Business News and FinanceVIEW IN APPKEY POINTS LONDON — The U.S., Canada and U.K. are among some of the high-income countries actively blocking a patent-waiver proposal designed to boost the global production of Covid-19 vaccines.It comes as coronavirus cases worldwide surge to their highest level so far and the World Health Organization has repeatedly admonished a "" in the distribution of vaccines amid the pandemic.Members of the World Trade Organization will meet virtually in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday to hold informal talks on whether to temporarily waive intellectual...…Business News and FinanceVIEW IN APPKEY POINTS LONDON — The U.S., Canada and U.K. are among some of the high-income countries actively blocking a patent-waiver proposal designed to boost the global production of Covid-19 vaccines.It comes as coronavirus cases worldwide surge to their highest level so far and the World Health Organization has repeatedly admonished a "" in the distribution of vaccines amid the pandemic.Members of the World Trade Organization will meet virtually in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday to hold informal talks on whether to temporarily waive intellectual...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — The U.S., Canada and U.K. are among some of the high-income countries actively blocking a patent-waiver proposal designed to boost the global production of Covid-19 vaccines.It comes as coronavirus cases worldwide surge to their highest level so far and the World Health Organization has repeatedly admonished a "" in the distribution of vaccines amid the pandemic.Members of the World Trade Organization will meet virtually in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday to hold informal talks on whether to temporarily waive intellectual property and patent rights on Covid vaccines and...…Key PointsLONDON — The U.S., Canada and U.K. are among some of the high-income countries actively blocking a patent-waiver proposal designed to boost the global production of Covid-19 vaccines.It comes as coronavirus cases worldwide surge to their highest level so far and the World Health Organization has repeatedly admonished a "" in the distribution of vaccines amid the pandemic.Members of the World Trade Organization will meet virtually in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday to hold informal talks on whether to temporarily waive intellectual property and patent rights on Covid vaccines and...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — The chairman of the European Super League has said plans to form are designed "to save" soccer, pushing back against widespread criticism by claiming that change is necessary because young people "are no longer interested" in the sport.In an interview with Spanish television show El Chiringuito de Jugones on Monday, Florentino Perez, who is also the president of Spanish club Real Madrid, said: "Whenever there is a change, there are always people who oppose it ... and we are doing this to save football at this critical moment.""Audiences are decreasing, and rights are...…Key PointsLONDON — The chairman of the European Super League has said plans to form are designed "to save" soccer, pushing back against widespread criticism by claiming that change is necessary because young people "are no longer interested" in the sport.In an interview with Spanish television show El Chiringuito de Jugones on Monday, Florentino Perez, who is also the president of Spanish club Real Madrid, said: "Whenever there is a change, there are always people who oppose it ... and we are doing this to save football at this critical moment.""Audiences are decreasing, and rights are...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — The head of the World Health Organization said Friday that an alarming rise in Covid cases has pushed global infections toward their highest level in the pandemic."Around the world, cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing focused on Papua New Guinea and the western Pacific.Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains why Covid won't be eradicated in U.S. like smallpox, polio"Globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months. This is approaching the highest rate...…Key PointsLONDON — The head of the World Health Organization said Friday that an alarming rise in Covid cases has pushed global infections toward their highest level in the pandemic."Around the world, cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing focused on Papua New Guinea and the western Pacific.Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains why Covid won't be eradicated in U.S. like smallpox, polio"Globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months. This is approaching the highest rate...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — A group consisting of some of the world's most powerful oil producers on Thursday decided to gradually curb existing output cuts beginning next month.Starting in May an additional 350,000 barrels per day will be added to production, with another 350,000 coming on the market in June. Come July output will be increased by 450,000 barrels per day.7 hours agoThe OPEC+ alliance is currently cutting by just over 7 million barrels per day in an attempt to prop up prices and reduce oversupply. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia has voluntarily added an additional 1 million barrels per day...…Key PointsLONDON — A group consisting of some of the world's most powerful oil producers on Thursday decided to gradually curb existing output cuts beginning next month.Starting in May an additional 350,000 barrels per day will be added to production, with another 350,000 coming on the market in June. Come July output will be increased by 450,000 barrels per day.7 hours agoThe OPEC+ alliance is currently cutting by just over 7 million barrels per day in an attempt to prop up prices and reduce oversupply. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia has voluntarily added an additional 1 million barrels per day...WW…

Key PointsGermany is the latest country to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine over blood clot fearsLONDON — Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands have joined the that have suspended the use of the vaccine developed by and the University of Oxford over blood clot concerns.The Dutch government said Sunday that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine would not be used until at least March 29, while Ireland said earlier in the day that it had temporarily suspended the shot as a precautionary step.On Monday, the German government also said it was suspending its use, with the vaccine...…Key PointsGermany is the latest country to suspend the AstraZeneca vaccine over blood clot fearsLONDON — Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands have joined the that have suspended the use of the vaccine developed by and the University of Oxford over blood clot concerns.The Dutch government said Sunday that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine would not be used until at least March 29, while Ireland said earlier in the day that it had temporarily suspended the shot as a precautionary step.On Monday, the German government also said it was suspending its use, with the vaccine...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — An insatiable global appetite for sand, one of the world's most important but least appreciated commodities, is unlikely to let up anytime soon. The problem, however, is that this resource is slipping away.Our entire society is built on sand. It is the world's most consumed raw material after water and an essential ingredient to our everyday lives.Sand is the primary substance used in the construction of roads, bridges, high-speed trains and even land regeneration projects. Sand, gravel and rock crushed together are melted down to make the glass used in every window,...…Key PointsLONDON — An insatiable global appetite for sand, one of the world's most important but least appreciated commodities, is unlikely to let up anytime soon. The problem, however, is that this resource is slipping away.Our entire society is built on sand. It is the world's most consumed raw material after water and an essential ingredient to our everyday lives.Sand is the primary substance used in the construction of roads, bridges, high-speed trains and even land regeneration projects. Sand, gravel and rock crushed together are melted down to make the glass used in every window,...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — The European Union on Friday published a redacted version of the contract signed with , as the bloc piles pressure on the drugmaker to deliver the Covid vaccine supplies it promised.The EU, which has been criticized for its slow rollout of inoculations, was delivered a blow by AstraZeneca last week when the company said it would only be able to deliver a fraction of the shots agreed upon for the first quarter.AstraZeneca has denied that it has failed to honor its commitments, saying delivery figures to the 27-nation bloc were targets rather than promises. The company also...…Key PointsLONDON — The European Union on Friday published a redacted version of the contract signed with , as the bloc piles pressure on the drugmaker to deliver the Covid vaccine supplies it promised.The EU, which has been criticized for its slow rollout of inoculations, was delivered a blow by AstraZeneca last week when the company said it would only be able to deliver a fraction of the shots agreed upon for the first quarter.AstraZeneca has denied that it has failed to honor its commitments, saying delivery figures to the 27-nation bloc were targets rather than promises. The company also...WW…

Key PointsLONDON — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticized the growing influence of U.S. social media giants, saying their impact on society means they are now able to compete with elected governments.Speaking at the World Economic Forum for the first time since 2009, Putin discussed a wide range of topics, including the coronavirus pandemic, his recent phone call with President Joe Biden and economic inequality worldwide.Putin made no mention of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was arrested as soon as he returned to Russia earlier this month after being treated in...…Key PointsLONDON — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticized the growing influence of U.S. social media giants, saying their impact on society means they are now able to compete with elected governments.Speaking at the World Economic Forum for the first time since 2009, Putin discussed a wide range of topics, including the coronavirus pandemic, his recent phone call with President Joe Biden and economic inequality worldwide.Putin made no mention of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was arrested as soon as he returned to Russia earlier this month after being treated in...WW…

Keep Me Logged InKey PointsContaining the spread of the coronavirusThis is a live blog. Please check back for updates.All times below are in Beijing time.The Singapore Tourism Board on Tuesday said tourism arrivals and receipts for the current calendar year in the city-state will take a "significant hit" due to the new coronavirus outbreak. Many countries, including , have imposed strict travel restrictions to contain the virus' spread. While arrivals from China — about 20% of international visitors to the country — will be particularly affected, the tourism board said other main markets...…Keep Me Logged InKey PointsContaining the spread of the coronavirusThis is a live blog. Please check back for updates.All times below are in Beijing time.The Singapore Tourism Board on Tuesday said tourism arrivals and receipts for the current calendar year in the city-state will take a "significant hit" due to the new coronavirus outbreak. Many countries, including , have imposed strict travel restrictions to contain the virus' spread. While arrivals from China — about 20% of international visitors to the country — will be particularly affected, the tourism board said other main markets...WW…