JOHANNESBURG: Anti-vaccine protesters took to the streets in Johannesburg on Wednesday (Jul 1) to voice their concern over Africa’s first human trials for a potential coronavirus vaccine. Last Wednesday, the University of the Witwatersrand in partnership with Oxford University rolled out South Africa’s first clinical trial, which will consist of […]
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BRISBANE: Australia announced an assertive new defence strategy on Wednesday (Jul 1), beefing up its long-range strike capabilities and cyber-warfare efforts amid escalating tensions with China. Prime Minister Scott Morrison earmarked A$270 billion (US$185 billion) for new and upgraded defence capabilities over the next decade – a nearly 40 per […]
KABUL: The Taliban reaffirmed their commitment to a February deal to draw down the war in Afghanistan during a call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the group’s spokesman has said. The discussion came as US President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure to explain why he did nothing after […]
The shine has come off what was once seen as China’s deft ability to make friends and wield influence, says Mark Beeson. PERTH, Australia: Nearly a century ago, Dale Carnegie achieved world renown for his book How to Win Friends and Influence People. I’m not sure if it was ever […]
PARIS: A French court is scheduled to give its verdict on Monday (Jun 29) in the trial of former premier Francois Fillon on charges of setting up a fake job for his wife. The ruling could however be delayed by a controversy over alleged pressure on prosecutors. Fillion is accused […]
JACKSON: Lawmakers in Mississippi voted on Sunday (Jun 28) to remove the Confederate battle standard from the state flag, after nationwide protests drew renewed attention to symbols of the United States’ racist past. The measure passed with a 91-23 majority vote in the House of Representatives, triggering cheers in the […]
HONG KONG: Hundreds of Hong Kongers marched silently through the city’s streets on Sunday (Jun 28) in protest against the looming national security legislation to be implemented by the mainland Chinese government. Riot police armed with shields were present as the crowd moved from Jordan to Mong Kok in the […]
WASHINGTON: The White House denied Saturday (Jun 27) that President Donald Trump had been briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants if they killed US soldiers in Afghanistan. The rewards purportedly gave incentives to the guerrillas to target US forces, just as Trump tries […]
WASHINGTON: US warplanes intercepted four Russian reconnaissance aircraft near Alaska on Saturday (Jun 27), US commanders said. The Russian Tu-142’s came within 65 nautical miles south of Alaska’s Aleutian island chain and “loitered” in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) for eight hours. But they stayed in international airspace […]
WASHINGTON, DC: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday the United States was imposing visa restrictions on Chinese Communist Party officials believed responsible for restricting freedoms in Hong Kong. “Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on current and former CCP officials who are believed to be responsible for, […]