US releases new data on Moderna vaccine, paving way for approval

The US regulator on Tuesday released new data confirming Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine was safe and effective, a strong sign that it could receive emergency approval in days and be ready to roll out by next week.
2 injured as magnetic bomb hits car in Kabul
Two people were injured as a magnetic bomb ripped through a car in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday, police spokesman Ferdaus Faramarz said.
Valneva launches trials of Covid-19 vaccine in UK
French-Austrian biotech firm Valneva said Wednesday it will begin clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate in Britain, where the government has already ordered at least 60 million doses.
Tokyo's new COVID-19 hospital opens
A new medical facility designed to exclusively treat COVID-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms opened in Tokyo on Wednesday.
At least 7 killed in boat capsize in Bangladesh
At least seven people who were attending a wedding, including the bride, were killed after their boat capsized in a river in Bangladesh's Noakhali district, some 158 km southeast of capital Dhaka, police said.
Taiwanese airliner begins flights to Japan
A Taiwanese airline company has begun operating flights between Taiwan and Japan, and plans to launch more as it expects tourism demand to recover after the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Czechs reimpose overnight curfew, close pubs for Christmas
The Czech government said Monday it would reimpose an overnight curfew and close restaurants and bars across the country for Christmas as there has been no let-up in its Covid-19 outbreak.