World News Briefs -- March 29, 2021

Daily Mail: UN chief criticises wealthy countries for stockpiling Covid-19 vaccines as poor countries go without 

 * The UN health agency chief said stockpiling of vaccines was a 'moral outrage' 

 * At least 36 countries are yet to receive any vaccines through the Covax initiative 

 * £435 million is needed to support vaccine delivery around the world 

The World Health Organisation has warned of a widening gap between numbers of coronavirus vaccines in wealthy countries and those distributed to poorer nations through the Covax initiative. 

UN Health Agency Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: 'The gap between the number of vaccines administered in rich countries, and the number of vaccines administered through Covax is growing every single day'. 

Read more .... 

 MIDDLE EAST 

U.S. tries to break Iran nuclear deadlock with a new proposal for Tehran. 

Iran and China sign agreement aimed at strengthening their economic and political alliance. 

Iran says sanctions could force shutdown of nuclear power plant. 

Lebanon 'could sink like Titanic' without new government. 

Lebanon orders probe into torture claims of detained Syrians. 

EU tells Turkey to take back migrants from Greece. 

Turkey tightens COVID restrictions after surge in infections. 

Yemen pilgrimage draws crowds despite war, coronavirus. 

Hamas unveils own list for Palestinian polls. 

Israeli President Rivlin to begin talks on building coalition government. 

 ASIA

Myanmar death toll tops 500 as protesters defy junta's forces. 

Myanmar airstrikes cause thousands to flee across Thailand border. 

Report: Myanmar refugees flee country as Thailand prepares for crisis.

Thai anti-government protesters defy police threat of arrests. 

COVID: 'Double mutant' variant threatens India's pandemic gains. 

Biden does not intend to meet with North Korea's Kim. 

UN in talks with China over 'no restrictions' visit to Xinjiang. 

UN negotiating with China on unfettered access to Xinjiang. 

China will not allow history to repeat itself, Chinese defense minister said during a visit to site of Chinese Embassy in former Yugoslavia. 

China generated over half world's coal-fired power in 2020: study. 

Pakistan continues to grapple with third wave of coronavirus. 

 AFRICA 

Suez Canal traffic resumes after cargo ship Ever Given is moving again. 

Days of terror as militants take over Mozambique town. 

Mozambique's escalating extremist violence a concern for neighbors. 

Three soldiers killed in attacks on Ivory Coast military camps. 

Sudan, rebel group sign agreement paving way for peace. 

Niger leader calls France's Sahel force 'relative failure'. 

France reopens Libya embassy after 7-year closure. 

Aid group steps up for E. Guinea blast victims. 

J&J to deliver up to 400 million Covid vaccines to Africa. 

Barack Obama's Kenyan grandmother dies, aged 99. 

 EUROPE 

Third national lockdown looks inevitable for France in blow to Macron as cases rise sharply in wake of EU vaccine failure. 

COVID: Angela Merkel vows to take tough action. 

UK eases lockdown but nervously eyes European virus surge.

Belarus investigates opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya for terrorism. 

Blinken says up to Nord Stream 2 builders whether to finish pipeline. 

Armenia PM confirms he will step down to allow early election. 

Brexit: Spain denies reports it will round up and deport Britons without visas. 

Pope sends Julian Assange personal message to his jail cell, partner says. 

 AMERICAS 

CDC chief warns U.S. headed for ‘impending doom’ as Covid cases rise again: ‘Right now I’m scared’ 

CDC director warns of 'impending doom' as Covid-19 cases spike in most states. 

Biden says 90% of U.S. adults will be eligible for Covid shots by April 19 with sites within five miles of home. 

White House commits to releasing Biden health report, provides no timeline. 

US won't quickly lift Trump tariffs on China. 

Covid-19: Mexico revises coronavirus death toll up by 60%. 

Worst may lie ahead for Brazil in coronavirus pandemic with deaths poised to pass US total. 

Brazil's foreign minister quits over COVID diplomatic errors. 

Venezuela wants to pay for vaccines with oil. 

Facebook freezes Maduro's page over Covid claim. 

Prosecutor tells jury that ex-Minneapolis officer betrayed badge in fatal arrest of George Floyd. 

Chinese diplomat calls Justin Trudeau 'running dog of US' as tensions escalate. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Isis claims deadly attack in northern Mozambique. 

Kurdish-led campaign under way to rid al-Hol camp of IS. 

Pro-IS terror network behind Indonesian cathedral suicide bombing. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

S&P 500 ends a hair lower; hedge fund default concerns hit banks. 

Oil rises as traders expect OPEC+ to hold output cuts. 

Asian shares head higher, oil falls as Suez Canal ship re-floated. 

Hedge fund failure slams Credit Suisse, Nomura and other banks. 

Historic Amazon union drive set to conclude. 

Exclusive: Visa moves to allow payment settlements using cryptocurrency.

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