Coronavirus pandemic The US Senate has voted to approve America’s third major spending package to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The $1.9tn (£1.4tn) plan passed by 50 votes to 49 on Saturday, and will now head to the House of Representatives where it is expected to be approved. The relief plan has […]
China’s top law-making body has unveiled plans to ensure only “patriots” can govern Hong Kong, as Beijing tightens its grip on the city with changes to the electoral system. Premier Li Keqiang, addressing the National People’s Congress (NPC), warned the world not to interfere. The move follows the imposition of a tough security law. Critics […]
A revelation that two sisters of Spain’s King Felipe VI were vaccinated during a trip to Abu Dhabi last month has sparked a political backlash. Media reports revealed Princess Elena, 57, and Princess Cristina, 55, had got the jab whilst visiting their father. The former King, Juan Carlos, left the country in 2020 amid mounting […]
By Richard Cowan, Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden scored his first legislative win as the House of Representatives passed his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday, though Democrats face challenges to their hopes of using the bill to raise the minimum wage. Democrats who control the chamber passed the sweeping measure by […]
Coronavirus pandemic Sri Lanka has reversed a controversial mandatory order to cremate the bodies of all those who died of Covid-19. Critics had said the order was intended to target minorities and did not respect religions. The cremation of bodies is forbidden in Islam. The government had argued that burials could contaminate ground water. The […]
Coronavirus pandemic A group of Russian diplomats and their family had to leave North Korea on a hand-pushed rail trolley due to Pyongyang’s strict anti-Covid measures. The eight people travelled by train and bus before pushing themselves across the Russian border for about 1km (0.6miles) over train tracks. North Korea has blocked most passenger transport […]
Coronavirus pandemic The EU was late to authorise Covid-19 vaccines and “still not where we want to be”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said. She also acknowledged the EU had been overconfident about production targets being met amid delays at factories. The Commission chief has come under fire for the EU’s slow […]
By David Kirton WUHAN, China (Reuters) – A year after his death from COVID-19, residents in the Chinese city of Wuhan say they remain grateful to the “whistleblower” doctor who first sounded the alarm about the outbreak before it received official recognition. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at a hospital in the city, became one of […]
By Rachel Schraer Health reporter Coronavirus pandemic Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine gives around 92% protection against Covid-19, late stage trial results published in The Lancet reveal. It has also been deemed to be safe – and offer complete protection against hospitalisation and death. The vaccine was initially met with some controversy after being rolled out […]
By Martin Quin Pollard, Thomas Peter WUHAN, China (Reuters) – A World Health Organization-led team of experts investigating the origins of COVID-19 visited Huanan market on Sunday, the now-shuttered wholesale seafood centre in the Chinese city of Wuhan where the new coronavirus was initially detected. WHO investigation team visits Wuhan market The team arrived at Huanan […]
