WTO chief says vaccine answer close, but facing effort to block it
BRUSSELS — The World Trade Organization (WTO) is close to resolving a dispute over how to spread coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines more widely...
N.Korea bans K-dramas, use of South Korean slang
SEOUL — North Korea is imposing stiff fines or prison for anyone caught enjoying South Korean entertainment or copying the way South Koreans speak as leader Kim Jong Un steps up a war on outside influences and calls for better homegrown entertainment.
As Russia invades Ukraine, Moscow battles big tech to control the narrative
NEW YORK/MOSCOW — As Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities, another battle took place online and over the airwaves.
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi handed 5-year jail term for corruption
A COURT in military-ruled Myanmar sentenced deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to five years in jail on Wednesday after finding her guilty in the first of 11 corruption cases against her, according to a source with knowledge of proceedings.
Facebook is wrong to say news lacks economic value, says Canada PM Trudeau
OTTAWA — Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Meta Platforms, Inc’s opposition to proposed legislation that would compel payment by its...
Asia’s tourist hotspots prepare for boom as China relaxes rules
BANGKOK/SINGAPORE/SYDNEY — Asian countries are bracing for an influx of Chinese tourists as COVID restrictions are dismantled, and while some are wary, operators in...
Singapore Airlines offers compensation to passengers on severely turbulent flight
SINGAPORE Airlines has sent offers of compensation to passengers on board a flight last month that encountered severe turbulence that led to dozens of...
North Korea’s foreign minister leaves for Russia amid troop dispatch
SEOUL - North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, is on her way to Moscow, state media KCNA and Russian officials said on Tuesday, for her...
Russian strikes kill Ukrainian grain tycoon; drone hits Russian naval base
KYIV - Russian missiles pounded the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv on Sunday, killing the owner of a major grain exporter, while a drone strike on Russia's Black Sea naval base in Sevastopol was launched from...
US airlines make urgent call for new bailout ahead of Oct. 1 job cuts
WASHINGTON/CHICAGO — Major US airlines launched a last-ditch bid to persuade Congress to grant them a new $25 billion bailout to help avert tens of thousands of employee furloughs set to begin Oct. 1.
War in Ukraine drags into second year, Russia isolated in UN vote
KYIV - The war in Ukraine entered its second year on Friday with no end in sight and Russia isolated at the United Nations in a vote demanding...
Moderna files for US vaccine authorization, will seek EU nod
Moderna Inc. said on Monday it has applied for US emergency authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine after full results from a late-stage study showed it was 94.1% effective with no serious safety concerns.