VACCINE ON THE WAY

An analysis of the data showed the rate of new infections picking up globally as it crossed 60-million mark on Wednesday (“World scrambles for vaccine deals as COVID-19 cases hit 60m mark,” Nov.26, Gulf Today).

Countries around the world are scrambling to finalise vaccine deals.

Global stock markets hit record highs on Wednesday and were on course for their best month ever because COVID-19 vaccines would soon be ready.

There is one more good news – that the President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday introduced his foreign policy and national security team, ater President Donald Trump cleared the way to prepare for the start of his administration.

Reports that Biden planned to nominate former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary, potentially easing the passage of a fiscal-stimulus package to counter COVID-19 damage, also cheered markets.

The renewed demand for shares pushed MSCI’S broadest gauge of world stocks to a record high of 622.12. It was last trading flat, on course for a record monthly gain.

Hats off to the Asia-pacific countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand as they had shown how rapid, local, and intrusive steps can be effective in extinguishing outbreaks.

While a national lockdown in England is due to end next week, Germany, Spain, and Italy have all announced restrictions over the holiday period, including limits on house guests.

Scientists urged caution and US officials pleaded with Americans to stay home over Thanksgiving.

India has added 44,376 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, well down from a peak of just under 97,900 cases in mid-september.

India remains the second-worst affected country in the world with almost 9.2 million cases, it has continued to report a slowdown in new cases in recent weeks.

Vivek Kumar By Email