WORLD
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 176.5mn
In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 176,559,700 and 3,819,109, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,485,557 and 600,265, respectively, according to the CSSE.
Israel strikes in Gaza after arson attacks
Explosions were heard in Gaza City in the early hours of Wednesday. Several balloons were sent from Gaza into Israel earlier on Tuesday, which caused multiple fires, according to the Israeli fire service, the BBC reported. It is the first major flare-up since 11 days of fighting between the two sides ended in a ceasefire on 21 May. It followed a march by Jewish nationalists in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, which had drawn threats from Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza.
US Covid-19 deaths top 600,000: Johns Hopkins University
With the national case count topping 33.4 million, the death toll across the US rose to 600,012 as of 12:22 p.m. local time (1622 GMT), according to the CSSE data. California topped the national death toll list, standing at 63,191. New York reported the country's second largest deaths of 53,558, followed by Texas with 51,940 deaths and Florida with 37,265 deaths, the CSSE tally showed.
UK to investigate Apple, Google's 'effective duopoly'
Alongside its existing examination of Apple over the App Store, the CMA has begun investigating whether the dominant iOS and Android platforms represent unfair competition, AppleInsider reported on Tuesday. "Apple and Google control the major gateways through which people download apps or browse the web on their mobiles whether they want to shop, play games, stream music or watch TV," CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli said.
No-confidence motion against Suga's Cabinet voted down
The motion was filed after the ruling coalition turned down the opposition camp's request that the conclusion of the current parliamentary session should be pushed back by three months to allow time for more debate on matters related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Tokyo Olympics, reports Xinhua news agency.
NZ holds 1st meeting on countering terrorism, violent extremism
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday opened the country's first meeting on countering terrorism and violent extremism, which is being held in Christchurch over the next two days. The meeting of "a country at peace" will look at "how we can all contribute to making our country more inclusive and safe", Ardern was quoted.
Israeli flag march in Jerusalem to renew tension: Hamas
Hamas spokesman in Gaza Abdulatif al-Qanou'a said in a statement that organising "the so-called flag march is just a detonator for the breaking out of a new battle in Palestine", reports Xinhua news agency. "The so-called flag march that is intended to be organised by the settlers on the streets of Jerusalem will lead to a new battle to defend the holy city and al-Aqsa Mosque," he said.
1st Israeli govt sans Netanyahu in 12 years begins work
The country's new prime minister Naftali Bennett and his predecessor Netanyahu met on Monday afternoon for a transition meeting, Xinhua news agency. The formal handover ceremony that accompanies a change of Prime Ministers was not held. Bennett, a nationalist and leader of the pro-settler Yamina party.
Biden, Erdogan hold 'fruitful and sincere' meeting
The meeting on Tuesday was part of Biden's first foreign trip as President. The first leg of the visit took him to the UK for the G7 Summit last weekend and his next stop will be Geneva where the much-anticipated meeting with Russian leader Vladmir Putin will be held on Wednesday. During the 90-minute meeting, Biden and Erdogan discussed a number of issues.
Covid spiked suicide attempts in teenage girls by 51%: US CDC
The report showed that between February 21 and March 20, 2021, the emergency department (ED) visits for suspected suicide attempts were 50.6 per cent higher among girls aged 12-17 years than during the same period in 2019. Among boys aged 12-17 years, the suspected suicide attempt ED visits increased 3.7 per cent.
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