WORLD
India-Iran keen to resume economic activities
In a significant move reflecting rapid geopolitical shifts, India, Iran and Uzbekistan are scheduled to hold their first meeting on the joint use of the strategic Chabahar port. As ministers dialogue, China will be the elephant in the room. Earlier this year, China and Iran thrashed out a key $400 billion deal after which reports suggested that the latter had decided to drop India from the Chabahar rail project that connects Chabahar port and Zahedan.
Health workers 'relieved', 'hopeful' as US begins historic vaccination drive
On the night of December 11, US regulators approved emergency use of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for people aged 16 years and older, based on recommendations from an independent vaccine advisory committee which debated for over nine hours before ending on a 17-4 vote. The shots are yet to be studied in children and in pregnant women.
US lawmakers unveil 2-part $908 bn Covid-19 relief package
The relief package is split into two parts: a bill that outlines a wide range of relief spending totaling $748 billion, and another piece that provides $160 billion to state and local governments with Covid-19-related liability protections, according to Manchin. It is not clear whether the Democratic and Republican leadership will take up these bipartisan bills amid differences over liability protections and funding for state and local governments.
Australia's Northern Territory has world's highest incarceration: Report
The think-tank, Centre for Policy Development said the NT imprisons 875 people per 100,000 of the adult population, a rate more than double that of any other Australian state or territory. The report found that the average imprisonment rate in Australia was 200 per 100,000 people and globally it was estimated 145.
Covid-19 slows down EU talks on new migration pact
While the approach of the EU member states discussing the asylum issues is much more constructive than in 2015 and 2016, it is difficult to make major achievements during the pandemic without physical meetings, Xinhua news agency quoted Johansson as saying at a press conference on Monday.
G20 economy rebounds in Q3, still below pre-pandemic high: OECD
Many G20 economies rebounded with double-digit numbers in the third quarter after double-digit falls in the second quarter, Xinhua news agency quoted the OECD as saying in a statement on Monday. GDP in India rebounded strongest, by 21.9 per cent, following a fall of 25.2 per cent in the second quarter, the sharpest drop ever recorded, according to the statement.
London to move into highest level of Covid-19 curbs
According to the latest official figures, from December 2-8, 20,135 people had tested positive in London, a rate of 225 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 14,901 cases and a rate of 166 cases per 100,000 for the previous week, reports Xinhua news agency. Parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will also be moved into Tier Three, Hancock told MPs in the House of Commons (lower house of the British Parliament) on Monday.
Explained: What led China Australia diplomatic relations into a free fall?
2020 has been the year of a nosedive for diplomatic relationships between Australia and China and now with the latest tweet controversy adding fuel to this fire, the ever fragile Sino-Australian ties seem to be heading to a point of no return.
US Attorney General Barr resigns as Trump administration begins to unravel
Barr, who has faced a barrage of criticism of himself and the Justice Department from Trump, appeared to part on good terms on Monday. Barr gave a nine-day notice in his resignation letter from the cabinet post with powers that include those equivalent to a home minister in India. announced Barr's resignation on Twitter and asserted, "Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job!"
US sanctions Turkey for purchasing S-400 from Russia; warns India, others
The Assistant Secretary for International Security and Non-proliferation, Christopher Ford, announced on Monday a series of sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) against NATO ally Turkey
Don't Miss
Advertisement