Month: March 2021

Categories Asia & Pacific

‘Double mutant’ Covid-19 variant found in India, health officials say as country battles big increase in daily cases

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Health authorities in India said they have detected a new “double mutant variant” of Covid-19 in the country, in addition to the British, South African and Brazilian strains that have led to a surge in new cases in recent weeks. … Read More >‘Double mutant’ Covid-19 variant found in India, health officials say as country battles big increase in daily cases

Categories Middle East

Massive container ship stuck in Suez Canal ‘partially refloated,’ traffic expected to resume shortly

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A giant container ship that has been stuck across the Suez Canal for over a day, has been “partially refloated.” Maritime traffic through the important waterway is expected to resume as soon as the vessel is towed away. … Read More >Massive container ship stuck in Suez Canal ‘partially refloated,’ traffic expected to resume shortly

Categories EU

‘My mistake alone’: Merkel cancels Germany’s draconian Easter lockdown after facing widespread resistance

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pulled the plug on harsh Covid-19 restrictions planned during the Easter holiday, after the decree caused an uproar among the public as well as within her own party. … Read More >‘My mistake alone’: Merkel cancels Germany’s draconian Easter lockdown after facing widespread resistance

Categories EU

Brussels introduces new export authorization mechanism to slow Covid-19 vaccine shipments leaving EU, despite British protests

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The European Union has told its 27 member states to weigh up whether vaccine exports from their country are “justified,” as Brussels introduces revised criteria on preventing Covid jabs from leaving the economic bloc. … Read More >Brussels introduces new export authorization mechanism to slow Covid-19 vaccine shipments leaving EU, despite British protests

Categories EU

EU must stop ‘playing for time’ Turkey says, as it calls on bloc to expand customs union and allow Turks visa-free travel

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The EU must speed up the process of strengthening ties with Turkey, the country’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday ahead of a summit of the bloc’s leaders where they will consider future relations with Ankara. … Read More >EU must stop ‘playing for time’ Turkey says, as it calls on bloc to expand customs union and allow Turks visa-free travel

Categories EU

Calls for Merkel to face vote of no confidence after embarrassing U-turn on Covid-19 Easter lockdown

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German politicians have called for Chancellor Angela Merkel to face a vote of no confidence after she admitted her “mistake” and pulled the plug on harsh Covid-19 restrictions planned for the Easter holiday. … Read More >Calls for Merkel to face vote of no confidence after embarrassing U-turn on Covid-19 Easter lockdown

Categories World

China must prove its trade promises to EU aren’t ‘just talk,’ US Secretary of State Blinken says on investment deal

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced no new objections to the recent investment deal signed between China and the EU, but said it was up to Beijing to uphold its promises to Europe and prove they aren’t “just talk.” … Read More >China must prove its trade promises to EU aren’t ‘just talk,’ US Secretary of State Blinken says on investment deal

Categories EU

Court criticizes German watchdog for imposing data collection restrictions on Facebook, as it refers case to Europe’s top court

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A German court has effectively sided with Facebook, overruling a decision by the country’s antitrust watchdog that claimed the social media giant had abused its position to illegally gather user data. … Read More >Court criticizes German watchdog for imposing data collection restrictions on Facebook, as it refers case to Europe’s top court