S.Korea detects its first two cases of Delta Plus COVID-19 variant
By Sangmi Cha
SEOUL, Aug 3 (Reuters) - South Korea has detected its first two cases of the new Delta Plus COVID-19 variant, the Korea Disease Control...
Delta fuels China’s broadest outbreak since Wuhan
CHINA is confronting its broadest coronavirus outbreak since the pathogen emerged in late 2019 after the Delta variant broke through the country’s defenses, with cases now in 14 of 32 provinces.
US Republican report says coronavirus leaked from China laboratory
WASHINGTON — A preponderance of evidence proves the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic leaked from a Chinese research facility, said a report by US Republicans released on Monday, a conclusion that US intelligence agencies have not reached.
Pfizer and Moderna raise prices of COVID-19 vaccines in EU
PFIZER, INC. and Moderna, Inc. have raised the prices of their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in their latest European Union (EU) supply contracts, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Britain may toughen summer travel rules for Spain
LONDON — British ministers plan to warn holiday makers against visiting destinations such as Spain and may create a new list of countries at high risk of moving to the government’s quarantine list, The Times newspaper reported.
Asian factory activity hit by rising costs, Delta variant
TOKYO — Asia’s factories hit a rough patch in July as rising input costs and a new wave of coronavirus infections overshadowed solid global demand, highlighting the fragile nature of the region’s recovery.
Australia cranks up COVID curbs with Brisbane lockdown extended, army patrols in Sydney
SYDNEY — Australia’s Queensland state on Monday extended a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown in Brisbane, while soldiers began patrolling Sydney to enforce stay-at-home rules as Australia struggles to stop the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus spreading.
After months of work, US senators unveil $1 trillion infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON — US senators introduced a sweeping $1-trillion bipartisan plan to invest in roads, bridges, ports, high-speed internet, and other infrastructure, with some predicting the...
Death toll in Turkey wildfires rises to eight, coastal resorts affected
ISTANBUL — The death toll from wildfires on Turkey’s southern coast rose to eight on Sunday as firefighters battled for a fifth day to...
Myanmar army ruler pledges elections, ASEAN cooperation
BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday again promised new multi-party elections and said his government is ready to work with any special envoy named by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China mulls booster shots for some as Delta variant spreads
CHINA is studying if it’s necessary to give booster COVID-19 vaccine shots to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with underlying diseases and those who work in high-risk areas.
US top diplomat Blinken to court Southeast Asia in virtual meetings
WASHINGTON — United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet virtually with Southeast Asian officials every day this week, a senior state department official said on Saturday, as Washington seeks to show the region it’s a US priority while also addressing the crisis in Myanmar.