The arrival of the Delta strain in New Zealand has prompted the country’s COVID-19 response minister to question the efficacy of its ambitious elimination strategy - an approach that has been the backbone of the country’s pandemic response.Chris Hipkins told current affairs programme Q+A on Sunday that Delta raised “big questions about the long-term future of our plans”.“Delta does raise some big questions that we’re going to have to grapple with, you know less than a 24-hour period for someo

Malaysia's new prime minister called on his colleagues Sunday to end a months-long political crisis and come together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, in his first speech as the country's fourth premier in as many years.Just days after the previous government collapsed in a storm of political infighting, Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged lawmakers to unite to help the country recover from the pandemic."The political crisis that has hit the country is causing unrest among the people,&quo

United States (US) Vice President Kamala Harris began a trip to Asia Sunday where she will offer reassurances of Washington's commitment to the region after the chaotic US pull-out from Afghanistan and Taliban takeover.The hard-line Islamists' swift return to power a week ago, and desperate scenes of thousands trying to flee, have cast another shadow over the US' status as a global superpower.But on her visit, which includes stops in Singapore and Vietnam, Harris will seek to a

Breakthrough infections, or infections in those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, have become the most unsettling new development in the world's struggle to gain the upper hand over the pandemic.

Afghanistan is by far the world's biggest producer of heroin, supplying between 80-90 percent of global output, making the drugs policies of the new Taliban-led government of crucial importance.The price of heroin, addiction levels, as well as the extent of drug-related violence and smuggling will be influenced by the new rulers of a country that counts opium production as one of its biggest industries.International efforts over the last 20 years to eradicate the farming of poppies, whos

Hundreds were arrested after violent clashes between anti-lockdown protesters and police in Australia's two largest cities Saturday as the country recorded its sharpest rise in daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.Sydney's state of New South Wales (NSW) posted 825 infections – a record for the entire country – a day after authorities extended the city's lockdown until at least September to try to head off the Delta variant."No matter how hard we work, no matter if

From the sophisticated to downright strange, the pandemic has set off a wave of scams around the world from bogus doses and fake vaccine passes to criminal cremations.Here are 10 of the most outrageous and nefarious frauds of the last few months:'Vaccination Is Optional' Since the French government made proof of vaccination mandatory to enter cafes and other public places this month, a black market selling fake health passes for hundreds of euros has flourished.Go to the so

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:Sri Lanka Locks Down Sri Lanka announces a nationwide lockdown after intense pressure from medical experts with the virus overwhelming hospitals, morgues and crematoriums.

An establishment stalwart was named Malaysia's new prime minister Friday after the previous government collapsed, with a scandal-plagued party reclaiming the leadership that it lost at landmark elections in 2018.Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was deputy premier in the last administration, was appointed by the king as the country's next leader after receiving backing from most MPs. His predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin quit Monday following a turbulent 17 months in office after losing

The idea of breakthrough cases is not a new concept.