April 2021 – Page 60 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

EU

Netherlands suspends use of Vaxzevria Covid jab among under-60s ‘as a precaution’ after woman’s death

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

The Dutch Health Ministry said it has temporarily halted administering AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, to people aged under 60 after a woman who had received one of the shots died. … Read More >Netherlands suspends use of Vaxzevria Covid jab among under-60s ‘as a precaution’ after woman’s death

Boom Bust digs into privacy issues of blockchain-protected digital ‘vaccine passports’

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

South Korea announced it will roll out blockchain-protected digital ‘vaccine passports’ to immunized citizens, joining other nations introducing such certificates. This could allow travelers to show digital proof of vaccination. … Read More >Boom Bust digs into privacy issues of blockchain-protected digital ‘vaccine passports’

Candlelit vigils & ‘flower strikes’: Anti-coup protests continue in Myanmar as military moves to cut internet (PHOTOS)

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

Mass anti-coup protests continued in Myanmar throughout Friday, with organizers seeking alternative ways to guide the demonstrations after the military largely cut internet access across the country. … Read More >Candlelit vigils & ‘flower strikes’: Anti-coup protests continue in Myanmar as military moves to cut internet (PHOTOS)

Health

Russia’s Sputnik V formula could be updated to protect against new coronavirus variants in just two days using new gene technology

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

Russian researchers have unveiled a new genetic engineering platform that they say will enable the country’s pioneering Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, to be adapted, within 48 hours, to fight any future variants of the deadly virus. … Read More >Russia’s Sputnik V formula could be updated to protect against new coronavirus variants in just two days using new gene technology

Health

Study reveals trick coronavirus uses to evade immune system, which may help upgrade vaccines against new variants

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

The novel coronavirus uses a mechanism similar to car windshield wipers in order to defend itself against the human immune system, a new study says. The authors believe their model could help reinforce existing vaccines. … Read More >Study reveals trick coronavirus uses to evade immune system, which may help upgrade vaccines against new variants

Iran rejects prospect of meeting US at upcoming nuclear deal talks in Vienna

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

Iran will not talk to the US at the upcoming nuclear deal talks in Vienna, its deputy FM has said, as Tehran believes a return to the agreement does not require negotiations but instead depends solely on sanctions being lifted. … Read More >Iran rejects prospect of meeting US at upcoming nuclear deal talks in Vienna

EU

‘The answer is NO!’: 71-yo German minister rejects Vaxzevria jab, says won’t be ‘patronized’ by younger health minister

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

An attempt by Germany’s health minister to promote the Vaxzevria vaccine (AstraZeneca) – which he is ineligible for due to his younger age – was undermined by a fellow cabinet member who flat-out refused to take the jab. … Read More >‘The answer is NO!’: 71-yo German minister rejects Vaxzevria jab, says won’t be ‘patronized’ by younger health minister

EU

‘No time to wait’: French economy minister lashes out at Germany for delaying approval of EU coronavirus relief plan

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

France’s Minister for Economy, Finance and Recovery, Bruno Le Maire, has scolded Germany for delaying an EU Covid-19 aid package, after that country’s top court paused its ratification last week. … Read More >‘No time to wait’: French economy minister lashes out at Germany for delaying approval of EU coronavirus relief plan

North Korean group demands ‘apology & compensation’ from Japan over WWII-era atrocities

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

A group from North Korea has called on Japan to stop trying to “evade” responsibility for drafting Koreans into forced labor and prostitution during World War II. The issue has been the source of bad blood for decades. … Read More >North Korean group demands ‘apology & compensation’ from Japan over WWII-era atrocities

Taiwan train derailment: Death toll climbs to 48 as rescuers evacuate all trapped passengers & over a hundred reported injured

Posted on April 4, 2021April 4, 2021By Editor

Taiwan has suffered its worst rail disaster in decades, with 48 people reported killed and over a hundred others injured after a derailment inside a tunnel. A runaway construction crane has been blamed for the incident. … Read More >Taiwan train derailment: Death toll climbs to 48 as rescuers evacuate all trapped passengers & over a hundred reported injured