Key PointsCoronavirus by the numbers; wartime measures in ChinaAll times below are in Beijing time.The chief executive of smartphone maker said the the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak could impact first-quarter sales, but CEO Lei Jun said Thursday that he believes demand will bounce back in the second and third quarters."Due to the outbreak of (the) virus, this year's first quarter smartphone sales will face an impact, but we believe that in the second and third quarters they will strike back. Overall, the impact might not be that serious," the CEO said, according to a...…Key PointsCoronavirus by the numbers; wartime measures in ChinaAll times below are in Beijing time.The chief executive of smartphone maker said the the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak could impact first-quarter sales, but CEO Lei Jun said Thursday that he believes demand will bounce back in the second and third quarters."Due to the outbreak of (the) virus, this year's first quarter smartphone sales will face an impact, but we believe that in the second and third quarters they will strike back. Overall, the impact might not be that serious," the CEO said, according to a...WW…

Key PointsRussian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual State of the Nation speech, warned on Wednesday against provoking his country, promising a swift retaliation against anyone who crossed "red lines."Moscow will respond "harshly," "quickly" and "asymmetrically" to foreign provocations, Putin told an audience of Russia's top officials and lawmakers, adding that he "hoped" no foreign actor would cross Russia's "red lines," according to a Reuters translation.Russia might be most important difference between Trump & Biden, says former ambPutin also touted the country's planned...…Key PointsRussian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual State of the Nation speech, warned on Wednesday against provoking his country, promising a swift retaliation against anyone who crossed "red lines."Moscow will respond "harshly," "quickly" and "asymmetrically" to foreign provocations, Putin told an audience of Russia's top officials and lawmakers, adding that he "hoped" no foreign actor would cross Russia's "red lines," according to a Reuters translation.Russia might be most important difference between Trump & Biden, says former ambPutin also touted the country's planned...WW…

Key PointsRussian President delivered his annual State of the Nation address on Wednesday amid growing tensions with Ukraine and a hunger strike by dissident Alexei Navalny.In the last week, there have been further reports that Russian troops are massing at the border with Ukraine, potentially preparing for military action.Navalny, on hunger strike in a Russian prison, has become dangerously ill and has been moved to a prison hospital. The news prompted warnings from the U.S. that there would be "consequences" if Russia allows Navalny to die in jail.In addition, Russia has been accused of...…Key PointsRussian President delivered his annual State of the Nation address on Wednesday amid growing tensions with Ukraine and a hunger strike by dissident Alexei Navalny.In the last week, there have been further reports that Russian troops are massing at the border with Ukraine, potentially preparing for military action.Navalny, on hunger strike in a Russian prison, has become dangerously ill and has been moved to a prison hospital. The news prompted warnings from the U.S. that there would be "consequences" if Russia allows Navalny to die in jail.In addition, Russia has been accused of...WW…

Key PointsIn this articleThe British government and health experts in the country have rushed to defend the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford following concerns over a possible link to blood clots.On Wednesday, t over who should receive the shot. They now recommend that anyone under the age of 30 should receive an alternative vaccine amid concerns that it could, in rare circumstances, lead to a serious blood clot.Following a safety review of the AstraZeneca vaccine, sparked by concerns over reports of rare blood clotting disorders in a small number of...…Key PointsIn this articleThe British government and health experts in the country have rushed to defend the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford following concerns over a possible link to blood clots.On Wednesday, t over who should receive the shot. They now recommend that anyone under the age of 30 should receive an alternative vaccine amid concerns that it could, in rare circumstances, lead to a serious blood clot.Following a safety review of the AstraZeneca vaccine, sparked by concerns over reports of rare blood clotting disorders in a small number of...WW…

Key PointsGlobal leaders have published a letter calling for a pandemic treaty to improve cooperation and transparency in the case of future outbreaks, but China and the U.S. were not among the signatories. published Tuesday in newspapers around the world, the leaders argued that the Covid-19 crisis had posed the "greatest challenge for the global community since the late 1940s."The document was signed by more than 20 global leaders and officials from across Europe, Africa, South Africa and Asia, including U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German...…Key PointsGlobal leaders have published a letter calling for a pandemic treaty to improve cooperation and transparency in the case of future outbreaks, but China and the U.S. were not among the signatories. published Tuesday in newspapers around the world, the leaders argued that the Covid-19 crisis had posed the "greatest challenge for the global community since the late 1940s."The document was signed by more than 20 global leaders and officials from across Europe, Africa, South Africa and Asia, including U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German...WW…

Key PointsIn this articleLONDON — Denmark, Norway and Iceland announced Thursday they will temporarily suspend the use of the vaccine developed by and the University of Oxford.The Danish Health Authority said it would temporarily stop using the shot in its vaccination program as a precaution "after reports of severe cases of blood clots in people who have been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.""Against this background, the European Medicines Agency has launched an investigation into the AstraZeneca vaccine. One report relates to a death in Denmark. At present,...…Key PointsIn this articleLONDON — Denmark, Norway and Iceland announced Thursday they will temporarily suspend the use of the vaccine developed by and the University of Oxford.The Danish Health Authority said it would temporarily stop using the shot in its vaccination program as a precaution "after reports of severe cases of blood clots in people who have been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.""Against this background, the European Medicines Agency has launched an investigation into the AstraZeneca vaccine. One report relates to a death in Denmark. At present,...WW…

Key PointsMoscow rejected new sanctions imposed on it by the U.S. late Tuesday, describing the restrictions led by President Joe Biden's administration as "hostile."Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last night that it would retaliate against what it said was a "counterproductive" act that aggravated bilateral relations further."This is just a pretext for the continuing undisguised interference in our domestic affairs, and we will not accept this," Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, ."Based on the principle of reciprocity, we will respond but not necessarily...…Key PointsMoscow rejected new sanctions imposed on it by the U.S. late Tuesday, describing the restrictions led by President Joe Biden's administration as "hostile."Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last night that it would retaliate against what it said was a "counterproductive" act that aggravated bilateral relations further."This is just a pretext for the continuing undisguised interference in our domestic affairs, and we will not accept this," Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, ."Based on the principle of reciprocity, we will respond but not necessarily...WW…

Key PointsU.K. health officials are anxious to trace one of six individuals infected with a more contagious variant of the coronavirus, initially identified in Brazil.Up to six cases of the new strain — dubbed P.1 and considered a "variant of concern" by global health experts — have been detected in the U.K., with three cases in Scotland and three in England.However, what's troubling officials is that one of the three cases found in England has not been traced. The government issued a statement Sunday noting that two of the cases in England are from one household in South...…Key PointsU.K. health officials are anxious to trace one of six individuals infected with a more contagious variant of the coronavirus, initially identified in Brazil.Up to six cases of the new strain — dubbed P.1 and considered a "variant of concern" by global health experts — have been detected in the U.K., with three cases in Scotland and three in England.However, what's troubling officials is that one of the three cases found in England has not been traced. The government issued a statement Sunday noting that two of the cases in England are from one household in South...WW…

Key PointsClimate change represents the "gravest threats" to global peace and security, the UN Security Council will hear on Tuesday.Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to warn the UN Security Council that unless the global community takes "urgent action to tackle climate change, the world risks worsening conflict, displacement and insecurity," the government said in a statement.The U.K. currently has a one-month presidency of the Council, which is charged with ensuring international peace and security. Its permanent members are China, France, Russia, the U.K. and U.S. Johnson...…Key PointsClimate change represents the "gravest threats" to global peace and security, the UN Security Council will hear on Tuesday.Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to warn the UN Security Council that unless the global community takes "urgent action to tackle climate change, the world risks worsening conflict, displacement and insecurity," the government said in a statement.The U.K. currently has a one-month presidency of the Council, which is charged with ensuring international peace and security. Its permanent members are China, France, Russia, the U.K. and U.S. Johnson...WW…

Key PointsEuropean markets posted their worst one-day drop in history on Thursday, as investors reacted to 's decision to impose restrictions on travel to the U.S. from Europe, and the European Central Bank's decision not to cut interest rates.The pan-European  had plummeted 11% by the close, with travel and leisure stocks sinking 12.8% following Trump's announcement of a ban on European travel.The U.K.'s lost 9.8%, France's shed 12.3% and fell 12.2%. Italian stocks finished nearly 17% lower, which was also the worst single-day loss for the .Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. will...…Key PointsEuropean markets posted their worst one-day drop in history on Thursday, as investors reacted to 's decision to impose restrictions on travel to the U.S. from Europe, and the European Central Bank's decision not to cut interest rates.The pan-European  had plummeted 11% by the close, with travel and leisure stocks sinking 12.8% following Trump's announcement of a ban on European travel.The U.K.'s lost 9.8%, France's shed 12.3% and fell 12.2%. Italian stocks finished nearly 17% lower, which was also the worst single-day loss for the .Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. will...WW…