COVID response drives $24 trillion surge in global debt — IIF
LONDON — The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has added $24 trillion to the global debt mountain over the last year a new study has shown, leaving it at a record $281 trillion and the worldwide debt-to-GDP ratio at over 355%.
US charges three North Koreans in $1.3 billion hacking spree
WASHINGTON — The United States has charged three North Korean computer programmers with a massive hacking spree aimed at stealing more than $1.3 billion in money and cryptocurrency, affecting companies from banks to Hollywood movie studios, the Department of Justice said on Wednesday.
Pfizer says South African variant could significantly reduce vaccine protection
A laboratory study suggests that the South African variant of the coronavirus may reduce antibody protection from the Pfizer Inc./BioNTech SE vaccine by two-thirds,...
Air pollution kills thousands in megacities despite COVID lockdowns
KUALA LUMPUR — Air pollution caused tens of thousands of deaths in the world’s five most populous cities last year despite coronavirus lockdowns, researchers...
South Korea warns against lax distancing as daily COVID-19 count hits one-month high
SEOUL — South Korea’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Wednesday warned against loosening enforcement of social distancing rules after the number of new coronavirus cases hit the highest levels in nearly 40 days.
In Texas blackout, everything went wrong at once
THE FINGER-pointing began immediately: It was the frozen wind turbines that foolishly replaced traditional sources. No, fossil fuels were at fault. No, Texas’s deregulated power market, unique in the country, had allowed companies to skimp on maintenance and upgrades.
Russia to limit trading options for retail investors after Reddit frenzy concern
MOSCOW — Russia will limit retail investors’ access to complex products on financial markets from October, the central bank announced on Tuesday, saying the recent share trading frenzy in the United States had highlighted the dangers of a lack of regulation.
Japan begins COVID-19 vaccination in ‘first major step’ to halt pandemic
TOKYO — Japan launched its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inoculation drive on Wednesday, administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to Tokyo hospital workers, as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga attempts to beat the odds and host the Olympics this summer.
How new design patterns can enable cities and their residents to change with climate...
By Cameron Tonkinwise and Abby Mellick Lopes
Our cities, designed for one set of climatic ranges, are increasingly “out of place” as average temperatures rise....
Germany dashes hopes of businesses for quick reopening of economy
BERLIN — German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Tuesday dashed hopes of business lobby groups for a quick reopening of the economy, saying the country should not rush to ease coronavirus restrictions as this could risk another wave of infections.
Texas deep freeze leaves millions without power, 21 dead
LUBBOCK, Texas — A historic winter storm has killed at least 21 people, left millions of Texans without power, and spun killer tornadoes into the US Southeast on Tuesday.
‘Vaccine nationalism’ may slow pandemic recovery
WASHINGTON — The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) incoming chief on Monday warned against “vaccine nationalism” that would slow progress in ending the COVID-19 pandemic and could erode economic growth for all countries — rich and poor.