March 26, 2021 – Page 2 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Hundreds of detained anti-coup protesters released in Myanmar – media

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

More than 600 detainees have abruptly been released from prison in Myanmar, media have reported, citing lawyers and eyewitnesses. Almost all of those released had been detained during the crackdown on the anti-coup protests. … Read More >Hundreds of detained anti-coup protesters released in Myanmar – media

‘You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry’: Beijing warns Five Eyes that an ‘irritated’ China would be ‘difficult to handle’

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

The Chinese foreign ministry has called on the nations of the Five Eyes alliance to enter the 21st century and stop viewing Beijing as the Qing Dynasty, after the allied countries successively accused China of human rights abuses. … Read More >‘You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry’: Beijing warns Five Eyes that an ‘irritated’ China would be ‘difficult to handle’

‘Double mutant’ Covid-19 variant found in India, health officials say as country battles big increase in daily cases

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

Health authorities in India said they have detected a new “double mutant variant” of Covid-19 in the country, in addition to the British, South African and Brazilian strains that have led to a surge in new cases in recent weeks. … Read More >‘Double mutant’ Covid-19 variant found in India, health officials say as country battles big increase in daily cases

Massive container ship stuck in Suez Canal ‘partially refloated,’ traffic expected to resume shortly

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

A giant container ship that has been stuck across the Suez Canal for over a day, has been “partially refloated.” Maritime traffic through the important waterway is expected to resume as soon as the vessel is towed away. … Read More >Massive container ship stuck in Suez Canal ‘partially refloated,’ traffic expected to resume shortly

EU

‘My mistake alone’: Merkel cancels Germany’s draconian Easter lockdown after facing widespread resistance

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pulled the plug on harsh Covid-19 restrictions planned during the Easter holiday, after the decree caused an uproar among the public as well as within her own party. … Read More >‘My mistake alone’: Merkel cancels Germany’s draconian Easter lockdown after facing widespread resistance

EU

Brussels introduces new export authorization mechanism to slow Covid-19 vaccine shipments leaving EU, despite British protests

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

The European Union has told its 27 member states to weigh up whether vaccine exports from their country are “justified,” as Brussels introduces revised criteria on preventing Covid jabs from leaving the economic bloc. … Read More >Brussels introduces new export authorization mechanism to slow Covid-19 vaccine shipments leaving EU, despite British protests

EU

EU must stop ‘playing for time’ Turkey says, as it calls on bloc to expand customs union and allow Turks visa-free travel

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

The EU must speed up the process of strengthening ties with Turkey, the country’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday ahead of a summit of the bloc’s leaders where they will consider future relations with Ankara. … Read More >EU must stop ‘playing for time’ Turkey says, as it calls on bloc to expand customs union and allow Turks visa-free travel

Turkey tells US purchase of Russian S-400 defense system is a ‘done deal’

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has told America’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the two countries needed a roadmap to tackle disagreements and that Ankara is not planning to drop Russia’s S-400 defense system. … Read More >Turkey tells US purchase of Russian S-400 defense system is a ‘done deal’

EU

Calls for Merkel to face vote of no confidence after embarrassing U-turn on Covid-19 Easter lockdown

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

German politicians have called for Chancellor Angela Merkel to face a vote of no confidence after she admitted her “mistake” and pulled the plug on harsh Covid-19 restrictions planned for the Easter holiday. … Read More >Calls for Merkel to face vote of no confidence after embarrassing U-turn on Covid-19 Easter lockdown

World

China must prove its trade promises to EU aren’t ‘just talk,’ US Secretary of State Blinken says on investment deal

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021By Editor

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced no new objections to the recent investment deal signed between China and the EU, but said it was up to Beijing to uphold its promises to Europe and prove they aren’t “just talk.” … Read More >China must prove its trade promises to EU aren’t ‘just talk,’ US Secretary of State Blinken says on investment deal