Hong Kong tightens entry rules amid new COVID-19 outbreaks

Hong Kong is tightening its entry requirements for some new arrivals in a bid to reduce the risk of imported cases of COVID-19. Seven countries are being targeted by the measures, including Singapore, where a recent outbreak has further delayed a much anticipated quarantine-free travel bubble with Hong Kong.

Richard Kimber reports.

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Biden's taxes show 50% decrease in earnings during presidential bid

US President Joe Biden has released his tax returns showing he earned
about fifty percent less last year during his bid for the presidency.

It marks a return to the US tradition of presidents releasing their
returns - a tradition broken by former president Donald Trump.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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Biden stops short of calling for a ceasefire in call with Netanyahu

US President Joe Biden has again stopped short of calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East after another telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But the White House says the President will support one if the Israeli and Hamas agree to lay down their weapons.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Biden expresses support of Israel-Gaza "ceasefire"

In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President
Joe Biden has expressed America's support for a ceasefire, the first
time he's publicly done so.

However, the Biden administration - an ally of Israel - did not demand
an immediate end to the violence that has been raging for more than a
week.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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U.S. stocks fall as inflation fears persist

U.S. stocks lost ground on Monday as inflation concerns continue to
rattle investor sentiment.

The three major indexes all closed down but it's the tech sector that
has again seen the heaviest losses.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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US to Ship Millions More Vaccine Doses Overseas

The US is planning to send an additional 20 million COVID-19 vaccines abroad by the end of June. That's in addition to the 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine the US has committed to sharing by July 4th. 

US Correspondent Rachel Silverman has more. 

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WHO WARNS OF COVAX VACCINE SHORTFALL

The World Health Organization wants manufacturers to bring forward deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines to its COVAX scheme, which is designed to help distribute doses to nations equitably around the world.

At the moment, it faces a 190 million dose shortfall by the end of next month.

Stuart Smith has more from Brussels.

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Long hours at work kills hundreds of thousands

A new study has found that long working hours contribute to the deaths
of hundreds of thousands of people.

According to the World Health Organization, working 55 hours per week
or more can increase the risk of stroke by 35 percent.

William Denselow reports from New York.

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France confirms $1.5bn loan to Sudan at summit in Paris

France has said it will help Sudan settle its debt arrears with the International Monetary Fund by lending it $1.5 billion dollars.

The announcement came at a summit in Paris where heads of state, investors and activists gathered to discuss Sudan's ongoing transition to democracy.

Ross Cullen reports.

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AT&T announces media department merger with Discovery

US telecoms giant AT&T has announced plans to merge its media
department with Discovery to form a new company.

It's expected to rival big streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus.

Sarah Walton reports

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Outcry Over Size of Uganda's New Parliament

SUGGESTED LEAD

Uganda is swearing in a new parliament amid uproar from the public over its size.

529 Members of Parliament, the highest number in the history of the country, started taking oath on Monday. The event will last till Thursday.

Isabel Nakirya reports

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U.S. Supreme Court to hear Mississippi abortion law appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a major abortion case from Mississippi later this year.

The legislation could challenge the landmark Roe versus Wade ruling from the 1970s, which made access to abortion a constitutional right.

Giles Gibson reports from Washington.

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EU, US freeze tariffs in steel dispute

The EU and US have reached a temporary truce in an ongoing dispute over steel and aluminum tariffs.

Both sides say they will resume talks on the issue of overcapacity, which has driven a wedge between the allies for more than two years.

Toni Waterman has more from Brussels.

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COVID restrictions ease in UK -- as PM urges caution

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging caution as much of the UK eases coronavirus restrictions. 

May 17th marks the next stage on the government's roadmap out of lockdown, meaning millions can now socialise indoors and hug loved ones.

The ban on foreign travel has also been lifted.

 

From London, Benji Hyer reports.

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LOCKDOWN EASES IN UK

Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are easing for millions of Britons.

Indoor hospitality is reopening in England, along with museums, cinemas, concert halls and hotels.

It comes despite concerns about the spread of a coronavirus variant first identified in India.

Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng says he also expects the next round of lockdown easing will be able to go ahead as planned in June.

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India braces for Cyclone Tauktae

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India is bracing for Cyclone Tauktae which is expected to hit the county's west coast later today.

The cyclone has already brought strong rains and winds as it moves towards land, destroying houses and uprooting trees, causing at least 6 deaths.

This comes as India continues to grapple with a huge second wave of Covid-19, posing an added challenge for authorities.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai, which is experiencing heavy rainfall as the cyclone passes by its coast.

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Russian court to consider 'extremism' charges against Navalny groups

Prosecutors in Moscow will argue in court on Monday that groups linked to opposition figure Alexey Navalny should be labelled as 'extremist'. The designation would shut down Navalny's political, human rights and anti-corruption organisations. Julia Chapman has more.

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India reports lowest tally of new COVID-19 infections in more than three weeks

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India's reported its lowest daily tally of infections in more than three weeks.

More than 280,000 new cases were recorded…

Significantly lower than the record tally of 414,000 infections in a day...

Fuelling hopes that local lockdowns and vaccination could hold the key to containing the pandemic.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

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Hong Kong halts trading in Jimmy Lai's company shares

The Hong Kong stock exchange has halted the trading of Next Digital shares, after the city's Security Bureau froze assets belonging to its controlling shareholder, the democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Taiwan says the move is a sign that doing business in Hong Kong is increasingly risky. Richard Kimber reports.

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Japan opens reservations for mass vaccination sites

Japan's Defense Ministry began accepting online bookings for coronavirus vaccines for a large-scale vaccination center scheduled to open in Tokyo next week. The government is aiming to speed up vaccinations as infections continue to surge nationwide.

Phoebe Amoroso reports in Tokyo.

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