In a world first, El Salvador makes bitcoin legal tender
SAN SALVADOR — El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender after Congress on Wednesday approved President Nayib Bukele’s proposal to embrace the cryptocurrency, a move that delighted the currency’s supporters.
China arrests over 1,100 suspects in crackdown on crypto-related money laundering
SHANGHAI — Police in China arrested over 1,100 people suspected of using cryptocurrencies to launder illegal proceeds from telephone and Internet scams in a recent crackdown, the Ministry of Public Security said.
Britain’s airlines say extra support needed if travel stays shut
LONDON — Airlines based in Britain have told the government they will need industry-specific support to help them survive if coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rules continue to keep travel markets shut.
Biden warns Russia it faces ‘robust’ response for harmful actions as he begins European visit
MILDENHALL — President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., on Wednesday began his first trip abroad since taking office by hailing America’s unwavering commitment to the NATO alliance and warning Russia it faced “robust and meaningful” consequences if it engaged in harmful activities.
US to donate 500 million Pfizer vaccine doses to the world — sources
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration plans to donate 500 million Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses to nearly 100 countries over the next two years, three sources familiar...
COVID delta variant is dominant in Singapore
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) sequencing in Singapore has revealed the emergence of the delta variant as the country’s major local virus strain, underscoring the highly infectious nature of the mutation that has proliferated globally since its first detection in India.
South Korea’s land speculation scandal roils ruling party
SEOUL — South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party said on Wednesday it was trying to regain public trust by asking 12 lawmakers to leave the party over a property scandal that has alienated voters.
As AI-based loan apps boom in India, some borrowers miss out
As the founder of a consumer rights non-profit in India, Karnav Shah is used to seeing sharp practices and disgruntled customers. But even he has been surprised by the sheer volume of complaints against digital lenders in recent years.
Pandemic propels Auckland to top of EIU’s most livable cities ranking
VIENNA — The coronavirus pandemic has shaken up the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) annual ranking of most livable cities, propelling Auckland to first place, replacing Vienna, which crashed out of the top 10 as the island nations of New Zealand, Australia, and Japan fared best.
Biden Asia chief ‘relatively confident’ on billion vaccine timing despite India crisis
WASHINGTON — President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s Indo-Pacific policy chief said on Tuesday he was “relatively confident” a target for the production of a billion vaccine doses for the region by the end of 2022 would be met, despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in India, where they are due to be made.
Pfizer to test COVID-19 vaccine in larger group of children below 12
Pfizer Inc. said on Tuesday it will begin testing its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in a larger group of children under age 12 after selecting a...
US CDC eases travel recommendations on some 110 countries, including Philippines
WASHINGTON — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has eased travel recommendations for more than 110 countries and territories, including Japan just ahead...