WORLD
US Senate passes bill to end national Covid emergency
The 68-23 vote on Wednesday was overwhelmingly bipartisan and the joint resolution, which cleared the House earlier this year, now heads to President Joe Biden, reports CNN. A White House official told CNN that while the President "strongly opposes" this bill, the administration is already winding down the emergency by May 11, the date previously announced for the end of the authority.
Taiwan President arrives in US amid China warnings
Tsai Ing-wen arrived in the city on Wednesday, where she was greeted by competing crowds of protesters and supporters outside her hotel, reports the BBC. The President's stop in New York comes as part of her trip to Central America which will take her,to Guatemala and Belize this week.
Jair Bolsonaro to return to Brazil for 1st time since losing election
Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost the October 2022 election to his left-wing rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, travelled to Florida in December after applying for a six-month US tourist visa, the BBC reported. The far-right politician's return is also for the first time since his supporters stormed the Supreme Court, Congress and presidential palace on January 8, which came weeks after weeks after protests claiming fraud in his defeat to Lula.
King Charles praises Germany's support to Ukraine on 1st state visit
He made the remarks during a lavish state banquet at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on Wednesday evening, which he delivered partly in German, reports the BBC. In his address, the monarch said that the UK and Germany "stand side-by-side in protecting and advancing our shared democratic values".
Object found at Nord Stream 2 pipeline probably empty smoke buoy: Denmark
"The Danish Armed Forces have stated that the salvage was carried out at a depth of 73 meters ... with the participation of a representative from the owner company Nord Stream 2 AG," the DEA was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The DEA said that the empty smoke buoy, used for visual identification, "does not pose a safety risk".
Sheikh Mansour appointed as UAE Vice President
Sheikh Mansour has served as the Deputy Prime Minister of UAE and as the Minister of Presidential Court. He has extensive experience in public service and has held a number of important posts since 2004, including the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Chairman of the Ministerial Development Council, and member of the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council.
'Putin may attend nuclear power plant inauguration in Turkey'
Erdogan told news channel ATV-A Haber in an interview that Putin may either travel to Mersin in person or attend the ceremony via teleconference, Xinhua news agency reported. The project, located in the southeastern Turkish province of Mersin, is Turkey's first nuclear plant. It is expected to produce 35 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually and will meet about 10 per cent of domestic electricity needs.
SCO-NSA meet: Doval's firm message to Pak & China on terrorism, territorial integrity
Addressing the 18th SCO meeting of NSAs here, "Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable".
Bipartisan bill introduced in Senate to fix loopholes in H-1B, L-1 visas
The comprehensive overhaul of the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes will protect American workers and crack down on foreign outsourcing companies, which exploit these visa programs to deprive qualified Americans of high-skilled jobs. The two visa programmes were created to complement America's high-skilled workforce.
Indian-Australian sworn in as treasurer of NSW, takes oath on Bhagavad Gita
Mookhey was sworn in on Tuesday along with NSW Premier Chris Minns and six other ministers. "Sworn in as Treasurer of the great state of NSW. Thank you to the people of NSW who entrusted us with this honour and privilege," Mookhey said in a statement. I am incredibly honoured and humbled to be the first Australian Minister.
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