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26-04-2020 By SJA Jafri + Secret Reports SANA’A/ DUABI/ RIYADH: Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to establish a self-ruled administration in regions under their control in a move the country’s internationally-backed government said would have “catastrophic consequences”. The Southern Transitional Council (STC), in a statement early on Sunday, declared a state …

26-04-2020 By SJA Jafri + Agencies + Bureau Reports LONDON/ PARIS/ NEW YORK: The coronavirus global death toll exceeded the 200,000 threshold, according to a tally by the Johns Hopkins University. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against countries issuing so-called “immunity passports” to those recovered from COVID-19, saying there is …

25-04-2020 Bureau Report MELBOURNE/ WELLINGTON: Thousands of people across Australia and New Zealand have stood outside their homes at dawn to mark Anzac Day, after being urged to pay tribute even amid the coronavirus lockdown. Crowds usually gather for services, but these were cancelled last month amid wider restrictions on …

25-04-2020 By SJA Jafri + Agencies RIYADH/ MEDINA: Saudi Arabia is to abolish flogging as a form of punishment, according to a legal document seen by media outlets. The directive from the Gulf kingdom’s Supreme Court says flogging will be replaced by imprisonment or fines. It says this is an …

24-04-2020 By SJA Jafri + Agencies LONDON/ TEHRAN: The United Kingdom said on Friday that an Iranian satellite launch earlier this week was of significant concern and inconsistent with a United Nations Security Council resolution. “Reports that Iran has carried out a satellite launch – using ballistic missile technology – …

24-04-2020 WASHINGTON: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden predicts American President Donald Trump will try to postpone the country’s November election in an attempt to stay in power. Biden suggested on Thursday that Trump could use the coronavirus pandemic to justify such a move. “Between he and the Russians, there’s going to be …

24-04-2020 By SJA Jafri + Agencies WASHINGTON/ MELBOURNE: US President Donald Trump has been lambasted by the medical community after suggesting research into whether coronavirus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into the body. He also appeared to propose irradiating patients’ bodies with UV light, an idea dismissed by a …

24-04-2020 Bureau Report MELBOURNE: Victorians are being asked to tie blue ribbons outside their homes in tribute to the four police officers killed in the horrific Eastern Freeway crash. Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Josh Prestney died when a semi-trailer truck …

23-04-2020 TEHRAN/ DUBAI/ ISLAMABAD: The leader of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has promised a “crushing response” to any American military attacks in the Gulf after United States President Donald Trump threatened to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian vessels. Iran officials on Thursday also accused Trump of “bullying” and said he should focus on caring for US …

23-04-2020 By SJA Jafri + Agencies GENEVA/ LONDON/ MELBOURNE: The World Health Organization (WHO) warned world leaders Wednesday that they will need to manage around the coronavirus for the foreseeable future as cases level off or decline in some countries, while peaking in others and resurging in areas where the …