August 18, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Russia

Putin discusses situation in Afghanistan with presidents of Iran and Tajikistan

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to the presidents of Iran and Tajikistan by phone. The leaders discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan, which has fallen into the hands of the Taliban in a sweeping takeover. … Read More >Putin discusses situation in Afghanistan with presidents of Iran and Tajikistan

‘First come, first serve’: Americans warned of limited flights out of Kabul, US embassy ‘cannot ensure safe passage’ to airport

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

Americans attempting to leave Afghanistan are getting some conflicting information from their embassy staff in Kabul: come to the airport but not until emailed to do so, flights are first-come-first-served, safety not guaranteed. … Read More >‘First come, first serve’: Americans warned of limited flights out of Kabul, US embassy ‘cannot ensure safe passage’ to airport

India tops HALF-BILLION mark in total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

India has administered more than 500 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines during its mass-inoculation drive, with the proportion of people in the country who have received at least one dose approaching the 30% mark. … Read More >India tops HALF-BILLION mark in total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered

US seeks to entice Brazil with prospect of joining NATO ‘global partnership’ if it bans China’s ‘untrustworthy’ Huawei – reports

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

In the latest salvo in the US-China trade war, America’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has reportedly dangled a NATO ‘global partnership’ carrot in front of Brazil – if it squeezes Huawei out of its 5G network market. … Read More >US seeks to entice Brazil with prospect of joining NATO ‘global partnership’ if it bans China’s ‘untrustworthy’ Huawei – reports

Major warehouse fire sends massive column of black smoke into skies over Istanbul (VIDEOS)

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

A huge fire has broken out at a warehouse in the west of Istanbul, Turkey. The blaze produced a thick plume of smoke, seen from miles around the city, and required dozens of firefighters to extinguish. … Read More >Major warehouse fire sends massive column of black smoke into skies over Istanbul (VIDEOS)

‘Face-off has been resolved’: India and China pull troops back from Himalayan border flashpoint

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

China and India have removed troops from the disputed Himalayan border region which was the site of a deadly clash between the two in June 2020, after a “phased” pullback was agreed in July, according to the Indian government. … Read More >‘Face-off has been resolved’: India and China pull troops back from Himalayan border flashpoint

South Korea to compensate nurse paralyzed after AstraZeneca vaccine

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

A nursing assistant who was paralyzed after receiving a shot of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine will receive compensation from the South Korean state after she was recognized as a victim of an industrial accident. … Read More >South Korea to compensate nurse paralyzed after AstraZeneca vaccine

Japan planned to withhold public announcement of ‘highly infectious’ Lambda Covid variant until after the Tokyo Olympics – media

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

The Japanese government covered up the detection of the highly infectious Lambda variant of the Covid-19 virus after finding it during an airport screening three days before the Tokyo Olympics began, according to the Daily Beast. … Read More >Japan planned to withhold public announcement of ‘highly infectious’ Lambda Covid variant until after the Tokyo Olympics – media

EU

EU drugs regulator recommends flagging new possible adverse reactions to J&J Covid jab on product label

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

The EU’s drugs watchdog has recommended that the possible side effects of tinnitus, dizziness, and low blood platelets be added to the product information of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine, after studying data on the jab. … Read More >EU drugs regulator recommends flagging new possible adverse reactions to J&J Covid jab on product label

World

Like the Berlin Wall or the Twin Towers: footage of fleeing Afghans abandoned by US marks the end of an era for American supremacy

Posted on August 18, 2021August 18, 2021By Editor

US President Joe Biden’s speech on his country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is a turning point in American foreign policy. As the last troops pull out, leaving a shattered nation behind, Washington seems to have few regrets. … Read More >Like the Berlin Wall or the Twin Towers: footage of fleeing Afghans abandoned by US marks the end of an era for American supremacy