US buys up almost entire world supply of coronavirus drug

The US has bought up almost the entire global supply of one of two drugs proven to treat coronavirus. https://ift.tt/3dNWhQb

'It could get very bad': US could see 100,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, expert warns

The US could soon see 100,000 new cases of coronavirus every day, the country's top infectious diseases expert has warned. https://ift.tt/2NEB9RA

Beijing no longer cares what the world thinks

Behind closed doors, with a unanimous vote, Beijing passed a secret law and imposed its writ on Hong Kong.  https://ift.tt/3ggibNg

EU excludes US from list of countries safe for non-essential travel

The United States has been excluded from the European Union's list of 14 countries now considered safe for non-essential travel. https://ift.tt/3iem4UR

Life in prison for secession, subversion and terrorism under new HK security law

China will punish anyone found guilty of secession, subversion and terrorism in Hong Kong to life in prison under the territory's new national security law. https://ift.tt/2NDXP4y

Afghan army mortars missed Taliban and killed civilians, UN finds

The Afghan army missed a Taliban target and hit a cattle market with mortars, killing tens of civilians, the United Nations has found. https://ift.tt/2BUgE0w

Theresa May told she was 'weak' during phone call with Donald Trump, report claims

Donald Trump "bullied and demeaned" Theresa May during phone calls when she was the prime minister, a report has claimed. https://ift.tt/2VwktQC

Apple's iPhone 12 might be sold without a charger or plug adaptor in the box

Apple could sell the iPhone 12, its first device capable of 5G connections, without headphones, a charger or a plug adaptor in the box. https://ift.tt/2BWq6R1

New swine flu found in pigs in China with 'human pandemic potential'

A new strain of swine flu which has the potential to spread to humans and cause another pandemic has been identified by researchers in China. https://ift.tt/2ZlRXlR

China approves controversial national security law for Hong Kong

China has passed a controversial national security law for Hong Kong despite global opposition to it. https://ift.tt/2Zgc1WM

Belgium's brutal colonialism: Riches that came from Congolese blood

Sixty years ago today the Democratic Republic of Congo gained its independence from Belgium. https://ift.tt/3iczpNv

Greece extends coronavirus travel ban on UK visitors

Greece is extending its ban on UK flights for another two weeks, the country's prime minister has said. https://ift.tt/2Bcv2l6

Cirque du Soleil axes 3,480 jobs - but plans to rehire most

Entertainment company Cirque du Soleil is axing more than 3,000 jobs in a restructuring after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out its revenues. https://ift.tt/2NDI25w

US couple who pointed guns at protesters in video 'were in fear of their lives'

A couple who were filmed pointing guns at protesters in St Louis as the activists marched outside their mansion say they were "in fear of their lives" from an "angry mob". https://ift.tt/31u0w0O

Why some countries have been hit worse by COVID-19

The world has now recorded more than 10 million cases of coronavirus and documented more than half a million deaths as a result of the pandemic. https://ift.tt/3ibk13X

India bans 59 mostly Chinese apps following border clash

India has banned 59, mostly Chinese, apps including TikTok, WeChat and Weibo, its government says.  https://ift.tt/3ifkxy0

Major pro-abortion win as US Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana law

The US Supreme Court has defended abortion rights in Louisiana in the first ruling on the procedure since two Trump appointees joined the court. https://ift.tt/2ZkfLXh

Car bomb and mortar attacks kill 23 at busy market in Afghanistan

A car bombing and mortar shells fired at a busy market in Afghanistan have killed 23 people, including children, officials say. https://ift.tt/2NBLE8g

'Escape the pandemic in paradise': Fiji tries to attract billionaires

Fiji's prime minister is urging billionaires to return to his country's shores for the first time since lockdown. https://ift.tt/2BLS7ej

Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump over killing of top Iranian general

Iran has reportedly issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump over the drone strike that killed a top Iranian general - and has asked Interpol to help detain him. https://ift.tt/2YJbEoy

Ex-French prime minister and his wife found guilty over $1m fraud

French former prime minister Francois Fillon has been found guilty of using public funds to pay his wife and children for work they never performed. https://ift.tt/389EFwV

China forcing birth control on Uighur women to curb Muslim population - report

The Chinese government is forcing Uighur women and members of other minorities to take birth control as part of a campaign to curb its Muslim population, according to a major investigation. https://ift.tt/31yp3l0

Why has China's proposed security law for Hong Kong shocked the world?

China is expected to pass a controversial new national security law for Hong Kong over the coming days. https://ift.tt/2AdF3hb

Beyonce's plea to US voters as she accepts humanitarian award from Michelle Obama

Beyonce has called on fans to "dismantle a racist and unequal system" by getting out and voting, as she was honoured at this year's BET Awards. https://ift.tt/3eJCQsW

Trump: Nobody told me about Russia bounties to attack US troops

Donald Trump has denied he was briefed about Russian efforts to pay bounties to Taliban-linked fighters to kill US troops in Afghanistan. https://ift.tt/2ZjQe0j

Gunmen open fire at Pakistan stock exchange

At least three people have died after gunmen launched an attack at the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Monday morning. https://ift.tt/2AgWX2K

Global coronavirus deaths surpass half a million

Global deaths from coronavirus have surpassed 500,000 in a grim new milestone, as some countries continue to grapple with the first wave. https://ift.tt/2B93j4J

Texas warns coronavirus outbreak has taken 'very swift and very dangerous turn'

The governor of Texas has warned the coronavirus outbreak in the state has taken a "very swift and very dangerous turn". https://ift.tt/38bfZUQ

Boeing jets cleared for test flights after being grounded due to two fatal crashes

Boeing has been given the green light to begin test flights of its 737 MAX fleet, more than a year after the planes were grounded following two devastating crashes in the space of five months. https://ift.tt/2VsA6IJ

Barista 'abused' by customer refusing to wear mask gets $75,000 in donations

A barista who says he was verbally abused by a customer refusing to wear a mask can now pursue his dream of being a dancer after well-wishers donated more than $75,000 (£61,000). https://ift.tt/2AbqsD3

Poland votes in election that could challenge nationalists' grip on power

Voting has begun in a presidential election in Poland that is seen as a measure of support for the country's right-wing government, which has clashed with the EU. https://ift.tt/2ZjDTsT

Thunberg: World leaders want selfies with me so they can 'look good'

Greta Thunberg has voiced her frustration with world leaders who want selfies with her just so they can "look good". https://ift.tt/3i6Ik2Z

Egypt jails belly dancer for debauchery in social media crackdown

An Egyptian belly dancer has been jailed for three years and fined the equivalent of £15,000 for inciting debauchery and immorality. https://ift.tt/31A6eOL

Russia paid Taliban fighters to attack British troops in Afghanistan

Reports that a Russian intelligence unit paid Taliban fighters to kill coalition troops in Afghanistan are true, British security officials have confirmed to Sky News. https://ift.tt/2YC9VBu

L'Oreal to remove words like 'whitening' from all skincare products

L'Oreal is to remove words like "whitening" from its skin care products, the French cosmetics giant has announced. https://ift.tt/3fWKmkq

Six arrested over Banksy artwork stolen from Paris concert hall

Six people have been arrested over the theft of a Banksy artwork from the Bataclan concert hall in Paris. https://ift.tt/31jF1Q5

'The nation is counting on you': CIA's thrilling advert to recruit more diverse candidates

The CIA has launched a recruitment campaign across online video streaming websites, emphasising the value that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds bring to the agency. https://ift.tt/31jumoB

Justin Bieber sues two social media users for $20m over assault claims

Justin Bieber is suing two social media users in a $20m (£16.2m) lawsuit after they accused him of sexual assault. https://ift.tt/2YBYkSP

Outcry as official orders killing of endangered bear that mauled two men

Officials in Italy have issued an order for an endangered bear to be tracked down and killed after it mauled two men, prompting outrage from animal rights groups. https://ift.tt/31jYlMX

The 'taoiseach-in-waiting' finally gets his chance to lead Ireland

Ireland's opposition leader, Micheal Martin, will be elected as taoiseach (Irish prime minister) today in a special parliamentary sitting. https://ift.tt/3dwqLpC

This is what childhood looks like in Yemen - and 'the world must wake up'

Her name is Salwa. She is five years old and weighs just three-and-a-half kilograms. https://ift.tt/3i0Epot

Lucky escape after bomb lands just metres from Kurdistan family

A family in Kurdistan had a narrow escape after bomb landed just metres from where they were playing in a stream. https://ift.tt/2VplpGx

Australian supermarkets restore toilet roll purchase limit after coronavirus spike

Australian supermarkets have reintroduced a cap on toilet paper purchases after a rise in coronavirus cases sparked panic-buying for a second time. https://ift.tt/386BdmM

Spanish researchers say they may have found coronavirus in March 2019 water sample

Spanish virologists believe they may have found traces of COVID-19 in a sample of waste water collected in Barcelona in March of last year. https://ift.tt/3eBWBCN

'We are facing a serious problem': US suffers biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases

The US has suffered its biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases, as America's leading infectious diseases expert admitted parts of the country were "facing a serious problem". https://ift.tt/384G9rY

US 'martyred' Osama bin Laden, Pakistan PM claims

Pakistan's Prime Minister has controversially claimed the US "martyred" Osama bin Laden when they assassinated him in 2011. https://ift.tt/31iy81n

Disney ditches controversial theme of Splash Mountain ride

Disney theme park ride Splash Mountain is being remodelled to remove all references to 1946 movie Song of the South, which is widely viewed as racist. https://ift.tt/3dyNmSn

'Not what the doctor ordered': Microplastics found in fruit and veg

Microplastics have been discovered in fruits and vegetables, with apples and carrots found to be the most contaminated, studies show. https://ift.tt/2YBBr26

Beaten, drugged and exorcised: A woman's story of LGBT persecution

Aminat Lorsanova tried to run away from home five times before she finally made it. https://ift.tt/3eD57Be

Texas halts more reopenings as hospitals hit by 'explosion' in COVID-19 cases

Further phased reopenings of the economy in Texas have been halted as doctors reported an "explosion" in the number of coronavirus patients. https://ift.tt/2Vj3aSO