February 20, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

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)

Chinese media releases dramatic footage of last year’s deadly border clash with India (VIDEOS)

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

Chinese media has for the first time released footage of the deadly border clash between China’s and India’s troops in the disputed Western Himalayas region last June. The incident left four Chinese and 20 Indian soldiers dead. … Read More >Chinese media releases dramatic footage of last year’s deadly border clash with India (VIDEOS)

USA

‘De-occupy DC’: Two GOP congressmen say ‘QAnon threat’ being hyped to justify permanent fence & troops in US capital

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

After US Capitol Police called for National Guard troops and razor wire to stay in place through March, citing online chatter by ‘QAnon,’ two Republican members of Congress accused them of drumming up excuses for the ‘occupation.’ … Read More >‘De-occupy DC’: Two GOP congressmen say ‘QAnon threat’ being hyped to justify permanent fence & troops in US capital

USA

US ‘ready’ for nuclear talks with Iran… with precondition of addressing ‘regional issues’

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

The Joe Biden administration said it’s willing to sit down with Iran to discuss renewing the 2015 nuclear pact, though a senior US official noted the talks must cover other “regional issues” – a potential deal-breaker for Tehran. … Read More >US ‘ready’ for nuclear talks with Iran… with precondition of addressing ‘regional issues’

USA

Texas apartment block collapses as firefighters can’t retrieve water from frozen hydrants (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

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

Some 130 residents were evacuated from a Texas apartment complex which later collapsed due to a massive blaze. Responding fire crews were met by frozen fire hydrants which greatly hampered their efforts. … Read More >Texas apartment block collapses as firefighters can’t retrieve water from frozen hydrants (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

USA

DISTURBING VIDEO shows cop punching alleged attacker in the head as assaults on transit police TRIPLE in NYC

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

The NYPD have been accused of using excessive force after a video showed a cop repeatedly punching a man in the subway. But police claim the officer was acting in self-defense after the suspect allegedly nearly ripped his ear off. … Read More >DISTURBING VIDEO shows cop punching alleged attacker in the head as assaults on transit police TRIPLE in NYC

USA

Pandemic put US back on track to meet Paris climate goals, report finds, but at huge human cost

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

In what researchers have dubbed a “remarkable” reversal of fortunes, pandemic-induced lockdowns across the US have brought the country back on track to meet targets in the Paris climate accord, but at a grim human cost. … Read More >Pandemic put US back on track to meet Paris climate goals, report finds, but at huge human cost