World

Canada says COVID-19 cases could almost double soon unless stricter measures taken 23 Apr 2021 - 05:49 pm

OTTAWA: New daily cases of COVID-19 in Canada could almost double to more than 15,000 from 8,600 by the end of April unless...

Eerily empty, Thai tourist island Phuket desperate to reopen 23 Apr 2021 - 05:38 pm

Phuket, Thailand: A year after one of Southeast Asia's most popular fun-and-sun destinations became an eerily quiet shell of empty resorts, and shops,...

U.S. officials hopeful as advisers meet again on J&J COVID-19 vaccine 23 Apr 2021 - 05:19 pm

Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet again on Friday to consider whether it is safe to resume...

Moderna CEO says world faces 2022 COVID vaccine production surplus 23 Apr 2021 - 04:59 pm

GENEVA: Manufacturers should focus on producing as many vaccines as possible this year, but the world faces a potential surplus next year in...

Indonesia to restrict foreign travellers from India over COVID-19 variant 23 Apr 2021 - 03:54 pm

JAKARTA: Indonesia will stop issuing visas for foreigners who have been in India in the past 14 days to prevent the spread of...

Thailand says to add ICU beds after reporting record COVID-19 tally 23 Apr 2021 - 03:35 pm

BANGKOK: Thailand needs to add more intensive care unit (ICU) beds at hospitals to tackle an influx of COVID-19 patients, an official said...

Bulgaria to ease entry rules to lure back tourists 23 Apr 2021 - 03:15 pm

SOFIA: Bulgaria, eager to encourage holiday-makers to its Black Sea resorts, will ease rules for entry to the Balkan country from May 1,...

EU seals world's largest vaccine supply deal with Pfizer 23 Apr 2021 - 03:02 pm

PUURS, Belgium: The European Commission said it has sealed the world's biggest vaccine supply deal, agreeing to buy up to 1.8 billion doses...

Germany sets no limits on use of J&J COVID-19 shot 23 Apr 2021 - 02:41 pm

BERLIN: Germany has decided not to impose limits on the use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, the head of the country's vaccine...

Japan declares 'short, powerful' emergency in Tokyo, elsewhere 23 Apr 2021 - 02:29 pm

TOKYO: Japan declared "short and powerful" states of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures on Friday as the country struggles to...

S.Korea widens public access to virus self-test kits amid surge 23 Apr 2021 - 02:23 pm

SEOUL: South Korea granted conditional approval on Friday that will allow the public to use two coronavirus self-test kits for the first time,...

Australia's Perth to enter snap lockdown after second COVID-19 case 23 Apr 2021 - 01:32 pm

SYDNEY - Western Australia's capital of Perth and the neighbouring Peel region will enter a snap three-day lockdown from midnight on Friday after...

Indian coronavirus cases surge to new record as health system staggers 23 Apr 2021 - 01:10 pm

MUMBAI - India reported the world's highest daily tally of coronavirus infections for a second day on Friday, surpassing 330,000 new cases, as...

J&J COVID-19 vaccine 'pause' reviewed, US officials hope to resume shots 23 Apr 2021 - 01:04 pm

Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet again on Friday to consider whether to it is safe to...

Dutch coronavirus infections rise ahead of lockdown easing 22 Apr 2021 - 08:55 pm

THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday defended his decision to ease his country's lockdown next week even after...

Russia orders troop pullback but keeps weapons near Ukraine 22 Apr 2021 - 08:46 pm

MOSCOW: Russia's defense minister on Thursday ordered troops back to their permanent bases following massive drills amid tensions with Ukraine, but said they...

Prague zoo opens new home for rare wild horse species 22 Apr 2021 - 08:40 pm

PRAGUE: Four rare central Asian wild horses, whose breed was once near extinction, are now roaming a meadow overlooking Prague as the city's...

Belarus leader in Moscow for talks on closer ties 22 Apr 2021 - 08:31 pm

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Belarusian counterpart on Thursday for talks on closer integration between the two ex-Soviet neighbors, discussions that...