An estimated 30 people died on Sunday when Somalia's Islamist al Shabaab group launched an attack in a town in the country's semi-autonomous state of Galmudug, a security official said. 
 
The insurgents used car bombs in the assault on a military base in Galmudug's Wisil town, located in central Somalia, triggering a fight with government troops and armed locals, Major Mohamed&nbsp;Awale, a military&nbsp; officer in Galmudug said. 
 
"They attacked the base with two car bombs and&nbsp;fierce&nbsp;fighting that lasted over an hour followed," he said. 
 
"The car bombs damaged the military vehicles...residents were well armed and&nbsp;reinforced the base&nbsp;and chased&nbsp;the al Shabaab." 
 
Thirty people, including 17 soldiers and 13 civilians, died in the fighting, Awale said. 
 
The al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab has been fighting in Somalia for more than a decade to try to topple the country's central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. 
 
Fighters from the group frequently carry out gun and bomb assaults on a range of both civilian and military targets including busy traffic intersections, hotels and military bases. 
 
During the attack that lasted about an hour, Abdullahi&nbsp;Mohamed, a resident in Wisil said he and others had 'crept and slept on the ground,' and added he had personally seen about 30 people injured in the assault. 
 
The Somalia government condemned the attack and said 41 al Shabaab fighters had been killed in the fighting as both the military and armed residents pursued the assailants, according to a statement posted on the website of the Somalia state news agency, SONNA. 
 
Those injured in the attack, the statement said, had been airlifted to the capital Mogadishu for treatment. 
 
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack via a statement on its Radio Al Andalus&nbsp;and said its fighters had killed over 30 soldiers and injured over 40 others. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

An estimated 30 people died on Sunday when Somalia's Islamist al Shabaab group launched an attack in a town in the country's semi-autonomous state of Galmudug, a security official said.

An estimated 30 people died on Sunday when Somalia's Islamist al Shabaab group launched an attack in a town in the country's semi-autonomous state of Galmudug, a security official said. The insurgents used car bombs in the assault on a military base in Galmudug's Wisil town, located in central Somalia, triggering a fight with government troops and armed locals, Major Mohamed Awale, a military officer in Galmudug said. "They attacked the base with two car bombs and fierce fighting that lasted over an hour followed," he said. "The car bombs damaged the military vehicles...residents were well armed and reinforced the base and chased the al Shabaab." Thirty people, including 17 soldiers and 13 civilians, died in the fighting, Awale said. The al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab has been fighting in Somalia for more than a decade to try to topple the country's central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. Fighters from the group frequently carry out gun and bomb assaults on a range of both civilian and military targets including busy traffic intersections, hotels and military bases. During the attack that lasted about an hour, Abdullahi Mohamed, a resident in Wisil said he and others had 'crept and slept on the ground,' and added he had personally seen about 30 people injured in the assault. The Somalia government condemned the attack and said 41 al Shabaab fighters had been killed in the fighting as both the military and armed residents pursued the assailants, according to a statement posted on the website of the Somalia state news agency, SONNA. Those injured in the attack, the statement said, had been airlifted to the capital Mogadishu for treatment. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack via a statement on its Radio Al Andalus and said its fighters had killed over 30 soldiers and injured over 40 others. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 30 killed in al Shabaab attack in Somalia: Security official

Sweden moved closer to a snap election on Monday after fruitless attempts to form a government by both the centre-left and centre-right blocs left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven until the end of the day to resign or call a national vote. 
 
Lofven lost a motion of no-confidence in parliament on June 21 after the Left Party withdrew its support, triggering frenzied talks as both the centre-left and centre-right tried to line up enough support to form a government. 
 
"The decision that will shake up Swedish politics," daily Dagens Nyheter said in its front page headline on Lofven's dilemma. "Deadlock with just hours to go," tabloid Aftonbladet said. 
 
Lofven, a former welder has headed a fragile minority coalition with the Greens since 2018, relying on support from two small centre-right parties and the Left Party to remain in power. 
 
Since then, he has been juggling the goals of the business-friendly Centre and Liberals with that of Sweden's former communist party, finally dropping the ball over reform of the highly regulated rental market. 
 
His mismatched government is a result of the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in the far-right fringe, which is now the third biggest in parliament. 
 
The centre-right split over whether to seek a political accord with them after the 2018 elections, with the Centre and Liberals choosing to support their former rivals instead of giving the Sweden Democrats a chance to influence policy. 
 
The Liberals have now changed their minds and returned to the centre-right mainstream. 
 
But even with their support, and that of the Sweden Democrats, the Moderates - the biggest centre-right party - does not have the votes to form a government either. 
 
Lofven has until midnight tonight to either hand in his resignation to the speaker of parliament or to call a snap election. Most commentators see a vote in September as the most likely outcome. 
 
Opinion polls show a general election might not alter the make up of parliament. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Sweden moved closer to a snap election on Monday after fruitless attempts to form a government by both the centre-left and centre-right blocs left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven until the end of the day to resign or call a national vote.

Sweden moved closer to a snap election on Monday after fruitless attempts to form a government by both the centre-left and centre-right blocs left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven until the end of the day to resign or call a national vote. Lofven lost a motion of no-confidence in parliament on June 21 after the Left Party withdrew its support, triggering frenzied talks as both the centre-left and centre-right tried to line up enough support to form a government. "The decision that will shake up Swedish politics," daily Dagens Nyheter said in its front page headline on Lofven's dilemma. "Deadlock with just hours to go," tabloid Aftonbladet said. Lofven, a former welder has headed a fragile minority coalition with the Greens since 2018, relying on support from two small centre-right parties and the Left Party to remain in power. Since then, he has been juggling the goals of the business-friendly Centre and Liberals with that of Sweden's former communist party, finally dropping the ball over reform of the highly regulated rental market. His mismatched government is a result of the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in the far-right fringe, which is now the third biggest in parliament. The centre-right split over whether to seek a political accord with them after the 2018 elections, with the Centre and Liberals choosing to support their former rivals instead of giving the Sweden Democrats a chance to influence policy. The Liberals have now changed their minds and returned to the centre-right mainstream. But even with their support, and that of the Sweden Democrats, the Moderates - the biggest centre-right party - does not have the votes to form a government either. Lofven has until midnight tonight to either hand in his resignation to the speaker of parliament or to call a snap election. Most commentators see a vote in September as the most likely outcome. Opinion polls show a general election might not alter the make up of parliament. (With inputs from agencies)

Clock is ticking for Swedish PM Lofven as snap election looms

India has overtaken the US in the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While India launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16, and has administered over 323.6&nbsp;million&nbsp;doses till date, the US which started its inoculation drive on December 14, 2020 has given over 323.3&nbsp;million&nbsp;doses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"India achieves another milestone in COVID-19 vaccination and overtakes USA in total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered," the ministry said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India's cumulative vaccination coverage exceeded 323.6&nbsp;million&nbsp;on Sunday. A total of 32,36,63,297 vaccine doses have been administered through 43,21,898 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am on Monday, the ministry said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It said 17,21,268 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the data, so far 1,01,98,257 healthcare workers have taken the first dose while 72,07,617 have taken the second dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As many as 1,74,42,767 frontline workers have received the first dose while 93,99,319 have taken the second&nbsp;dose.&nbsp;In&nbsp;the 18-44 age group, 8,46,51,696 individuals have taken then first dose, while 19,01,190 have received the second dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the 45-59 age group, 8,71,11,445 people have been administered the first dose, while 1,48,12,349 have taken the second dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Besides, 6,75,29,713 people aged above 60 years have received the first dose, while, 2,34,08,944 have taken the second dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The new phase of&nbsp;universalisation&nbsp;of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from June 21.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

India has overtaken the US in the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. While India launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16, and has administered over 323.

India has overtaken the US in the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. While India launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16, and has administered over 323.6 million doses till date, the US which started its inoculation drive on December 14, 2020 has given over 323.3 million doses. "India achieves another milestone in COVID-19 vaccination and overtakes USA in total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered," the ministry said. India's cumulative vaccination coverage exceeded 323.6 million on Sunday. A total of 32,36,63,297 vaccine doses have been administered through 43,21,898 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am on Monday, the ministry said. It said 17,21,268 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. According to the data, so far 1,01,98,257 healthcare workers have taken the first dose while 72,07,617 have taken the second dose. As many as 1,74,42,767 frontline workers have received the first dose while 93,99,319 have taken the second dose. In the 18-44 age group, 8,46,51,696 individuals have taken then first dose, while 19,01,190 have received the second dose. In the 45-59 age group, 8,71,11,445 people have been administered the first dose, while 1,48,12,349 have taken the second dose. Besides, 6,75,29,713 people aged above 60 years have received the first dose, while, 2,34,08,944 have taken the second dose. The new phase of universalisation of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from June 21. (With inputs from agencies)

India overtakes US in total number of vaccines administered: Govt  

Germany could stop gas flowing through the almost-complete Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia if Moscow breaks the terms of the arrangement or uses it to put pressure on Ukraine, conservative chancellor candidate Armin Laschet said on Saturday. 
 
The pipeline is a source of tension with the US&nbsp;administration, which argues that it gives too much leverage to Russian President Vladimir Putin by increasing Europe's energy dependence on Russia. 
 
Gazprom and its Western partners have completed 95% of the pipeline to send natural gas under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine and depriving it of lucrative transit fees. 
 
Armin Laschet, who is favourite to succeed his CDU party colleague Angela Merkel when she steps down as chancellor after September's election, said in a televised foreign policy debate that the 95%-complete pipeline should be finished. 
 
But if Russia failed to stick to the rules, or used the pipeline against Ukraine, he said, "We can always discontinue this project, even after the pipeline is finished". 
 
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, chancellor candidate for the centre-left SPD, took the same line, saying: "Anything that impinges on gas transit and Ukraine's security has consequences for potential transit through the completed pipeline." 
 
But Annalena Baerbock, the candidate for the environmentalist Greens, who are running second in opinion polls and could replace the SPD as the conservatives' junior coalition partner, repeated her opposition to the pipeline. 
 
"Imagine a winter in Europe," she said. "We won't be able to say 'Now we don't have any more gas'. Mr Putin wants to destabilise not only Ukraine but us as Europeans." 
 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a recorded appeal to the candidates to guarantee his country's security and provide it with a path to membership of the European Union. 
 
Both Laschet and Scholz said Ukraine was not the next priority for EU enlargement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Germany could stop gas flowing through the almost-complete Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia if Moscow breaks the terms of the arrangement or uses it to put pressure on Ukraine, conservative chancellor candidate Armin Laschet said on Saturday.

Germany could stop gas flowing through the almost-complete Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia if Moscow breaks the terms of the arrangement or uses it to put pressure on Ukraine, conservative chancellor candidate Armin Laschet said on Saturday. The pipeline is a source of tension with the US administration, which argues that it gives too much leverage to Russian President Vladimir Putin by increasing Europe's energy dependence on Russia. Gazprom and its Western partners have completed 95% of the pipeline to send natural gas under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine and depriving it of lucrative transit fees. Armin Laschet, who is favourite to succeed his CDU party colleague Angela Merkel when she steps down as chancellor after September's election, said in a televised foreign policy debate that the 95%-complete pipeline should be finished. But if Russia failed to stick to the rules, or used the pipeline against Ukraine, he said, "We can always discontinue this project, even after the pipeline is finished". Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, chancellor candidate for the centre-left SPD, took the same line, saying: "Anything that impinges on gas transit and Ukraine's security has consequences for potential transit through the completed pipeline." But Annalena Baerbock, the candidate for the environmentalist Greens, who are running second in opinion polls and could replace the SPD as the conservatives' junior coalition partner, repeated her opposition to the pipeline. "Imagine a winter in Europe," she said. "We won't be able to say 'Now we don't have any more gas'. Mr Putin wants to destabilise not only Ukraine but us as Europeans." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a recorded appeal to the candidates to guarantee his country's security and provide it with a path to membership of the European Union. Both Laschet and Scholz said Ukraine was not the next priority for EU enlargement. (With inputs from agencies)

Nord Stream pipeline could be halted if Russia abuses it: German CDU chancellor candidate

The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Saturday deployed security forces to confront protesters who took to the streets of Ramallah in the West Bank after one of President Mahmoud Abbas's biggest critics died in custody. 
 
Nizar Banat had been arrested by PA forces who broke into a relative's house where he was staying in the early hours of Thursday and hit him repeatedly with a metal rod before arresting him, according to Banat's family. 
 
Banat's death has sparked three days of protests in the occupied West Bank and calls from the international community for an inquiry. 
 
On Saturday, Palestinian security officers lined the streets and blocked protestors by hitting them with their fists and with clubs, a video showed. 
 
The officers, some wearing riot gear, others in plain clothes, also fired tear gas and attacked journalists, according to witnesses. There were no official figures on how many people were arrested or injured. 
 
The spokesman for the PA security services, Talal Dweikat, said the committee investigating Banat’s death had begun its work and urged people to wait for the results. He did not comment on Saturday's violence. 
 
The Palestinian journalists' union condemned attacks by security forces against journalists covering the protest. 
 
"The targeting of journalists by security men is a new, grave development in the onslaught on freedom of expression and the media," the union said in a statement. 
 
Banat, 43, was a social activist who had accused Abbas's PA of corruption, including over a short-lived COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Israel this month and Abbas's postponement of a long-delayed election in May. 
 
Banat had registered as a parliamentary candidate for that contest. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Saturday deployed security forces to confront protesters who took to the streets of Ramallah in the West Bank after one of President Mahmoud Abbas's biggest critics died in custody.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Saturday deployed security forces to confront protesters who took to the streets of Ramallah in the West Bank after one of President Mahmoud Abbas's biggest critics died in custody. Nizar Banat had been arrested by PA forces who broke into a relative's house where he was staying in the early hours of Thursday and hit him repeatedly with a metal rod before arresting him, according to Banat's family. Banat's death has sparked three days of protests in the occupied West Bank and calls from the international community for an inquiry. On Saturday, Palestinian security officers lined the streets and blocked protestors by hitting them with their fists and with clubs, a video showed. The officers, some wearing riot gear, others in plain clothes, also fired tear gas and attacked journalists, according to witnesses. There were no official figures on how many people were arrested or injured. The spokesman for the PA security services, Talal Dweikat, said the committee investigating Banat’s death had begun its work and urged people to wait for the results. He did not comment on Saturday's violence. The Palestinian journalists' union condemned attacks by security forces against journalists covering the protest. "The targeting of journalists by security men is a new, grave development in the onslaught on freedom of expression and the media," the union said in a statement. Banat, 43, was a social activist who had accused Abbas's PA of corruption, including over a short-lived COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Israel this month and Abbas's postponement of a long-delayed election in May. Banat had registered as a parliamentary candidate for that contest. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinian Authority deploys forces during protest after custody death of PM's critic

Thousands of Peruvians supporting socialist Pedro Castillo and right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori took to the streets on Saturday amid swirling uncertainty over the result of a tight June 6 presidential election that has been held up by legal challenges. 
 
Castillo supporters marched in downtown Lima towards Plaza San Martín, a block from the headquarters of the electoral jury, with giant banners and photos of the socialist candidate, calling for his apparent election win to be confirmed. 
 
A few blocks away, thousands of others supporting Fujimori paraded with Peruvian flags and banners that read 'no to fraud',&nbsp;arriving at the Plaza Bolognesi, where a stage had been set up ahead of the expected arrival of the conservative. 
 
Castillo holds a slender 44,000-vote lead over Fujimori with all ballots counted. But his right-wing rival has sought to disqualify votes, largely in rural areas that backed the leftist, making claims of fraud with little evidence. 
 
Castillo's Free Peru party has denied the allegations of fraud while international election observers have said the vote was carried out cleanly. The US&nbsp;State Department described the process as a 'model of democracy'. 
 
In Fujimori's march were members of various right and center-right parties, as well as retired military personnel, who have backed her fraud claims. Many had banners saying 'no to communism',&nbsp;a criticism they often aim at Castillo. 
 
In the rival camp, many wore the same wide-brimmed hats Castillo has used in the campaign. Some wore outfits from the country's Andean regions and danced, while others carried whips as used by rural 'ronderos', or civil police. 
 
Castillo, a 51-year-old former elementary school teacher and the son of peasant farmers, plans to redraft the country's constitution to give the state a more active role in the economy and take a larger share of profits from mining companies.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of Peruvians supporting socialist Pedro Castillo and right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori took to the streets on Saturday amid swirling uncertainty over the result of a tight June 6 presidential election that has been held up by legal challenges.

Thousands of Peruvians supporting socialist Pedro Castillo and right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori took to the streets on Saturday amid swirling uncertainty over the result of a tight June 6 presidential election that has been held up by legal challenges. Castillo supporters marched in downtown Lima towards Plaza San Martín, a block from the headquarters of the electoral jury, with giant banners and photos of the socialist candidate, calling for his apparent election win to be confirmed. A few blocks away, thousands of others supporting Fujimori paraded with Peruvian flags and banners that read 'no to fraud', arriving at the Plaza Bolognesi, where a stage had been set up ahead of the expected arrival of the conservative. Castillo holds a slender 44,000-vote lead over Fujimori with all ballots counted. But his right-wing rival has sought to disqualify votes, largely in rural areas that backed the leftist, making claims of fraud with little evidence. Castillo's Free Peru party has denied the allegations of fraud while international election observers have said the vote was carried out cleanly. The US State Department described the process as a 'model of democracy'. In Fujimori's march were members of various right and center-right parties, as well as retired military personnel, who have backed her fraud claims. Many had banners saying 'no to communism', a criticism they often aim at Castillo. In the rival camp, many wore the same wide-brimmed hats Castillo has used in the campaign. Some wore outfits from the country's Andean regions and danced, while others carried whips as used by rural 'ronderos', or civil police. Castillo, a 51-year-old former elementary school teacher and the son of peasant farmers, plans to redraft the country's constitution to give the state a more active role in the economy and take a larger share of profits from mining companies. (With inputs from agencies)

Peruvians backing rival leaders take to the streets amid fears over presidential election meddling

British former finance minister Sajid Javid will replace Matt Hancock as the country's health minister, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said on Saturday.&nbsp;

Earlier,&nbsp;UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock resigned after revelation that he himself violated coronavirus restrictions during an affair with his aide.&nbsp;Photos apparently showing&nbsp;him hugging and kissing the woman was published in a section of the media.

Hancock conceded he had let the public down after The Sun newspaper published a security camera photo. The image was reportedly obtained from a whistleblower showing him with the aide in his office on May 6.

Javid had resigned as finance minister last year after he refused to fire his political advisers as demanded by Johnson.

Hancock, the frontman for Britain's response to the pandemic, particularly the vaccine roll-out, quit in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, reiterating his earlier apology.

"We owe it to people, who have sacrificed so much on this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down as I have done by breaching the guidance," he wrote.

Prime Minister Johnson said that he was 'sorry' to receive Hancock's resignation. He added that Hancock should be 'immensely proud' of his service.

Johnson had initially stood by Hancock after he admitted to have broken social distancing rules at a time when he was urging the public to stick by the measures, including curbs on funeral numbers.

Opposition parties had kept up the pressure on the government accusing it of hypocrisy over lockdown rule breaches. Many members of the public have been slapped with fines.

The main opposition Labour party said the government needed to answer questions about the undisclosed appointment of the aide, former lobbyist Gina Coladangelo, to Hancock's top advisory team.&nbsp;

Both she and Hancock are married, and first met at university.

(With inputs from agencies)

British former finance minister Sajid Javid will replace Matt Hancock as the country's health minister, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said on Saturday. Earlier, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock resigned after revelation that he himself violated coronavirus restrictions during an affair with his aide.

British former finance minister Sajid Javid will replace Matt Hancock as the country's health minister, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said on Saturday. Earlier, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock resigned after revelation that he himself violated coronavirus restrictions during an affair with his aide. Photos apparently showing him hugging and kissing the woman was published in a section of the media. Hancock conceded he had let the public down after The Sun newspaper published a security camera photo. The image was reportedly obtained from a whistleblower showing him with the aide in his office on May 6. Javid had resigned as finance minister last year after he refused to fire his political advisers as demanded by Johnson. Hancock, the frontman for Britain's response to the pandemic, particularly the vaccine roll-out, quit in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, reiterating his earlier apology. "We owe it to people, who have sacrificed so much on this pandemic to be honest when we have let them down as I have done by breaching the guidance," he wrote. Prime Minister Johnson said that he was 'sorry' to receive Hancock's resignation. He added that Hancock should be 'immensely proud' of his service. Johnson had initially stood by Hancock after he admitted to have broken social distancing rules at a time when he was urging the public to stick by the measures, including curbs on funeral numbers. Opposition parties had kept up the pressure on the government accusing it of hypocrisy over lockdown rule breaches. Many members of the public have been slapped with fines. The main opposition Labour party said the government needed to answer questions about the undisclosed appointment of the aide, former lobbyist Gina Coladangelo, to Hancock's top advisory team. Both she and Hancock are married, and first met at university. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's former finance minister Javid appointed as health minister after Matt Hancock quits

Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Sunday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia's largest city, while an outbreak in the northern city of Darwin prompted a hard two-day stay-at-home order. 
 
"Given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days, case numbers are likely to increase beyond what we have seen today," News South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a news briefing in Sydney. 
 
Australia has been more successful in managing the pandemic than many other advanced economies through swift border closures, social distancing rules and high compliance, reporting just over 30,450 cases and 910 COVID-19 deaths. 
 
But the country has confronted an increasing number of small outbreaks in recent months. These have been contained so far through speedy contact tracing, isolation of thousands of people at a time or snap hard lockdowns. 
 
Thirty new infections reported by Sydney on Sunday took the number of Delta variant cases linked to a cluster in the Bondi neighbourhood to 110. Two other cases were under investigation. 
 
The rapid increase in cases and exposure sites persuaded the state government to reluctantly impose a lockdown, under which people can only leave home for essential shopping, work, education, exercise and medical care. 
 
Contact tracers were racing to get in touch with airline passengers after discovering that an attendant on several flights across the country had become infected in Sydney. 
 
Northern Territory, home to some of Australia's most famous ancient Aboriginal culture and a strong mining sector, which saw its first coronavirus case in months on Saturday, reported four locally acquired infections, unrelated to the Sydney outbreak. 
 
The Delta variant infections started with a worker at a gold mine owned by Newmont Corp, now in lockdown. 
 
As authorities have not been able to track down all close contacts of the miner, an immediate 48-hour hard lockdown on Darwin and some surroundings was imposed. 
 
"I would rather regret us going too hard, too early than go too easy and risk it all," Chief Minister Michael Gunner said at a news briefing. 
 
Neighbouring Queensland reported on Sunday two locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with authorities saying both infections were of the Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom in September of 2020. 
 
Western Australia reported one community case, that state authorities suspected was the Delta variant. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Sunday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia's largest city, while an outbreak in the northern city of Darwin prompted a hard two-day stay-at-home order.

Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Sunday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia's largest city, while an outbreak in the northern city of Darwin prompted a hard two-day stay-at-home order. "Given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days, case numbers are likely to increase beyond what we have seen today," News South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a news briefing in Sydney. Australia has been more successful in managing the pandemic than many other advanced economies through swift border closures, social distancing rules and high compliance, reporting just over 30,450 cases and 910 COVID-19 deaths. But the country has confronted an increasing number of small outbreaks in recent months. These have been contained so far through speedy contact tracing, isolation of thousands of people at a time or snap hard lockdowns. Thirty new infections reported by Sydney on Sunday took the number of Delta variant cases linked to a cluster in the Bondi neighbourhood to 110. Two other cases were under investigation. The rapid increase in cases and exposure sites persuaded the state government to reluctantly impose a lockdown, under which people can only leave home for essential shopping, work, education, exercise and medical care. Contact tracers were racing to get in touch with airline passengers after discovering that an attendant on several flights across the country had become infected in Sydney. Northern Territory, home to some of Australia's most famous ancient Aboriginal culture and a strong mining sector, which saw its first coronavirus case in months on Saturday, reported four locally acquired infections, unrelated to the Sydney outbreak. The Delta variant infections started with a worker at a gold mine owned by Newmont Corp, now in lockdown. As authorities have not been able to track down all close contacts of the miner, an immediate 48-hour hard lockdown on Darwin and some surroundings was imposed. "I would rather regret us going too hard, too early than go too easy and risk it all," Chief Minister Michael Gunner said at a news briefing. Neighbouring Queensland reported on Sunday two locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with authorities saying both infections were of the Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom in September of 2020. Western Australia reported one community case, that state authorities suspected was the Delta variant. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's Sydney and Darwin in COVID-19 lockdowns

A fire swept through a marina in Hong Kong in the early hours of Sunday, igniting fuel tanks as it passed along a line of closely moored cabin cruisers, and resulting in at least 10 sinking before firefighters extinguished the blaze. 
 
Authorities in the Asian financial hub said at least 16 vessels were set ablaze, including those that sank, but there were no serious casualties. 
 
The fire at the shelter in the city’s Aberdeen district began around 2.30 am (1830 GMT on Saturday) and took firefighters more than six hours to put out. 
 
Fuel tanks could be heard exploding as thick smoke billowed skyward, covering the marina and neighbouring tower blocks, video footage showed. 
 
Around 35 people were rescued from the vessels, RTHK public broadcaster reported, citing the fire services department. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A fire swept through a marina in Hong Kong in the early hours of Sunday, igniting fuel tanks as it passed along a line of closely moored cabin cruisers, and resulting in at least 10 sinking before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

A fire swept through a marina in Hong Kong in the early hours of Sunday, igniting fuel tanks as it passed along a line of closely moored cabin cruisers, and resulting in at least 10 sinking before firefighters extinguished the blaze. Authorities in the Asian financial hub said at least 16 vessels were set ablaze, including those that sank, but there were no serious casualties. The fire at the shelter in the city’s Aberdeen district began around 2.30 am (1830 GMT on Saturday) and took firefighters more than six hours to put out. Fuel tanks could be heard exploding as thick smoke billowed skyward, covering the marina and neighbouring tower blocks, video footage showed. Around 35 people were rescued from the vessels, RTHK public broadcaster reported, citing the fire services department. (With inputs from agencies)

Ten cabin cruisers sink in Hong Kong marina fire

Nicaragua's government on Saturday launched a blistering attack on Spain and Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya, accusing Madrid of interference in its affairs and imperial attitudes towards the Central American nation. 
 
Nicaragua's foreign ministry, in a four-page letter addressed to Gonzalez Laya, accused her of making 'offensive statements' about Nicaragua and President Daniel Ortega, and 'showing daring ignorance and ferocity improper for diplomacy'. 
 
The letter does not specify which remarks by the Spanish foreign minister offended Nicaragua's leftist government. 
 
Over the past few weeks, the Spanish government had urged Nicaragua to release prominent opposition leaders, who had been detained in a widespread crackdown by the Ortega's government ahead of presidential elections in November. 
 
Spain's embassy in Nicaragua did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
In the crackdown, Ortega's government has arrested about 20 political opponents, including five presidential hopefuls, ahead of the presidential vote in which the long-ruling leader will run for a fourth consecutive term. 
 
Nicaragua's clash with Spain represents a sharp reversal of the cordial relations in recent years between Nicaragua and Spain, which is ruled by the socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon. 
 
The United States and many Western powers have criticised the crackdown, warning that democracy was under threat by Ortega's authoritarian move to arrest all his political opponents. 
 
In the letter, Nicaragua also singled out Spain's ambassador in Nicaragua, Maria del Mar Fernandez-Palacios Carmona, for criticism. 
 
Fernandez-Palacios was "just a pale reflection of an interfering, intrusive, badly educated, spoiled, capricious, devitalised and servile policy" that was submissive to the United States, the letter stated. 
 
The letter also highlighted crimes committed by colonial administrations when Spain controlled the area from the 16th century until Nicaragua's independence in 1821, and to the indigenous people of Latin America. 
 
While Ortega often brings up imperialism in stump speeches, it is usually directed at the United States. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Nicaragua's government on Saturday launched a blistering attack on Spain and Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya, accusing Madrid of interference in its affairs and imperial attitudes towards the Central American nation.

Nicaragua's government on Saturday launched a blistering attack on Spain and Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya, accusing Madrid of interference in its affairs and imperial attitudes towards the Central American nation. Nicaragua's foreign ministry, in a four-page letter addressed to Gonzalez Laya, accused her of making 'offensive statements' about Nicaragua and President Daniel Ortega, and 'showing daring ignorance and ferocity improper for diplomacy'. The letter does not specify which remarks by the Spanish foreign minister offended Nicaragua's leftist government. Over the past few weeks, the Spanish government had urged Nicaragua to release prominent opposition leaders, who had been detained in a widespread crackdown by the Ortega's government ahead of presidential elections in November. Spain's embassy in Nicaragua did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the crackdown, Ortega's government has arrested about 20 political opponents, including five presidential hopefuls, ahead of the presidential vote in which the long-ruling leader will run for a fourth consecutive term. Nicaragua's clash with Spain represents a sharp reversal of the cordial relations in recent years between Nicaragua and Spain, which is ruled by the socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon. The United States and many Western powers have criticised the crackdown, warning that democracy was under threat by Ortega's authoritarian move to arrest all his political opponents. In the letter, Nicaragua also singled out Spain's ambassador in Nicaragua, Maria del Mar Fernandez-Palacios Carmona, for criticism. Fernandez-Palacios was "just a pale reflection of an interfering, intrusive, badly educated, spoiled, capricious, devitalised and servile policy" that was submissive to the United States, the letter stated. The letter also highlighted crimes committed by colonial administrations when Spain controlled the area from the 16th century until Nicaragua's independence in 1821, and to the indigenous people of Latin America. While Ortega often brings up imperialism in stump speeches, it is usually directed at the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Nicaragua lambastes Spanish foreign minister in furious broadside

Sudan will cut its government spending and increase social spending, the cabinet said on Saturday, after completing a raft of rapid economic reforms this month that threaten to compound pressures on the majority of the population. 
 
Earlier this month, Sudan fully removed subsidies on car petrol and diesel, and in February, it devalued its currency and began a policy of a flexible managed float. 
 
Last week, it eliminated its customs exchange rate, used to calculate import duties, as the final step in a devaluation of its local currency. 
 
The country will cut costs of external official trips by 50%, reduce fuel quotas for government vehicles by 20%, sell all surplus government vehicles and cut embassies' budgets by 25% among other measures, the cabinet said on Saturday after three days of closed meetings. 
 
The government will expand the registration of a family support project called Thamarat or Fruits to include three million families or about 15 million people within two months, it added. 
 
Through the programme financed by the World Bank and other donors, Sudan is paying out monthly cash allowances to these families to ease economic pain. 
 
The new measures include increasing the budget of another programme that was meant to provide cheap food commodities from two billion Sudanese pounds ($4.51 million) to 10 billion pounds ($22.54 million). 
 
The government will pay a monthly grant of 10 billion pounds to all state workers, not subject to taxes, starting from July 1. Most of the grant will be allocated to the lowest grades of workers. 
 
It also promised to review the salary structure and to apply a new improved one starting from the fiscal year 2022. 
 
Sudan is emerging from decades of economic sanctions and isolation under ousted former President Omar al-Bashir. 
 
It had built up huge arrears on its debt, but has made rapid progress towards having much of it forgiven under the IMF and World Bank's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) scheme, which would reopen access to badly needed cheap international financing. 
 
The IMF said on Tuesday it has secured sufficient financing pledges to allow it to provide comprehensive debt relief to Sudan, clearing a final hurdle towards wider relief on external debt of at least $50 billion. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Sudan will cut its government spending and increase social spending, the cabinet said on Saturday, after completing a raft of rapid economic reforms this month that threaten to compound pressures on the majority of the population.

Sudan will cut its government spending and increase social spending, the cabinet said on Saturday, after completing a raft of rapid economic reforms this month that threaten to compound pressures on the majority of the population. Earlier this month, Sudan fully removed subsidies on car petrol and diesel, and in February, it devalued its currency and began a policy of a flexible managed float. Last week, it eliminated its customs exchange rate, used to calculate import duties, as the final step in a devaluation of its local currency. The country will cut costs of external official trips by 50%, reduce fuel quotas for government vehicles by 20%, sell all surplus government vehicles and cut embassies' budgets by 25% among other measures, the cabinet said on Saturday after three days of closed meetings. The government will expand the registration of a family support project called Thamarat or Fruits to include three million families or about 15 million people within two months, it added. Through the programme financed by the World Bank and other donors, Sudan is paying out monthly cash allowances to these families to ease economic pain. The new measures include increasing the budget of another programme that was meant to provide cheap food commodities from two billion Sudanese pounds ($4.51 million) to 10 billion pounds ($22.54 million). The government will pay a monthly grant of 10 billion pounds to all state workers, not subject to taxes, starting from July 1. Most of the grant will be allocated to the lowest grades of workers. It also promised to review the salary structure and to apply a new improved one starting from the fiscal year 2022. Sudan is emerging from decades of economic sanctions and isolation under ousted former President Omar al-Bashir. It had built up huge arrears on its debt, but has made rapid progress towards having much of it forgiven under the IMF and World Bank's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) scheme, which would reopen access to badly needed cheap international financing. The IMF said on Tuesday it has secured sufficient financing pledges to allow it to provide comprehensive debt relief to Sudan, clearing a final hurdle towards wider relief on external debt of at least $50 billion. (With inputs from agencies)

Sudan to cut government spending, increase social spending

Former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump joined video platform Rumble on Saturday, the same day he will take the stage at a campaign-style rally in Ohio, his first such event since the January&nbsp;6 attack on the US&nbsp;Capitol. 
 
Trump lost his social media megaphone earlier this year when he was blocked by a slew of platforms after his supporters stormed the Capitol. He was permanently banned from Twitter and remains suspended by Facebook until at least 2023 and by Alphabet's YouTube until the company determines the risk of violence has decreased. 
 
Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington said that joining Rumble was in addition to the former president's plan to start his own platform, rather than a replacement for this plan. Trump, who earlier this month shut down his recently-launched blog, has not given details on the proposed platform. 
 
"It is a great way to reach the American people in a time of unprecedented assault on free speech in our country by Big Tech tyrants," Harrington said in an email to Reuters. 
 
Rumble Chief Executive Officer Chris Pavlovski confirmed Trump's verified account had been set up on the site but declined to comment further. Trump advisor Dan Scavino tweeted that Trump's Ohio rally would be live-streamed on the platform. 
 
Rumble, which was launched in 2013 by Canadian tech entrepreneur Pavlovski as an alternative YouTube-style site, has become popular with US&nbsp;conservatives. 
 
Billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel and JD&nbsp;Vance, the author of 'Hillbilly Elegy', are investors in the platform. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Former US President Donald Trump joined video platform Rumble on Saturday, the same day he will take the stage at a campaign-style rally in Ohio, his first such event since the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Former US President Donald Trump joined video platform Rumble on Saturday, the same day he will take the stage at a campaign-style rally in Ohio, his first such event since the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. Trump lost his social media megaphone earlier this year when he was blocked by a slew of platforms after his supporters stormed the Capitol. He was permanently banned from Twitter and remains suspended by Facebook until at least 2023 and by Alphabet's YouTube until the company determines the risk of violence has decreased. Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington said that joining Rumble was in addition to the former president's plan to start his own platform, rather than a replacement for this plan. Trump, who earlier this month shut down his recently-launched blog, has not given details on the proposed platform. "It is a great way to reach the American people in a time of unprecedented assault on free speech in our country by Big Tech tyrants," Harrington said in an email to Reuters. Rumble Chief Executive Officer Chris Pavlovski confirmed Trump's verified account had been set up on the site but declined to comment further. Trump advisor Dan Scavino tweeted that Trump's Ohio rally would be live-streamed on the platform. Rumble, which was launched in 2013 by Canadian tech entrepreneur Pavlovski as an alternative YouTube-style site, has become popular with US conservatives. Billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel and JD Vance, the author of 'Hillbilly Elegy', are investors in the platform. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump joins video platform Rumble ahead of Ohio rally

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