World News Briefs -- March 17, 2022

 

Daily Mail: WHO warns that increasing Covid cases across the globe are just the 'tip of the iceberg' as the fall of infection figures in the US starts to slow: CDC wastewater data shows next surge could be around the corner 

* The WHO is warning that recent increases in Covid cases globally is just the 'tip of the iceberg' as infections jumped 8% last week 

* In the U.S., cases are down 14% over the past week to 32,168 per day, one of the lowest points during the pandemic so far 

* The 'stealth' variant has become dominant across Europe but has not taken hold yet in the U.S., only making up 23% of cases 

* The CDC warns that wastewater data shows that cases could start rising once again in the U.S. in the near future 

The next surge in Covid cases could be around the corner, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns, just as the world starts to recover from and put the winter Omicron-fueled Covid surge in the rearview. 

Covid cases in the U.S. are dropping at a slowed rate and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that wastewater data from certain parts of the country indicates that an increase in cases could be around the corner. 

 Last week, the WHO reported that global Covid cases increased eight percent to 11 million. The biggest jump was found in the Western Pacific region, where cases jumped 25 percent week-to-week. There was a 14 percent jump in Africa and two percent rise in Europe, as well. 

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MIDDLE EAST 

As Ukraine war rages, diplomats near Iran nuclear agreement. 

Iran defies Western powers with work on near weapons-grade uranium. 

UN warns of catastrophe in Yemen if $4.3bn funding gap is not met. 

Saudi Arabia carries out its 100th execution of the year as four more prisoners are put to death adding to the 81 carried out on one day over the weekend. 

Two British-Iranians reunited with family after Iran prison terms. 

UAE cargo ship sinks off Iran’s Asalouyeh port. 

UK’s Johnson in UAE, Saudi Arabia to press for more oil. 

ASIA 

Japan spots four Russian amphibious warships laden with military trucks sailing West 'possibly to Europe' past its islands as Putin continues to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine. 

Biden to speak with Xi Jinping on Friday. 

US concerned about China weighing help to Russia. 

US to 'impose costs' on China if it backs Russian aggression, Blinken says. 

China to 'stick with' zero-COVID strategy, President Xi says as millions remain under lockdown. 

Xi orders swift containment of virus, sticking to dynamic zero-COVID. 

No new steps in Japan-Russia economic cooperation now possible — PM Kishida. 

North Korean missile launch fails, explodes near Pyongyang in possible ICBM test. 

North Korea: US and allies at UN condemn missile launches. 

UN approves new Afghanistan mandate, drawing rebuke from Russia. 

East Timor heads to the polls amid political deadlock. 

Thailand faces early election as coalition cracks widen. 

 AFRICA 

Tunisians snub poll on reforms as economic crisis bites. 

C. Africa gears up for peace talks - but without rebels. 

Rebel attacks in eastern Congo kill more than 60. 

DR Congo rebels moving inland after joint border crackdown. 

17 dead after armed group attack in Sudan’s Jabal Moon. 

Nigeria president apologises for petrol and power woes. 

Mali to suspend France 24 TV station and RFI radio. 

War in Ukraine wheat belt hits Egyptian pockets. 

EUROPE 

Zelensky urges Germany to tear down the new 'Wall' in Europe that 'is growing bigger with every Russian bomb' and accuses Berlin of putting its economy first in emotional address to parliament. 

No plans for visiting zone of Russia’s operation in Ukraine on Putin’s schedule — Kremlin. 

Biden raises stakes with allegations of Russian war crimes. 

Kremlin: Biden calling Putin a 'war criminal' is 'unforgivable'. 

Russia says it transferred bond payment to avoid default. 

In Putin's crosshairs, Baltic ambassadors praise NATO protections, push for more Ukraine aid. 

Russian government sites facing unprecedented cyber attacks -report. 

As Anti-War Russians Flee, Ex-Soviet Kyrgyzstan Prepares for Emigre Influx. 

 France suspends jail term of Corsican nationalist Yvan Colonna after clashes. 

European space agency suspends Mars mission with Russia. 

AMERICAS 

Biden says U.S. is open to help Ukrainian refugees. 

A covid surge in Western Europe has U.S. bracing for another wave. 

Cuba anti-government protesters jailed for up to 30 years. 

El Huevo: Alleged drug lord's arrest causes violent clashes in Mexico. 

Peru's constitutional court orders Ex-President Alberto Fujimori freed from prison. 

Honduran judge approves ex-president Hernandez’s extradition to US on drug charges. 

Brazil hikes key interest rate ninth straight time. 

Canada says no test results needed for vaccinated travelers. 

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Pentagon prosecutors are working on a deal that will SAVE 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his accomplices from death penalty before his Guantanamo Bay trial. 

CENTCOM commander: ISIS attacks will 'ramp up' in summer as Taliban struggles to keep them at bay. 

Suspected jihadist attack kills 21 in Niger. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Stocks fall, oil climbs as Russia downplays peace talks progress. 

Amazon says MGM studios buyout is complete. 

Ukraine war could hit global growth, OECD warns. 

Sticker shock: OECD warns Ukraine war to push prices even higher. 

Switzerland's secretive banks hold up to £162BILLION of Russian wealth in offshore accounts, industry estimates. 

The Western brands unable to leave Russia.