Brazil has registered a record for daily COVID-19 fatalities, with 2,286 people dead from the virus in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry on Wednesday.New coronavirus infections tallied 79,876 to bring the total in the year-long pandemic to more than 11.2 million, according to the Health Ministry.The total death toll of 270,656 is the second-highest after the United States.The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday that infection rates in Brazil are worrying, spurred by a new and more contagious variant known as P1, and called for much stricter public health measures.”We are concerned about the…
Author: Mike Harrison
Democrats have praised Mr. Garland, a federal appeals court judge who was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016 The Senate has confirmed Merrick Garland to be the next U.S. Attorney General with a strong bipartisan vote, placing the widely-respected, veteran judge in the post as President Joe Biden has vowed to restore the Justice Department’s reputation for independence.Democrats have praised Mr. Garland, a federal appeals court judge who was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016, as a highly qualified and honorable jurist who is uniquely qualified to lead…
In a massive and early victory for the Democrats, the House of Representatives approved 220-211 a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, voting almost entirely along party lines. The bill, having already passed the Senate, will be signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday.Also read: U.S. House passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan“Help is here,” Mr Biden tweeted shortly after the House had voted on the American Rescue Plan. He called the bill – which is one of the largest stimulus measures on record — a “historic victory” for the American people.Also read: Senate begins marathon debate on…
It was the second time in just over a month that the council’s 15 members, including China, a traditional ally of the former Burma, made a rare show of unity over Myanmar The U.N. Security Council unanimously agreed on a statement Wednesday condemning the Myanmar military’s use of violence against peaceful anti-coup protesters, diplomats said.It was the second time in just over a month that the council’s 15 members, including China, a traditional ally of the former Burma, made a rare show of unity over Myanmar.The new statement criticizes the military in Myanmar, saying the council “strongly condemns the use…
Vimla Hiren, wife of Mansukh Hiren, has alleged that the police official was linked to her husband’s death The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced the transfer of Mumbai police officer Sachin Vaze from the Crime Branch Unit after Vimla Hiren, wife of deceased Mansukh Hiren, alleged that he was linked to her husband’s death. Hiren’s body was found in the Kalwa creek last week. He was linked to the Scorpio car laden with explosives found outside the house of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The opposition BJP on Tuesday stalled the Assembly proceedings demanding Mr Vaze’s suspension and arrest. “Police officer Sachin…
SC issues notice to govt. UPSC The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the government to respond to a plea alleging discrimination against women by barring them from taking the exam for admission to the prestigious National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy.A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde issued notice to the government and the Union Public Service Commission on a petition filed by advocate Kush Kalra, who said eligible and willing women who aspire for a career in the Armed Forces are prohibited entry into these centres of excellence solely on the ground of gender.Mr.…
Sri Lanka has invited Myanmar’s junta-appointed Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin for a virtual meeting of members of regional body BIMSTEC, which Sri Lanka currently chairs. Pro-democracy activists in Myanmar slammed the move on social media, as Colombo’s outreach comes just over a month after Myanmar’s military seized power in Yangon. Sri Lanka has not commented on the development so far. In a March 2 letter addressed to Mr. Wunna Maung Lwin, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunwardena said a ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation would be held on April 1.…
Top Chinese, U.S. officials may meet next week in Alaska for first high-level talks with new administration China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing hoped Friday’s first- ever summit of the leaders of the Quad framework — India, Australia, Japan and the U.S. — would be “conducive” to regional peace and stability “rather than the opposite”.The comments from Beijing on Wednesday came days after China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his annual press conference on March 7, said China was “open-minded to explore and deepen cooperation with the U.S.” under the Biden administration after four turbulent years, and hoped “the U.S. will…
Protest organised against alleged denial of salary arrears to doctors since July 2017 The faculty at Government Medical Colleges across the State organised candlelight vigils in front of their institutions on Wednesday evening, protesting against the government’s “injustice” in denying them salary arrears due since July 2017.Doctors have been on a path of agitation for the past few months over the alleged denial of pay arrears. Though several discussions were held with the government, the doctors have said the final order on arrears had provided only a nominal amount. The medical professionals pointed out that the pay revision that should…
Ponraj, Santhosh Babu, Snehan and 25-year-old Padmapriya will contest in Anna Nagar, Villivakkam, Virugambakkam and Maduravoyal Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan on Wednesday announced a list of 70 candidates who will be contesting in the ‘Battery Torch’ symbol allotted to the party in Chennai.While Mr. Haasan decided to prolong the suspense by not revealing the constituency he would contest from and saved it for a later date, he announced that his party’s star candidates, such as the newly appointed VP, V. Ponraj, former advisor to APJ Abdul Kalam, former IAS officer Santhosh Babu, who quit the service recently, movie…