This day in history

1921 - Canadians Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolated insulin for the first time. It proved an effective treatment for diabetes.

This day in history

1940 - The Battle of Britain began in WWII when at least 70 German bombers attacked docks in south Wales.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says he may not accept 2022 election under current voting system

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday he may not accept the result of a presidential election next year unless the voting system, which uses computers to record votes, is replaced with printed ballots that he favors.

Bahrain becomes latest Arab nation in normalising ties with Israel

Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in agreeing to normalise relations with Israel on Friday, a move forged partly through shared fears of Iran, but one that threatens to leave the Palestinians further isolated.

Covid-19 vaccine will be free for Americans: officials

If a COVID-19 vaccine is proven effective, the US will ensure it's distributed for free to all Americans, officials said Thursday, underscoring there will be no shortcuts on safety.

Kanye West announces 2020 presidential run

Kanye West, the entertainment mogul who urges listeners in one song to "reach for the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud," claimed Saturday he is challenging Donald Trump for the US presidency in 2020.

PIA plane repossessed at Kuala Lumpur while operating flight

A Pakistan International Airlines plane has been held back by Malaysian authorities due to a British court case over the jet’s lease, the airline said on Friday, adding it would pursue the matter through diplomatic channels.

Chinese defence minister suspends visit to Dhaka

Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe has suspended his visit to Dhaka that was scheduled for this week.

Covid vaccine trial volunteer sends legal notice to Serum Institute of India over ‘serious side effects’

A 40-year-old man who took part in the 'Covishield' vaccine trial has alleged serious side effects, including a virtual neurological breakdown and impairment of cognitive functions and has sought Rs five crore compensation in a legal notice to Serum Institute and others, besides seeking a halt to the trial.

Trump leads Biden in Florida, seen as a must-win for the president

The two contenders split the first U.S. states to be projected in the White House race, with conservative states like Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee going to Trump and Democratic-leaning Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia going to Biden, according to projections by television networks and Edison Research. But in Florida, widely seen by voting experts as a must-win state for Trump in his quest for the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, Trump was leading Biden 50.5% to 48.5% based on about 90% of the estimated total votes.

Explainer: The Electoral College and the 2020 U.S. presidential race

In the United States, the winner of a presidential election is determined not by a national vote but through a system called the Electoral College, which allots “electoral votes” to all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on their population.

Hand signals only: How Thais are marshalling mass protests

Thai protesters are learning a whole new language, developed within days to coordinate among crowds of thousands of people at demonstrations that have swollen in defiance of a government ban and despite the arrest of many protest leaders.

New Delhi Covid-19 death cases reported late, inclusion makes figures spike

Indian capital Delhi today recorded a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus deaths due to the inclusion of fatalities that were “reported late”, our New Delhi correspondent reports quoting officials.

Malaysia's ruling party expels ex-PM Mahathir, dissenters

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's ruling party on Thursday terminated the membership of his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad, a move widely seen as an attmept to consolidate power as he faces a possible challenge to his nascent premiership.

Police precinct in flames in US protest over death of black man

A police precinct in Minnesota went up in flames late Thursday in a third day of demonstrations as the so-called Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul seethed over the shocking police killing of a handcuffed black man.

Cyclone Amphan makes landfall in West Bengal

Extremely severe cyclone Amphan today slammed into the coastal districts of West Bengal, India, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At the time of filing this story, there was no immediate reports of loss of lives.