White House to have 30-country meeting on cybercrime & ransomware
The White House will gather officials from 30 nations this month over the growing threat of ransomware and other cybercrimes. An online session hosted by the US will also be aimed at “improving law enforcement collaboration” on issues like “the illicit use of cryptocurrency”. However, it’s unclear which countries would participate or when exactly the meeting would take place.
Philippine President Duterte announces retirement from politics
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced retirement from politics, saying that he will not stand for vice president in next year’s election. “The overwhelming…sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified,” he further said. The Philippines’ constitution only permits presidents to serve for a single six-year term.
US’ coronavirus death toll surpasses 7 lakh-mark
The death toll from coronavirus in the US surpassed seven lakh, according to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker. The US has reported an average of over 2,000 deaths from COVID-19 per day over the past week, a Reuters analysis of public health data showed. The US’ COVID-19 death toll is the highest in the world.
Nigeria gets $400 million from World Bank to buy & deploy COVID vaccines
The World Bank has approved $400 million of additional funds for Nigeria to help procure and deploy COVID-19 vaccinations. This will help Nigeria purchase vaccines for 40 million people, about 18% of its population, and support vaccine deployment to 110 million people, World Bank said. Nigeria has administered nearly seven million vaccine doses to its 200 million citizens so far.
NATO deploys troops on Kosovo-Serbia border amid tensions
A NATO peacekeeping mission was deployed on the Kosovo-Serbia border after bilateral tensions rose due to a dispute over vehicle license plates. Serbs had blocked border crossings over Kosovo’s decision not to allow vehicles with Serbian license plates into the country. Kosovo had claimed the move was in retaliation to a similar measure by Serbia against Kosovo motorists since 2008.
Qatar holds its first legislative elections
Qataris on Saturday began voting in the country’s first legislative elections for 30 seats of the 45-seat Shura Council. The ruling emir will continue to appoint the remaining 15 members of the council. Of the 284 candidates in the fray for the seats, nearly 30 are women, the latest government lists showed.
Ecuador to pardon thousands after 118 die in worst-ever prison riot
Ecuador is planning to pardon up to 2,000 inmates in order to relieve overcrowding at its detention centers after 118 inmates died in the country’s worst-ever prison riot earlier this week, an official said. The government would prioritise elderly, female prisoners and those with disabilities and terminal illnesses for release, Bolivar Garzon, the head of the country’s prison authority, said
