Politicians

Still no consensus with US on West Bank annexations – Israeli minister

In just three weeks time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to extend Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank in a move that many countries consider illegal.

Brazil threatens to quit WHO, Trump says US beating pandemic

Sometimes called a "tropical Trump", Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has followed a similar script to his US counterpart in his handling of Covid-19. Meanwhile in Europe, badly-hit countries slowly continue on a path toward a post-pandemic normal.

Joe Biden formally wins US Democratic presidential nomination

The former US vice president has effectively been his party's leader since his last challenger in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, ended his campaign in April.

Three former Turkish opposition lawmakers sent to prison

Leyla Guven and Musa Farisogullari of HDP were accused of being members of an armed terror group, while Enis Berberoglu of CHP faced charges of leaking state secrets to a newspaper.

Russia eyeing expansion of military bases in Syria

President Putin tasks Russian defence, foreign ministries to hold talks with Syria on getting additional property.

France and Spain ease virus lockdowns but UK wary

With millions out of work and economies flatlining – including in the United States, where 20 million people lost their jobs in April – governments are desperate to reopen, but most are choosing a gradual approach.

Australian children begin to return to school as virus curbs eased

Students of New South Wales, the most populous state, and the northern state of Queensland began going back to school on a limited basis to lessen the risk of spreading the illness, state leaders said.

Pence spokeswoman tests positive for Covid-19

US President Donald Trump said Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence's spokeswoman and wife of senior aide Stephen Miller, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Peru's opposition leader Fujimori released from prison

Fujimori left the woman's prison in the capital Lima on bail wearing a face mask and white gloves. She had earlier announced on Twitter that she would head straight from the facility to take a coronavirus test.

Brazilians divided on impeachment of President Bolsonaro - poll

Pollster Datafolha found that 48 percent oppose impeaching Bolsonaro while 45 percent of those surveyed want to see him impeached, a difference within the margin of error of the poll.

Australia launches controversial Covid-19 tracking app

The COVIDSafe app uses a phone's Bluetooth wireless signal to store information about people's interactions, and can be accessed by health officials if a person contracts coronavirus.

Trump and Putin issue rare joint statement promoting cooperation

Statement by Trump and Putin comes amid deep strains in US-Russian ties over a raft of issues, from arms control and Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and Syria to charges of Russia spreading disinformation about Covid-19 and US election campaigns.