News Archives for World - 2020-12-31

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World - 2020-12-31

Europe

Hungary says will focus on EU, Chinese coronavirus vaccine purchases

"We are happy to partake in the testing, but vaccines en masse may come as part of the EU procurements or from China," he added.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:33pm

Europe

France to open city COVID-19 vaccination centres before start of February: minister

Veran said on Twitter the government had decided to "speed up protection of priority public", meaning medical workers aged over 50 would get a vaccine from Monday.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:30pm

Middle East

Iran's Zarif says Trump aims to fabricate 'pretext for war'

The two countries have twice come to the brink of war since June 2019, especially following the killing of Soleimani.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:11pm

Europe

Putin urges unity in 2021 as second wave batters Russia

Moscow, one of the country's epicentres, saw virus-related deaths rise from 1,569 in September to 3,573 in October to 4,542 in November.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:09pm

Africa

C.Africa president Touadera heading to election victory, says party

A powerful coalition of opposition groups on Wednesday said the December 27 vote was badly flawed and demanded its "cancellation, pure and simple".

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:02pm

Africa

Sudan says back in full control of border with Ethiopia

Some 50,000 Ethiopian refugees poured across the border to escape the fighting.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:58pm

Europe

'No bottlenecks': France's bustling Calais port ready for Brexit

France's new high-tech "smart border" is designed to keep goods moving smoothly along the world's busiest shipping route.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:56pm

USA

Painful 2020 ends for US workers and layoffs could rise again

New initial jobless claims slipped to 787,000 for the week ended December 26, a drop of 19,000 from the prior week.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:53pm

USA

Local funding crisis threatens US vaccine rollout

King County, which represents greater Seattle, has $14 million of COVID-19 funding for 2021.
We've been on pins and needles the whole last three or four months, watching what's happening at the federal level, waiting, watching.

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 08:50pm

USA

Dollar's growing dominance in Venezuela leaves locals 'short-changed'

A flustered Garcia disappears into a closet, re-emerges, takes the $10 note and scribbles, "owes $1.87" on the back of an old crumpled receipt.
With each client it is different and you have to decide in the moment with the customer how to resolve the situation.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:23pm

Europe

UK and Ghana to miss Brexit trade deadline, but deal close

The deal, once active, will replicate the terms of trade Britain previously benefitted from as a member of the European Union.
Ahead of that deadline Britain has signed "continuity" agreements with 63 countries to safeguard terms on 885 billion pounds ($1.21 trillion) of trade

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:11pm

Europe

Hungary says will not use Russian vaccine due to lack of capacity

Hungary has participated in Russia's testing efforts and was an early recipient of small batches of Russia's Sputnik-V vaccine.
Hungarian premier Viktor Orban has come under criticism during his decade-long rule for building ties with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:00pm

South Asia

China reports first case of new coronavirus variant

Countries around the world have cut off travel links to Britain to stop the spread of the new variant.
The case "poses a great potential threat to the prevention and control of COVID-19 in China", the publication said.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 07:51pm

Europe

Chile jobless rate eases to 10.8pc for Sept-Nov

Unemployment has been falling for four consecutive months after hitting a decade-long high of 13.1% in July.
The unemployment rate nonetheless remains 3.8 percentage points higher through November compared with the same period of the previous year.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 07:39pm

Europe

Britain steadfast in support for Gibraltar sovereignty

Earlier on Thursday, Spain and Britain reached a preliminary agreement to keep the Gibraltar land border open.
"We remain steadfast in our support for Gibraltar and its sovereignty," Raab said.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 07:36pm

South Asia

China's first vaccine hustled to market as race to inoculate 1.3bn speeds up

Beijing plans to vaccinate millions this winter in the run-up to Lunar New Year.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 07:06pm

South Asia

China confirms first case of UK coronavirus variant

China suspended direct flights to and from Britain indefinitely on December 24 because of the new strain.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 07:04pm

Africa

Peacekeeping mission in Sudan's Darfur ends, stoking fears

Conflict erupted in Darfur in 2003, when African minority rebels rose up against Bashir's Arab-dominated government, which they accused of marginalising the region.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 07:01pm

Europe

Ten still missing after Norway mudslide buries homes

Police said one of the 10 people hurt had been seriously injured and was transferred to Oslo for treatment.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:58pm

USA

US weekly jobless claims fall for second straight week

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slid to a seasonally adjusted 787,000 for the week ended Dec. 26.
Though initial jobless claims have dropped from a record 6.867 million in March

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 07:36pm

Middle East

Yemen govt vows to bring stability after deadly attack

At least 26 people were killed and scores wounded in the explosions as ministers disembarked from an aircraft in the southern city.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:47pm

USA

US police shoot man dead during traffic stop, protesters gather

Floyd died on May 25 when now-fired officer Derek Chauvin held his knee to Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes in an incident that sparked nationwide unrest.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:42pm

South Asia

Tokyo tops 1,300 daily virus cases; warns of possible new emergency

He spoke after the Japanese capital reported 1,337 new cases, a record that far exceeds the previous high of 949 cases last Saturday.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:39pm

Middle East

Israel says it hit 50 Syria targets in 2020

SANA said one Syrian soldier was killed and three others wounded.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:35pm

Middle East

Syria war killed 6,800 in 2020, lowest annual toll

The overall tally since the start of the conflict has crept up to 387,000, including 117,000 civilians.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:32pm

Europe

Turkish economy still cool since 2018 halted Erdogan's strong growth streak

The sharp trade imbalance, including a jump of $5 billion in November alone, approached the $55 billion deficit logged in 2018.
Economists expect the $760-billion economy to narrowly avoid a contraction in 2020.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:31pm

Europe

EU 'regrets' new US tariffs in Airbus-Boeing spat

The EU was authorised this year by the WTO to levy additional customs duties on American products.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:30pm

Europe

Coronavirus toll at 1100 GMT Thursday

More than 82,676,050 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 51,918,900 are now considered recovered.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:28pm

USA

US vaccinations in 2020 falling far short of target of 20mn people

About 14 million doses of Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines have been distributed to states so far.
The government has said that for every dose shipped, it is keeping a second dose in reserve as well as a safety stock.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:28pm

Europe

Boris Johnson's father seeks French citizenship

His plans to seek a French passport had already been revealed by his daughter Rachel in a book published in March.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:26pm

Europe

Post-Brexit students mourn 'door-opening' EU exchange scheme

Boris Johnson announced last week that he was taking his country out of the Erasmus programme, severing yet another link with the Continent.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:23pm

Europe

Talks down to the wire for Spain-Gibraltar border deal

The British government had on Wednesday confirmed talks were ongoing to head off problems at the border.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:11pm

Europe

Rome slams Egypt decision to clear police in Italian's murder

It said it would "continue to work at all levels, including through the European Union, for the truth about Giulio Regeni's brutal murder to finally emerge".

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:08pm

Europe

EU bets on Biden to resolve aircraft subsidy row

New US tariffs set for Jan. 12.
US expands list over EU retaliation it sees as excessive.
Airbus says it trusts Europe will respond "appropriately".
French wine exporters call new tariffs a sledgehammer.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:00pm

Asia

Tehran doesn’t seek war but will respond to any aggression, Iran FM says on US B-52 flights in Gulf

“Iran doesn't seek war but will openly and directly defend its people, security and vital interests,” says FM.
A pair of B-52 took off from a base in Louisiana and flew in the western portion of the Persian Gulf near Bahrain and Qatar.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 06:00pm

'Made in Israel' alcohol hits Dubai's liquor stores as thousands of Israelis flock to Emirate

Scores undeterred by Israel’s warnings about possible Iranian attacks in the region have celebrated weddings, and eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah with large gatherings banned back home
Data collected from travel agents revealed that at least 70,000 Israeli tourists arrived in Dubai on 15 nonstop daily flights in December

Published 31 Dec, 2020 04:44pm

Middle East

Iranian Mission in Pakistan to arrange events to mark Gen. Soleimani's death anniversary

On 3rd January, the first anniversary of Gen. Qasem Soleimani's assassination, special programs will be held by the cultural missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan.
Political and religious groups in Pakistan are also reported to be participating in the programs.
Programs will be held across all major cities, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 05:43pm

World begins ushering in locked-down New Year

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday used her New Year greeting to warn Germans the "historic" coronavirus crisis will extend into 2021 even if vaccines bring some hope.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 04:14pm

Europe

British PM Johnson's father applying for French citizenship

The father of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he was in the process of applying for a French passport to maintain his ties with the European Union after Brexit.
Stanley Johnson, a former member of the European Parliament who voted Remain in Britain’s 2016 referendum, told RTL radio he wanted to become a French citizen because of strong family links to France.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 03:54pm

Brexit to take full effect as UK leaves EU single market

British fishermen are disgruntled at a compromise to allow continued access for EU boats in British waters.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 03:31pm

USA

Fauci sees U.S. gaining control over pandemic by next autumn

Dr. Anthony Fauci, said on Wednesday he foresees America achieving enough collective COVID-19 immunity through vaccinations to regain “some semblance of normality” by autumn 2021.
Fauci said he was “not surprised,” adding that additional cases of the variant would likely surface around the country and that the mutating nature of such viruses is normal.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 03:17pm

China

President Trump briefed on Chinese attempts to fund insurgents in Afghanistan

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump received unconfirmed information that China sought to pay non-state actors to attack American forces in Afghanistan.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Wang Wenbin, Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the accusation as slanderous, stating that it was "completely nonsense and completely fake news".

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 04:13pm

US B-52 bombers fly to Middle East ahead of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani's death anniversary

A pair of B-52 took off from a base in Louisiana and flew in the western portion of the Persian Gulf near Bahrain and Qatar.
The mission took place a week after the Trump administration decided to withdraw some staff from its embassy in Iraq, where tension with Iranian-backed forces has persisted for months.

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 02:25pm

USA

Pfizer and Brazil regulator in talks to speed up emergency vaccine approval

The company said it continues to regularly submit trial data to Anvisa as part of the process of seeking full authorization for the vaccine.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:54am

Brazil reports 55,649 new coronavirus cases, 1,194 additional deaths

Brazil has registered more than 7.6 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:52am

China

China completes maiden flight for passenger jet, challenging global aviation giants

Using the Chinese-made ARJ-21, the nation's main aircraft maker seeks to bolster the utilisation of domestically produced planes, in an effort to compete with international aviation behemoths such as Airbus and Boeing.
China seeks to leverage the nation's massive aviation network and growing domestic market to gain a larger chunk of the global aviation services industry.

Updated 31 Dec, 2020 12:23pm

McConnell thwarts Trump bid for $2,000 coronavirus economic relief checks

The tensions among Republicans have been exacerbated by a second showdown over an effort in Congress to override Trump's veto of a defense policy bill.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:15am

US warships transit Taiwan Strait, China denounces 'provocation'

China's military said it had tailed the last US warship to pass through the Taiwan Strait on Dec. 19, and denounced the mission.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:10am

Mexico says approval of AstraZeneca vaccine 'imminent' after UK go-ahead

Later, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter that Mexican authorization of the vaccine was "imminent."

Published 31 Dec, 2020 11:01am

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 82.19 million, death toll at 1,796,307

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

Published 31 Dec, 2020 10:18am

Europe

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 32,552: RKI

The reported death toll rose by 964 to 33,071, the tally showed.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 10:10am

China gives its first COVID-19 vaccine approval to Sinopharm

The price of the vaccine would depend on the scale of use, but the "premise" was that it would be free for the public in China, he said.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:59am

Africa

Algeria to roll out Russian Covid vaccine in January

It has raised concerns from scientists at home and abroad who said the decision was premature without wider clinical trials and the publication of scientific results.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:37am

Iran honours 'martyr' Soleimani, killed a year ago by US

The late general's appeal transcended political, religious and class divisions, said academic Mehdi Zakerian, who noted that "in his speeches, Soleimani always spoke to all Iranians and not just to one social class".

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:29am

US hits record daily Covid-19 deaths as world looks to vaccines in 2021

California became the second US state to detect the variant -- after Colorado -- with a 30-year-old San Diego man testing positive.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:25am

Chief characters in Britain's Brexit saga

It was a surge in support for UKIP in the first half of the last decade that helped push then-prime minister David Cameron into calling the 2016 vote.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:20am

Does Brexit free Europe to seek closer union?

The EU is thus losing a powerful member, but will France find it easier to build the case for a more independent EU global strategy?

Published 31 Dec, 2020 09:07am

What's in the UK, EU post-Brexit trade pact

Brussels says "security cooperation can be suspended in case of violations by the UK of its commitment for continued adherence to the European Convention of Human Rights".

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:57am

Brexit fog blurs horizon for anxious Breton fishermen

Also concerned about the annual renegotiation, she said: "We will be in doubt every year. Every single year we will have to wait for the agreements."

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:54am

Post-Brexit borders to divide EU, UK citizens

Britons, for example, have long favoured Spain, France, Germany and Italy to set down new roots as workers or retirees.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 08:47am

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 82.14 million, death toll at 1,794,668

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

Published 31 Dec, 2020 03:45am

Case of highly infectious UK variant of coronavirus identified in California

The new variant has also been detected in several European countries, as well as in Canada, Australia, India, South Korea and Japan, among others.

Published 31 Dec, 2020 03:40am

Lebanon can stretch reserves for six more months of subsidies: PM

BEIRUT: Lebanon can ration $2 billion in reserves left for subsidies to last six more months, the caretaker prime...