April 2, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Russia

Moscow and Saint Petersburg in top 10 for annual house price-rises as Russia’s property boom continues during Covid-19 pandemic

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

New figures from the Global House Price Index have revealed that the cost of buying property in Moscow rose by a whopping 21.1% in the last year, putting the Russian capital into 7th place on the planet for annual price increases. … Read More >Moscow and Saint Petersburg in top 10 for annual house price-rises as Russia’s property boom continues during Covid-19 pandemic

Russia

Russia registers world’s first Covid-19 vaccine for cats & dogs as makers of Sputnik V warn pets & farm animals could spread virus

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

A pioneering new formula that protects animals against coronavirus has been registered in Russia days after one of the country’s top scientists warned that the deadly pathogen could soon begin spreading through homes and farms. … Read More >Russia registers world’s first Covid-19 vaccine for cats & dogs as makers of Sputnik V warn pets & farm animals could spread virus

EU

Germany drops probe against ex-Nazi guard deported from US, after he refuses to be questioned

Posted on April 2, 2021By Editor

The case against a former Nazi concentration camp guard, recently deported from the US to face charges in Germany, has been closed due to lack of evidence, after the 95-year-old declined to be questioned, prosecutors have said. … Read More >Germany drops probe against ex-Nazi guard deported from US, after he refuses to be questioned

Chinese city on Myanmar border imposes week-long lockdown in response to new coronavirus cluster

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

The southwestern city of Ruili, which abuts China’s border with Myanmar, has imposed a quarantine and launched a mass testing campaign after new locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 were detected. … Read More >Chinese city on Myanmar border imposes week-long lockdown in response to new coronavirus cluster

EU

No legal obligations exist to prevent AstraZeneca fulfilling European vaccine deliveries, Commission says pharma giant told EU

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

Covid vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca has told the EU it is under no legal obligation to the UK, or any other nation, that would stop it meeting its delivery targets to the bloc, according to a European Commission spokeswoman. … Read More >No legal obligations exist to prevent AstraZeneca fulfilling European vaccine deliveries, Commission says pharma giant told EU

Beijing accuses BBC of spreading fake news and blasts reporter for ‘running’ from China as Xinjiang citizens plot legal action

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

Beijing has unleashed another attack on the BBC after one of its correspondents, accused of fake reporting on Xinjiang and Hong Kong by China, purportedly “ran” to Taiwan without informing Chinese authorities of his leaving. … Read More >Beijing accuses BBC of spreading fake news and blasts reporter for ‘running’ from China as Xinjiang citizens plot legal action

World

Covid-19 variants ‘stronger and faster,’ WHO emergencies chief warns as ‘worrying shift’ shows more young people in intensive care

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

Global Covid-19 deaths and cases have continued to rise, the World Health Organization has said as health chiefs warn of the threat of stronger variants and the growing number of young people in intensive care with the virus. … Read More >Covid-19 variants ‘stronger and faster,’ WHO emergencies chief warns as ‘worrying shift’ shows more young people in intensive care

Iran seemingly rejects new reported nuclear proposal from Biden… before US even formally proposes it

Posted on April 2, 2021April 2, 2021By Editor

Iran has signaled that it will not scale down its nuclear program until Washington removes its unilateral sanctions, in an apparent rebuke of a new proposal reportedly being prepared by the Biden administration. … Read More >Iran seemingly rejects new reported nuclear proposal from Biden… before US even formally proposes it

World

Canada halts AstraZeneca vaccine roll-out for people under 55, citing ‘substantial uncertainty’ amid blood clot concerns

Posted on April 2, 2021By Editor

Canada has suspended its use of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for those younger than 55, pointing to safety concerns following a number of reports of serious blood clotting among recipients in Europe. … Read More >Canada halts AstraZeneca vaccine roll-out for people under 55, citing ‘substantial uncertainty’ amid blood clot concerns