varieties - INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR JOURNALISM AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Covid vaccines: EU tussle with UK over AstraZeneca escalates

"This is not about EU v UK. This is a problem with AstraZeneca," claimed an EU diplomat this morning. ...

Afghanistan: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on unannounced Kabul visit

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, weeks before a planned withdrawal of all remaining US troops. ...

Congo-Brazzaville presidential candidate in hospital with Covid-19

The leading opposition candidate in Congo-Brazzaville's presidential election is in hospital with Covid-19, while voting is under way. ...

Covid: France and Poland increase lockdown measures as infections surge

France and Poland have reintroduced partial lockdowns as both countries battle a sharp rise in Covid infections in recent weeks. ...

Icelandic volcano erupts near Reykjavik

A volcano has erupted south-west of Iceland's capital Reykjavik, the country's meteorological office says. ...

Mexico violence: Gunmen kill 13 in ambush on police convoy

At least 13 people have been killed in an ambush on a police convoy by a suspected criminal gang in central Mexico. ...

Putin on Biden: Russian president reacts to US leader's criticism

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hit back after his US counterpart Joe Biden said in an interview that he considered him to be a "killer". ...

Covid: Paris lockdown as France fears 'third wave'

The French capital Paris is set to go into a month-long Covid lockdown as the country fears a third wave. ...

Covid-19: 'No evidence' of AstraZeneca jab problems, says WHO

The World Health Organisation has said there is no evidence that incidents involving blood clots are caused by the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. ...

Cuomo: New York governor defiant as more Democrats tell him to quit

Andrew Cuomo has insisted he will not heed calls to quit as New York governor over allegations of sexual misconduct. ...

Myanmar coup: The 'battle tactics' used in crackdowns on protests

On a busy street in Yangon, police are escorting a man as gunfire crackles in the background. ...

Samuel Paty: French schoolgirl admits lying about murdered teacher

A French schoolgirl has admitted to lying and spreading false claims about a teacher who was murdered last year. ...

Lula: Brazil's ex-President cleared by Supreme Court

Brazil's ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been cleared of corruption by a Supreme Court judge, opening a path to a possible run for the presidency in 2022. ...

Uighurs: Chinese foreign minister says genocide claims 'absurd'

China's foreign minister says allegations his country is carrying out genocide against Muslim ethnic Uighurs are "ridiculously absurd" and "a complete lie". ...

China NPC: Beijing to overhaul Hong Kong electoral system

China's top law-making body has unveiled plans to ensure only "patriots" can govern Hong Kong, as Beijing tightens its grip on the city with changes to the electoral system. ...

New Zealand earthquakes: Tsunami warnings lifted after evacuations

Three earthquakes, including one of the strongest ever to hit the region, struck off the coast of New Zealand on Friday, triggering tsunami warnings that have now been stood down. ...