WORLD
Trump sued for calling Covid-19 'China virus'
The complaint, filed in a federal court in New York on Thursday by the Chinese Americans Civil Rights Coalition (CACRC), alleged that Trump's use of that phrase and other similar racist slurs is baseless, since the origin of the coronavirus is not yet determined, and that the former President's conduct harmed the community, reorts Xinhua news agency. Trump's "extreme and outrageous conduct was carried out throughout the pandemic with reckless disregard of whether such conduct would cause Chinese Americans to suffer emotional distress", stated the suit.
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 165.8mn
In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 165,862,407 and 3,438,086, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,084,897 and 589,223, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 26,031,991 cases.
UK PM 'very concerned' with BBC over Princess Diana interview
"I can only imagine the feelings of the royal family and I hope very much that the BBC will be taking every possible step to make sure nothing like this ever happens again," Xinhua news agency quoted Johnson as saying on Friday. His remarks came as the Met Police said it will assess the contents of the inquiry into former BBC reporter Martin Bashir's interview with the late Princess of Wales
Biden appoints N.Korea envoy, says US, Seoul 'deeply concerned'
Biden made the comments on Friday at a press conference after receiving his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in at the White House. Talks with Pyongyang must focus on "pragmatic steps that will reduce tensions as we move toward our ultimate goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Biden said, DPA news agency reported. "We are under no illusions how difficult this is," Biden said.
Relief trucks enter Gaza, $18mn for aid allocated
The vehicles entered through the commercial Kerem Shalom crossing carrying food, Covid-19 vaccines, medical disposables, and medicine, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. The Erez crossing also opened temporarily for humanitarian officials, Xinhua reported. The number of people seeking protection in schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA decreased.
White House cuts price tag of infrastructure bill to $1.7 trln
The original proposal, dubbed the American Jobs Plan, includes $621 billion to improve transportation infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and airports, $300 billion to revitalize US manufacturers and small businesses, $213 billion for housing infrastructure, as well as $180 billion to boost the country's research and development, Xinhua reported.
Covid claimed over 3 mn lives more than reported in 2020: WHO
While the WHO's official death toll due to Covid-19 is around 3.4 million so far, the actual number could be at least 6-8 million, showed the global health body's annual World Health Statistics report 2021. "This number would truly be two to three times higher. So I think safely about 6-to-8 million deaths could be an estimate on a cautionary note," WHO's Assistant Director General for Data and Analytics, Samira Asma, was quoted as saying at a virtual briefing.
Europe recorded 60% dip in new Covid cases past month: WHO
The WHO's announcement comes as the European Union plans for reopening its borders for fully vaccinated tourists and other nonessential travellers. The weekly number of new cases across Europe dropped to nearly 685,000 last week from 1.7 million in mid-April, the New York Times reported, Hans Kluge, the WHO's European director as saying.
Sri Lankan Parliament passes Port City bill
The bill was passed on Thursday with 149 votes in favour and 58 against, reports Xinhua news agency. Under the legislation, a President-appointed commission will be established to govern the SEZ.
Meeting with Putin would help end Ukraine conflict: Volodymyr Zelensky
At a press conference to mark his two years in office, Zelensky on Thursday expressed his expectation of a meeting with Putin, reports Xinhua news agency. "I believe that in addition to the Normandy format (Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany), there will be a direct conversation with the President of the Russian Federation.
Don't Miss
Advertisement