Pope Francis met influential Shiite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Saturday, on the second day of a historic visit to Iraq, dpa reported.

The race to roll out vaccination passports is spurring competition among travel companies and tourist destinations for the large number of Britons set to receive COVID-19 shots before the summer.

The United States’ trade deficit increased in January as goods imports jumped to a record high amid a sharp rebound in consumer spending, offsetting a continued recovery in exports.

Switzerland unveiled a 1 billion Swiss franc ($1.08 billion) plan on Friday to offer free coronavirus tests for its entire population as part of measures to ease the country’s exit from COVID-19 restrictions.

Protesters in Lebanon burned tires and closed several major roads on Thursday as the severe economic crisis gripping the country continued to spiral out of control with no progress on the formation of a new Cabinet.

China is increasing its defence spending by 6.8% in 2021 as it works to maintain a robust upgrading of the armed forces despite high government debt and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on Friday to urge the country’s dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his first-ever papal visit.

Australia's PM Scott Morrison on Friday played down the impact of Italy's landmark decision to block the export of 250,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses due to be delivered, AFP reported. He insisted the blocked shipment of the AstraZeneca jabs was understandable and would not affect Australia's vaccine programme.

The Kosovo’s Election Commission released on Thursday the final results from the early general election, held on 14 February. According to them a left-wing party has garnered the most parliamentary seats, but has fallen short of an absolute majority that would have enabled it to form a government on its own, AP reported.

Instead of finishing your leftovers, you let them go bad and buy takeout. It’s a familiar routine for many - and indicative of habits that contribute to a global food waste problem that a new United Nations report says needs to be better measured so that it can be effectively addressed.