July 2021 – Page 38 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Australia rejects China’s claims it sabotaged Sinopharm vaccine rollout to Pacific region & insists it has acted in ‘good faith’

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

After China accused Australia of using “political manipulation” and “bullying” to subvert its Covid vaccine rollout to Pacific nations, Canberra has denied the claims and cited a “moral and economic responsibility” to the region. … Read More >Australia rejects China’s claims it sabotaged Sinopharm vaccine rollout to Pacific region & insists it has acted in ‘good faith’

Twitter loses liability protection for user-created posts in India after failing to delete content

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

Twitter will no longer be exempt from liability arising from posts by users in India, after the platform failed to delete posts deemed illegal within a timeframe set by the country’s new IT laws. … Read More >Twitter loses liability protection for user-created posts in India after failing to delete content

‘Social explosion’ imminent in Lebanon, as nation teeters on brink of economic collapse – caretaker PM

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has warned diplomats that the country is days away from a “social explosion” and called for help from the international community, as the nation tries to avert catastrophe. … Read More >‘Social explosion’ imminent in Lebanon, as nation teeters on brink of economic collapse – caretaker PM

Hong Kong court hands US lawyer 4-month jail sentence for assaulting policeman during citywide unrest in 2019

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

An American lawyer working in Hong Kong will spend four months behind bars after being convicted of attacking a police officer during a period when the semi-autonomous territory was gripped by violent anti-Beijing protests. … Read More >Hong Kong court hands US lawyer 4-month jail sentence for assaulting policeman during citywide unrest in 2019

Israel to send 700k expiring vaccine doses to South Korea in swap deal after Palestinians reject offer

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

The Israeli government will send South Korea some 700,000 doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine that will soon expire, in an exchange deal PM Naftali Bennett called a “win-win” after the Palestinians declined a similar offer. … Read More >Israel to send 700k expiring vaccine doses to South Korea in swap deal after Palestinians reject offer

Armed drone intercepted near US Embassy in Baghdad after rockets hit base housing American troops (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

An explosives-laden drone was shot out of the sky by American air defenses as it neared the US Embassy in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, Iraqi security sources said, soon after rockets targeted a base housing US troops. … Read More >Armed drone intercepted near US Embassy in Baghdad after rockets hit base housing American troops (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Pfizer vaccine losing effectiveness amid Delta variant surge, Israeli Health Ministry says as it mulls 3rd shot & new restrictions

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine has dropped to 64% effectiveness in preventing infection amid the spread of the Delta variant in Israel, the Health Ministry said, as officials consider the need for booster shots and new restrictions. … Read More >Pfizer vaccine losing effectiveness amid Delta variant surge, Israeli Health Ministry says as it mulls 3rd shot & new restrictions

World

Italian prosecutors to probe Libyan coastguard for ‘shooting & trying to ram’ migrant boat (VIDEO)

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

Prosecutors in Sicily are investigating video footage that allegedly shows a Libyan Coast Guard vessel firing warning shots at a migrant boat in the Mediterranean Sea. The probe, however, will face an uphill struggle. … Read More >Italian prosecutors to probe Libyan coastguard for ‘shooting & trying to ram’ migrant boat (VIDEO)

EU

French senate votes against referendum on protecting climate change fight within constitution

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

The French national senate has rejected holding a public vote backed by President Emmanuel Macron on whether the country’s fight against climate change should be enshrined in the constitution. … Read More >French senate votes against referendum on protecting climate change fight within constitution

World

Sydney’s battle to contain Covid outbreak has reached ‘absolutely critical’ point, state premier warns

Posted on July 7, 2021July 7, 2021By Editor

Officials in Australia’s most populous city, Sydney, have warned that the area is facing an “absolutely critical” 48 hours, as it fights to contain a Covid outbreak that has infected at least 300 people. … Read More >Sydney’s battle to contain Covid outbreak has reached ‘absolutely critical’ point, state premier warns