JAKARTA: Developing countries must have ‘equal access’ to future Covid-19 vaccines, Indonesia’s foreign minister warned, as wealthy nations scoop up billions of doses. Retno Marsudi said it was crucial for rich and poor nations to work together so “we can guarantee equal access to a safe and affordable vaccine”. “Can
NEW DELHI: One of India’s top jewellery retailers has withdrawn an advert featuring an interfaith baby shower after a vicious backlash on social media by Hindu hardliners who said it glorified “love jihad”. Critics of the withdrawal said it exemplified the atmosphere of religious intolerance towards minorities that has grown
ALMATY, Kazakhstan: A three-person crew successfully reached the International Space Station on Wednesday aboard a Russian rocket after the fastest ever journey from Earth of just over three hours. The mission of the Soyuz space craft carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one Nasa astronaut was of immense importance to Russia’s
BRISBANE (Australia): Australia is notorious for its venomous spiders, snakes and sea creatures, but researchers have now identified “scorpion-like” toxins secreted by a tree that can cause excruciating pain for weeks. Split-second contact with the dendrocnide tree, a rainforest nettle known by its indigenous name gympie-gympie, delivers a sting far
Richest 1%’s emissions twice that of poorest 50% PARIS: The richest one percent of people are responsible for more than twice as much carbon pollution as the poorest half of the world’s population — 3.1 billion people — new research showed. Despite a sharp decrease in carbon emissions due to
BEIJING: China has signed up to a deal to ensure future Covid-19 vaccines are distributed to developing countries, the biggest economy yet to join the World Health Organisation-led bid to control the pandemic. The COVAX pledge to get vaccines to poorer nations as soon as they are developed aims to
From selling street food to playing with top stars in the Indian Premier League NEW DELHI: Teenage batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal sold street food and lived in tents to pursue his cricket dream, and now he is playing with top stars in the Indian Premier League. The 18-year-old left-hand batsman
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: China would not have exclusive access to a Cambodian naval base, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday, despite Beijing chipping in for upgrades after a US-funded facility was razed at the site last month. The Ream base is strategically located in the Gulf of Thailand, providing ready
HELSINKI, Finland: Prime Minister Sanna Marin faced a quieter day than usual on Wednesday after handing power to a 16-year-old as part of a campaign to promote girls’ rights. Aava Murto, from Vaasky in southern Finland, said she was having an “exciting day” as she faced media on the steps
WASHINGTON: The US commander-in-chief has Covid-19 and the top military brass are isolating as the coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the national security establishment of the most powerful nation in the world. As Covid-19 breached the walls of the Pentagon, the Defense Department was quick to stress on Tuesday