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 Vaccine nationalism risks 'catastrophic moral failure'-WHO
The world is on the brink of a "catastrophic moral failure" on
distributing vaccines, the head of the World Health Organization
said, urging countries and manufacturers to share COVID-19 doses
more fairly.
For example, more than 39 million doses of vaccine have been
administered in 49 higher-income countries whereas in one poor
country, just 25 doses have been given, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
said.
Economy picks up speed in China but so do infections
China's economy picked up speed in the fourth quarter, with growth
beating expectations and poised to expand further this year even as
the global pandemic rages unabated.
The country reported more than 100 new COVID-19 cases for the sixth
consecutive day, with rising infections in the northeast fuelling
concerns of another national wave when hundreds of millions travel
for the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.
Japan to press ahead with Olympics
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowed to forge ahead with preparations
to hold the Tokyo Olympics this summer, in the face of growing
public opposition as Japan battles a surge in coronavirus
infections.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expects only 6,000
athletes at the opening ceremony, just over half of initial
estimates, as organisers enforce precautions.
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 Tennis causes tensions with
stranded Australians
As top tennis stars descended on Melbourne for
the upcoming grand slam, many Australians
questioned the decision to host the tournament
when thousands of citizens are stranded overseas
due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Singapore wants its airline to be first to
vaccinate staff
Singapore urged workers at its national airline
to help make it the world's first carrier with
all staff vaccinated against COVID-19. The
island state is planning to host events such as
the World Economic Forum's annual meeting and
the Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit in
a few months' time.
Germany says new COVID variants require new
measures
Germany's health minister said new measures
would be needed to slow the spread of new, more
infectious variants of the coronavirus,
including more health checks for cross-border
commuters and intensified gene sequencing of
virus samples.
(Compiled by Karishma Singh and Philippa
Fletcher)
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