World News in Brief: January 5
The International Monetary Fund will release its World Economic Outlook on Jan. 25, a week later than planned, to factor in the latest COVID-19 developments, a spokesperson for the global lender said.
Japan, US ministers to hold 'two-plus-two' talks on Friday
Japan's foreign and defence ministers will hold talks with their US counterparts in a "two-plus-two" format on Friday to discuss security issues, Japan's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
Rio cancels Carnival street parades due to rising COVID-19 cases, Omicron threat
Rio de Janeiro has canceled street parades and parties during its world-famous Carnival for a second year due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and the threat from the arrival of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the city's mayor said on Tuesday.
Nikkei: Southeast Asia's soaring exports fuel hopes of recovery in 2022
NDO/VNA – Southeast Asian countries look poised to continue recovering this year from the economic havoc caused by COVID-19 pandemic, with brisk exports driving the rebound, reported Nikkei Asia.
New COVID-19 infection cases in Laos drop sharply
NDO/VNA - Laos has recorded 519 cases of COVID-19 and 12 new deaths across the country in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said.
Indonesia shortens COVID-19 quarantine time
NDO/VNA – The Indonesian government on January 3 decided to shorten the quarantine period for arrivals, including those who were from Omicron-hit countries.
Germany wants to avoid escalation in EU dispute over green finance rules
Germany wants to avoid an escalation in the dispute about a European proposal to classify both nuclear energy and natural gas as climate-friendly energy sources by abstaining in a vote about the investment plan, government sources said on Monday.
Cambodia's tourism sees fast recovery despite Omicron
NDO/VNA – Although more Omicron variant infections are reported, Cambodia’s tourism sector recovery shows no sign of slowing down, with a sharp rise in the number of tourists during the New Year 2022 celebrations.
Indonesia to give booster shots to public from Jan 12 as Omicron spreads
Indonesia will begin giving COVID-19 booster shots to the general public from January 12, health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Monday, as the Omicron variant spreads in the country.
Warning about rising inflation
NDO - Inflation is currently a worrisome factor amid the efforts to recover the world economy in general and that of Vietnam in particular.
First challenges of German Chancellor
NDO – “My great wish for 2022 is that we keep standing together,” stated German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in his first New Year's address as head of government. The importance of international cooperation was also emphasised by Olaf Scholz in the context that Germany has officially taken over the G7
World News in Brief: January 1
Twenty twenty-one crept off with farewell celebrations around the world mostly muffled by the pandemic. But good news from South Africa - where authorities lifted a curfew and said Omicron had crested - brought hope for a happy New Year.
