February 2021 – Page 21 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

USA

Texas police looking for more than 100 illegal immigrants who fled smuggling truck amid winter freeze

Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021By Editor

Texas authorities are seeking a group of more than 100 illegal immigrants wandering through the freezing, storm-hammered state. They fled a packed smuggling truck, in which they were being transported in suffocating conditions. … Read More >Texas police looking for more than 100 illegal immigrants who fled smuggling truck amid winter freeze

USA

‘People turn off their power because they can’t afford it’, Texas woman slapped with $11,000 electricity bill tells RT

Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021By Editor

Texas infrastructure wasn’t ready for the winter storm that paralyzed the state this week, and it’s unfair that the working people are now forced to pay the price, a local woman, who received a shocking power bill, told RT. … Read More >‘People turn off their power because they can’t afford it’, Texas woman slapped with $11,000 electricity bill tells RT

Russia

Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny handed $11,500 fine after being found guilty of defaming elderly WWII veteran in tweet

Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021By Editor

A Moscow court has ruled that activist Alexey Navalny must pay a 850,000 ruble ($11,500) fine after finding that he libelled a 94-year-old World War II veteran last summer by smearing him as a “corrupt lackey” and a “traitor.” … Read More >Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny handed $11,500 fine after being found guilty of defaming elderly WWII veteran in tweet

EU

France’s health minister considering new restrictions & regional lockdowns as Covid-19 spread continues

Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021By Editor

France’s accelerating spread of Covid-19 is likely to prompt it to impose new restrictions, including regional lockdowns, the country’s health minister has said. The situation is especially bad in the southern resort city of Nice. … Read More >France’s health minister considering new restrictions & regional lockdowns as Covid-19 spread continues

Authorities warn of water level drop at damaged Fukushima nuclear plant after recent magnitude-7.3 earthquake

Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021By Editor

The Japanese authorities have sounded the alarm after the cooling-water level in two wrecked reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant began falling following a powerful earthquake in the area last week. … Read More >Authorities warn of water level drop at damaged Fukushima nuclear plant after recent magnitude-7.3 earthquake

World

Global Covid-19 cases plummet by 50% since January peak despite colder temperatures boosting transmission rates

Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021By Editor

According to a new tally, there has been a steep decline in new Covid-19 cases worldwide – a somewhat precipitous drop of 50 percent from the January peak, despite research indicating cooler temperatures improve transmissibility. … Read More >Global Covid-19 cases plummet by 50% since January peak despite colder temperatures boosting transmission rates

Taiwan greenlights AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use

Posted on February 20, 2021February 20, 2021By Editor

Taiwan’s government has granted emergency-use authorization for AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 jab. The first batch of the vaccine is expected to arrive onto the island under the WHO-led COVAX initiative next week. … Read More >Taiwan greenlights AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use

World

What happens if you don’t consent: WhatsApp won’t allow users to READ & SEND messages if they reject new privacy rules

Posted on February 20, 2021February 20, 2021By Editor

WhatsApp has confirmed users won’t be able to read or send messages unless they agree to the rules on sharing personal data with Facebook. The new T&C have sparked backlash and led to a surge in popularity of rival apps. … Read More >What happens if you don’t consent: WhatsApp won’t allow users to READ & SEND messages if they reject new privacy rules

Families of Beirut blast victims stage fiery protest after lead investigator removed from case (PHOTOS)

Posted on February 20, 2021February 20, 2021By Editor

Relatives of people killed in the Beirut Port blast last August have been protesting for a second day after a judge, who’d charged outgoing Lebanese PM and three ex-ministers over the explosion, was removed from the case. … Read More >Families of Beirut blast victims stage fiery protest after lead investigator removed from case (PHOTOS)