South, North Korea restore hotlines as leaders seek to rebuild ties
SEOUL — South and North Korea have restored hotlines that Pyongyang severed a year ago when ties deteriorated sharply, with renewed efforts by the two countries’ leaders to rebuild relations, the South’s presidential Blue House said on Tuesday.
Study shows antibodies from Sinovac’s COVID-19 shot fade after 6 months, booster helps
BEIJING — Antibodies triggered by Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine decline below a key threshold from around six months after a second dose for most recipients, although a third shot could have a strong boosting effect, according to a lab study.
Tokyo asks for more hospital beds as infections rise
TOKYO — Olympic host city Tokyo has asked hospitals to prepare more beds for COVID-19 patients as the Japanese capital grapples with a rise in infections, broadcaster TBS said on Tuesday.
‘No safety nets’: Debts weigh on grieving Indian families
By Roli Srivastava and Anuradha Nagaraj
MUMBAI/CHENNAI, India, July 27 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - It's been over a month since his mother died, but Vishal Meghwal can still hear her...
Supply issues to delay Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments, S.Korea says
By Sangmi Cha
SEOUL - Moderna has pushed back its late-July vaccine shipment schedule for South Korea to August due to supply problems that will affect other...
Delta variant drives SE Asia’s coronavirus cases to new highs
KUALA LUMPUR — Thailand reported a record number of coronavirus cases on Monday, while Malaysia has notched up more than 1 million infections, as the virulent Delta variant carves a deadly path through Southeast Asia — now a global epicenter for the virus.
Some Americans could need COVID vaccine booster — Fauci
WASHINGTON — Top infectious disease official Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that Americans who are immune compromised may end up needing COVID-19 vaccine booster shots as the United States deals with increasing cases from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
With eye on China, Pentagon chief heads to Southeast Asia
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will become the first member of President Joseph R. Biden’s cabinet to visit Southeast Asia this week, seeking to emphasize the importance Washington places on fortifying ties in the region while pushing back against China.
China blames US for ‘stalemate’ in ties as talks begin
BEIJING — China blamed the United States on Monday for a “stalemate” in two-way ties, accusing it of creating an “imaginary enemy,” and setting a confrontational tone during a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Support for Japan’s PM Suga slides as COVID shadows Tokyo Games
TOKYO — Millions of Japanese watched the Olympics opening ceremony and many are cheering on their athletes, but the shadow of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is so far preventing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga from getting a boost in his soggy support ahead of an election this year.
China shares slide as regulatory clampdown spooks investors, education firms dive
SHANGHAI — Chinese shares slumped on Monday as investor worries over the impact of government regulations kneecapped the education and property sectors, after Beijing...
Some Americans could need COVID-19 vaccine booster — Fauci
WASHINGTON — Top infectious disease official Dr. Anthony S. Fauci said on Sunday that Americans who are immunocompromised may end up needing coronavirus disease...