February 2021 – Page 50 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

USA

US Man Charged in Capitol Riots Says He Worked for FBI, Holds Top Security Clearance

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

Loyalists of the former US president, Donald Trump, on January 6, violently breached the Capitol building in Washington DC, causing five deaths, in a failed attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election by the Electoral College. … Read More >US Man Charged in Capitol Riots Says He Worked for FBI, Holds Top Security Clearance

USA

Pompeo Slams WHO Findings That COVID-19 Did Not Come From Wuhan Lab Despite Demanding Investigation

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

The World Health Organisation on Tuesday concluded its investigation into the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, announcing that it was unlikely that the COVID-19 was released from laboratories at the Wuhan Institute for Virology. … Read More >Pompeo Slams WHO Findings That COVID-19 Did Not Come From Wuhan Lab Despite Demanding Investigation

Russia

Sputnik V prepares for EU launch: Russian Covid-19 vaccine clears 1st hurdle for roll-out as regulator EMA accepts application

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

Brussels’ beleaguered coronavirus vaccination program could be poised to get a shot in the arm as the EU’s central regulator completes its initial stage in appraising Sputnik V, the vaccine developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Center. … Read More >Sputnik V prepares for EU launch: Russian Covid-19 vaccine clears 1st hurdle for roll-out as regulator EMA accepts application

World

Azerbaijan approves trial of Covid-19 vaccine combination, set to test Russia’s Sputnik V together with AstraZeneca jab

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

Azerbaijan has given the go-ahead to the world’s first clinical trials combining two Covid-19 vaccines, with the country set to test inoculation using both Russia’s Sputnik V and the AstraZeneca-Oxford University jab. … Read More >Azerbaijan approves trial of Covid-19 vaccine combination, set to test Russia’s Sputnik V together with AstraZeneca jab

Iran’s armed forces ready to deliver ‘crushing response’ to any threat, says Tehran’s top military commander

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

Iran’s top general has said that world powers are “terrified” by Iran’s strength and progress, adding that they must come to accept Tehran’s accession as an undisputed international power or face a “crushing response.” … Read More >Iran’s armed forces ready to deliver ‘crushing response’ to any threat, says Tehran’s top military commander

Hong Kong leader announces dual nationality residents won’t be eligible for consular protection

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced that the city will not recognize the dual nationality of residents and they won’t be eligible for consular protection under China’s nationality rules. … Read More >Hong Kong leader announces dual nationality residents won’t be eligible for consular protection

WHO fact-finding mission: Animal source of Covid-19 still unidentified, Wuhan laboratory leak ‘extremely unlikely’

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

The expert team has found no evidence to back up the theory that the Covid-19 pandemic was caused by a laboratory accident in Wuhan, China. At the same time, it has not identified any animal source of the virus either. … Read More >WHO fact-finding mission: Animal source of Covid-19 still unidentified, Wuhan laboratory leak ‘extremely unlikely’

Philippines to strengthen its naval presence in another sign of rising tensions in South China Sea

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021By Editor

The Philippines’ new military chief says Manila will increase naval forces to protect fishermen after China tells its coast guard to fire on boats in territorial waters it claims. … Read More >Philippines to strengthen its naval presence in another sign of rising tensions in South China Sea

EU

Covid-19 patient capacity in Spain’s intensive care wards nearing peak amid ‘concerning’ pressure on hospitals – health minister

Posted on February 9, 2021February 9, 2021By Editor

The Spanish government is worried about the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care wards, with capacity levels expected to peak by the end of this week, Health Minister Carolina Darias said on Tuesday. … Read More >Covid-19 patient capacity in Spain’s intensive care wards nearing peak amid ‘concerning’ pressure on hospitals – health minister

UAE becomes first Arab nation to successfully foray into deep space as Hope probe reaches Mars

Posted on February 9, 2021February 9, 2021By Editor

The United Arab Emirates is the first Arab nation to successfully reach Mars as its robotic probe entered orbit above the red planet on Tuesday, beginning a two-year mission to map and detail the Martian climate. … Read More >UAE becomes first Arab nation to successfully foray into deep space as Hope probe reaches Mars