First Thing Archives - North India Kaleidoscope

First Thing: the US is a Covid ‘leader’, but not in the way Trump thinks

White House press secretary says ‘the world is looking at us as a leader’ as the US approaches 3m infections. Plus, Facebook faces its biggest boycott

Coronavirus: India is turning to faster tests to meet targets August 7, 2020
With coronavirus cases rising sharply, India has turned to rapid testing kits. But how reliable are they?
Sushant Singh Rajput: Mystery and voyeurism around Bollywood star's death August 7, 2020
The investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput's death has taken several twists and turns.
Kerala plane crash: 17 dead after Air India plane breaks in two at Calicut August 7, 2020
The plane had 190 people on board and was repatriating Indians stranded by the coronavirus crisis.
China sentences another Canadian to death on drugs charges August 7, 2020
As relations between the countries remain fraught, the man has been accused of producing ecstasy.
India landslide: Dozens feared dead after flooding in Kerala August 7, 2020
Up to 20 houses are buried under debris in the state of Kerala, with rescue efforts under way.
TikTok threatens legal action against Trump US ban August 7, 2020
The Chinese firm says it is "shocked" by an order for US companies to stop doing business with the app.
Sri Lanka election: Rajapaksa brothers tighten grip on power August 7, 2020
Brothers transform expected win into stunning rout of the opposition, writes Anbarasan Ethirajan.
Coronavirus: How India breached the two million mark August 7, 2020
Experts blame a hastily enforced lockdown, patchy testing and ineffective safety measures.
Sri Lanka election: Rajapaksa brothers win 'super-majority' August 7, 2020
The victory for the Sri Lanka People's Front seals the Rajapaksa brothers' grip on power.
Hong Kong: Joshua Wong among 24 charged over Tiananmen vigil August 7, 2020
The annual vigil had been banned for the first time in 30 years, with officials citing coronavirus rules.
World's remotest Irish bar: 'We will survive Covid' August 7, 2020
It has been closed since April, you can’t reach it by car, and it's a two-day hike from the nearest airport.
'It took 32 years, but I finally found my kidnapped son' August 7, 2020
After Li Jingzhi's son went missing in 1988 she dedicated her life to searching for him. He was found in May this year.
Cosplay and Covid: Video gamers defy the virus August 6, 2020
Video game meet-up ChinaJoy was one of the first big shows staged in China since the pandemic began.
Kashmir: ‘Safety is a concern but I have to express myself’ August 6, 2020
Artists, poets and journalists feel that freedom of expression is under attack in Kashmir.
Zarka's husband sliced off her nose. A surgeon offered to restore it for free August 6, 2020
A young Afghan woman suffered a brutal domestic assault, but surgery gave her a ray of hope.
Hiroshima bomb: The day Michiko nearly missed her train August 5, 2020
The horrors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb are laid bare through the story of one woman's life.
What is the 'sovereign citizen' movement? August 5, 2020
Anti-government activists who believe they are immune from the law are a worldwide threat, experts say.
The Kashmiris waiting for their loved ones to come home August 4, 2020
A year after Indian-administered Kashmir lost its special status, thousands still languish in jail.
China Uighurs: A model's video gives a rare glimpse inside internment August 4, 2020
Seven months ago Merdan Ghappar disappeared in Xinjiang. Then his family started getting messages.
India coronavirus: Helping deaf people get crucial Covid information August 4, 2020
A group of volunteers in India are interpreting Covid-19 information into sign language.

US election 2020: China, Russia and Iran 'trying to influence' vote August 8, 2020
Russia wants a second term for President Trump while China does not, a US intelligence chief says.
US Congress' last-ditch talks on virus stimulus fail August 7, 2020
With benefits expired for millions of jobless and mass evictions looming, lawmakers go on holiday.
MV Wakashio: Ship aground off Mauritius begins leaking oil August 7, 2020
Mauritius declares a state of emergency after Japanese-owned carrier MV Wakashio starts leaking oil.
Week in pictures: 1 August-7 August 2020 August 7, 2020
A selection of remarkable images taken around the world this week.
Coronavirus: India is turning to faster tests to meet targets August 7, 2020
With coronavirus cases rising sharply, India has turned to rapid testing kits. But how reliable are they?
Beirut explosion: Families search for missing loved ones August 7, 2020
Families in Beirut are still desperately seeking news of missing loved ones.
Sushant Singh Rajput: Mystery and voyeurism around Bollywood star's death August 7, 2020
The investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput's death has taken several twists and turns.
Cambodia's 'Rubbish School' where kids pay with plastic August 7, 2020
With no tourists because of the pandemic, a guide in Cambodia is instead teaching English
Coronavirus in South Africa: Why the vuvuzelas fell silent August 7, 2020
The country's fight against Covid-19 was initially celebrated, but the public mood has now soured.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid: Pep Guardiola's side win 4-2 on aggregate August 7, 2020
Manchester City reach the Champions League quarter-finals after knocking out record 13-time winners Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate.
The Greatest Showman: The story of Cardiff's giant August 7, 2020
How a giant went from the slums to being the Queen's bodyguard and an American circus star.
Coronavirus severely restricts Antarctic science August 7, 2020
Keeping Covid out of Antarctica means little research will be done on the continent in 2020-2021.
'This feels like Man City's time in the Champions League - now they must deliver' August 7, 2020
The manner of their victory over Real Madrid suggests this could be the big moment in the Champions League for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
Ronaldo scores twice but Juventus knocked out by Lyon August 7, 2020
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 129th and 130th Champions League goals but Lyon knock Juventus out of the Champions League.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: South Dakota town ready to welcome 250,000 bikers August 7, 2020
The South Dakota rally could be one of the largest public gatherings since the pandemic began.
Chelsea want to raise £65m for Rice bid - Saturday's gossip August 7, 2020
Chelsea to raise £65m to sign West Ham's Rice, Barcelona to bid £14m for Man City's Garcia, Havertz could arrive at Chelsea next week, plus more.
Kerala plane crash: 17 dead after Air India plane breaks in two at Calicut August 7, 2020
The plane had 190 people on board and was repatriating Indians stranded by the coronavirus crisis.
Ningaloo Reef: Second woman injured by whale at Australia tourist hotspot August 7, 2020
She is the second person in less than a week to be injured by a humpback whale at Ningaloo Reef.
Three teams to appeal against Racing Point punishment in copying row August 7, 2020
Ferrari, McLaren and Renault say they will appeal against the decision to punish Racing Point in Formula 1's "copying" controversy.
Fabio Jakobsen out of coma and in good condition - Tour of Poland August 7, 2020
Dutch rider Fabio Jakobsen is out of a coma and in a "good" condition, according to the Tour of Poland organisers.