UK gov’t imposes harsher lockdown on London
LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed an effective lockdown on over 16 million people in England and reversed plans to ease curbs over Christmas, saying Britain was dealing with a new coronavirus strain up to 70% more transmissible than the original.
Global COVID-19 cases surpass 75 million
GLOBAL coronavirus infections surpassed the 75 million mark on Saturday, according to a Reuters tally, as several nations around the world begin vaccinating against the virus.
Singapore probes 13 infections among quarantine cases at hotel
Singapore is investigating 13 cases of COVID-19 infections among people who served their quarantine at a hotel along the city’s Orchard Road shopping strip.
The...
Early data show two doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine provoked good immune response
LONDON — Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has a better immune response when a two full-dose regime is used rather than a full-dose followed...
Babies born to COVID-19 mothers have antibodies, Singapore study finds
SINGAPORE — All five babies born to women with COVID-19 infection during a study in Singapore have had antibodies against the virus, although the...
US calls Switzerland, Vietnam currency manipulators
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration labeled Switzerland and Vietnam currency manipulators on Wednesday, in another parting shot at trading partners that could complicate matters for US President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming team.
Tokyo raises COVID-19 alert level to highest
TOKYO — The Japanese capital of Tokyo said on Thursday the strain on its medical system from the COVID-19 pandemic was severe, raising its alert level to the highest of four stages as the number of cases spiked to a record daily high of 822.
Some vaccine doses kept too cold, Pfizer having manufacturing issues — officials
THE FIRST days of Pfizer, Inc.’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine rollout have seen unexpected hitches including some vaccines being stored at excessively cold temperatures and Pfizer reporting potential challenges in its vaccine production, US officials said on a Wednesday press call.
US charges Kenyan militant with researching 9/11-style airplane hijacking
WASHINGTON — US prosecutors said on Wednesday they had charged a Kenya-born militant with terrorism-related offenses, including conspiring to hijack aircraft for a 9/11-style attack on an American target on behalf of the Somali-based al-Shabaab militant group.
Europe set to approve COVID-19 vaccine on Christmas week
BERLIN/BRUSSELS — Europeans are set to start getting coronavirus vaccines before the new year after the regional drug regulator accelerated its approval process following the launch of immunization campaigns in the United States and Britain.
Australia ups the ante in trade row with China
SYDNEY — Australia will launch a formal appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) later on Wednesday seeking a review of China’s decision to impose hefty tariffs on imports of Australian barley, Minister for Trade Simon Birmingham said.
MSCI chops Chinese firms from some of its global indexes
BOSTON/WASHINGTON/SINGAPORE — MSCI, Inc will cut seven Chinese firms from some of its global indexes, it said on Tuesday, the third major index publisher to do so following US restrictions on owning the companies.