World News Briefs -- March 22, 2021 (Night Edition)

 

France 24: China, EU impose tit-for-tat sanctions over human rights abuses 

The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday on four Chinese officials, including a top security director, for human rights abuses in Xinjiang, to which Beijing responded by blacklisting Europeans in a rare escalation of diplomatic tensions. 

Unlike the United States, the EU has sought to avoid confrontation with Beijing, but a decision to impose the first significant sanctions since an EU arms embargo in 1989 has inflamed tensions. 

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 MIDDLE EAST 

Russian jets hit Syrian cities near Turkish border as army artillery hits hospital, sources say. 

Saudi Arabia announces new ceasefire offer to end Yemen war. 

Lebanon PM, president trade blame as wrangling delays govt formation. 

Lebanon's economic meltdown, fear of chaos push army to the edge. 

Turkey reinforces military posts around Ain Issa amid clashes with Kurdish forces. 

Turkish lira plunges after Erdogan sacks central bank governor. 

Domestic violence: US condemns Turkey for quitting treaty.

ASIA 

EU and UK impose sanctions on Chinese officials over Xinjiang. 

China hits back at EU with sanctions on 10 people, four entities over Xinjiang. 

Beijing: Russia's Sergey Lavrov in China for 'shoulder to shoulder' cooperation. 

Philippines accuses Beijing of 'provocative action' after 220 Chinese vessels encroach on South China Sea reef. 

Myanmar forces kill five protesters over weekend, two Australians detained. 

Spy trial concluded for second Canadian detained in China, no verdict. 

Indian states institute lockdowns amid COVID-19 spike, lagging vaccinations. 

Bangladesh: 'massive' fire in Rohingya refugee camps forces 20,000 to flee. 

Thousands evacuated in Australia's worst floods in decades. 

 AFRICA 

Dozens killed in raids on Niger villages near Mali border. 

Suspected jihadists attack villages in Niger killing at least 137 people.

Congo presidential candidate dies of COVID-19 a day after election. 

Algeria issues 'terrorism' warrants for exiled activists. 

Somalia's leaders plan to move forward with polls following US call. 

Children die in stampede as Tanzania mourns leader. 

UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective'. 

Mali seeks to revitalise bombed-out central town. 

 EUROPE 

Lockdowns return or are extended as third wave of Covid sweeps Europe. 

Covid restrictions on protests in England to be lifted on Monday. 

Protest over sweeping British law enforcement bill turns violent; 2 officers injured. 

COVID-19: Thousands protest German lockdown amid surge. 

Coronavirus digest: EU commissioner says herd immunity by summer is possible. 

Covid-19: Putin slams criticism of Sputnik V vaccine. 

Covid vaccines: EU tussle with UK over AstraZeneca escalates. 

EU approves sanctions over China, Myanmar abuses. 

Slovakia PM offers to step down to end coalition crisis. 

Russia says US refused Biden-Putin call amid tensions.

Pope Francis condemns racism as a 'virus' that mutates and hides. 

 AMERICAS 

US and Canada follow EU and UK in sanctioning Chinese officials over Xinjiang. 

Biden team preparing $3T in new spending: reports. 

Biden infrastructure, jobs spending push could hit $4 trillion: source. 

CDC director: U.S. could see an "avoidable surge" of COVID-19 as states loosen restrictions. 

Biden under growing pressure over border 'crisis'. 

Trump: Ending the filibuster would be 'catastrophic' for Republican Party. 

Miami Beach extends emergency as pandemic-weary tourists party on. 

Brazil's Bolsonaro calls governors 'tyrants' over Covid-19 lockdowns. 

Chile hospitals almost full despite high vaccination rate. 

Alleged associate of Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking in US. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Iran targeted top General, DC base to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani. 

Boston bombing: Tsarnaev's death sentence could be reinstated. 

Green Berets are sent to quell ISIS surge in Mozambique. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Asian shares follow Wall St advance as inflation panic eases. 

Global shortage in computer chips 'reaches crisis point'. 

Saudi Aramco's profits slide nearly 45% after lower oil demand. 

Saudi Aramco to prioritise energy supply to China for half a century. 

Canadian Pacific Railway acquires Kansas City Southern for $29B.