Germany dashes hopes of businesses for quick reopening of economy
BERLIN — German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Tuesday dashed hopes of business lobby groups for a quick reopening of the economy, saying the country should not rush to ease coronavirus restrictions as this could risk another wave of infections.
Texas deep freeze leaves millions without power, 21 dead
LUBBOCK, Texas — A historic winter storm has killed at least 21 people, left millions of Texans without power, and spun killer tornadoes into the US Southeast on Tuesday.
‘Vaccine nationalism’ may slow pandemic recovery
WASHINGTON — The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) incoming chief on Monday warned against “vaccine nationalism” that would slow progress in ending the COVID-19 pandemic and could erode economic growth for all countries — rich and poor.
World likely to pay more for meat as food inflation deepens
THERE are signs that the food inflation that’s gripped the world over the past year, raising prices of everything from shredded cheese to peanut butter, is about to get worse.
UN warns Myanmar vs harsh response to coup protesters
THE UNITED Nations (UN) special envoy has warned Myanmar’s army of “severe consequences” for any harsh response to protesters demonstrating against this month’s coup in a call with the military leadership, a UN spokesman said.
WHO approves AstraZeneca COVID vaccine for emergency use
GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday listed AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine for emergency use, widening access to the relatively inexpensive shot in the developing world.
Australia’s Victoria ‘well placed’ to start easing COVID-19 curbs, premier says
SYDNEY - Australia's Victoria state is well placed to begin easing out of a snap five-day coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday, Premier Daniel Andrews said,...
Dollar in doldrums as recovery optimism thrives
By Tom Westbrook
SINGAPORE - The U.S. dollar fell to a three-week low on Tuesday, sterling hit an almost three-year high and commodity currencies rose as vaccination...
Syringe shortage hampers Japan’s COVID-19 vaccination roll out
By Kiyoshi Takenaka
TOKYO - Japan is scrambling to secure special syringes to maximize the number of COVID-19 vaccine shots used from each vial, but manufacturers are...
Malaysia to get first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines on Feb. 21
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia will get its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines produced by U.S. and German drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech on Feb. 21,...
Myanmar protesters undaunted; Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to judge
PROTESTERS in Myanmar kept up demands on Monday for the release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and an end to military rule, undaunted by the deployment of armored vehicles in several parts of the country and tougher laws aimed at cowing dissent.
CDC chief warns it’s too soon to lift COVID-19 mask mandates
NEW YORK --— The head of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention said on Sunday it is “absolutely” too soon to lift mask mandates, citing daily coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case numbers that despite recent declines remain more than double the levels seen last summer.