Delta spreads in Sydney as Australia widens COVID-19 restrictions
By Renju Jose
SYDNEY - Australian officials warned Sydney residents on Friday to brace for a surge in COVID-19 cases after the country's largest city logged record...
U.S. FTC says Facebook misused privacy decree to shut down ad research
WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission criticized Facebook Inc on Thursday for making "misleading claims" to explain why it had...
US plans to require COVID-19 vaccine for tourists
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is developing a plan to require nearly all foreign visitors to the United States to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as part of eventually lifting travel restrictions that bar much of the world from entering the United States, a White House official told Reuters on Wednesday.
Japan expands COVID-19 curbs as surges strain hospitals
TOKYO — Japan decided on Thursday to expand its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency restrictions to cover more than 70% of the population, as a surge in cases strains the medical system in the Olympics host city Tokyo and elsewhere.
US approves potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan — Pentagon
WASHINGTON — The US State Department approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
Biden plans shift in arms export policy to favor human rights — sources
WASHINGTON — US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s administration is preparing an overhaul of arms export policy to increase the emphasis on human rights, a departure from former President Donald J. Trump’s prioritization of economic benefits to US defense contractors, four people familiar with the initiative said.
Sydney suffers worst pandemic day as lockdown nears six weeks
SYDNEY — Sydney reported its worst day of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Thursday with five deaths and a record rise in locally acquired infections as a weeks-long hard lockdown is struggling to contain the highly contagious Delta strain of the coronavirus.
Global COVID-19 cases surpass 200M as Delta variant spreads
Coronavirus cases worldwide surpassed 200 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the more-infectious Delta variant threatens areas with low vaccination rates...
Singapore’s Lee urges China, US to stem deteriorating ties
SINGAPORE Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong again warned the US and China to deescalate tensions, saying both powers presumed incorrectly they would win in any conflict.
Delta’s spread seen pushing herd immunity threshold above 80%
THE SPREAD of the Delta coronavirus variant has pushed the threshold for herd immunity to well over 80% and potentially approaching 90%, according to an Infectious Diseases Society of America briefing on Tuesday.
New York becomes first US city to order COVID vaccines for restaurants, gyms
NEW YORK — New York City will become the first major US city to require proof of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination at restaurants, gyms, and other businesses, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday, as the nation grapples with the rapidly spreading Delta variant.
Harris to push back on China’s South China Sea claims during Asia trip
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala D. Harris will focus on defending international rules in the South China Sea, strengthening US regional leadership and expanding security cooperation during her trip to Vietnam and Singapore this month, a senior White House official told Reuters.