January 28, 2021 – Page 3 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Chinese woman gets one year in prison for HIDING Covid-19 symptoms on flight from US

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

A Chinese woman who took anti-inflammatory drugs to hide her Covid-19 symptoms on a flight from the US to China last March was sent to prison by a Beijing court for obstructing the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. … Read More >Chinese woman gets one year in prison for HIDING Covid-19 symptoms on flight from US

Russia

Putin submits bill to ratify 5-year extension of New START as last-minute deal with US is expected to rescue nuclear treaty

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

Following talks with Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent parliament a draft deal that would extend the New START arms reduction pact for five more years. The critical treaty is set to expire in just over a week. … Read More >Putin submits bill to ratify 5-year extension of New START as last-minute deal with US is expected to rescue nuclear treaty

EU

Germany looking at air travel ban and border shutdowns in bid to curb spread of Covid-19 variants

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

The German government is considering border closures and a ban on almost all air traffic in an attempt to limit the spread of more transmissible Covid-19 variants, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said on Tuesday. … Read More >Germany looking at air travel ban and border shutdowns in bid to curb spread of Covid-19 variants

EU

Sweden pauses payments to Pfizer until pharma giant clarifies the number of vaccine doses in each vial

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

Sweden’s public health authority officials have told local media they are pausing payments to the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer until the company provides clarity on the number of vaccine doses in each vial. … Read More >Sweden pauses payments to Pfizer until pharma giant clarifies the number of vaccine doses in each vial

Iran threatens to block some UN nuclear site inspections as it urges Biden to undo sanctions

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

Tehran has suggested that it may prevent some upcoming inspections of its nuclear facilities by the UN’s atomic agency as it tries to push US President Joe Biden into reversing the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. … Read More >Iran threatens to block some UN nuclear site inspections as it urges Biden to undo sanctions

Philippines’ Duterte tells kids to stay home and watch TV, prolonging ban on children leaving the house amid Covid fears

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

The president has extended a ban on youngsters leaving the home that was due to end in February, after the more contagious British strain of Covid-19 was found in the Philippines, including in test results from three children. … Read More >Philippines’ Duterte tells kids to stay home and watch TV, prolonging ban on children leaving the house amid Covid fears

USA

Rand Paul says Trump impeachment case is ‘DEAD ON ARRIVAL’ after 45 senators support his motion to declare trial unconstitutional

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

Only five Republican senators opposed a motion by colleague Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) to declare Donald Trump’s impeachment trial unconstitutional, signaling that Democrats won’t have enough votes to convict the former president. … Read More >Rand Paul says Trump impeachment case is ‘DEAD ON ARRIVAL’ after 45 senators support his motion to declare trial unconstitutional

USA

Biden ends contracts with private prisons in series of executive orders on race & ‘systemic problems’ in criminal justice system

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

In the latest decree supposedly aimed at combating racial inequality, President Joe Biden has ordered the Justice Department not to renew contracts with private prisons – for-profit institutions that have a grim history in the US. … Read More >Biden ends contracts with private prisons in series of executive orders on race & ‘systemic problems’ in criminal justice system

Can US & EU break up Big Tech? RT’s Boom Bust looks at attempts to curb Silicon Valley’s power

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

As concerns rise about the clout of the likes of Google and Facebook, more and more states are increasing pressure on tech giants. RT’s Boom Bust breaks down how governments are trying to bring the sector under control. … Read More >Can US & EU break up Big Tech? RT’s Boom Bust looks at attempts to curb Silicon Valley’s power

USA

Northeast coast of US hit with massive internet outage, from Boston to DC

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021By Editor

Reports have surfaced of a massive internet outage in the northeast United States, with internet users locked out of multiple key services and apps. Verizon blamed the outage on “a fiber cut in Brooklyn.” … Read More >Northeast coast of US hit with massive internet outage, from Boston to DC