China digital currency trials show threat to Alipay, WeChat duopoly
SHANGHAI — In China’s commercial hub Shanghai, six big state banks are quietly promoting digital yuan ahead of a May 5 shopping festival, carrying out a political mandate to provide consumers with a payment alternative to Alipay and WeChat Pay.
European Union will let vaccinated Americans visit this summer — official
WASHINGTON — A top European Union official said Sunday that Americans who have been vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should be able to travel to Europe by summer, easing existing travel restrictions.
UK lawmakers call for PM Johnson to publish big pharma lobbying messages
LONDON — British lawmakers on Monday called on the government to publish all communications with pharmaceutical companies to understand if private lobbying influenced its opposition to a waiver of intellectual property rules for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.
For China’s property developers, Hong Kong is becoming Shenzhen’s backyard
HONG KONG — Chinese property developers have turned their sights to Hong Kong’s border districts as mainlanders from neighboring boomtown Shenzhen consider parts of the former British colony as a more affordable long-term housing prospect.
US to provide vaccine components, medical supplies as India battles COVID-19 spike
WILMINGTON — The United States will immediately send raw materials for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, medical equipment, and protective gear to help India...
EU blames China for endangering peace in the South China Sea
BEIJING — The European Union (EU) called out China on Saturday for endangering peace in the South China Sea and urged all parties to abide by a 2016 tribunal ruling which rejected most of China’s claim to sovereignty in the sea, but which Beijing has rejected.
Myanmar people slam ASEAN-junta consensus to end violence, but no immediate protests
People in Myanmar on Sunday criticised an agreement between the country’s junta chief and Southeast Asian leaders to end the violence-hit nation’s crisis, saying it fell short of restoring democracy and holding the army accountable for hundreds of civilian deaths.
U.S. racing to send aid to India as COVID-19 cases soar
By Andrea Shalal
WILMINGTON, Del. - The United States is deeply concerned by a massive surge in coronavirus cases in India and will race additional support to...
Japan to open large vaccination centers in Tokyo, Osaka – media
TOKYO - The Japanese government is planning to open large vaccination centres in Tokyo and Osaka in the coming weeks in a bid to...
India asks Twitter to take down some tweets critical of its COVID-19 handling
By Kanishka Singh
The Indian government asked social media platform Twitter to take down dozens of tweets, including some by local lawmakers, that were critical of India's...
Half of British population has had first COVID-19 vaccine
LONDON - The United Kingdom has reached another COVID-19 vaccination milestone with over half of the population having had at least one injection, health...
U.S. administers 225.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines – CDC
The United States had administered 225,640,460 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country as of Saturday morning and distributed 290,685,655 doses, the U.S. Centers...