UK’s new COVID-19 strain reported in at least 60 countries: WHO
UN health agency warns new variant is circulating in 10 additional countries compared with last week.
Category Archives: News
US set to swear in Joe Biden as 46th president: Live updates
Donald Trump will not attend Biden's swearing-in and subsequent gathering of all living presidents.
Israeli tanks target Gaza Strip for second night
Palestinians say a residential home was targeted by Israeli artillery with family sleeping inside.
Libya: UN chief urges foreign fighters to leave by Saturday
Arab League also presses for a solution to threat posed by armed groups and militias as Libya strives for peace.
Fewer North Korean defectors as COVID helps regime tighten grip
Numbers slumped to just 229 last year, far below the 1,047 in 2019, as Pyongyang shut down its border in the face COVID.
Man says fear of COVID kept him in US airport for three months
Aditya Singh is charged with illegal trespassing for staying in US airport, claiming a fear of COVID is the cause.
ECHR rules against Switzerland for fining, arresting Roma woman
In 2014, authorities in Geneva fined a woman $563 for begging and arrested her when she was unable to pay.
Germany: New COVID variant discovered, extended lockdown looms
Health officials are investigating mutation detected in 35 people in the southern state of Bavaria.
The Trump business backlash: Corporate ‘woke-washing’ or new era?
Dozens of businesses took action against US President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers after the Capitol riot.
Will Biden’s repeal of Trump’s travel ban reverse its impact?
Rights groups have welcomed Biden’s promise, but question whether it will do enough to address the harm it has caused.
China defends COVID-19 response after criticism by experts
Beijing says its initial response to the outbreak was adequate after experts said it could have acted more rapidly.
Iran holds fifth military drill in two weeks amid tension with US
Iran showcases special forces, helicopters and tanks after the US flies B-52 bombers over the Middle East again.
US Senate to take up Biden’s top cabinet selections
New era opens in Washington as spotlight falls on Biden’s nominees for governing roles at State Department and Pentagon.
Turkey slaps advertising ban on Twitter with new social media law
Under new law, social media companies that do not appoint local representatives will face a series of penalties.
Billions in aid needed to help Afghan children in 2021: NGO
Save the Children says more than 18 million Afghans, including 9.7 million children, are in need of urgent support.
India’s homegrown COVID vaccine company warns some to avoid shot
Vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech ran into controversy after Indian government allowed its use without concrete data.
Swiss gov’t urges voters to reject niqab ban in March referendum
Banning full facial coverings will deter tourists and 'be unhelpful for certain groups of women', government says.
Russian-American mountaineer found dead near Pakistan’s K2 peak
Climber fell off world's 12th-highest peak after refusing to turn back in dangerous winter conditions, say organisers.
Uganda accuses US of ‘subverting’ presidential election
US Ambassador Natalie E Brown was stopped from visiting Bobi Wine who is effectively under house arrest.
Norway policy on Pfizer vaccine unchanged after alarm over deaths
Several elderly and frail people who received the vaccine died, but official says a connection 'not a given'.