Taliban rule presents aid agencies with moral dilemma
WASHINGTON — As foreign governments, aid institutions and companies scramble to evacuate staff from Afghanistan, a crucial question is emerging: should they engage with the ruling Taliban or abandon years of investment in the country and 38 million Afghans?
Germany drops incidence levels as key COVID yardstick
BERLIN — Germany has decided to stop using the coronavirus infection rate as its yardstick for deciding if restrictions should be in force to contain the spread of the virus, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday.
New Zealand has highest jump in COVID-19 cases since April 2020
By Praveen Menon
WELLINGTON - New Zealand on Tuesday recorded its highest increase in COVID-19 cases since April 2020, but authorities said the numbers were not rising...
Australia pandemic panel backs reopening targets despite Sydney outbreak
By Renju Jose
SYDNEY - Australia can proceed with its reopening plans when the country reaches 70%-80% vaccination levels, the government's pandemic modelling adviser said, even as...
Biden expected to decide within 24 hours on Afghan evacuation deadline
KABUL/WASHINGTON - With thousands of desperate Afghans and foreigners massed at Kabul's airport in the hope of fleeing Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers, U.S. President...
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine gains full U.S. regulatory approval
By Carl O'Donnell and Manas Mishra
The U.S. drug regulator on Monday granted full approval to the Pfizer Inc/BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccine - the first to secure such Food and...
Vietnam deploys troops to enforce lockdown in largest city
HANOI — Vietnamese soldiers on Monday were deployed on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City to help enforce a lockdown in the country’s business hub, which has become the epicenter of its worst coronavirus outbreak so far during the pandemic.
Israel finds COVID-19 vaccine booster significantly lowers infection risk
JERUSALEM — A third dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has significantly improved protection from infection and serious illness among people aged 60 and older in Israel compared with those who received two shots, findings published by the Health Ministry showed on Sunday.
China reports no new local COVID-19 cases for first time since July
BEIJING — China’s health authority reported on Monday that there were no new locally transmitted cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the first time since July, offering more signs that the current outbreak which began late last month may be tapering off soon.
Taiwan’s president leads way in first domestic COVID-19 vaccine
TAIPEI — President Tsai Ing-wen got vaccinated with Taiwan’s first domestically developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine on Monday, giving her personal stamp of approval as the island begins rolling out the shot whose approval critics say has been rushed.
US recruits commercial airlines to help move Afghanistan evacuees
WASHINGTON — The United States has enlisted the help of six commercial airlines to help transport people after their evacuation from Afghanistan as Washington seeks to step up the pace of departures of Americans and at-risk Afghans from Kabul.
Myanmar military arrests more journalists
Myanmar’s military government has arrested two more local journalists, army-owned television reported on Saturday, the latest among dozens of detentions in a sweeping crackdown...