Beijing easing travel rules for US business execs - China's envoy to US
China will reduce the time needed for approval of travel by US business executives to no more than 10 days, China's ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, said on Thursday.
Italy, ASEAN eye stronger trade ties
NDO/VNA - A business forum themed “To ASEAN Business Days” took place in Torino city in the northern Piedmont region of Italy on November 29-30, discussing solutions to expand trade ties between the European nation and ASEAN member nations.
OPEC+ agrees to go ahead with planned January oil output hike
OPEC and its allies agreed on Thursday to stick to their existing policy of monthly oil output increases despite fears that a US release from crude reserves and the new coronavirus variant would lead to a new oil price rout.
Omicron rapidly dominating in South Africa; US reports first case
Heavily mutated Omicron is rapidly becoming the dominant variant of the coronavirus in South Africa less than four weeks after it was first detected there, and the United States on Wednesday became the latest country to identify an Omicron case within its borders.
RoK hits new COVID-19 record, halts quarantine exemptions to block Omicron
The Republic of Korea (RoK)'s daily coronavirus case numbers rose to a new high on Thursday, as authorities halted quarantine exemptions for fully vaccinated inbound travellers for two weeks in a bid to fend off the Omicron variant.
Thai agriculture can take advantage of new Laos-China railway
NDO/VNA - Thailand’s Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has said that the new Laos-China railway, which will start running from December 2, should serve as a good delivery channel for the agriculture industry.
Global airlines prepare for Omicron volatility, agility will be key
Global airlines are bracing for more volatility due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 that could force them to juggle schedules and destinations at short notice and to rely more on domestic markets where possible, analysts say.
Officials offer vaccine reassurance; WHO advises against travel bans
The World Health Organization warned countries on Tuesday not to impose blanket travel bans over the new Omicron coronavirus variant as governments and scientists try to determine how much protection current vaccines would offer against the strain.
World News in Brief: November 30
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) voiced concern on Tuesday that some countries were introducing blanket measures against the Omicron coronavirus variant that may not be necessary and penalised African nations unfairly.
Thailand mulls over reopening border checkpoints with Cambodia
NDO/VNA - Four border crossing checkpoints between Thailand and Cambodia could be reopened by December 16 if approved by Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Cambodian Government.
Rise in German COVID-19 infections flattens
Germany reported another 45,753 new coronavirus cases and 388 deaths on Tuesday, but the seven-day incidence of cases per 100,000 people fell slightly for the first time in three weeks as officials considered imposing tougher measures.
Philippines launches massive COVID-19 vaccination
NDO/VNA - The Philippines on November 29 kicked off a massive three-day vaccination drive as it tries to head off a surge that the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus could cause.
