World News Briefs -- March 2, 2021

Daily Mail: States from Massachusetts to Missouri relax more COVID restrictions: Vaccinations near 77 million and daily cases stall at 65K - but health officials warn relaxing rules could lead to a FOURTH surge 

 * The US saw 58,812 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, bringing the 7-day rolling average to 64,795 a day 

 * Another 1,566 Americans died of COVID-19 yesterday, a decrease of just 8% from the prior week. Deaths declined by more than 20% between February 15 and February 22, by comparison 

 * But vaccinations are accelerating, with 1.8 million shots being given a day in the US, where nearly 77 million total doses have been administered

 * Dr Rochelle Walensky, CDC director warned Monday she was 'really worried' that states would reopen amid vaccinations and promising case declines, and turn the case plateau into a fourth wave 

 * States are indeed reopening, with NYC allowing minimal indoor dining, Massachusetts removed capacity caps, and Kansas City, Missouri's bars can now be open during regular business hours 

Despite the accelerating rollout of vaccines in the US - and the addition of Johnson & Johnson's shot - which has seen nearly 77 million Americans get one or more doses, the nation is seeing diminishing declines in new infections, with 58,812 new infections reported Monday. 

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky warned yesterday that she is 'really worried' about states reopening as cases plateau and holes in immunity offer an opportunity for dangerous new variants to derail American progress against the pandemic. 

But that is not stopping states. 

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST 

Iran: Militants attack Revolutionary Guard unit in southeast. 

France, allies to lodge complaint at UN nuclear watchdog over Iran's activities. 

France's Macron tells Iran 'clear gestures' needed to revive nuclear deal. 

US imposes sanctions on two Yemen Houthi rebel commanders. 

Yemen 'step away' from devastating famine: UN. 

RSF files criminal complaint against Saudi crown prince in Germany. 

Lebanon’s embattled currency hits new record low. 

Erdogan promises stronger freedoms, human rights in Turkey. 

Kuwait reappoints oil, finance ministers in new Cabinet. 

 ASIA 

Anti-coup protesters clash with security forces in Myanmar. 

Pentagon concerned by U.N. report indicating possible North Korea nuclear reprocessing. 

Afghanistan: 3 female media workers shot dead. 

Taiwan opposition chief in no rush for China meeting. 

Hong Kong democracy activists' bail hearing enters third day. 

US, Canada hail Taiwan's 'freedom pineapples' after Chinese ban. 

Chinese Australians discriminated against as Canberra-Beijing tensions boil over: Lowy report. 

An extra 200 billionaires were created in China last year as the country's economy outpaced the rest of the world among Covid pandemic. 

Australian economy storms ahead as COVID recovery turns 'V-shaped'. 

 AFRICA 

Amnesty says 'war crimes' committed in Mozambique. 

Jihadis attack town, humanitarian posts in northeast Nigeria. 

Gunmen release nearly 300 schoolchildren kidnapped in Nigeria. 

DR Congo: Parents panic over rumours children will be forcibly vaccinated for Covid-19. 

Africa virus fight boosted as jabs reach Nigeria, DRC and Angola. 

UN seeks $266 mn to feed refugees in Covid-hit E.Africa. 

Blinken presses Ethiopia PM for atrocity probe. 

Algerian students restart weekly protests cut off by virus. 

 EUROPE 

EU, US impose sanctions on Russia over Alexei Navalny poisoning. 

EU, under pressure over vaccine rollouts, considers switch to emergency approvals. 

Germany plans to extend coronavirus lockdown to March 28. 

Coronavirus: Austria and Denmark break ranks with EU on vaccines. 

Coronavirus: AstraZeneca admits huge vaccine shortfall for EU. 

Denmark becomes the first European nation to tell Syrian refugees they must return home, saying the country is now safe. 

Armenian president refuses to sign PM’s repeated motion to dismiss General Staff chief. 

Sarkozy says could take corruption appeal to European human rights court. 

 AMERICAS 

Covid-19 variants could fuel fourth surge in United States, warns CDC. 

Biden: US will have vaccine for all adults by end of May. 

Biden sees faster US vaccine timeline as pharma giants join forces. 

Texas becomes biggest US state to lift coronavirus mask mandate. 

FBI director faces lawmaker frustration over Capitol breach. 

FBI chief Christopher Wray accuses US Capitol attackers of domestic terrorism. 

Covid Brazil variant 'may spread more easily'. 

Venezuela's Guaido, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken discuss 'return to democracy'. 

Ecuador names new health minister after COVID vaccine scandal. 

Guatemala begins reshaping court; corruption concerns grow. 

California crash kills 13 of 25 people crammed into SUV. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

‘Constant fear’: Iraq and Syria face ISIL resurgence. 

Prominent Islamic State leaders killed in Iraq.

ISIS and Al-Qaeda’s Sub-Saharan affiliates are poised for growth in 2021. 

Jamal Khashoggi report spurs 9/11 families to push Joe Biden to release classified documents about the role the Saudis played in the 2001 terror attacks. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Stocks drift lower on Wall Street; yields continue to ease. 

Volvo says all of its vehicles will be electric, sold online by 2030. 

Rio Tinto chairman resigns over Aboriginal site destruction.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3e0hk5G