World

New Zealand expands vaccine mandate to 40% of all workers

Editorial Bureau October 26, 2021

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s government said Tuesday it will expand a vaccine mandate to include thousands of workers who have close contact with their customers — including employees at restaurants, bars, gyms and hair salons. The changes will mean that about 40% of all New Zealand

Europe

COVID-19 cases spike in Belgium; govt poised for action

Editorial Bureau October 26, 2021

BRUSSELS — Coronavirus indicators are shooting upward in Belgium, pushing the government on Tuesday to consider re-imposing some pandemic measures that it only relaxed a few weeks ago. Daily infections in the nation of 11 million increased 75% to reach 5,299 case on a daily basis last week. Hospitalizations have increased by 69% to reach […]

Asia

Hong Kong to tighten COVID-19 rules, seeks to open to China

Editorial Bureau October 26, 2021

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will tighten COVID-19 restrictions despite a lack of local outbreaks to better align with China’s policies and increase chances of quarantine-free travel between the territory and mainland, leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday. It will step up contact tracing, such as requiring the use of its LeaveHomeSafe app in government premises […]

Middle East

WHO Director-General lauds global COVID cooperation but calls for more vaccine help for poor nations

Editorial Bureau October 26, 2021

DUBAI – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, underlined the importance of global thinking as the world rebuilds after the COVID-19 pandemic, speaking as part of the Fourth Aqdar World Summit at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai. During a welcome video address, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “More than six […]

World

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids

Editorial Bureau October 23, 2021

Kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in 5- to 11-year-olds, according to study details released Friday as the U.S. considers opening vaccinations to that age group. The shots could begin in early November, with the first children in line fully protected by Christmas, if regulators […]

UK

Worrying Covid trend reported from UK

Editorial Bureau October 23, 2021

There has been another worrying rise in the number of cases and deaths from Covid in the UK. The latest 24-hour government figures show there have been another 43,738 new cases in the UK. Another 223 people are reported to have died with Covid – the highest daily number since March. The total number of […]

Europe

A jab in each arm: France vaccinates against flu and COVID

Editorial Bureau October 22, 2021

PARIS — Worried that the flu and COVID-19 could trigger a winter-time double-whammy of new infections and deaths, France is forging ahead with a nationwide vaccination and booster-shot program against both diseases, offering simultaneous jabs to millions of at-risk people. The annual flu vaccination campaign kicked off Friday, four days earlier than initially planned,

USA

US marks 200M COVID-19 shots shared with world

Editorial Bureau October 21, 2021

WASHINGTON — The U.S. on Thursday donated its 200 millionth COVID-19 shot to help vaccinate the rest of the world, the White House announced. The Biden administration aims to lead a global vaccination campaign even as it rolls out boosters for domestic use, which critics say diverts doses from those who are in greater need […]

World

Australia’s Queensland state to open to vaccinated travelers

Editorial Bureau October 18, 2021

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s Queensland state announced plans Monday to open up to vaccinated travelers, ending the status it has enjoyed throughout the pandemic of remaining virtually free of COVID-19. Queensland and Western Australia have been among the states most successful in keeping COVID-19 out, and they also were among the most reluctant to relax […]

USA

Robert Durst hospitalized with COVID-19, his lawyer says

Editorial Bureau October 17, 2021

LOS ANGELES — New York real estate heir Robert Durst, who days ago was sentenced in a two-decade-old murder case, has been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19, his lawyer said Saturday, Defense Attorney Dick DeGuerin said he was notified that Durst was admitted after testing positive for the coronavirus. DeGuerin said he didn’t know Durst’s condition […]