UN chief warns world is on the verge of climate ‘abyss’
GENEVA/BRUSSELS — 2020 was one of the three hottest years on record, marked by wildfires, droughts, floods and melting glaciers, a United Nations (U.N.) report said on Monday, prompting the U.N. Secretary-General to say the world stands “on the verge of the abyss.”
Physical inactivity tied to higher COVID-19 risks
PATIENTS with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who have been consistently physically inactive have a significantly higher risk of severe outcomes than patients who were getting at least some exercise or regularly met physical activity guidelines prior to the illness, researchers found.
ASEAN to discuss Myanmar crisis at summit
SOUTHEAST ASIAN countries will discuss the crisis in Myanmar at a summit in Jakarta on Saturday, the ASEAN bloc’s secretariat said on Tuesday, after the European Union (EU) imposed its toughest sanctions yet on the junta that seized power there on Feb. 1.
U.S. will boost ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories to 80% of world
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department said on Monday it will boost its "Do Not Travel" guidance to about 80% of countries worldwide, citing...
Betting on bamboo: Indonesian villages struggle to source safe, green power
By Harry Jacques
SALIGUMA - Cutting through the glassy water of a mangrove-fringed inlet on the east coast of Indonesia's Siberut island, Mateus Sabojiat and Anjelina Sadodolu...
World Food Programme, Venezuela reach deal to supply food to 185,000 children
CARACAS - The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) and Venezuelan officials said on Monday they had reached a deal to supply food to...
Ontario complains of more vaccine delays as premier under fire for third COVID wave
By Anna Mehler Paperny and Moira Warburton
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Monday the province expects to face a delay in the supply of AstraZeneca Plc COVID-19 vaccine,...
Tokyo, Osaka may go back to state of emergency
TOKYO — A recent surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases could see major parts of Japan slide back into states of emergency with authorities in Tokyo and Osaka looking at renewed curbs to stop the spread.
Investor group calls for banks to set tougher climate targets
LONDON — A group of investors managing $11 trillion in assets has called on banks to set tougher emissions targets ahead of a meeting of world leaders aimed at accelerating efforts to fight climate change.
Canada’s Ontario to expand use of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine as epidemic rages
TORONTO — The Canadian province of Ontario will begin offering AstraZeneca’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine on Tuesday to people turning 40 or older this year, according to a government source.
Families reunite as Australia–New Zealand ‘travel bubble’ begins
SYDNEY — Hundreds of passengers from Australia began arriving in New Zealand airports on Monday after authorities reopened borders, a pandemic milestone that allows...
Hong Kong bans flights from Philippines, India and Pakistan for 2 weeks
HONG KONG - Hong Kong will suspend flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines from April 20 for two weeks after the N501Y mutant...