Saturday, May 1st, 2021
Nigeria university shuts hostels over security threats
A university in central Nigeria has closed all its students’ hostels over security threats, an official said. Abdullahi Abdullahi, the deputy registrar of the University of Jos in the Plateau state, said the decision was taken following reports of security threats to the university staff, students, and properties. He urged students and staff to comply with the directive and remain cautious. Nigeria has witnessed increasing terror attacks on schools, the kidnapping of students, and banditry in recent months. On Friday, President Mohammadu Buhari held an emergency security meeting with serviceRead More
India’s daily COVID-19 cases pass 400,000 for first time as second wave worsens
NEW DELHI – India posted a record daily rise of 401,993 new coronavirus cases on Saturday as the country opened up its massive vaccination drive to all adults, although several states warned of acute shortages. It was the first time India’s daily case count had topped 400,000 after 10 consecutive days over 300,000. Deaths from COVID-19 jumped by 3,523 over the past 24 hours, taking the total toll in India to 211,853, according to official data. The world’s biggest producer of COVID-19 vaccines has a limited number of shots available, worsening a grim second wave of infections that hasRead More
South Asians at greater risk in 2nd virus wave in UK
The UK’s South Asian community is at greater risk during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the country’s other ethnic minorities, a new study has revealed. The study, published in The Lancet medical journal on Saturday, found that all ethnic minority groups in the UK were disproportionately affected during the first wave of the pandemic. However, these differences narrowed during the second wave, as South Asians were found to be more likely to contract the virus. “It’s concerning to see that the disparity widened among South Asian groups. This highlights anRead More
Iran nuclear talks will resume on Friday, Russian envoy says
TEHRAN – Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on bringing both sides fully back into compliance with Iran’s nuclear deal will resume on Friday, the head of Russia’s delegation said on Saturday. “It will reconvene once again next Friday,” Russia’s ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Mikhail Ulyanov, told reporters after a meeting of the remaining parties to the deal that wrapped up the third round of talks.
Malaysia’s Mahathir granted lifetime achievement award
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia‘s longest-serving former prime minister was honored with a lifetime achievement award at a virtual event on Friday that also featured a special lecture by him. The Sinan Wren Foundation, a thought leadership organization based in Turkey and the UK, hosted Mahathir Mohamad for its annual Shaykh Ahmad Al Sirhindi Ramadan Lecture. “Muslim countries should ensure good governance,” said Mahathir, whose tenure as premier in the 1980s saw a steep rise in Malaysia’s socioeconomic development. “It is because of the good governance that the [Muslim] countries will progress,” he added.Read More
Turkey marks Labor Day in shadow of pandemic
ANKARA – Turkey‘s president and top officials on Saturday marked Labor and Solidarity Day. “I congratulate my fellow workers, who make our country grow while breaking a sweat, on May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Twitter, sharing the link of his message marking the day issued on Friday. Vice President Fuat Oktay greeted workers and laborers who “make the greatest contribution to the growth and development of our country,” on Twitter. Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also took Twitter to mark the day, saying: “We have been withRead More