March 9, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

World

Serbian president & family illegally wiretapped over 1,500 times, including by ‘high-ranking officials,’ investigation reveals

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

An internal government investigation has found that Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic and his family were illegally wiretapped over 1,500 times, and “high-ranking officials in the Ministry of the Interior” were involved. … Read More >Serbian president & family illegally wiretapped over 1,500 times, including by ‘high-ranking officials,’ investigation reveals

Thailand SLASHES its mandatory quarantine for vaccinated tourists to 7 days

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

In a bid to revive its tourism industry, Thailand has announced it is slashing its mandatory Covid quarantine period for foreigners who can show proof of vaccination from 14 to seven days. … Read More >Thailand SLASHES its mandatory quarantine for vaccinated tourists to 7 days

Syria’s President Bashar Assad and wife test positive for Covid-19

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife Asma went into self-isolation on Monday, after their coronavirus tests returned positive, the president’s office said. … Read More >Syria’s President Bashar Assad and wife test positive for Covid-19

‘Covid-19 passport’ trials: Singapore Airlines to test digital health ID for flights to London

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

Singapore Airlines has announced that its flights to London will begin using a mobile app that verifies passengers’ Covid-19 status, as part of a pilot program for a health passport that could be adopted around the world. … Read More >‘Covid-19 passport’ trials: Singapore Airlines to test digital health ID for flights to London

2 more protesters reportedly killed by Myanmar military after workers begin general strike against coup

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

Two protesters in Myanmar died on Monday after being shot in the head, eyewitnesses told reporters, with graphic footage of the injuries shared online. A workers strike has been launched in opposition to the ongoing military coup. … Read More >2 more protesters reportedly killed by Myanmar military after workers begin general strike against coup

EU

EU criticizes Belgium’s blanket Covid-19 travel ban, wants it replaced with ‘more targeted measures

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

The European Commission has requested Belgium make changes to its ban on non-essential foreign travel in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid-19, saying the measures could result in “fragmentation” in the bloc. … Read More >EU criticizes Belgium’s blanket Covid-19 travel ban, wants it replaced with ‘more targeted measures

EU

Italy latest EU govt to approve AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine for over-65s as efficacy fears subside

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

The Italian government has approved the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for people aged over 65, the health ministry has said, a month after Italy and other EU states barred the elderly from getting the jab amid efficacy fears. … Read More >Italy latest EU govt to approve AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine for over-65s as efficacy fears subside

EU

Italy hits 100,000 Covid-19 deaths as new PM Draghi urges public to follow health measures amid ‘worsening’ emergency

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

More than 100,000 people have now died from Covid-19 in Italy, the health ministry said on Monday, as the country’s new prime minister, Mario Draghi, called on Italians to stick to the health measures to avoid an infection surge. … Read More >Italy hits 100,000 Covid-19 deaths as new PM Draghi urges public to follow health measures amid ‘worsening’ emergency

Brazil Supreme Court ruling annuls ex-president Lula’s convictions, making him eligible to run in 2022 election

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has cancelled all sentences against the country’s former leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, restoring his political rights to run again for office ahead of next year’s election. … Read More >Brazil Supreme Court ruling annuls ex-president Lula’s convictions, making him eligible to run in 2022 election

World

Academics rank Western world’s MISERY INDEX post-Covid response – UK & Spain end up floundering at the bottom

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021By Editor

Disease, death, and lockdowns have taken their toll on the world, and a group of Canadian researchers set out to quantify the suffering. They found that their own country suffered severely, along with the UK, Spain, and France. … Read More >Academics rank Western world’s MISERY INDEX post-Covid response – UK & Spain end up floundering at the bottom