives elsewhere, in particular in western EU member states.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:38pm

Asia

Police in northern India arrest 10 men under new anti-conversion law

Uttar Pradesh state became the first Indian province to pass a law against forced or fraudulent religious conversions, laying out prison terms for anyone compelling others to convert their faith or luring them into these conversions through marriage.
- At least four other Indian states - Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka and Assam have said that they are planning to bring in similar anti-conversion laws.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 03:23pm

New Zealand's Ardern vows accountability ahead of Christchurch attack report

Ardern met with the family members of victims and some survivors on Sunday and promised immediate action on the royal commission report, but said some recommendations may take time to implement.
- The findings of a royal commission inquiry into the mosque attack will be made public in parliament on Tuesday.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 02:50pm

Europe

Northern England ‘worst hit’ by both Spanish flu, COVID-19 pandemics: Study

The northern suffered more than 12 COVID-19 related deaths per 100,000 compared to the rest of England, study. *Spanish flu, which broke out in 1918, killed 50-100 million people globally.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 02:27pm

China says firmly opposes US interference in its domestic affairs

If the United States insists on going down the wrong path, China will continue to take firm counter measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security, Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman with the foreign ministry told a briefing.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 01:58pm

Russia reports 28,142 new coronavirus cases, 456 deaths

Authorities said 456 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 43,597.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 01:12pm

Poland's Nov unemployment rate unchanged at 6.1%

Poland's unemployment rate in the new year could approach 7%, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Gowin said last week.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 01:09pm

Indonesia receives over a million Chinese Covid-19 vaccine doses

China has promised to make its vaccines available as a "global public good" as it seeks to counter global criticism for its early handling of the pandemic.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 01:00pm

Cambodian PM says no state of emergency to be declared despite spike in COVID-19 cases

"I would like to appeal to the people to keep calm, not to panic, and to work with the government to fight against the COVID-19 based on the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health."

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:54pm

Hong Kong police make national security arrests over campus protest

Masked students waved banners and chanted pro-democracy slogans, including "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times" and "Hong Kong independence, the only way out".

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:49pm

In Kenya, COVID-19's rural spread strains creaky healthcare

That has led to six COVID-19 deaths in a camp clinic due to lack of equipment like a ventilator, a doctor there told Reuters. A 40-year-old South Sudanese woman was the latest.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:23pm

Europe

Irish Foreign minister say EU-UK deal likely but talks could fall apart

"If we don't get a deal in the next few days, then obviously there are serious problems around ratification and timelines."

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:18pm

China

U.S. preparing new sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong crackdown, according to sources

The United States is preparing to impose sanctions on at least a dozen Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.
Beijing has previously condemned U.S. sanctions related to Hong Kong, calling it interference in China’s internal affairs.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:16pm

Africa's eternal hope: Ghana since independence

Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to end colonisation, becoming a model for many in the post-colonial world.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:13pm

Last month the hottest November on record: EU

With just over 1C of warming so far, Earth is already dealing with the devastation caused by more frequent and stronger extreme weather events such as wildfires and tropical storms.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 12:01pm

India reports nearly 33,000 new coronavirus cases

Cumulative cases now total 9.68 million, the second-highest tally in the world after the United States.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 11:47am

As Sisi heads to France, Macron faces Egyptian human rights quandary

French parliamentary recommendations to the government in November aimed at toughening controls on weapons sales overseas - a particularly opaque system in France - highlighted the deals with Egypt.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 11:43am

Middle East

Saudi, Israeli officials share fiery attacks at regional conference

During a regional conference on Sunday, an influential Saudi prince launched a bitter attack on Israel, and reiterated his strong support for the Palestinian cause.
Mutual concerns over Iran gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer, as Riyadh had been quietly building relations with the Jewish state since several years.

Updated 07 Dec, 2020 11:42am

Pompeo brands Venezuela vote a 'fraud'

Victory would give Maduro's ruling Socialist Party control of an expanded 227-seat National Assembly -- the only institution not in its hands.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 11:02am

US Supreme Court hears case on art trove bought by Nazi Germany

Lawyers for the plaintiffs counter that "Germany seeks nothing less than sovereign immunity for property taken as part of the Holocaust -- not for this case, but for every case. The Holocaust was not a domestic matter."

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:40am

Toll rises to 23 in southern China mining accident

Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:39am

'Keep up the fight', urges Tunisian street vendor's sister

With rising prices, stagnant incomes and few opportunities even for the highly educated, "the situation might even be worse now" than before the revolution, said Leila.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:29am

Africa

Ghana set for close presidential race as old rivals face off

But the skilled communicator has brushed aside the criticism, making ambitious promises to build infrastructure, create jobs and modernise the country.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:20am

Melbourne welcomes first international flight in 5 months as COVID curbs ease

Australia has since March closed its borders to non-citizens, but airports serving Melbourne, Victoria's capital, stopped accepting any arrivals in late June after an outbreak of COVID-19 that begun at two hotels where arrivals were quarantining.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:07am

China reports 15 new COVID-19 cases vs 18 a day earlier

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to six from two cases a day earlier.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:01am

Europe

Thousands protest in London against India's farming reforms

Thousands of people protested and blocked traffic in central London on Sunday over Indian agricultural reforms that have triggered mass demonstrations in India, and police made 13 arrests over breaches of COVID regulations.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 10:01am

South Korea reports 615 new coronavirus cases as third wave grows

South Korea avoided lockdowns but used an intensive system of tracing, testing and quarantining to tamp down two earlier waves of infection.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:47am

Mexico registers 7,455 new coronavirus cases, 261 more deaths

The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:40am

Middle East

Iran prepares to raise oil exports if sanctions eased: state media

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office on Jan. 20, has said that he would return to the pact and would lift sanctions if Tehran returned to “strict compliance with the nuclear deal”

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:38am

Europe

Irish PM says Brexit talks on a knife edge, chances of deal 50-50

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Sunday that chances of reaching a Brexit trade deal were 50-50 and that talks were at a very difficult juncture.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:31am

Giuliani tests positive for COVID-19, latest in Trump's inner circle

Giuliani, who developed an international profile as "America's Mayor" for his leadership after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has faced mounting legal troubles during the Trump administration.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:29am

Georgia Republican Senator Loeffler dodges questions on Trump during debate with challenger Warnock

Perdue's campaign has said he does not manage his stock portfolio day to day.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:16am

Biden seen nominating infectious diseases expert Walensky to run CDC

US President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Rochelle Walensky, chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:15am

South Korea's Moon orders coronavirus testing to be expanded amid third wave

Moon said testing sites should operate longer hours to allow people working.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 09:09am

Brazil's coronavirus cases top 6.6 million, health ministry says

The South American country has now registered 6,603,540 cases since the pandemic began.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:39am

Brexit deal closer after 'major breakthrough' on talks on fishing rights: Guardian

The breakthrough made on Sunday night leaves a Franco-German demand that Britain follow EU laws as the final hurdle to a historic trade and security deal.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:32am

Europe

Romania's incumbent PM says he expects short talks to form government

He said coalition talks could start as soon as Monday.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:31am

USA

Rudy Giuliani tested positive for coronavirus, Trump says

Rudy Giuliani has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Published 07 Dec, 2020 08:29am

Europe

Liberals tipped to win as Romanians vote in shadow of pandemic

BUCHAREST: Romanians voted in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with the governing pro-European liberals expected ...