Worker shortages, seasonal factors change push US weekly jobless claims back to 53-year lows
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, indicating a further tightening of labor market conditions heading...
Ukraine to press for full energy embargo on Russia
BRUSSELS — Ukraine will keep up demands for an oil and gas embargo on Russia after its invasion of the country, the Ukrainian foreign minister said on Thursday, as the European Union (EU) promised a fifth round of sanctions by Friday.
Easy Russia sanctions exhausted, US and allies face economic bite
WASHINGTON — As the world’s wealthy democratic powers roll out new sanctions against Russia in response to horrifying images of executed Ukrainians in the city of Bucha, it has become clear that the easiest options are now exhausted and stark differences have emerged among allies over next steps.
Hong Kong falls ‘off the map’ as aviation hub amid travel curbs
HONG KONG has ceased to function as an international aviation hub as it curbs inbound flights and quarantines arriving passengers, according to a trade group representing hundreds of airlines worldwide.
No evidence to support widespread use of fourth COVID shot — EU agencies
EU HEALTH AGENCIES said on Wednesday there was no evidence to support the use of a fourth dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna in the general population, but they recommend a second booster for people aged 80 and above.
Yellen says Russia should be expelled from G20, US may boycott some meetings
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that Russia should be expelled from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies forum, and the United States will boycott “a number of G20 meetings” if Russian officials show up.
Britain plans nuclear power, offshore wind to boost energy independence
LONDON — Britain will set out a plan to expand nuclear and offshore wind power on Thursday in a drive to bolster its energy independence at a time of surging prices and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
US FBI says it disrupted Russian hackers
WASHINGTON — The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has wrested control of thousands of routers and firewall appliances away from Russian military hackers...
S. Korea’s president-elect wants US nuclear bombers, submarines to return
SEOUL — Advisers to South Korea’s president-elect sought redeployment of US strategic assets, such as nuclear bombers and submarines, to the Korean peninsula during...
Second booster shields elderly from COVID but protection wanes quickly
A FOURTH DOSE of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine lowered rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the elderly but the protection against infection appeared short-lived, a large study in Israel has found.
Obama, Biden reunite at White House to tout Obamacare, new provision
WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama returned to the White House on Tuesday for the first time since leaving office in 2017 to tout the benefits of his signature healthcare law and bolster his friend and former governing partner, President Joseph R. Biden.
U.S., allies ready new Russian sanctions after Bucha killings
By Oleksandr Kozkukhar
LVIV, Ukraine - The United States and its allies on Wednesday prepared new sanctions on Moscow over civilian killings which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described as "war crimes", as heavy fighting and Russian airstrikes...