WORLD

US and Chinese officials have exchanged sharp rebukes in the first high-level talks between the Biden administration and China, taking place in Alaska. Chinese officials accused the US of inciting countries “to attack China”, while the US said China had “arrived intent on grandstanding”. Relations between the two superpowers are …

Police in the US state of Georgia have identified four of the eight people who were killed in mass shootings at three massage parlours in the Atlanta area. Officials say it is still too early to know whether the attack, in which six Asian women were killed, was racially motivated. …

Two African countries have been included in the United Kingdom’s latest coronavirus red list of countries – they are Ethiopia and Somalia. They join 13 others African countries that continue to be on the said list. Meanwhile, Mauritius has been taken off the list according to a March 15 statement …

Eight people, including at least six Asian women, have been killed in shootings at three different spas in the US state of Georgia. Police said four people were killed at a massage parlour in Acworth, a suburb north of Atlanta, and four more at two spas in the city itself. …

The Netherlands has become the latest country to suspend use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine over concerns about possible side effects. The Dutch government said the move, which will last until at least 29 March, was a precaution. The Republic of Ireland earlier made a similar decision over reports of …

The US senators for New York joined growing calls for Andrew Cuomo to resign as a seventh woman came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against the governor. Fellow Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Mr Cuomo had “lost the confidence” of New Yorkers. Six women have accused Mr …

President Joe Biden has said he is hopeful that America can “mark independence” from Covid-19 on 4 July if people get vaccinated. In his first primetime address as president, Mr Biden said he would order states to make all adults eligible for vaccinations by 1 May. Current measures prioritise people …

President Joe Biden’s $1.9tn (£1.4tn) relief bill to help Americans deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has cleared its final hurdle in Congress. The House of Representatives approved the massive economic aid plan 220-211 on Wednesday along partisan lines, with no Republicans voting in favour. Having already passed …

Piers Morgan, who prompted a backlash and an investigation from the United Kingdom’s media regulator over his comments about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will depart “Good Morning Britain,” ITV abruptly announced Tuesday. “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” ITV said …

Health systems in most of Brazil’s largest cities are close to collapse due to Covid-19 cases, the country’s leading health institute warns. More than 80% of intensive care unit beds are occupied in the capitals of 25 of Brazil’s 27 states, Fiocruz said. Experts warn that the highly contagious variant …