US to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says
WASHINGTON — The US Department of Justice is elevating investigations of ransomware attacks to a similar priority as terrorism in the wake of the Colonial Pipeline...
‘COVID-19 zero’ brings maximum travel pain for Asia
FRESH coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks and lockdowns have further delayed an international travel revival in Asia, where movement remains tightly restricted even in places where the virus has been contained.
Russian media outlet shuts down after being labelled ‘foreign agent’
MOSCOW — Russian news website VTimes said on Thursday it was closing after being designated a “foreign agent” by the authorities last month in a widening crackdown on media critical of the Kremlin.
Coronavirus restrictions shutter thousands of Bangkok restaurants
BANGKOK -— When restaurant owner Chirayu Na Ranong heard the Thai government announce new coronavirus restrictions in Bangkok in April, he burst into tears.
Taiwan health ministry to get $2.9 billion boost to fight COVID-19
TAIPEI - Taiwan's health ministry will receive an extra T$79.2 billion ($2.87 billion) in spending to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including buying vaccines, the...
UK, Australia hold further talks in bid to strike trade deal within weeks
By Colin Packham
CANBERRA - Britain and Australia held another round of talks to progress a free trade deal, the British envoy said on Thursday, as both...
India signs deal with domestic vaccine maker Biological-E for 300 million doses
BENGALURU - India's government said on Thursday it has inked a deal with domestic vaccine maker Biological-E for 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for...
Sinovac vaccine cleared for wider global use by the WHO
CHINA’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd. received long-awaited World Health Organization (WHO) authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for a wider rollout of the controversial shot in countries scrambling for a supply of immunizations.
Cities urged to build upwards but ditch skyscraper obsession
TALLER BUILDINGS are key to enhancing quality of life as the world’s urban population grows, but cities should not become obsessed with skyscrapers and must prepare for horizontal expansion as newcomers arrive, the World Bank said on Wednesday.
US to detail global distribution plan for 80M vaccine doses
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — The United States will announce in the next two weeks how it plans to distribute 80 million coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses it has pledged globally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.
Malaysia’s AirAsia X gets shareholder go-ahead for restructuring plan
KUALA LUMPUR — AirAsia X Bhd. shareholders have approved the Malaysian budget airline’s debt restructuring, it said on Tuesday, allowing it to pursue a scheme it viewed as key to survival.
Japan to donate additional $800 million, vaccines to WHO’s COVAX body — media
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is planning to pledge an additional $800 million to the World Health Organization’s COVAX program, which provides coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines to countries in need, the Mainichi newspaper reported on Wednesday.