April 16, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Iran says it could enrich uranium to 90% purity if it wanted to, but is ‘not seeking weapon’ as nuclear deal talks restart

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

The enrichment of weapons-grade uranium is within Iran’s reach, but it chose to stick to a lower purity level because it does not want to make a bomb, President Hassan Rouhani has said as talks to revive the nuclear deal continue. … Read More >Iran says it could enrich uranium to 90% purity if it wanted to, but is ‘not seeking weapon’ as nuclear deal talks restart

Iran’s security needs major overhaul after sabotage at Natanz nuclear site, top Tehran official admits

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

An act of sabotage at the Natanz nuclear facility and earlier incidents reveal Iran’s exposure to security violations, an adviser to the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, calling for swift system changes. … Read More >Iran’s security needs major overhaul after sabotage at Natanz nuclear site, top Tehran official admits

EU

Sweden halts J&J vaccine rollout until EU regulator reviews US reports of ‘very rare’ blood clot cases

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Sweden won’t start vaccinating people with Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 shot until the European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviews reports of rare blood clots possibly caused by it in the US, the Swedish Health Agency said. … Read More >Sweden halts J&J vaccine rollout until EU regulator reviews US reports of ‘very rare’ blood clot cases

‘Prolonged’ nuclear talks with US would be ‘harmful’, Khamenei warns as Iran reportedly close to starting 60% uranium enrichment

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Iranian-US talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal should not “drag on,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said, warning Washington against demanding Tehran return to its commitments before sanctions are lifted. … Read More >‘Prolonged’ nuclear talks with US would be ‘harmful’, Khamenei warns as Iran reportedly close to starting 60% uranium enrichment

Brazil’s top court confirms probe into Bolsonaro’s Covid-19 response as richest state warns of ‘imminent’ healthcare collapse

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld an earlier decision by one of its judges that its Senate should investigate the handling of Covid-19 pandemic by the federal government of Jair Bolsonaro amid a surge in cases across the country. … Read More >Brazil’s top court confirms probe into Bolsonaro’s Covid-19 response as richest state warns of ‘imminent’ healthcare collapse

Security forces fire on protesting medical workers in Myanmar, leaving at least one dead – local media

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Security forces for Myanmar’s military government have fired on protesting medical workers in the city of Mandalay, killing one and reportedly arresting six demonstrators. A further 14 individuals were detained in the city. … Read More >Security forces fire on protesting medical workers in Myanmar, leaving at least one dead – local media

World

‘In good shape but inappropriate’: Canadian MP scolded for walking around NAKED during official session

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

A female Canadian MP raised a point of order about appropriate attire for official Parliament business, after her male colleague was caught inside his office wearing not a stitch during a Question Period live stream. … Read More >‘In good shape but inappropriate’: Canadian MP scolded for walking around NAKED during official session

South Korean prosecutors seek DEATH for mother accused of murdering adopted toddler, as public fury fuels moratorium debate

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Public outrage over the grisly murder of a 16-month-old South Korean girl, allegedly by her adoptive mother, has already led to tougher child-abuse laws. Next, it may prompt the country to end its moratorium on capital punishment. … Read More >South Korean prosecutors seek DEATH for mother accused of murdering adopted toddler, as public fury fuels moratorium debate

Taiwan ‘very willing’ to work with US to counter China’s ‘adventurous maneuvers and provocations’

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Taiwan is “very willing” to work with the US and other “like-minded countries” to deter China, the island’s president has said, as she met an unofficial delegation from Washington sent as a “personal signal” by Joe Biden. … Read More >Taiwan ‘very willing’ to work with US to counter China’s ‘adventurous maneuvers and provocations’

France calls on nationals to leave Pakistan, citing ‘serious threats’ to their security amid deadly anti-French protests

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

The French embassy in Pakistan has told its citizens to temporarily leave the country amid increasing anti-French sentiment and action by a now-banned radical Islamist group over the showing of Prophet Mohammed cartoons. … Read More >France calls on nationals to leave Pakistan, citing ‘serious threats’ to their security amid deadly anti-French protests