Thursday, April 29, 2021

World News Briefs -- April 29, 2021 (Night Edition)

 

Times of Israel: 40 people crushed to death, dozens hurt at mass Lag B’Omer event in Mt. Meron 

More than 65 injured, many in critical condition as ambulances, helicopters evacuate victims from largest gathering held in Israel since COVID outbreak; IDF sends rescue team 

At least 40 people were crushed to death and more than 65 people hurt, including many in critical condition, in a stampede after midnight Thursday at a mass gathering to celebrate the Lag B’Omer holiday at Mount Meron, medics said. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “a terrible disaster.”  

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST 

Iran's Zarif backs Yemen ceasefire in talks with Houthi leader. 

Iran welcomes Saudi change of tone, sees 'new chapter'. 

Millions at risk from Covid surge in Syria amid test and oxygen shortages. 

Blinken meets Israel spy chief about Iran concerns: Report. 

Turkey’s central bank hikes inflation forecast to 12.2 percent

Turkey set for three-week lockdown amid rising Covid-19 cases. 

Palestinian President Abbas postpones first elections since 2006 as Hamas denounces ‘coup’. 

Israel: Dozens dead in stampede at Lag B'Omer religious gathering. 

ASIA 

Coronavirus digest: India sees record deaths amid vaccine woes

India's COVID-19 cases surge to 18 million while government praises turnout for 'festival of democracy'

Shortages, confusion in India's vaccination drive. 

India Covid crisis: US tells citizens to leave the country. 

Six civilians are dead as Kyrgyz and Tajik security forces clash at border in water dispute. 

Kyrgyzstan says ceasefire agreed with Tajikistan after clashes. 

NATO says Afghanistan withdrawal has begun

Germany's Heiko Maas pledges Afghanistan continued support. 

Kim Jong Un absent from North Korea's Youth League Congress.  

China challenges claims of declining population as census release postponed. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Competitors to be tested daily for Covid-19. 

AFRICA 

Fresh fighting between Chad rebels, government forces. 

Gunmen kill 18 in Burkina Faso attack, force many to flee. 

DR Congo's Tshisekedi vows 'radical measures' against eastern militias. 

Sexual violence pervasive in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. 

UN warns of famine in drought-ravaged southern Madagascar. 

Kenya to close 2 refugee camps next year. 

Mauritanian ex-president lashes out over corruption probe. 

Zulu Queen Mantfombi Dlamini dies a month after becoming regent. 

EUROPE 

Secretary of State to visit Ukraine next week amid tensions with Russia. 

Russian minister: U.S.-Russia ties worse than during Cold War. 

Covid: France aims to reopen except nightclubs by July

Covid-19: French vaccine appointments go unclaimed, reviving debate on who should qualify. 

Cyprus: UN-mediated talks fail to bridge gap between Turkish, Greek Cypriots

French soldiers to face military court over letter warning of ‘civil war’. 

Russia's Alexey Navalny "just a horrible skeleton" in 1st court appearance since prison hunger strike

AMERICAS

 Dr Fauci predicts a 'significant drop' in Covid cases from current average of 52K a day as US nears 40% of adults being fully vaccinated - but daily shots dip to 2.6M on average after 18 days of declines. 

New York City aims to 'fully reopen' on July 1. 

White House investigating ‘unexplained health incidents’ similar to Havana syndrome. 

Brazil passes 400,000 COVID-19 fatalities with death toll to remain high for months. 

Brazil becomes second country to pass 400,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Ecuador jail violence: Gunfight leaves five dead. 

Eight Venezuelan soldiers killed in clashes on Colombian border. 

Colombians take to the streets to oppose tax reform. 

Lady Gaga: Five arrested in dognapping case

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Guantanamo detainee Abu Zubaydah to file complaint with UN agency. 

U.S. Justice Department considers law to address domestic terrorism, official says. 

Taliban’s deputy leader stresses importance of judges in the Islamic emirate. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

 Stocks end higher, pushing S&P 500 to another record high. 

Amazon quarterly profit triples as online sales boom. 

Moderna ramps up COVID-19 vaccine production, eyes 3B doses in 2022

Spending on cloud computing hits $42 bn worldwide: tracker.

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