World

Biden says it's a 'big mistake' for states to lift mask mandates 03 Mar 2021 - 11:12 pm

NEW YORK - U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday said decisions to end the required wearing of masks - such as those by...

Turkey logs over 11,500 new COVID-19 cases as restrictions are eased 03 Mar 2021 - 10:54 pm

ANKARA - Turkey recorded 11,520 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, Health Ministry data showed, amid an easing of coronavirus restrictions across the country....

Pakistan PM Khan to seek vote of confidence after election setback 03 Mar 2021 - 10:08 pm

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI - Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence in parliament after the government's finance minister lost his bid...

Czechs and Slovaks to get 100,000 extra vaccines each from EU partners 03 Mar 2021 - 09:17 pm

PRAGUE - The Czech Republic and Slovakia, both under severe pressure from the coronavirus pandemic, will each receive an extra 100,000 doses of...

Belgium's largest vaccine centre swamped with demand after technical issues 03 Mar 2021 - 09:14 pm

BRUSSELS - Belgium's biggest COVID-19 vaccination centre was overwhelmed on Wednesday by hundreds of Belgians queuing to get inoculated, after computer problems when...

Sao Paulo shuts down as fears grow over Brazil COVID-19 outbreak 03 Mar 2021 - 08:32 pm

SAO PAULO - Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, on Wednesday announced tough new measures to slow a snowballing coronavirus outbreak, stoked by...

Police warn of possible bid by militia group to attack US Capitol 03 Mar 2021 - 08:01 pm

WASHINGTON - The police force that guards the U.S. Capitol said on Wednesday it has obtained intelligence pointing to a possible plot by...

UK businesses told to review COVID-19 claims as UK cracks down on fraud 03 Mar 2021 - 07:54 pm

LONDON - British businesses were on Wednesday urged to review how they claimed for government support during the coronavirus pandemic as the country...

UK economy to regain pre-pandemic size earlier than forecast -Sunak 03 Mar 2021 - 04:06 pm

LONDON: Britain's economy is expected to regain its pre-pandemic size in the middle of next year, six months earlier than previously forecast, finance...

'Dr. Oz' aids police in resuscitating man at Newark airport 03 Mar 2021 - 03:58 pm

NEWARK, NJ: When a traveler became stricken at Newark Liberty International Airport, the police got an assist from a celebrity doctor: Mehmet Oz....

UK Treasury boss to extend job support, tax breaks in budget 03 Mar 2021 - 03:19 pm

London: Britain’s treasury chief is expected to extend job support programs and temporary tax cuts to help workers and businesses hit by the...

India's Bharat Biotech says COVID-19 vaccine shows 81% interim efficacy 03 Mar 2021 - 03:10 pm

BENGALURU: Bharat Biotech's homegrown COVID-19 vaccine has shown an interim vaccine efficacy of 81% in late-stage clinical trials, the Indian company said on...

Poland strikes deal to produce Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 03 Mar 2021 - 03:01 pm

WARSAW: Polish biotech firm Mabion has signed a preliminary agreement to manufacture Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine with financial support from a state-run fund, as...

Britain raises contactless limit as COVID accelerates electronic payments 03 Mar 2021 - 02:17 pm

London: Britain is more than doubling to 100 pounds ($139.75) the limit on contactless payments made with debit or credit cards, the finance...

Japan PM Suga considering 2-week extension of COVID-19 state of emergency for Tokyo region 03 Mar 2021 - 01:45 pm

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday the government is considering a two-week extension of a state of emergency in the...

Germany seeks to extend AstraZeneca jabs to over 65s soon 03 Mar 2021 - 01:34 pm

BERLIN: Germany's vaccine regulator should recommend within days that the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine can be given to people older than 65 as evidence...

Explosion at Dutch COVID-19 test centre appears intentional, police say 03 Mar 2021 - 01:22 pm

Amsterdam: An explosive went off at a coronavirus testing centre north of Amsterdam before sunrise on Wednesday, shattering windows but causing no injuries...

Australia building world's first platypus sanctuary 03 Mar 2021 - 11:06 am

SYDNEY: Australian conservationists on Wednesday unveiled plans to build the world's first refuge for the platypus, to promote breeding and rehabilitation as the...