Factbox: Asia-Pacific countries begin to open selectively for international travel

Asia-Pacific countries, which have had some of the world’s strictest border controls and quarantine rules during the pandemic, are starting to open selectively to fully vaccinated international travellers as well as their unvaccinated children.
Following the COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Britain, Australia’s Prime Minister has called for a faster reopening!

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday that Australia had already managed to secure 4 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in some kind of a swap agreement with the United Kingdom, as he tries to persuade states and territories to stick to a national COVID-19 reopening plan. According to Morrison, the additional doses are […]
Surging COVID-19 cases dampen U.S. consumer confidence, house prices post record gains

U.S. consumer confidence fell to a six-month low in August as worries about soaring COVID-19 infections and higher inflation dimmed the outlook for the economy.
Kroger plans for 1 million Covid-19 booster shots a week, including in nursing homes

U.S. grocery chain Kroger Co (KR.N) is gearing up to administer 1 million COVID-19 booster shots a week once they are available to the general public, and plans to offer vaccines in nursing homes for those who cannot go to its stores.
The S&P 500 nabs another all-time closing high ahead of Jackson Hole

Wall Street gained ground on Wednesday, with chipmakers and financials helping to push the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to record closing highs as investors look to the upcoming Jackson Hole Symposium for assurances that Federal Reserve’s timeline for policy tightening remains intact.
Wall St extends rally, pushing S&P 500 to 50th all-time high close this year

Wall Street ended higher in a late-summer, light volume rally on Tuesday as the FDA’s full approval of a COVID-19 vaccine on Monday and the absence of negative catalysts kept risk appetite alive ahead of the much-anticipated Jackson Hole Symposium.
Malaysia c.bank slashes 2021 growth outlook on COVID-19 surge, lockdowns

Malaysia’s economy expanded more quickly than expected on an annual basis in the second quarter, but the central bank slashed its 2021 growth forecast as rising COVID-19 cases and new lockdown measures weighed on the outlook.
Pfizer shares hit record high with COVID-19 vaccine stocks on a tear

Shares of Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) hit a record high on Tuesday for the first time in more than 20 years as shares of COVID-19 vaccine makers have surged amid rising coronavirus cases in the United States.
Pandemic spurs flight of top earners from debt-laden South Africa

Cape Town restaurateur Adrian Hochman watched over the years as friends packed up and emigrated, but rationalised that power cuts, the threat of crime and an uncertain future were simply part of doing business in South Africa.
Amazon delays office return until January as COVID-19 cases surge

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) on Thursday said it would not expect U.S. corporate employees to return to the office until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.