World News in Brief: September 9

Indonesia's daily coronavirus positivity rate dropped below the World Health Organization's (WHO) benchmark standard of 5% this week for the first time, an indicator the country's devastating second wave could be easing.

India reported 31,222 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, a government statement said on Tuesday, taking the total to 33.1 million. Daily deaths rose by 290 to 441,042.
India reported 31,222 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, a government statement said on Tuesday, taking the total to 33.1 million. Daily deaths rose by 290 to 441,042.

* China's exports unexpectedly grew at a faster pace in August helped by strong global demand.

* A global stocks index hit a record high on Tuesday as investors took comfort in growing views the US Federal Reserve is likely to delay the start of tapering its asset purchases and maintain its expansive monetary policy for the near term.

* German industrial output rose more than expected in July after three monthly drops.

* China's foreign minister will visit the Republic of Korea next week amid stalled denuclearisation talks with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Wang Yi, who is also a state councillor, will arrive in Seoul on Sept. 14 for a two-day stay and hold talks the next day with his counterpart, Chung Eui-yong, the ministry said.

* Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday there was a positive momentum in Turkey's discussions with the United Arab Emirates to end a years-long rift and that ties could come back on track if the momentum was maintained.

* The ambassadors of the G7 group of advanced economies urged Tunisia's president on Monday to appoint a new head of government as a matter of urgency and return to a constitutional order in which an elected parliament plays a significant role.

* Venezuelan government and opposition representatives on Monday said they reached partial agreement during talks in Mexico City as part of a roadmap drawn up to tackle the once prosperous country's long-running crisis.

* US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday the United States is working to ensure charter flights carrying US citizens and at-risk Afghans can leave Afghanistan safely.

* Turkey is working with Qatar and the United States about operating Kabul airport and is in talks with the Taliban, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday, adding security at the airport was the main issue.

* The crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates discussed bilateral relations and other issues in a phone call, state media of the two countries said on Monday.

* Hundreds of medical facilities in Afghanistan are at risk of imminent closure because the Western donors who finance them are barred from dealing with the new Taliban government, a World Health Organization official said on Monday.

* China administered about 5.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines on Sep 6, bringing the total number of doses administered to 2.113 billion, data from the National Health Commission showed on Tuesday.

* Mexico's health ministry on Monday reported 5,127 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country and 330 more deaths, bringing the total number of official infections since the pandemic began to 3,433,511 and the death toll to 263,470.

* Brazil recorded 9,154 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 182 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

* Sweden's centre-left minority coalition said on Tuesday it would boost support for job creation, employment services and training by CHF8 billion (US$934.5 million) in its autumn budget.

* Daily infections in Sydney fell for a third straight day on Tuesday but still lingered near record levels as the outbreak spurred a spike in vaccination rates in the hard-hit western suburbs of Australia's largest city.

* Britain will set aside a further GBP5.4 billion (US$7.5 billion) over the next six months to help its pandemic-hit health services, and will likely approve vaccinations for 12- to 15-year-olds.

* Japan's government has agreed to purchase 150 million doses of Takeda Pharmaceutical's vaccine, which will be produced using Novavax Inc's formula.

* New Zealand reported a slight rise in new locally acquired cases on Tuesday ahead of relaxing restrictions in all regions outside Auckland, its largest city.

* Israel will allow small foreign tour groups from selective countries to visit from Sept. 19 under a pilot programme to kick-start tourism.

* The Chilean health regulator has approved the vaccine produced by China's Sinovac Biotech for use in children over 6 years of age.

* Peru has reached an agreement with Russia to install a plant to produce the Sputnik V vaccine.

* Kuwait will resume direct commercial flights with India on Tuesday, the Gulf country's civil aviation authority said.

Reuters