The Times Of India World
South Africans anxious over pause in use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines
South Africa's decision to suspend the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to preliminary reports of rare blood clots has left the country without any shots as it struggles to combat an aggressive coronavirus variant.
We need to plan: UK travel urges clarity from government
Leaders from Britain's aviation industry joined forces Wednesday to urge the British government to ensure that popular European destinations face the least onerous coronavirus travel restrictions when holidays are allowed again.
Minnesota cop will be charged in shooting of Black motorist
A prosecutor said Wednesday that he will charge a white former suburban Minneapolis police officer with second-degree manslaughter for killing 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright in a shooting that ignited days of unrest and clashes between protesters and police.
Joe Biden's gamble: Will pulling troops revive extremist threat?
At its start, America's war in Afghanistan was about retribution for 9/11. Then it was about shoring up a weak government and its weak army so that Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida could never again threaten the United States. Now it's about over.
Colorado boy dies after taking part in 'blackout challenge'
A 12-year-old Colorado boy who was hospitalized after his family said he tried a TikTok challenge that dared people to choke themselves until they lose consciousness has died. Joshua Haileyesus died last Saturday, according to an obituary published online by Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery in Denver.
Lawyer: Man accused in Texas mass shooting was harassed
The employee accused of opening fire at a Texas cabinet-making company was harassed by his colleagues before he fatally shot one man and wounded five other co-workers, his lawyer said. Larry Bollin remained in a Brazos County jail Wednesday on charges of murder, attempted capital murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from the shootings last week.
French high court clears cardinal of abuse cover-up claims
France's highest court confirmed on Wednesday that the former archbishop of Lyon, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, did not cover up the sexual abuse of minors by a predator priest. The ruling by the Court of Cassation closes a long, emotional drama that brought angst to the Roman Catholic Church, under scrutiny around the world for hiding abuse by its clergy.
German 'inventors' panned over pink period gloves
Two German men who came up with a pink glove to help women dispose of tampons have sparked a backlash on social media, with critics panning the product as useless and sexist. At a menstrual cramp-inducing 11.96 euros ($14.31) for a pack of 48, the Pinky is a plastic glove that doubles as a disposal bag to provide a "discreet solution for pads and tampons", according to the product website.
Kamala Harris planning first trip abroad to Mexico, Guatemala
Vice President Kamala Harris is planning a trip to Mexico and Guatemala as she leads the White House's diplomatic efforts to tackle the migration challenge at the US southern border. Harris told reporters Wednesday that she was "looking forward to traveling, hopefully as my first trip, to the Northern Triangle," with stops in Mexico and Guatemala planned.
Russia says Sputnik V vaccine does not cause blood clots
The developer of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine said on Wednesday its jab did not cause blood clots, a potential side effect that has disrupted rollouts in several Western countries. The United States has recommended pausing its rollout of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after one person out of nearly seven million Americans died from a rare type of clot in the brain following inoculation.
NATO forces to leave Afghanistan together, US says
Foreign troops under NATO command will withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with a US pull-out by September 11, Washington's top diplomat said on Wednesday, after Germany said it would match American plans to leave after two decades of war.
Queen returns to royal duties after husband Prince Philip's death
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has returned to royal duties, four days after her husband Prince Philip - the Duke of Edinburgh's death last Friday. The 94-year-old monarch hosted an audience with Earl Peel for his retirement as he formally stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, in charge of organising royal ceremonies.
Angela Merkel under fire over German Covid-19 lockdown law
German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced opposition on Wednesday to a plan to seek new powers to force coronavirus lockdowns on areas with high infection rates, with the imposition of curfews drawing particular fire given the country's authoritarian past.
Louisiana fraternity brothers pay off former cook's mortgage
About a dozen members of Phi Gamma Delta surprised Jessie Hamilton with the money for her 74th birthday on April 3 in Baker, Louisiana, The Advocate reported. Roughly 90 fraternity members raised $51,765, with each brother donating between $600 and $1,000 on average, the newspaper said.
