EU and US to reboot China talks during Blinken visit to Brussels

After announcing coordinated sanctions on China, the US and EU are renewing dialogue how to handle an increasingly assertive Beijing. 

The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Brussels for talks with EU leaders, as well as NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. 

Lucy Hough has more from Brussels. 

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UK marks one year since first Covid-19 lockdown

It's been exactly one year to the day since the UK entered its first coronavirus lockdown. 

On 23rd March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the toughest restrictions on British people's way of life in living memory. 

A year on, the country remains in its third nationwide lockdown. 

From London, Benji Hyer reports.  

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UK UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS BY 0.1%

The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom has fallen by 0.1% in the three months to January - after hitting a five-year high at the end of last year. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics have surprised economists who had predicted more people would be out of work. Laura Makin-Isherwood has more.

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UK: FOREIGN HOLIDAYS COULD STILL HAPPEN

The UK says foreign holidays could still happen this summer - despite an overseas travel ban being extended until July.

Legislation will be voted on this week which runs to July and contains fines for people who travel abroad without good reason.

But ministers are having to clarify the July date is for legislative convenience, and doesn't mean a covid-related ban will necessarily last until then.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says a review into international travel is still due in mid-April, and could allow it to begin resuming from mid-May.

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ADF KILLINGS IN DRC

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The UN refugee agency says nearly 200 people have been killed and thousands of others displaced by rebels in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo since January this year.

The agency has expressed alarm at the surge in attacks against civilians. Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa.

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Germany: Merkel extends lockdown, with tough new measures for Easter

Chancellor Angela Merkel has extended Germany's lockdown. There had been hope the rules might be loosened in time for Easter, but with new Covid-19 cases continuing to spike, Europe's biggest economy will now see it's forced winter hibernation last well into the spring. 

From Berlin, Trent Murray has the details. 

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India's coronavirus 'R' factor highest in a year

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India's "R" factor or reproduction rate of the coronavirus - a statistic used worldwide to track its spread - has risen to the highest since April last year.

Concerns have been growing in India as numbers of daily new infections have increased recently, government data shows, led by the state of Maharashtra in western India, where Mumbai is located.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

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Afghanistan's Foreign Minister on a three day tour to India as peace process continues

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Afghanistan's foreign minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar is visiting India.

During his three-day tour, he's likely to discuss regional cooperation and security frameworks…

Which assume greater importance as the war-torn country navigates its peace process.

Ishan Garg reports.

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10 killed including a police officer in Colorado supermarket shooting

Authorities in Boulder, Colorado have confirmed 10 people have been killed in the shooting at a grocery store, including a police officer.

They also said an individual is in custody.

Our Correspondent Jagruti Dave has the details.

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Multiple fatalities including a police officer in Colorado shooting

Authorities in Boulder in the US State of Colorado say multiple people have been killed in a shooting at a grocery store, including one police officer.

One person is in custody.

Our Correspondent Jagruti Dave has more details.

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Biden advisers reportedly preparing $3tr infrastructure package

Biden Administration officials are putting together a new infrastructure and economic package costing around $3 trillion dollars, according to reports.

The New York Times says the plan could be presented to US President Joe Biden as early as this week.

Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.

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Stocks jump as yields fall

U.S. stocks made a strong start to the trading week fueled by a dip in
bond yields.

Investors were also reacting to more positive news when it comes to
the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

William Denselow reports from New York.


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UK and EU sanction Chinese officials over human rights abuses

The UK and the European Union have imposed sanctions upon a group of Chinese officials over the treatment of Uighur Muslims.

It's believed that around one million Uighurs and minority Muslims have been detained in camps in Xingjiang.

Chris Jones has more in London.

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Report clears Scotland First Minister of breaking ministerial code

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, did not breach the ministerial code over her handling of a high profile sexual harassment case.

That's according to an independent investigation looking into whether the Scottish National Party leader had "attempted to influence" a separate investigation into her predecessor Alex Salmond.

Our UK Correspondent Benji Hyer has more details.  

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US Treasury sanctions two more Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang

The US Treasury has sanctioned two more Chinese government officials over human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

The move comes just days after tense talks between the US and China in Anchorage, Alaska.

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson reports.

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Rallies across US to condemn anti-Asian violence

Demonstrators have held rallies and vigils throughout the US to protest anti-Asian violence.

Last week's killing of six Asian women at an Atlanta spa has sparked increased alarm about the recent surge of attacks.

Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco

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Covid infections rise in several US states despite record vaccinations

New coronavirus infections are rising in several US states - even as vaccinations continue at record levels.

The seven-day average of newly reported cases climbed 2.6 percent on Sunday, according to data from the Washington Post.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington

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New York City high-schools reopen

New York City's high-schools have reopened its doors to students for
the first time since November.

Around 20 percent of the city's high-schoolers are expected to return
but officials hope to expand that figure in the weeks ahead.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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Delhi Cuts Legal Drinking Age From 25 to 21

Delhi will reduce the legal drinking age from 25 to 21 and end government control of liquor stores. 

The move is aimed at increasing tax revenue. 

Sreoshi Mukherjee has more on this story.

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ANC alliance partner wants to see changes

The South African Communist Party does not guarantee their support for the African National Congress during upcoming local elections, unless the ruling party makes an effort to unite its allies. The party’s general secretary insists that any election strategy that is not inclusive of the tripartite alliance, which includes the Congress of South African Trade Unions, will not be acceptable to the SACP. Mark Roughton reports.

 

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