World

N. Korean leader apologizes over death of S. Korean

Published on Fri, 09/25/2020 - 2:46pm

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un apologized Friday over the killing of a South Korea official who was apparently trying to defect near the rivals’ disputed sea boundary, saying he’s “very sorry” about the incident, South Korean officials said.

It’s extremely unusual for a North Korean leader to apologize to South Korea on any issue. Kim’s move will likely de-escalate tensions between the Koreas as it’s expected to ease anti-North sentiments in South Korea as well as mounting criticism of its liberal President Moon Jae-in. 

China aims to make 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses a year

Published on Fri, 09/25/2020 - 2:46pm

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese health official said Friday that the country’s annual production capacity for coronavirus vaccines will top 1 billion doses next year, following an aggressive government support program for construction of new factories.

Capacity is expected to reach 610 million doses by the end of this year, Zheng Zhongwei from the National Health Commission said.

“Next year, our annual capacity will reach more than 1 billion doses,” he said at a news conference. 

At UN, China, Russia and US clash over pandemic responses

Published on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 3:10pm
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UNITED NATIONS (AP) — China, the United States and Russia butted heads at the United Nations on Thursday over responsibility for the pandemic that has interrupted the world, trading allegations about who mishandled and politicized the virus in one of the few real-time exchanges among top officials at this year’s COVID-distanced U.N. General Assembly meeting.

The remarks at the U.N. Security Council came two days after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried the lack of international cooperation in tackling the still “out-of-control” coronavirus.

360 more detained in Belarus in protests against leader

Published on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 3:08pm

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Over 360 more people have been detained in Belarus during protests against the country’s authoritarian president, who was unexpectedly sworn in to his sixth term in office after an election the opposition says was rigged. 

Thousands of Belarusians took to the streets of the capital of Minsk and other cities on Wednesday evening to protest President Alexander Lukashenko’s morning inauguration, which took place without advance public notice. 

88 whales rescued in mass beaching

Published on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 3:07pm

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Authorities have rescued 88 pilot whales and are attempting to free 20 others that survived Australia’s worst mass stranding, as crews prepare to remove 380 decomposing carcasses from the shallows of Tasmania state, officials said Thursday.

Crews found the 20 whales that are still alive on the fourth day of the rescue operation, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Manager Nic Deka said. “Whenever we’ve got live animals that have a chance and we have the resources, then we’ll certainly give in a go,” Deka said.

Mexican leader: Protesters welcome to camp near his office

Published on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 3:18pm
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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Wednesday that conservative protesters demanding his resignation are welcome to camp out in Mexico City’s main plaza outside his offices in the colonial-era National Palace.

Police later allowed only a couple hundred protesters into the plaza, and kept them in the section farthest from the government palace.

López Obrador himself led numerous protest encampments in his decades as an opposition leader, and he offered some advice to the more novice opposition of today. 

Boris Johnson orders new virus restrictions, could last 6 months

Published on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 3:38pm
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LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons on Tuesday that they should not expect to return to a normal social or work life for at least six months, as he ordered new restrictions that his government hopes will suppress a dramatic surge in confirmed coronavirus cases.

Saying Britain must act now or face a huge second wave of COVID-19, Johnson announced a package of new restrictions that includes requiring pubs, restaurants and other entertainment venues in England to close down between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and urging people to work from home where possible.

UK raises virus alert level with warning of high transmission

Published on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 4:31pm
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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s chief medical officers have raised the nation’s official COVID-19 alert level, meaning the virus is in general circulation and the transmission is high.

The chief medical officers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say cases are rising “rapidly and probably exponentially.” They say they are acting on the advice of the Joint Biosecurity Center and raising the level from three to four, the second-highest level.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce further curbs Tuesday to slow the spread of the virus.

Clooney quits UK role over ‘lamentable’ Brexit plan

Published on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 2:27pm
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LONDON (AP) — Amal Clooney has become the highest profile lawyer to quit an official job over her opposition to the British government’s suggestion that it could break international law in the event it fails to agree to a trade deal with the European Union.

In a letter Friday to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, the human rights lawyer said she is quitting her role as the U.K.’s special envoy on media freedom over the government’s “lamentable” suggestion. 

Israel returns to a full virus lockdown as cases mount

Published on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 2:25pm

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel went back into a full lockdown on Friday to try to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has steadily worsened for months as its government has been plagued by indecision and infighting.

The three-week lockdown, which began at 2 p.m., will require the closure of many businesses and set strict limits on movement and public gatherings. The closures coincide with the Jewish High Holidays, when people typically visit their families and gather for large prayer services.