Dubai’s Emirates suspends flights to Sydney and Melbourne
Australia all but closed its borders to travelers last year to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON JAN 16, 2021 02:31 PM IST
Emirates is suspending flights to Australia’s three largest cities due to “operational reasons,” the world’s largest airline by international passengers announced.
The last flights to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will be on Jan. 20 and customers for those cities will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Emirates did not say when the flights would resume.
Australia all but closed its borders to travellers last year to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Arrivals are capped, and those who do enter have to undergo a strict quarantine for two weeks. Many of its citizens abroad have struggled to get home.
Dubai, the Middle East’s main business hub, locked down the city for about a month last year and Emirates grounded passenger flights. It’s eased entry requirements in recent months in a bid to boost tourism.
China sets aim to vaccinate 40% of population by June
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 09:58 PM IST
Developers of China’s four currently approved vaccines have said they could manufacture up to 2.6 billion doses by the end of this year. Still, vaccinating China’s massive population will be a daunting task.
Stocks climb more than 2% as investors get back to buying
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 09:40 PM IST
The S&P 500 added 2.1% as of 10:40 a.m. Eastern. More than 95% of the stocks in the index were higher, led by energy companies and airlines. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.2% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.1%.
Chinese hackers target SII, Bharat Biotech, says security firm
Reuters, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 09:35 PM IST
Rivals China and India have both sold or gifted Covid-19 shots to many countries. India produces more than 60% of all vaccines sold in the world.
Police investigate possible role of foreigners in Barcelona protests
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 09:12 PM IST
Police have arrested more than 100 people since the protests over the jailing of rapper Pablo Hasel erupted on February 16. The exact role of the foreigners was unclear.
Mexico hopes for US answer on Covid-19 vaccines in Biden talks
Reuters, Mexico City
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 09:08 PM IST
Mexico has been frustrated by bottlenecks in vaccine supply and raised concerns that wealthy countries are hoarding them.
First UAE ambassador arrives in Israel, eyes Tel Aviv embassy
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:46 PM IST
Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate".
Experts urge independent probe into Kremlin critic Navalny's poisoning
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:41 PM IST
Navalny, the most prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fell sick on Aug. 20 during a domestic flight in Russia and was flown while still in a coma to Berlin for treatment two days later.
Nepal President summons lower house session on March 7, after top court's order
PTI
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:34 PM IST
President Bhandari called for the commencement of House on recommendation of Government of Nepal, in accordance with Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal, according to a notice issued by the President’s Office on Monday.
What we know about the new Brazilian Covid-19 variant P.1
By hindustantimes.com | Written by Deepali Sharma, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:31 PM IST
The cause of concern in the P.1 variant is the three key mutations out of 17 mutations in its spike protein receptor domain-K417T, E484K, and N501Y says CDC.
Ukraine throws away unused Covid-19 shots as doctors skip their own vaccinations
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:24 PM IST
The government has prioritised giving shots to frontline medical workers but cited statistics showing that 47% of Ukrainians do not want the vaccine.
Mexican president Obrador to discuss vaccines, migration with Biden
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:23 PM IST
"The issues: Covid, this is important to us. Above all, vaccines. What other issues? Migration," Lopez Obrador told reporters at a regular news conference when asked what he would address with Biden during their virtual meeting.
Elizabeth Warren, other progressives propose ‘ultra-millionaire’ tax
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:21 PM IST
The lawmakers said Monday the new tax, dubbed the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act, would create a “fairer” economy with a 2% annual tax on households and trusts valued at between $50 million and $1 billion. All net worth over $1 billion would be taxed at 3%.
US Democrats shelve minimum wage tax to speed work on stimulus
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:16 PM IST
The Senate could begin consideration of the stimulus measure as soon as Wednesday — with final votes as soon as late Thursday — pending full Democratic support and sign off from the parliamentarian.
Can Southeast Asian diplomacy end crisis in Myanmar?
Reuters, Jakarta
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 08:08 PM IST
The United Nations, United States, European Union, China and Asian powers have all identified ASEAN as a potentially pivotal player in resolving the crisis.
Joe Biden putting tech over troops at core of US-China policy
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 01, 2021 07:46 PM IST
The new framing for the US rivalry with China has been given added urgency by the sudden global shortage of microchips needed in products such as cars, mobile phones and refrigerators.