Thursday, May 06, 2021 | Last Update : 03:16 PM IST
Columns
Even in these traumatic times, those of us who can work from home, for instance, are massively better positioned than others
A video that recorded the incident went viral on the social media and political parties are gunning for him
Opposition parties have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each party and leader and allocate responsibility accordingly
The Congress was originally scheduled to elect its new president in May but it was deferred till June on the pretext of Assembly polls
South Asia
China declines to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden
China has not yet come out with an official reaction to Biden and Kamala Harris' victory
Myanmar mourns bloodiest day since coup, U.N. investigator condemns 'mass murder'
Children were among those killed on Saturday, Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day, according to news reports and witnesses
Pakistan hit by nationwide power blackout
Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan said the frequency in the power distribution system suddenly dropped from 50 to zero, causing the blackout
Pakistan PM Imran Khan wins trust vote; Opposition demands resignation
The floor test took place without the Opposition boycotted the voting, making it easier for Khan to secure the required numbers
South Korea detects first coronavirus variant cases
The new strain, which experts fear is more contagious, prompted more than 50 countries to impose travel restrictions on Britain
Asia
The underground 'Parthenon' protecting Tokyo from floods
In Tokyo alone there are 10 other underground reservoirs and three flood tunnels, and more flood-protection structures are being built
Japanese Health Ministry finds new virus variant
Japan was working with other nations, the WHO and other medical experts to analyze the new version of the virus
China admits 5 military officers, soldiers killed in Galwan clash with Indian Army
This is the first time China has acknowledged casualties and details of these officers and soldiers' sacrifice
China urges US to lift trade restrictions, stop interference
China faces more opposition than ever in Washington due to its trade record, territorial disputes with neighbours
Middle East
US announces troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq
The House Armed Services Committee has announced a hearing on Afghanistan on November 20
Donald Trump announces peace between Israel and Bahrain
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the agreement.
Israel to set new nationwide lockdown as virus cases surge
Lockdown is credited with having brought down what were much lower infection numbers, but it wreaked havoc on Israel's economy
Kuwait's emir names security czar Sheikh Meshal as crown prince
The new emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, assumed power following the death of his brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad last week
Israel signs pacts with UAE, Bahrain in White House ceremony
The agreements do not address the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, who view the pacts as a stab in the back
Africa
2 tugboats speed to Egypt’s Suez Canal as shippers avoid it
The tugboats will nudge the 400-meter-long Ever Given as dredgers continue to vacuum up sand from underneath the vessel
Zimbabwe investigating deaths of 22 elephants, more expected
Zimbabwe has been facing successive climate-induced droughts in recent years, leaving animals with less water and vegetation for food
Over 200 vessels blocked as 'maritime traffic jam' grows outside blocked Suez Canal
An initial investigation showed the vessel ran aground due to strong winds and ruled out mechanical or engine failure as a cause
Poorer and developing nations face vaccine wait as West locks down supply
Based on advance purchase agreements signed with Pfizer, it is calculated that 1.1 billion doses had been snapped up by wealthy nations
Europe
Russia approves first COVID-19 prescription drug for sale in pharmacies
R-Pharm’s announcement is another sign Russia is pushing hard to take a global lead in the race against the virus
Church attack in Nice: What we know so far
The brutal killings come only two weeks after a French teacher was decapitated outside his school north of Paris by an Islamist extremist
Moscow court confirms prison time for Kremlin critic Navalny
During Tuesday's hearing Navalny said the case was meant 'to intimidate a huge number of people'
After Rihanna, Greta Thunberg extends support to farmers' protest
Thunberg tweeted soon after singer Rihanna shared a news article highlighting the Centre's crackdown on the farmers
A dozen countries suspend AstraZeneca shots over fears of blood clots
WHO has said countries should continue to use the vaccine while also set to hold an expert meeting today on the issue
Americas
Thousands rally behind Trump, believing he won the race he lost
A week after Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election, demonstrations in support of Trump took place in other cities
No change in policy on Jammu and Kashmir, says US
A longstanding goal of US policy in South Asia has been to prevent India-Pakistan conflict from escalating to interstate war
Colorado supermarket shooter kills 10, including police officer
Police said the suspected gunman was believed to be the only individual with serious injuries who survived the bloodshed
Trump plans social media return with his own platform
Twitter last week said it would seek public input on when and how it should ban world leaders, saying it was reviewing policy
Oceania
Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes New Zealand's first-ever Indian-origin minister
Radhakrishnan, who is from the 2017 intake of new MPs, is a minister outside of the Cabinet
New Zealand reports three new COVID-19 local cases, first since January
The country remains on alert level 1 for COVID-19, its lowest level, with no restrictions
New Zealand detects first community virus case in two months
It is the second time a returnee has developed coronavirus symptoms after being cleared to leave an isolation facility in New Zealand
Facebook to restore Australia news pages as deal reached on media law
Prime Minister Scott Morrison had angrily accused Facebook of making a decision to 'unfriend' Australia
New Zealand sees first case-free day in five weeks
Friday’s report also marked the fourth consecutive day without any cases of community transmission