Analysis: In world’s top copper region political risk rises
In South America’s copper-rich Andes political risk is rising as high poverty and debt levels amid the COVID-19 pandemic drive potentially sharp policy shifts and put mining wealth into the crosshairs of angry citizens and political leaders. In No. 1 copper producer Chile, an overhaul of its market-orientated constitution is underway, and it is debating […]
U.S. military offers J&J vaccines for South Korean troops
The U.S. military has offered to provide some Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) (JNJ.N) coronavirus vaccines for South Korean troops, the defence ministry said on Monday, as South Korea struggles with a shortage of COVID-19 shots. The offer comes days before President Moon Jae-in is due to visit Washington for his first summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, […]
Global stocks press pause, gold hits 3-mth high on inflation concerns
Global shares hit the pause button and gold briefly crested a three-month high as surging COVID-19 cases in some Asian countries and inflation pressures tempered demand for riskier assets. Markets have been skittish in recent weeks as bumper supplies of central bank stimulus and rising prices in the United States and other countries fuel concerns […]
Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble postponed for a second time
A travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore due to open on May 26 has been postponed for a second time, officials said on Monday, after a spike in cases in Singapore derailed the plan for quarantine-free travel between the financial hubs. The bubble was initially slated to begin in November last year but was […]
Taiwan urges no panic buying as new COVID-19 rules kick off
Taiwan appealed to people to avoid panic buying of items such as instant noodles and toilet paper as new curbs on gatherings and movement took effect to rein in the spread of COVID-19 during a spike in domestic infections. Taiwan raised its coronavirus alert level in the capital, Taipei, and the surrounding city, on Saturday, […]
Top scientists question the need for COVID-19 booster shots
COVID-19 vaccine developers are making ever bolder assertions that the world will need yearly booster shots, or new vaccines to tackle concerning coronavirus variants, but some scientists question when, or whether, such shots will be needed. In interviews with Reuters, more than a dozen influential infectious disease and vaccine development experts said there is growing […]
More than 4,000 Indians die of COVID-19 for second straight day
India recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths for a second straight day on Thursday, while infections stayed below 400,000 for a fourth day, although the virus has become rampant in rural areas where cases can go unreported due to a lack of testing. Experts remain unsure when numbers will peak and concern is growing about […]
The percentage of people learning a foreign language has boosted: Dual-language apps are gaining popularity
Following the coronavirus quarantines, a surge in demand for language-learning apps erupted around the world, with the United Kingdom, quite surprisingly, leading the way. The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have inspired many more British people to attempt to become bilingual, although the country is not known for its citizens’ capacity or enthusiasm for learning a […]
EXCLUSIVE Foxconn’s iPhone output in India down amid COVID surge-sources
Production of the Apple iPhone 12 (AAPL.O) at a Foxconn (2317.TW) factory in India has slumped by more than 50% because workers infected with COVID-19 have had to leave their posts, two sources told Reuters.
India’s seven-day COVID average at new high, WHO issues warning on strain
India’s coronavirus crisis showed scant sign of easing on Tuesday, with a seven-day average of new cases at a record high and international health authorities warning the country’s variant of the virus poses a global concern.
