US DOJ repatriates another US$452 million in 1MDB funds to Malaysia

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has repatriated US$452 million in misappropriated funds from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), it said in a statement, bringing the total amount recovered from the corruption scandal to US$1.2 billion. The funds, which were repatriated to Malaysia, had been laundered through…

Covid-19: Philippine capital back in lockdown over Delta variant fears

Filipinos waiting for free vaccination against the coronavirus disease at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila MANILA, Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Philippine capital Manila returned to lockdown on Friday as authorities sought to slow the spread of the hyper-contagious Delta variant and ease pressure on hospitals while trying to avoid crushing…

EU diplomats visit West Bank village amid increasing Israeli-Palestinian conflicts

RAMALLAH (Palestine), Aug 6 (NNN-XINHUA) — A group of diplomats from European countries paid a visit on Thursday to the West Bank village Beita as conflicts and violence between local Palestinians and Israeli forces continued to increase in the area. “The European Union (EU) and like-minded countries visited Beita village…

Update: Evacuation orders widened as California fire spreads

 GREENVILLE (California, US), Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Evacuation orders were widened as California’s biggest wildfire raged through the state’s tinder-dry landscape, laying waste to hundreds of square kilometers. The Dixie Fire is already the sixth biggest in the state’s history, and was still spreading thanks to gusting winds and record-low…

Tropical storm heading for Tokyo as Olympics draw to close

A volunteer huddles under an umbrella as play is suspended due to lightning at Oi Hockey Stadium on Friday TOKYO, Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A tropical storm is forecast to hit Tokyo on the last day of the Olympics, organisers said, but did not announce any changes to competition. Japan’s…

US vows support for struggling Pacific islands

 SYDNEY, Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden underscored US support for Pacific island nations battling Covid-19 and the climate crisis as Washington tries to counter China’s expanded influence in the region. In a video message at the opening of a forum of 18 island nations from tiny Nauru to…

Covid-19: Israel doing world a ‘great service’ with booster shots, says PM Bennett

 JERUSALEM, Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel was doing the world a “great service” by administering Covid vaccine booster shots, despite the World Health Organization’s plea for a moratorium. Nearly 60 percent of Israel’s 9.3 million people have had two jabs, mostly of the Pfizer/BioNTech…

Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies

HIROSHIMA (Japan), Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Japan on Friday marked 76 years since the world’s first atomic bomb attack, with low-key ceremonies and disappointment over a refusal by Olympics organisers to hold a minute’s silence. Survivors, relatives and a handful of foreign dignitaries attended this year’s main event in Hiroshima…

South Africa: Pres Ramaphosa makes major cabinet reshuffle after unrest

 PRETORIA, Aug 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa carried out a major cabinet reshuffle covering security posts but also the economy and health following unprecedented unrest over the jailing of his predecessor. Under pressure after last month’s unrest claimed 354 lives, Ramaphosa said he was abolishing the security…

Covid-19: Fully vaccinated people can still transmit virus – US CDC director

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (NNN-XINHUA) — Fully vaccinated people can still transmit the COVID-19 virus, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said. “Our vaccines are working exceptionally well,” Walensky said in a TV interview. The vaccines work well for Delta in a way to prevent…