World
Biden to tap Susan Rice to lead White House Domestic Policy Council
- December 12, 2020
She was also the USA ambassador to the United Nations from 2009-2013. The other nominees were Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge for housing secretary, Denis McDonough for veterans affairs secretary, Katherine Tai for US trade representative, and Susan Rice as director of the Domestic Policy Council. (more...)
- December 12, 2020
She was also the USA ambassador to the United Nations from 2009-2013. The other nominees were Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge for housing secretary, Denis McDonough for veterans affairs secretary, Katherine Tai for US trade representative, and Susan Rice as director of the Domestic Policy Council. (more...)
Lebanon judge indicts PM, 3 ex-ministers over port blast: judicial source
- December 12, 2020
The explosion in the port was caused by the ignition of a large stockpile of explosive material that had been stored at the port for six years, with the knowledge of top security officials and politicians who did nothing about it . The decision by judge Fadi Sawwan came after the investigation confirmed the four had received "several written notices warning them against postponing the disposal of ammonium nitrate fertiliser", the judicial source said. (more...)
- December 12, 2020
The explosion in the port was caused by the ignition of a large stockpile of explosive material that had been stored at the port for six years, with the knowledge of top security officials and politicians who did nothing about it . The decision by judge Fadi Sawwan came after the investigation confirmed the four had received "several written notices warning them against postponing the disposal of ammonium nitrate fertiliser", the judicial source said. (more...)
YouTube declares war on USA election misinformation… a month late
- December 12, 2020
This day also marks the beginning of the removal of videos on YouTube containing misinforming content related to the US Presidential elections. Any videos in violation of the policy that were posted prior to Wednesday, will remain up even though they now break YouTube's rules. (more...)
- December 12, 2020
This day also marks the beginning of the removal of videos on YouTube containing misinforming content related to the US Presidential elections. Any videos in violation of the policy that were posted prior to Wednesday, will remain up even though they now break YouTube's rules. (more...)
US Senate passes bill mandating sanctions against Turkey
- December 11, 2020
Turkey's decision to buy the S-400 did have one cost: it was essentially expelled from the US -led F-35 program. Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet is the most advanced aircraft in the USA arsenal and is used by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members and other US allies. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Turkey's decision to buy the S-400 did have one cost: it was essentially expelled from the US -led F-35 program. Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet is the most advanced aircraft in the USA arsenal and is used by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members and other US allies. (more...)
Walmart readies for COVID vaccines; 5,000 pharmacies being prepared
- December 11, 2020
Less than 6 per cent of British trial participants were given the lower dose regimen and none of them was over 55, so more studies are needed to investigate the vaccine's efficacy in older people. On the other hand, Canada has made enough vaccine purchases to cover 601% of its population, the U.S. 443%, United Kingdom 418%, Australia 266% and the European Union 244%. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Less than 6 per cent of British trial participants were given the lower dose regimen and none of them was over 55, so more studies are needed to investigate the vaccine's efficacy in older people. On the other hand, Canada has made enough vaccine purchases to cover 601% of its population, the U.S. 443%, United Kingdom 418%, Australia 266% and the European Union 244%. (more...)
Chinese Spy Christine Fang Slept With 2 Midwest Mayors: Axios
- December 11, 2020
Axios also did not report on or suggest any sexual relationship between Swalwell and Fang. Swalwell is now a member of the House Intelligence Committee, and played a high-profile role in the impeachment of Donald Trump . Swalwell was one of Fang's most significant targets for whom she "took part in fundraising activity" for his 2014 re-election campaign. Ro Khanna (D-CA). (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Axios also did not report on or suggest any sexual relationship between Swalwell and Fang. Swalwell is now a member of the House Intelligence Committee, and played a high-profile role in the impeachment of Donald Trump . Swalwell was one of Fang's most significant targets for whom she "took part in fundraising activity" for his 2014 re-election campaign. Ro Khanna (D-CA). (more...)
Biden to nominate ex-Iowa Gov. Vilsack for USDA secretary -Axios
- December 11, 2020
The USDA oversees billions of dollars in farm support programs, as well as food programs for schools and families in need. Prominent civil rights organizations have also raised alarm over Vilsack's record on issues of racial justice, pointing specifically to hisdepartment's treatment of Black farmersand his 2010 firing of USDA official Shirley Sherrod after she wassmearedby far-right publicationBreitbart. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
The USDA oversees billions of dollars in farm support programs, as well as food programs for schools and families in need. Prominent civil rights organizations have also raised alarm over Vilsack's record on issues of racial justice, pointing specifically to hisdepartment's treatment of Black farmersand his 2010 firing of USDA official Shirley Sherrod after she wassmearedby far-right publicationBreitbart. (more...)
Netanyahu: Israel to Start Coronavirus Vaccination Dec. 27
- December 11, 2020
Speaking during a televised press conference, the Prime Minister asserted that Israel will vaccinate 60,000 people per day. Israel has agreed to import a total of 8 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, local media reported, adding that the first batch to arrive is relatively small and would be used to test the preservation of cold chain storage. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Speaking during a televised press conference, the Prime Minister asserted that Israel will vaccinate 60,000 people per day. Israel has agreed to import a total of 8 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, local media reported, adding that the first batch to arrive is relatively small and would be used to test the preservation of cold chain storage. (more...)
Merkel backs stricter virus measures over Christmas
- December 11, 2020
Germany's daily COVID-19 death toll rose by 590 on Wednesday, a figure that is close to the country's record number of daily fatalities from the disease. A nationwide area lockdown was imposed, which meant restaurants and bars had to be closed, but schools and shops remained open. The state of Saxony, in southeast Germany, will go into what officials there call a "hard lockdown" next week, closing most shops and moving schools to online classes. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Germany's daily COVID-19 death toll rose by 590 on Wednesday, a figure that is close to the country's record number of daily fatalities from the disease. A nationwide area lockdown was imposed, which meant restaurants and bars had to be closed, but schools and shops remained open. The state of Saxony, in southeast Germany, will go into what officials there call a "hard lockdown" next week, closing most shops and moving schools to online classes. (more...)
Russian Federation to produce covid vaccine in Algeria, says diplomat
- December 11, 2020
An American expert said the Russian recommendation was too extreme and may deter people from getting the vaccine. Russia's experimental Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. A nurse inoculates a volunteer with Russia's "Sputnik-V" vaccine against COVID-19 in a post-registration trials stage at a clinic in Moscow, Russia September 17, 2020. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
An American expert said the Russian recommendation was too extreme and may deter people from getting the vaccine. Russia's experimental Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. A nurse inoculates a volunteer with Russia's "Sputnik-V" vaccine against COVID-19 in a post-registration trials stage at a clinic in Moscow, Russia September 17, 2020. (more...)
Azerbaijan Holds Military Parade to Mark Success in Nagorno-Karabakh War
- December 11, 2020
Azerbaijan's win was also an important geopolitical coup for Erdogan, helping solidify Turkey's role as a powerbroker in the ex-Soviet Caucasus region that the Kremlin considers its sphere of influence. "Azerbaijan launched a counteroffensive since September 27 to liberate its lands from occupation". Turkey and Azerbaijan have shut their borders with Armenia ever since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted, a blockade that has weakened the economy of the landlocked country. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Azerbaijan's win was also an important geopolitical coup for Erdogan, helping solidify Turkey's role as a powerbroker in the ex-Soviet Caucasus region that the Kremlin considers its sphere of influence. "Azerbaijan launched a counteroffensive since September 27 to liberate its lands from occupation". Turkey and Azerbaijan have shut their borders with Armenia ever since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict erupted, a blockade that has weakened the economy of the landlocked country. (more...)
Biden's Pentagon nominee puts some Democrats in a bind
- December 11, 2020
In the past, they've opposed naming recently retired military officers to the post, yet they don't want to be seen as blocking the first African American to lead the Pentagon. "I come to this role now as a civilian leader - with military experience to be sure - but also with a deep appreciation and reverence for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control of our military", Austin said. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
In the past, they've opposed naming recently retired military officers to the post, yet they don't want to be seen as blocking the first African American to lead the Pentagon. "I come to this role now as a civilian leader - with military experience to be sure - but also with a deep appreciation and reverence for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control of our military", Austin said. (more...)
Trump's Top North Korea Envoy Urges Kim to Return to Talks
- December 11, 2020
Seoul's National Intelligence Service has said an outbreak of the virus in the North could not be ruled out as the secretive regime had trade and people-to-people exchanges with China, where the virus emerged a year ago, before sealing the border in late January. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Seoul's National Intelligence Service has said an outbreak of the virus in the North could not be ruled out as the secretive regime had trade and people-to-people exchanges with China, where the virus emerged a year ago, before sealing the border in late January. (more...)
Gianforte supports Texas lawsuit to invalidate presidential election results
- December 11, 2020
Attorney General Keith Ellison argued Thursday that Paxton's suit relied on "specious claims of voter fraud" and provided no evidence of systemic fraud in last month's election. Schmidt's announcement that Kansas would back the effort came only hours after former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer - another potential candidate for governor - tweeted that Schmidt's office should join the Texas litigation. (more...)
- December 11, 2020
Attorney General Keith Ellison argued Thursday that Paxton's suit relied on "specious claims of voter fraud" and provided no evidence of systemic fraud in last month's election. Schmidt's announcement that Kansas would back the effort came only hours after former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer - another potential candidate for governor - tweeted that Schmidt's office should join the Texas litigation. (more...)
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris named Time 'Person of the Year'
- December 11, 2020
ET. Time's other Person of the Year candidates were President Donald Trump; frontline health care workers and Dr. Anthony Fauci; and the movement for racial justice . Kennedy, The Computer, President Barack Obama, civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and Pope Francis. "Since losing the election , he's baselessly claimed that there was fraud and falsely said that he's the victor". (more...)
- December 11, 2020
ET. Time's other Person of the Year candidates were President Donald Trump; frontline health care workers and Dr. Anthony Fauci; and the movement for racial justice . Kennedy, The Computer, President Barack Obama, civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and Pope Francis. "Since losing the election , he's baselessly claimed that there was fraud and falsely said that he's the victor". (more...)
Israel, Morocco agree to normalise relations in latest US-brokered deal
- December 10, 2020
The US president, who has just over a month left in office, on Thursday tweeted said the two countries would restore diplomatic ties - reopening liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv and the eventual opening of embassies. The former Spanish colony, with a population estimated at 350,000 to 500,000, is believed to have considerable offshore oil deposits and mineral resources. (more...)
- December 10, 2020
The US president, who has just over a month left in office, on Thursday tweeted said the two countries would restore diplomatic ties - reopening liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv and the eventual opening of embassies. The former Spanish colony, with a population estimated at 350,000 to 500,000, is believed to have considerable offshore oil deposits and mineral resources. (more...)
Rich countries said to be hoarding Covid-19 vaccines
- December 10, 2020
Among the three Covid-19 vaccines for which efficacy results have been announced, nearly all the available doses of two of them - Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech - have been acquired by rich countries, the Alliance report said. Britain approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine this month, raising hopes that the tide could soon turn against a virus that has killed almost 1.5 million globally, hammered the world economy and upended normal life. (more...)
- December 10, 2020
Among the three Covid-19 vaccines for which efficacy results have been announced, nearly all the available doses of two of them - Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech - have been acquired by rich countries, the Alliance report said. Britain approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine this month, raising hopes that the tide could soon turn against a virus that has killed almost 1.5 million globally, hammered the world economy and upended normal life. (more...)
What is a teratonne?: Human-made objects heavier than living things
- December 10, 2020
The analysis was published on Wednesday, December 10 in the scientific journal Nature , and was conducted by a group of researchers from Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science. At the same time, overall biomass is decreasing, mainly because of deforestation and land use changes making way for intensive agriculture. "These trends in global biomass have affected the carbon cycle and human health". (more...)
- December 10, 2020
The analysis was published on Wednesday, December 10 in the scientific journal Nature , and was conducted by a group of researchers from Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science. At the same time, overall biomass is decreasing, mainly because of deforestation and land use changes making way for intensive agriculture. "These trends in global biomass have affected the carbon cycle and human health". (more...)
Chinese Vaccine 86% Effective, UAE Health Ministry Says
- December 10, 2020
But some health advocates say nine out of 10 people in 70 low-income countries will miss out on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine because more than 50% the most promising vaccines have been purchased by wealthier countries. In "Phase 1B", which is expected to continue through the winter, first responders - like firefighters and police officers - and people who work in home health, hospice care and dental settings will be prioritized to receive vaccines. (more...)
- December 10, 2020
But some health advocates say nine out of 10 people in 70 low-income countries will miss out on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine because more than 50% the most promising vaccines have been purchased by wealthier countries. In "Phase 1B", which is expected to continue through the winter, first responders - like firefighters and police officers - and people who work in home health, hospice care and dental settings will be prioritized to receive vaccines. (more...)
Rich Countries Overstocking Vaccines, Poor Ones Lagging Far Behind
- December 10, 2020
The WHO has backed a global vaccine program scheme known as COVAX , which seeks to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and 189 countries have joined. In addition, measuring antibody levels could provide answers on which amounts are necessary to maintain immunity-including whether a person may need a subsequent booster shot-but to also understand how antibodies could prevent COVID-19 infections from developing into the most severe, life-threatening cases, according to Roche. (more...)
- December 10, 2020
The WHO has backed a global vaccine program scheme known as COVAX , which seeks to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and 189 countries have joined. In addition, measuring antibody levels could provide answers on which amounts are necessary to maintain immunity-including whether a person may need a subsequent booster shot-but to also understand how antibodies could prevent COVID-19 infections from developing into the most severe, life-threatening cases, according to Roche. (more...)
Latest news
Biden calls Belarus plane diversion an 'outrageous incident'