Thursday, January 28, 2021

No decision yet on future force posture in Afghanistan: Pentagon January 28, 2021 at 08:41PM

The previous Trump administration had signed the peace deal with Taliban in February last in Doha. The accord drew up plans for withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the insurgent group.

Robert Malley to be named Biden's top envoy on Iran: Official January 28, 2021 at 07:57PM

Malley was a key member of former President Barack Obama's team that negotiated the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and world powers, an agreement that former president Donald Trump abandoned in 2018 despite strong opposition from Washington's European allies.

Trump flexes political muscle, meets top House Republican January 28, 2021 at 06:38PM

Donald Trump met with US House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in Florida on Thursday amid a tug of war over the Republican Party's future, with congressional leadership appearing eager to present a united front with the former president.

Trump flexes political muscle, meets top House Republican January 28, 2021 at 06:38PM

Donald Trump met with US House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in Florida on Thursday amid a tug of war over the Republican Party's future, with congressional leadership appearing eager to present a united front with the former president.

Covid origin: WHO-led team meet Chinese scientists January 28, 2021 at 05:52PM

A World Health Organization-led team of experts investigating the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic began meeting with Chinese scientists on Friday, and the WHO said the group plans to visit labs, markets and hospitals in Wuhan. On Thursday, the team completed two weeks of quarantine following its arrival in China where the deadly virus had emerged in late 2019.

US ‘outraged' over Pakistan SC acquitting Daniel Pearl's killers: White House January 28, 2021 at 03:40PM

The White House has expressed “outrage” over Pakistan Supreme Court's decision acquitting those involved in the sensational kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl in 2002 and said that the judgement is an "affront" to terrorism victims everywhere.

Novavax says its vaccine is 89.3% effective in UK trial January 28, 2021 at 11:42AM

Novavax Inc said on Thursday its coronavirus vaccine was 89.3% effective in preventing COVID-19 in a trial conducted in the United Kingdom, and was nearly as effective in protecting against the more highly contagious variant first discovered in the UK, according to a preliminary analysis.

Poland: Near-total abortion ban takes effect amid protests January 28, 2021 at 09:45AM

A near-total ban on abortion has taken effect in Poland and triggered a new round of nationwide protests three months after a top court ruled that the abortion of congenitally damaged fetuses is unconstitutional. The only remaining legal justifications for abortion under Polish law are if the woman's life or health is at risk or if a pregnancy results from rape or incest.

US wakes up to threat of domestic terrorism from homegrown extremists January 28, 2021 at 06:21AM

Russian court keeps Navalny in jail despite outcry January 28, 2021 at 05:07AM

Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded in custody for 30 days on Jan. 18 after flying back to Russia from Germany for the first time since being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent in August. A court at the time ordered him detained for alleged parole violations, which he denied. With various legal cases pending against him, Navalny, 44, could face years in jail. Tens of thousands of Russians protested against his jailing on Saturday.

Indian-origin doc takes hostages in US, shoots self January 28, 2021 at 01:03AM

A 43-year-old Indian-American paediatrician diagnosed with terminal cancer shot dead a lady doctor and then killed himself after taking hostages at a medical office in Austin, according to police in the capital city of the US state of Texas. ​​The armed man was identified as Dr Bharat Narumanchi, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, police said.

Russia detains Navalny allies after raids January 27, 2021 at 11:28PM

Myanmar army chief's rhetoric fuels fears of a coup January 27, 2021 at 11:34PM

The civilian administration has been in an uneasy power-sharing agreement with the army generals since Myanmar's first democratic elections in 2015, as dictated by a 2008 junta-authored constitution.

China warns Taiwan that independence 'means war' January 27, 2021 at 10:39PM

China believes that Taiwan's democratically-elected government is moving the island towards a declaration of formal independence, though President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly said they are already an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name.

Top Pak court upholds acquittal in Daniel Pearl murder case January 27, 2021 at 09:59PM

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a series of appeals against the acquittal of British-born militant Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh convicted of masterminding the kidnap and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl, paving the way for his release.

China warns US against 'politicising' WHO virus probe January 27, 2021 at 10:21PM

China hopes the US can "respect facts and science, respect the hard work of the WHO international... expert team", Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijan told reporters, and allow them to work "free from political interference".

WHO team to start Wuhan virus probe under global glare January 27, 2021 at 09:46PM

The WHO insists the visit will be tightly tethered to the science of how the virus -- which has killed more than two million people and laid waste to the global economy -- jumped from animals to humans. The virus is believed to have come from bats and to have initially spread from a wet market in Wuhan where wild animals were sold as food.

Virus aid package tests whether Biden can deliver January 27, 2021 at 09:42PM

Once-jailed populist Japarov sworn in as Kyrgyz president January 27, 2021 at 09:43PM

Populist Sadyr Japarov, 52, was serving jail time on hostage-taking charges before being freed during a political crisis over a parliamentary vote in October, beginning a dizzying rise to the top job. He won a January 10 presidential election by landslide with close to 80 percent of the vote.