US urges de-escalation over Ukraine, offers Russia diplomatic path
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW — The United States said on Wednesday it had set out a diplomatic path to address sweeping Russian demands in eastern Europe, as Moscow held security talks with Western countries and intensified its military build-up near Ukraine with new drills.
UN chief tells Security Council: Afghanistan ‘hanging by thread’
UNITED NATIONS — Afghanistan is “hanging by a thread,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday, calling for countries to...
Israel broadens eligibility for fourth shot of COVID vaccine
JERUSALEM — Israel on Wednesday broadened eligibility for a fourth dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine to include adults under 60 with underlying...
Hong Kong risks exodus over extended COVID isolation, Euro chamber says
HONG KONG — Hong Kong may not reopen until early 2024 because of its strict coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) policies, which could trigger an...
Fed likely to hike rates in March as Powell vows sustained inflation fight
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday said it is likely to hike interest rates in March and reaffirmed plans to end its bond...
IMF warns Fed tightening may delay Asia recovery
TOKYO — Expected interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve may delay emerging Asia’s economic recovery and keep pressure on policymakers to guard against the risk of capital outflows, a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said on Tuesday.
COVID is less severe with Omicron than Delta variant, US study suggests
THE OMICRON variant appears to result in less severe COVID-19 than seen during previous periods of high coronavirus transmission including the Delta wave, with shorter hospital stays, less need for intensive care and fewer deaths, according to a new US study.
China’s coronavirus blame game fizzles over infection by mail theory
EVER since Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government quashed a COVID-19 outbreak in the central city of Wuhan roughly two years ago, it has repeatedly sought to blame virus outbreaks on foreign sources. The latest target is international mail.
Mekong region sees 224 new species despite intense threat
BANGKOK — A devil-horned newt, drought-resilient bamboo and a monkey named after a volcano were among 224 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region in 2020, a conservation group said on Wednesday, despite the “intense threat” of habitat loss.
Thailand gives green light to growing cannabis at home
BANGKOK - Thailand's narcotics board on Tuesday said it would remove cannabis from its drugs list, paving the way for households to grow the...
Biden warns Putin with sanctions as West steps up Ukraine defenses
By Jeff Mason, Humeyra Pamuk and Dmitry Antonov
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he would consider personal sanctions on President Vladimir Putin if Russia invades Ukraine, as Western...
U.S., Qatar to discuss energy security during emir’s Washington visit
WASHINGTON/DOHA, Jan. 25 (Reuters) - Qatar's ruling emir will hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Jan. 31 on...