Pfizer

A group of heavily armed bearded men are shown riding in the back of a police pickup truck.

The Taliban continue crackdown on protests

Top of The World

Top of The World: Demonstrators took to the streets of Kabul Wednesday in defiance of the Taliban. And, A new study by Oxford University in the UK has found that two of the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines weaken within three months. Also, a powerful blast in Pakistan has killed at least three people and wounded around 50 others.

Two lab technicians dressed in white protective gear organize vials.

US loosens export restrictions to help India’s ‘full-blown’ coronavirus crisis

COVID-19
The silhouette of four people are show against the white panel of a tent.

More contagious virus variant in South Africa found in US

Top of The World
A woman is show wearing a white blouse with a pearl neclace and face mask while receiving a vaccine shot in her shoulder.

EU demands that vaccine makers honor their commitments

COVID-19
A group of men are shown on top of the redish-orange colored Red Fort monument with one man putting up an orange flag on top.

Farmers storm historic Red Fort monument in New Delhi; EU warns of blocking vaccine; Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna announce findings on new variants

Top of The World
A woman wearing a colorful sweater and brimmed hat is shown from behind walking in a narrow path on a lawn filled with small white flags.

Discussion: The year ahead in the coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus Conversations

What will the next year bring in the coronavirus pandemic? As part of The World’s regular series of conversations about COVID-19, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with epidemiologist Michael Mina from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A woman is shown center frame pulling two rollaboard suitcases while wearing a face mask.

Discussion: Surging coronavirus cases and new vaccines

Coronavirus Conversations

With spiking coronavirus cases, the US and countries around the globe are looking to measures such as COVID-19 vaccines and rapid self-testing. But steps such as mask-wearing and social distancing remain critical. As part of our regular series of conversations about the pandemic, The World’s Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Harvard epidemiologist Megan Murray for the latest insights.

Early Moderna data shows coronavirus vaccine 94.5% effective; Violence in Ethiopia threatening international conflict; 15 Asia-Pacific economies sign RCEP

Top of The World

Moderna’s early data shows its coronavirus vaccine is 94.5% effective; And, the violence in Ethiopia’s north is threatening to become an international conflict; Also 15 Asia-Pacific economies, making up 30% of the world’s population and gross domestic product, signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade deal on Sunday.

Two researchers are shown through large windows wearing full medical garments in a white laboratory.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine study paused after illness

COVID-19

Late-stage studies of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate are on temporary hold while the company investigates whether a recipient’s “potentially unexplained” illness is a side effect of the shot.

Patent expires on blockbuster Lipitor drug; generics on the way

Health & Medicine

After 20 years being the only game in town, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Lipitor, is about to get some competition in the space for treating those with chronic high cholesterol. The patent expired Wednesday and one generic drug is ready to hit the market. Others should arrive in six months.