Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Israeli Prime Minister's office says Netanyahu spoke with US President Joe Biden


US President Joe Biden has spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since taking office, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office.

The call between the close allies comes four weeks after President Biden's inauguration.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has more.

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North Korean hackers accused of stealing $1.3 billion

Three North Korean hacker spies have been accused of conspiring to steal and extort more than $1.3 billion in cash and cryptocurrency from banks and businesses around the world.


The US Justice Department unsealed the charges on Wednesday.


Kate Fisher reports from Washington


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Conservative Icon Rush Limbaugh Dead at Age 70

Conservative and controversial talk radio pioneer Rush Limbaugh has died of lung cancer, at age 70. 

Limbaugh was a towering figure in US conservative politics. 

Rachel Silverman has this report from Oakland. 


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Retail sales smash Wall Street expectations

Retail sales smashed Wall Street estimates last month with gains seen
across every major category.

Analysts expect the U.S. economy to get off to a sluggish start this
year but stimulus checks helped fuel a surge in spending.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Drop in Number of New Cornavirus Cases Reported

The number of new coronavirus cases reported across the globe has declined by 16 percent over the past week. 

According to the World Health Organization, there's also been a ten percent reduction in the number of global deaths. 

Rachel Silverman has this report from San Francisco. 



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ECHR DEMANDS RELEASE OF NAVALNY

The European Court of Human Rights is demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison earlier this month.

Mr Navalny says the charges are politically motivated and has appealed the sentence.

The Court says Russia must release him as an interim measure, after his lawyer filed an appeal.

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow.

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RUSSIA TO TRIAL “SPUTNIK LIGHT” SINGLE-DOSE VACCINE

Russia's Ministry of Health has given the go-ahead to a Phase III clinical trial of "Sputnik Light" - a one dose alternative to Russia's Sputnik V [vee] Covid-19 vaccine.

The trial will be randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and take place in multiple counties, according to the Ministry.

Stuart Smith reports from Moscow.

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US to pay WHO more than $200M by end-Feb to back Covid-19 fight

The United States will pay the World Health Organisation more than $200 million dollars by the end of the month.


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the intent to pay those dues during a high-level United Nations Security Council on Covid-19.


UN correspondent Liling Tan reports.


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Millions with out power in US winter storms

Millions of people are without power as winter storms have brought
chaos to parts to the United States.

The government says the weather is likely to delay the shipment of
Covid-19 vaccines.

Sarah Walton reports.

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First COVID-19 'human challenge' trials to go ahead in UK

The world's first COVID-19 human trials have been given the green light in the UK.


As part of the study, 90 healthy volunteers will be infected with the virus in a bid to discover more about its effects.


Chris Jones has more in London


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PRINCE PHILIP IN HOSPITAL

Britain's Prince Philip has been admitted to hospital.

Buckingham Palace says it's a 'precautionary measure'.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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New UK Covid trial gets green light as PM Boris Johnson plans lockdown phase-out

The UK has approved the world's first COVID-19 human trials, which will infect young and healthy volunteers with the virus to test vaccines and treatments. 


This comes as the government draws up plans for a route out of lockdown, as Sophie Peachey reports from London.


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Delhi Court acquits lady charged with defamation for accusing minister of sexual harassment

A court in New Delhi acquitted a journalist in a criminal defamation case filed by a former junior minister.

Priya Ramani was slapped with the defamation suit after she accused MJ Akbar of sexually harassing her, during the Me Too movement in 2018.

Sreoshi Mukherjee has more on this story.


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BORIS JOHNSON ‘CONCERNED’ ABOUT DUBAI PRINCESS


The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the government is 'keeping an eye' on investigations into claims a Princess from Dubai is being held against her will.


Friends of Princess Latifa Al Maktoum say she hasn't been in contact for six months. In videos she had accused her father, Sheikh Mohammed - one of the richest heads of state in the world - of holding her hostage.


The UN says it will soon question the UAE about the allegations.


Boris Johnson expressed concern about the situation.


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EU to receive 500million additional doses as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna boost supply for 2021

Pfizer and BioNTech have announced they will supply the European Union with an additional 200million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine this year. 

The EU's 27 member states are now expected to receive 500million doses for the vaccine in 2021. 

The bloc has also signed a deal with US firm Moderna for 300million additional doses. 

Lucy Hough has more from Brussels. 

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Gunmen kidnap unknown number of students and staff from school in northern Nigeria


Gunmen have reportedly abducted an unknown number of students and staff at a school in Niger State, in northern Nigeria.

The kidnapping comes Barely 3 months after, more than 300 school boys were abducted in the same northern region.They were later released by the gunmen

Correspondent Phil Ihaza reports in Abuja


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UK CALLS FOR COVID19 VACCINE CEASEFIRES

The UK is urging ceasefires to be introduced around the globe in order for those living in war zones to receive Covid19 vaccinations.


Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will make the plea to world leaders as  Chair of today's UN Security Council meeting.


Laura Makin-Isherwood has more.


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Generation of young people could forever be defined by coronavirus crisis, fears England’s Children’s Commissioner

Children must be an integral part of the UK's plans to "build back better" after the pandemic, according to England's Children's Commissioner.


In her valedictory address, Anne Longfield is calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to put children, especially the most vulnerable ones, at the "centre stage" of his policies to "level up" the nation.


From London, Benji Hyer reports. 


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UK GOVT DENIES 1000 DAILY CASES TARGET

The UK government's denying it won't ease Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until cases are below 1000 a day.

Media reports suggest that's the level the government wants to see cases at before a significant unlocking takes place.

Cases are currently at over 10 000 per day, although the seven day average is falling rapidly.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to set out plans to ease lockdown on Monday.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says there's lots to take into account.

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German businesses given more handouts to cover lockdown costs

The German Government has offered a new financial lifeline to businesses struggling with the costs of the country's long-running lockdown. 

But while the move has been welcomed by business groups, there's a growing push to get Europe's biggest economy moving again. 

Trent Murray reports from Berlin

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