WORLD
Los Angeles Mayor under consideration for US envoy to India: Reports
Biden's Spokesperson Jen Psaki neither confirmed nor denied the reports on Wednesday, saying only at her daily briefing that she had no personnel announcements. She also said later that diplomatic announcements would be made "soon". Always considered a key diplomatic position, the Indian mission has grown in importance with Washington's focus on the Indo-Pacific.
US ICBM test aborted prior to launch
"An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, experienced a ground abort prior to launch," Air Force Global Strike Command said in a statement on Wednesday. The release said the cause of the ground abort was under investigation, and the command "is assessing the potential to reschedule the launch".
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 154.7 mn
In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 154,763,588 and 3,237,435, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 32,557,299 and 579,265, respectively, according to the CSSE.
Canada OKs Pfizer vaccine for adolescents
"After completing a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the department determined that this vaccine is safe and effective when used in this younger age group," said Health Canada's Chief Medical Advisor Supriya Sharma at a press conference on Wednesday. Canada became the first country in the world to have okayed the two-dose Pfizer vaccine shots to the younger age group, the Xinhua news agency reported.
India-China relations going through a 'very difficult phase': Foreign Minister S Jaishankar
"I can't have friction, coercion, intimidation, and bloodshed on the border and then say let's have a good relationship in other domains. It's not realistic. That is something we have maintained and been discussing with the Chinese. We have made some progress in some areas, the disengagement process, and in some areas, it's still an ongoing discussion," Jaishankar said.
Oversight Board upholds Facebook's decision to ban Donald Trump
The Board found that Trump's posts severely violated Facebook's rules, and his words of support for those involved in the attack on the US Capitol building legitimised violence in a situation where there was an immediate risk to people's lives. While the Board concluded that Trump should have been suspended from Facebook and Instagram, it also found that Facebook failed to impose a proper penalty.
4 Pakistani soldiers killed in militant attack at Afghanistan border
The group of soldiers was erecting a fence at the border when they were fired at from the Afghan side, the military's statement said. No group has claimed responsibility so far, but the Pakistani Taliban, who have bases in the border region on both sides, frequently attack security forces in the area, DPA reported.
Nepal's Oli government slips in minority
With this Maoist's decision, the Oli government has been reduced into a minority who is going to test the floor on May 10. Maoist's decision comes days before Prime Minister Oli had decided to seek a vote of trust from Parliament on May 10. Through the vote of confidence, Oli will try to prolong his stay while the Opposition will try to unseat him who are now struggling to get the required magic numbers to remove him.
Australian state on alert as local Covid case identified
Urgent investigations into the source of the infection and contact tracing are underway, said the state health department, Xinhua reported. It was reported that the patient hadn't travel overseas recently, and he didn't work in a hotel quarantine, border or health role.
How a temple in Bangkok is supporting India in its battle against Covid
The Bangkok-based Hindu temple, nearly 100 years old now, is rallying Indians to rush oxygen supplies to the country of their origin. The temple is coordinating with the Indian embassy as well as the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in channeling oxygen equipment to India. On May 1, the members of the temple raised enough funds to send 15 (ten litre) concentrators along with 500 oxygen masks.
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