US pledges $580m to international COVID fight amid Omicron spread
The announcement comes as the Biden administration released a raft of measures aimed at ramping up domestic response.
Category Archives: News
US official to travel to Israel to discuss Iran nuclear programme
The visit comes as the eighth round of Iran nuclear deal talks is set to begin next week in Vienna.
New Syrian migrants seek Europe, driven by post-war misery
People from the devastated country are not fleeing from the war’s horrors, but from the misery of its aftermath.
Indian man fined for wanting Modi’s face cut from vaccine drive
Modi is focus of huge advertising blitz touting government's triumphs in fighting COVID despite nearly 500,000 deaths.
France says killed suspect in 2020 murder of aid workers in Niger
Soumana Boura, leading member of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, was killed in a drone attack, French army says.
Turkish lira rockets after Erdogan’s promise to protect deposits
Turkey's lira makes gains after Erdogan unveils plan to guarantee local currency deposits against market fluctuation.
Apple supplier’s factory in southern India to remain shut
Management has shut factory for a week after workers protested over food poisoning incident which sent 150 to hospital.
Kashmir papier-mache artists struggle amid pandemic, few tourists
Upholding a centuries-old craft, artisans in the region are busy painting Christmas decorations to be shipped overseas.
‘Let us eat’: Afghan protesters call for release of frozen assets
Protesters march towards shuttered US embassy, calling for release of Afghan assets, frozen since Taliban took power.
Iran’s top diplomat in Yemen dies of COVID-19
Foreign ministry says Hassan Irloo was transferred to Tehran in bad state 'due to late cooperation of some countries'.
Saudi-led coalition air raids hit Sanaa airport
Official at the international airport in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, says UN aid flights halted after the air attacks.
Deaths from dehydration in Philippines amid water, food shortages
Survivors of Typhoon Rai say they are running out of water and food as two people die of dehydration on Siargao island.
Indian man runs ‘dress bank’ to help poor girls on their weddings
Nasar Thootha's charity gives out once-used wedding attires donated by privileged families to women of limited means.
Several killed as protests rock Goma in eastern DRC
Clashes between protesters and police break out in capital of North Kivu province.
US ex-priest jailed for child sex abuse in East Timor
Richard Daschbach jailed for 12 years after he was charged with sexually abusing vulnerable girls in his care.
Indian rupee to end year as Asia’s worst-performing currency
Foreigners sold $4bn of stocks as concerns about the Omicron virus variant roil global markets.
US to provide additional $580m in international COVID aid
US secretary of state says funds will go to seven multilateral agencies to fight COVID-19 as Omicron cases surge.
Luxury jewellers risk funding military abuses in Myanmar: Report
Global Witness says Myanmar's lucrative gemstone trade is an important source of funding for the country's military.
G7 condemns ‘erosion’ of democracy in Hong Kong election
US, UK and European Union join in denouncing the election, saying the changes 'eliminated any meaningful opposition'.
Haiti truck blast: Death toll rises to 90, but still ‘incomplete’
Deputy mayor of Cap-Haitien says death count 'still unfortunately incomplete' as several victims remain in hospital.