International
This day in history
1921 - Canadians Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolated insulin for the first time. It proved an effective treatment for diabetes.
This day in history
1940 - The Battle of Britain began in WWII when at least 70 German bombers attacked docks in south Wales.
Unvaccinated tourists will not be allowed into Canada for some time -PM Trudeau
Foreign tourists who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada for quite some time, with the government unwilling to jeopardize progress made on containing the virus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
World’s tallest sandcastle built in Denmark
In the small seaside town of Blokhus in Denmark, the world’s tallest sandcastle has been completed, weighing nearly 5,000 tonnes and towering over 20 metres high, its designers said Wednesday.
UK lawmakers demand action over China’s alleged Xinjiang abuses
A group of British lawmakers yesterday urged the government to take tougher action against China over its treatment of minority groups, including a partial Winter Olympics boycott and cotton trade ban.
UK lawmakers clear PM of conduct breach over luxury holiday
A British parliamentary standards committee yesterday cleared Prime Minister Boris Johnson of breaching a lawmakers’ code of conduct over a luxury Caribbean holiday, but criticised his handling of the matter.
Chinese researchers propose deflecting 'Armageddon' asteroids with rockets
Chinese researchers want to send more than 20 of China's largest rockets to practice turning away a sizable asteroid - a technique that may eventually be crucial if a killer rock is on a collision course with Earth.
Brazil's Bolsonaro says he may not accept 2022 election under current voting system
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday he may not accept the result of a presidential election next year unless the voting system, which uses computers to record votes, is replaced with printed ballots that he favors.
Foreign minister invites new US state secretary to Bangladesh
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has invited new US Secretary of State Antony John Blinken to visit Bangladesh and attend the celebrations of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence.
Chinese city building new quarantine centre as Covid-19 cases rise
A city in northern China is building a 3,000-unit quarantine facility to deal with an anticipated overflow of patients as COVID-19 cases rise ahead of the annual Lunar New Year travel rush.
PIA plane repossessed at Kuala Lumpur while operating flight
A Pakistan International Airlines plane has been held back by Malaysian authorities due to a British court case over the jet’s lease, the airline said on Friday, adding it would pursue the matter through diplomatic channels.
Chinese defence minister suspends visit to Dhaka
Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe has suspended his visit to Dhaka that was scheduled for this week.
Covid vaccine trial volunteer sends legal notice to Serum Institute of India over ‘serious side effects’
A 40-year-old man who took part in the 'Covishield' vaccine trial has alleged serious side effects, including a virtual neurological breakdown and impairment of cognitive functions and has sought Rs five crore compensation in a legal notice to Serum Institute and others, besides seeking a halt to the trial.
Trump leads Biden in Florida, seen as a must-win for the president
The two contenders split the first U.S. states to be projected in the White House race, with conservative states like Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee going to Trump and Democratic-leaning Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia going to Biden, according to projections by television networks and Edison Research. But in Florida, widely seen by voting experts as a must-win state for Trump in his quest for the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, Trump was leading Biden 50.5% to 48.5% based on about 90% of the estimated total votes.
Explainer: The Electoral College and the 2020 U.S. presidential race
In the United States, the winner of a presidential election is determined not by a national vote but through a system called the Electoral College, which allots “electoral votes” to all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on their population.
Hand signals only: How Thais are marshalling mass protests
Thai protesters are learning a whole new language, developed within days to coordinate among crowds of thousands of people at demonstrations that have swollen in defiance of a government ban and despite the arrest of many protest leaders.
Bahrain becomes latest Arab nation in normalising ties with Israel
Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in agreeing to normalise relations with Israel on Friday, a move forged partly through shared fears of Iran, but one that threatens to leave the Palestinians further isolated.
Covid-19 vaccine will be free for Americans: officials
If a COVID-19 vaccine is proven effective, the US will ensure it's distributed for free to all Americans, officials said Thursday, underscoring there will be no shortcuts on safety.