WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is stockpiling tens of millions of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine whose authorization in the U.S. remains uncertain, frustrating U.S. allies who say those doses should be used now to save lives overseas.
The standoff is part of a growing global debate over who should have access to hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine that pharmaceutical companies are churning out in the U.S. Besides generating ill will, Biden’s insistence on an excess supply for America is potentially creating new openings for geopolitical rivals Russia and China.
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MIDDLE EAST
Biden aides hold talks with Israel on Iran, regional issues.
U.S. Yemen envoy says ceasefire plan before Houthi leadership, urges response.
A decade after Syria's war began, memories haunt a family it tore apart.
Iranian ship hit in attack in Mediterranean, company says.
Turkey says it has restarted diplomatic contacts with Egypt.
Turks grapple with poverty as inflation bites.
Thousands march in central Beirut as political deadlock persists.
ASIA
Myanmar coup: The 'battle tactics' used in crackdowns on protests.
British citizens are told to flee Myanmar immediately due to 'rising levels of violence' following UN accusations the military junta is committing 'crimes against humanity'.
China, US could engage in multi-faceted, multi-tiered dialogue, says Chinese Premier ahead of Alaska talks.
Chinese analyst warns South Korea against joining Quad.
Australia joins US, India and Japan in 'unprecedented' deal for coronavirus vaccines after historic Quad meeting.
Newspaper: China to soon try 2 Canadians on spying charges.
China reports Australia to UN body over 'violated' human rights.
Singapore PM: 'Considerable risk' of severe US-China tensions.
Japanese PM Suga to be first to visit Biden at White House in April.
AFRICA
Thousands protest in Algiers after election date announced.
UN increases Central African Republic force by nearly 3,700.
Tanzania's president in his office working hard - PM.
Cameroonian separatists 'kidnap to make money'.
Pirates kidnap 15 sailors in Gulf of Guinea off Benin: company.
EUROPE
Two-thirds of Italians set for lockdown as pandemic worsens.
Hungary emerges as an EU vaccination star amid surging cases.
UK records a further 175 COVID deaths, 6,609 new cases.
Trade between UK and EU plunges after Brexit, hurting British economy.
Merkel’s party faces tough election-year test in state polls.
Alexei Navalny apparently moved from prison.
Spanish police seize narco-submarine in Málaga raid.
AMERICAS
COVID-19 deaths falling but Americans ‘must remain vigilant’.
US passes 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations.
What unity, Joe? Biden marks passage of $1.9T COVID bill with Rose Garden ceremony featuring NO Republicans: STILL does not take any questions from the press.
Coronavirus: Brazil struggles to keep pandemic under control.
Brazil grants full approval to Oxford vaccine, orders Sputnik.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Man who rapped about Islamic State convicted for planning UK attack.
Brussels bombers 'murdered elderly man as a test'.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Google slams Microsoft over stance in media payments.
Huawei listed anew as threat to US national security.
