July 13, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Turn down the music & slow your treadmill! Seoul introduces bizarre Covid-19 measures to combat virus surge

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

South Koreans living in the Greater Seoul area have been asked to slow their roll – literally. Virus authorities have reportedly ordered people to quit “high-speed running on treadmills and fast dance music for group exercises.” … Read More >Turn down the music & slow your treadmill! Seoul introduces bizarre Covid-19 measures to combat virus surge

Cuban FM claims US-backed ‘mercenaries’ stoked unrest ahead of protests disguised as cry for help

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has denounced the weekend’s protests as a “systemic provocation” by dissidents working hand in hand with the forces of the US government to destabilize the nation. … Read More >Cuban FM claims US-backed ‘mercenaries’ stoked unrest ahead of protests disguised as cry for help

EU

Macron delivers bad news to France: Vaccine passports, mandatory shots for health workers, AND unpopular pension reform

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

French President Emmanuel Macron has told his citizens that they’ll need to be vaccinated to visit bars and board trains, and health workers face mandatory Covid jabs. Macron will also push ahead with unpopular pension reforms. … Read More >Macron delivers bad news to France: Vaccine passports, mandatory shots for health workers, AND unpopular pension reform

World

South Africa deploys military to two provinces amid looting and violence after ex-president Zuma’s jailing

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

The South African military has deployed forces in two provinces following violence and looting that has seen a mall set ablaze, several killed and over 200 arrests after the imprisonment of ex-leader Jacob Zuma. … Read More >South Africa deploys military to two provinces amid looting and violence after ex-president Zuma’s jailing

World

1 in 10 people malnourished in 2020, UN says, with pandemic stalling chances of eradicating world hunger by 2030

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

A United Nations (UN) report has revealed how the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated world hunger, raising concerns that the organization’s goal of ensuring no one is starving by 2030 is now unattainable. … Read More >1 in 10 people malnourished in 2020, UN says, with pandemic stalling chances of eradicating world hunger by 2030

Health

‘An evidence-free zone’: WHO chief scientist warns against ‘mixing and matching’ coronavirus vaccines

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

World Health Organization Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has warned people away from combining different Covid-19 vaccines, despite studies suggesting that the “cocktail” approach could yield positive results. … Read More >‘An evidence-free zone’: WHO chief scientist warns against ‘mixing and matching’ coronavirus vaccines

EU

Italian Covid-19 vaccine demonstrates safety and efficacy in phase-2 trial

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

An Italian firm has published promising results from its phase-two clinical trials, in which its Covid-19 vaccine induced an antibody response in 93% of volunteers three weeks after the first dose, reaching 99% after the second. … Read More >Italian Covid-19 vaccine demonstrates safety and efficacy in phase-2 trial

Russia

Russia & India denounce Covid-19 ‘vaccine discrimination & politicization,’ as Lavrov teases ditching US dollar in mutual trade

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

Russia and India have demonstrated “exemplary” cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic and will resist any attempts to discriminate against certain vaccines and types of international travelers, their top diplomats have claimed. … Read More >Russia & India denounce Covid-19 ‘vaccine discrimination & politicization,’ as Lavrov teases ditching US dollar in mutual trade

Capital flight from Russia drops nearly 10% in first six months of year

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

The net capital outflow from the Russian Federation in January-June this year totaled $28.2 billion, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) reported on Friday. … Read More >Capital flight from Russia drops nearly 10% in first six months of year

Cuba’s president blames Washington for protests, says US sanctions responsible for shortages and ‘social unrest’

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

The Cuban president has hit out at the US, alleging it played a considerable role in the first major protests on the island in years by encouraging dissent and causing shortages with its blockade. … Read More >Cuba’s president blames Washington for protests, says US sanctions responsible for shortages and ‘social unrest’