WORLD

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Visitors meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at his country residence must first pass through a walk-through device that sprays them with disinfectant to protect him from the coronavirus, officials said. The measures have provoked anger from some observers, given the authorities have ruled it is safe enough to hold nationwide …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia has finished clearing fuel from the surface of a river hit by a massive diesel spill in the Arctic region, but the full clean-up could take years, officials said Wednesday. After more than 700 people were deployed to clear the pollution, officials said the operation …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Stock markets extended gains Wednesday, although wins were far more modest than the strong rally seen in the previous session, as traders weighed coronavirus treatment and economic recovery hopes against fears of a second wave of COVID-19. In afternoon trading, London and Frankfurt were both up around half a percentage point, …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The UN’s human rights chief urged countries Wednesday to confront the legacy of slavery and colonialism and to make amends for “centuries of violence and discrimination” through reparations. Addressing an urgent debate on racism and police brutality at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Michelle Bachelet called on countries …

Paris, France | AFP |  When human contact needs to be kept to a minimum, robots can save lives and factories. But when the coronavirus crisis is over, will they amplify job losses? It may be a mechanised arm pulling beers in a Seville bar, a dog-like dispenser of hand sanitiser …

Paris, France | AFP |  Half a year after protests which Iran has now acknowledged claimed more than 200 lives, rights groups fear the real toll from the crackdown was far higher and that nobody will be brought to justice. Protests erupted across Iran from November 15-19 after a sudden fuel …

United Nations, United States | AFP |  The UN General Assembly on Wednesday will elect five new members of the Security Council for 2021 and 2022, with battles underway for the Western and African seats. Kenya and Djibouti are facing off for one seat, while in the Western bloc, three nations …

Washington, United States | AFP |  The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to prevent publication of former national security advisor John Bolton’s book, which is expected to provide a damning insider portrait of the White House. The Department of Justice alleged in its suit, filed in federal court in …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Stock markets shot higher Tuesday as investor hopes for a quick economic recovery were fuelled by a massive Federal Reserve stimulus programme and evidence of US consumers flocking back to shops. The rally was rooted also in reports that US President Donald Trump is considering a $1.0-trillion infrastructure investment …

Washington, United States | AFP | The United States plans to give priority to the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions and essential workers once there is a vaccine against COVID-19, a senior Trump administration official said Tuesday. Under Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the US government is aiming to deliver 300 million …