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SINGAPORE: Mario Draghi, the Prime Minister of Italy, recently blocked the export of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses from his country to Australia. To many in the international community, this was an act of “vaccine nationalism”. In fact, Mr Draghi’s decision reflected different variants of nationalistic behaviour, spurred on by geopolitical forces and compounded by COVID-19. At the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020, for example, China, the US, the EU, India and the UK all imposed export restrictions on personal protective equipment (PPE). Shipments of ventilators and antiseptic chemicals were also blocked as national health services competed for scarce supplies. This behaviour contradicted the norms of international commerce, science and social exchange, which, for decades, have benefitted from a highly interconnected and interdependent global system. Worse, vaccine nationalism may be the precursor to “vaccine diplomacy,” a form of realpolitik that compels nations ... » Learn More about Commentary: How COVID-19 vaccines are being weaponised as countries jostle for influence

* Manila, nearby provinces under less strict curbs until April 30 * Philippines hit by one of Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks MANILA, April 11 (Reuters): Strict Covid-19 lockdowns in the Philippines capital and four adjacent provinces will be eased from April 12, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday. Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite will be placed under a less restrictive community quarantine status until April 30, spokesman Harry Roque told a virtual briefing. Roque gave the briefing from hospital where he is being treated for Covid-19. He gave no details on which restrictions will be eased but said details would be released on Monday. The Philippines is battling one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia, with hospitals in the capital overwhelmed amid record daily infections, while authorities face delays in delivery of Covid-19 vaccines. On Sunday, the Department of Health recorded 11,681 new Covid-19 cases and ... » Learn More about Philippines to ease some tough Covid-19 restrictions from Monday (April 12)

SINGAPORE - After 162 years , department store stalwart Robinsons is throwing in the towel. It said on Friday (Oct 30) it is closing its last two department stores here at The Heeren and Raffles City Shopping Centre. The retailer said the decision to liquidate its stores was prompted by a range of factors, including changing consumer tastes and cost pressures such as rent. “The overarching business model of department stores is outdated,” it said in a statement. Robinsons also said decision to liquidate came after the stores' "inability to continue operations due to weak demand at department stores". While the retailer’s e-commerce platforms are no longer operational, shoppers can continue to visit its bricks-and-mortar stores for the time being. The last day for the two physical stores is not clear. Robinsons said the appointed liquidators are in negotiations with the landlords but “we hope that the stores will stay open for the coming weeks”. Robinsons stores in ... » Learn More about Robinsons to close last stores at The Heeren and Raffles City

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine and U.S. defence chiefs on Sunday expressed hopes to resume the joint "Balikatan" military exercise that was cancelled last year, as they discussed the situation in the South China Sea. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin III also discussed in a telephone conference recent developments in regional security, according to a statement issued by Lorenzana's department. "Both are looking forward to the conduct of Exercise Balikatan," the statement said. Their conversation comes just days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, also in a phone call, expressed their shared concerns about Chinese vessels, which Manila believes are manned by militia, in the South China Sea. The Philippines has protested against the presence of the Chinese boats inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone at Whitsun Reef in the strategic waterway, repeatedly asking ... » Learn More about Philippines, U.S. defence chiefs hope to resume joint military drill