International News

Bloomberg US drug regulators are taking an “all-hands-on-deck approach” to reviewing Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE’s Covid-19 shot for full approval in an effort to persuade as many as possible to get immunised. The Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) is “identifying additional resources such as personnel and technological resources from across the agency and opportunities to reprioritise other activities, in ...

Bloomberg Yale University is reinstituting a requirement that all individuals wear masks in indoor campus spaces, joining other colleges in efforts to combat the delta variant. Under the policy effective from August 2, masks must be worn regardless of vaccination status, the New Haven, Connecticut-based school said. Exceptions will be made for those working alone in a segregated space, such ...

Bloomberg Citigroup Inc’s chief financial officer said China’s recent moves to crack down on companies isn’t likely to harm the bank’s business across the Asia-Pacific region. While Citigroup has decided to exit retail banking operations in some Asian markets, it will continue to offer services to large corporations in the region through its institutional-clients group, Mark Mason said on a ...

Bloomberg Starbucks Corp reported quarterly results that outpaced estimates on the back of a strong US recovery — but a less optimistic outlook for the key Chinese market weighed on shares in trading. Global same-store sales, an important gauge of restaurant success, rose 73% in the fiscal third quarter ended June 27 compared with the year-earlier period, surpassing projections. US ...

Bloomberg Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for opening the economy to more foreign investments in his final address to Congress, where he also pledged pandemic support to help businesses bounce back and defended his much-criticised drug war. Duterte called on lawmakers to amend laws to ease restrictions on international retailers and professionals, as well as to allow foreigners greater ownership ...

Bloomberg India’s digital learning pioneer Byju’s is buying professional training and higher education platform Great Learning for $600 million, accelerating an acquisition spree to expand globally. The cash-and-stock purchase marks an entry to the higher education segment for Byju’s, the company said on Monday in a statement. The sellers of Singapore-based Great Learning will receive certain payments based on its ...

Bloomberg Sri Lanka plans to repay a $1 billion bond by the Tuesday deadline, keeping intact its reputation for honouring debt as concern mounts about the nation’s overseas financing. Authorities will transfer the required funds on Monday, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the state minister for money and capital markets, said. Moody’s Investors Service placed Sri Lanka’s ratings under review for a ...

Bloomberg AstraZeneca Plc is planning to import Covid-19 vaccines to Southeast Asia as its only manufacturing facility in the region struggles to ramp up output to meet demand from countries hit hard by the delta variant. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker is scouring more than 20 supply chains in its global manufacturing network to find additional vaccines for Southeast Asia, including Thailand, ...

Bloomberg A Tesla Inc factory to produce cars in India is “quite likely” if the electric automaker can first begin sales with imported vehicles, according to Elon Musk. The California-based car producer is currently lobbying for lower taxes on imports as it considers plans to expand into India, one of the world’s biggest emerging car markets, people with knowledge of ...

Bloomberg Indonesia is extending its mobility curbs for another week until August 2 as coronavirus cases remain high following near month-long restrictions. Adjustments are made in order to allow small businesses to operate under strict health protocols, President Joko Widodo said in a briefing broadcast on YouTube. Traditional markets selling staple foods will open as normal, while shops selling non-food ...