People
Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine 'slows transmission of coronavirus', researchers find
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This is a hugely encouraging study and further reinforces our confidence that vaccines are capable of reducing transmission and protecting people from this bad disease". The effect of dosing interval on efficacy is pronounced, with vaccine efficacy rising from 54.9% with an interval of less than six weeks to 82.4% when spaced 12 or more weeks apart. [Full Article...]
More than 70 homes lost in destructive Perth bushfire
People in a 25km stretch west from Wooroloo to the Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth have been told "it is too late to leave". Western Australia state's Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the number of houses destroyed had jumped to 71 overnight, and conditions would remain hard for firefighters with no rain forecast until Sunday. [Full Article...]
Cabinet approves to develop Colombo Port's West Terminal with Japan and India
Sri Lanka on Tuesday cancelled a deal with India to develop the East Container Terminal at Colombo port with the Adani Group as an investor, reported The Indian Express . The unions took the stand that the proposed deal with India's Adani Group was a sell out of the ECT. "I would like to reiterate the expectation of the Government of India for expeditious implementation of the trilateral Memo... [Full Article...]
Kosovo and Israel Establish Diplomatic Ties, Embassy to Open in Jerusalem
Israel and Kosovo officially established diplomatic relations February 1. During the ceremony, each of the ministers signed three cooperation agreements . The deal also included a pledge by Kosovo to normalise economic ties with erstwhile rival and neighbour Serbia, while the latter vowed to move its embassy to Jerusalem . [Full Article...]
Funeral for Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick
Only four other people have laid in honor in the Capitol's Rotunda previously, according to the House archives website: The Reverend Billy Graham, civil rights icon Rosa Parks, and two other Capitol police officers, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, killed during a shooting rampage at the building in 1998. [Full Article...]
Myanmar coup in backdrop; aerobics teacher stops at nothing [watch viral video]
![Myanmar coup in backdrop; aerobics teacher stops at nothing [watch viral video]](https://www.cp24.com/polopoly_fs/1.5292688.1612298120!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg)
The army's actions have been met with a growing chorus of global condemnation although the options are limited for those nations hoping Myanmar's generals might reverse course. Aung San Suu Kyi was mobbed by gleeful crowds when she visited Thailand in 2012, her first trip overseas after being released from house arrest. [Full Article...]
One dose of United Kingdom vaccine effective for three months
It was signed by the trial's chief investigator. Medical ethicists told Reuters the letter indicates the researchers may not have been transparent with trial participants. The Commission was caught up in a row with AstraZeneca last week, after the company said it could not supply the expected doses on time. Dr Julian Tang, a clinical virologist at the University of Leicester, added: 'D... [Full Article...]
Joe Biden told Republicans $600bln recovery package far too small
Mr. Biden's meeting with Democrats comes a day after a group of 10 Republicans pitched Mr. Biden on a $618 billion proposal during a White House meeting, calling for the administration to quickly pass a bipartisan package. But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Mr. Biden, who didn't take questions during Tuesday's meeting, told Democrats that he thinks the GOP proposal is too small... [Full Article...]