Tuesday, May 4, 2021

World News Briefs -- May 4, 2021 (Night Edition)

VOA: WHO: India, Brazil Account for Half of New Global COVID-19 Cases 

The World Health Organization said Monday that India and Brazil accounted for more than half of the new COVID-19 infections in the world last week, as the United Nations agency and other groups rush aid to the regions.

The Johns Hopkins COVID Resource Center reports India saw a record number of new cases with 2,612,354 in the week ending Saturday. 

Brazil saw 414,123 new cases. During a briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO and its foundation are providing equipment and supplies including oxygen concentrators and mobile field hospitals to India. 

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST 

G-7 nations vow to end Syrian war, top US diplomat says. 

Syria claims it intercepted Israeli airstrikes in Latakia. 

Syria says Israeli missile attack kills 1 person, wounds 6. 

COVID wave hitting northeastern Syria, aid group reports. 

Iraq’s health minister resigns over Baghdad hospital fire. 

Iran takes drastic measures to conserve electricity in Tehran. 

Senior Swiss diplomat in Iran 'dies in fall from high-rise building'. 

 Israeli PM Netanyahu fails to form coalition government by deadline. 

Yemen flash flooding causes large-scale damage. 

ASIA 

India surpasses 20 million total COVID-19 infections. 

 India 'on brink' as 2nd COVID wave devastates major cities. 

‘Horrible’ weeks ahead as India’s virus catastrophe worsens. 

India Covid: Opposition calls for full national lockdown. 

As South Korea faces a surge in coronavirus infections, its vaccine rollout is spiralling

North Korea faces economic ruin amid food and medicine shortages. 

US report: Taliban will likely curtail Afghan women’s rights

China’s UN envoy: Myanmar violence could lead to civil war. 

Philippine Foreign Minister takes profanity-laced crack at Beijing over its lingering presence in the South China Sea. 

Australia PM faces backlash over ban on returning citizens from India

Man claims to have crossed Taiwan Strait from China in rubber dinghy, seeking 'freedom'. 

AFRICA 

Africa scrambles as India vaccine export ban bites region

Covid-19: South African variant takes devastating toll on Madagascar

Tigray war rips thousands of children from parents: charity. 

DR Congo imposes military rule in regions under 'state of siege'. 

Key Darfur accused wants to be tried at ICC. 

Tanzania’s new president on two-day state visit to Kenya. 

For young people in Chad, 'change' after Deby's death means more of same. 

Zambian opposition leader slams 'unsustainable debt'. 

Ever Given cargo ship that blocked the Suez Canal to remain in Egypt by court order. 

EUROPE 

EU-China investment deal put on ice over sanctions. 

Anti-lockdown leader wins Madrid's snap election but fails to gain majority. 

People’s party wins Madrid snap election but fails to get majority. 

Lithuania's President says nation 'will never recognize' Russia's Crimea annexation. 

International official: Bosnian Serbs seek to split country. 

 France warns of retaliatory measures over post-Brexit fishing rights. 

France’s Marine Le Pen acquitted in hate-speech trial after she tweeted Islamic State photos. 

AMERICAS 

Biden sets goal of at least one shot to 70 percent of adults by July 4. 

Pressure increases for US to send vaccines to Latin America. 

Brazil backs away from the virus brink as deaths top 400,000. 

Colombian president withdraws tax hike; 19 people killed in protests. 

Fears of militarization as Colombian soldiers confront protesters. 

Derek Chauvin files motion for new trial in George Floyd case, alleging jury misconduct. 

Trump launches new communications platform months after Twitter, Facebook ban. 

Mexico City subway train derails; 23 dead, dozens injured

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

 Dozens killed in suspected jihadist attack in eastern Burkina Faso. 

Iraq bans terror prank TV shows. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Nasdaq plunges more than 2% as investors dump growth stocks. 

Technology shares sink broader market although Dow has gain. 

Bill and Melinda Gates agreed 'separation contract' before announcing divorce. 

Oil giant Saudi Aramco beats estimates with 30% hike in first-quarter profit. 

Wine that went to space for sale with $1 million price tag.

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