Asia

21st October 2020

Japan’s ANA likely to suffer $5 bln net loss this year

Japanese airline operator ANA Holdings is expected to suffer a net loss of around 530 billion yen ($5 billion) for the fiscal year ending in March after the COVID-19 pandemic…

Corporate Dispatch, Japanana, Japan

21st October 2020

Chinese vaccines have been given to 60,000 people worldwide

The New York Times reports that Chinese vaccines have been administered to 60,000 people in clinical trials, many of them around the world, and none of them have experienced any…

China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus, vaccine

21st October 2020

Chinese city to offer COVID-19 vaccine candidate as emergency use expands

A city in China's Zhejiang province will offer experimental coronavirus vaccines to its residents, as China broadens an emergency use programme to people in non-priority groups. Residents aged between 18…

China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus

21st October 2020

South Korea will press on with flu vaccinations, sees no link to deaths

South Korean health authorities said on Wednesday they would press on with a flu vaccine programme as there was no reason to believe the scheme was linked to a number…

CD eNews, South KoreaSouth Korea, vaccine

21st October 2020

Thailand welcomes tourists back as Bangkok protests heat up

Thailand received a group of tourists from China on Tuesday, its first such arrivals since commercial flights were banned in April to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the visitors seemingly undeterred…

ThailandThailand

21st October 2020

Five South Koreans die after getting flu shots, sparking vaccine fears

Five people have died after getting flu shots in South Korea in the past week, authorities said, raising concerns over the vaccine's safety just as the seasonal inoculation programme is…

CD Covid-19, Coronavirus, South KoreaCoronavirus, South Korea

19th October 2020

Cathay Pacific to operate less than 50% of pre-pandemic capacity in 2021

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Monday it expects to operate less than 50% of its pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity in 2021 as it nears completion of a…

China, Corporate Dispatchcathay pacific, China

19th October 2020

Indonesian president warns not to rush vaccines amid halal concern

The president of the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Joko Widodo, called on Monday for Indonesia not to rush the rollout of vaccines, citing concerns over public awareness about whether they…

Coronavirus, IndonesiaCoronavirus, Indonesia, vaccine

19th October 2020

China becomes first major economy to recover from Covid-19 pandemic

The Chinese economy grew 4.9% between July and September, according to government data, as China becomes the first major economy to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The year-on-year expansion, while…

Business, ChinaChina

19th October 2020

Photo Story: Black Eagles acrobatic squad flight rehearsal

The South Korean Air Force's Black Eagles acrobatic squad performs during a rehearsal, for the 70th anniversary of the Korea War memorial and the Heroes of Changjin Lake Battle in…

Photo Story, South KoreaSouth Korea

18th October 2020

Thai protesters take to streets in new show of defiance

Hundreds of Thai anti-government protesters demonstrated in Bangkok on Sunday, again defying a ban on protests against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and the powerful monarchy. Demonstrations have persisted despite the…

ThailandThailand

18th October 2020

India begins selecting people for priority coronavirus vaccines

India’s coronavirus infections rose by another 62,212 cases over the previous day and a local media report said that the government had begun identifying about 300 million people who would…

Coronavirus, IndiaCoronavirus, India

18th October 2020

China passes biosecurity law to prevent infectious diseases

China's top legislative body passed a new biosecurity law aimed at preventing and managing infectious diseases, state news agency Xinhua reported late on Saturday. The National People's Congress Standing Committee…

China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus

18th October 2020

New study shows Coronavirus survives on skin five times longer than flu

The coronavirus remains active on human skin for nine hours, Japanese researchers have found, in a discovery they said showed the need for frequent hand washing to combat the Covid-19…

CD Covid-19, Coronavirus, JapanCoronavirus, Japan

18th October 2020

Chinese experts warn frozen food package polluted by living coronavirus could cause infection

China's disease control authority said that contact with frozen food packaging contaminated by living new coronavirus could cause infection. The conclusion came as the Chinese Center for Disease Control and…

CD eNews, China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus

18th October 2020

EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Guiyang, China

A kiwi fruit plantation near Guiyang, Guizhou province, China. New technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, big data and 5G networks are transforming Chinese agriculture and are helping mitigate a mass rural…

China, EPA's Eye in The Sky, Photo StoryChina

17th October 2020

Thailand suspends public transport amidst nationwide protests

Hundreds of Thais chanted at protests that popped up across Bangkok on Saturday in defiance of a crackdown on three months of demonstrations aimed at the government and the powerful…

CD eNews, ThailandThailand

17th October 2020

Malaysia’s Anwar says he is facing ‘malicious’ probe

Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Friday said a police investigation into a list that purports to show lawmakers backing his bid for the premiership was a "malicious" attempt to…

MalaysiaAnwar Ibrahim, Malaysia

17th October 2020

India’s cumulative tally of covid-19 cases reach 7.43 million

India's cumulative tally of coronavirus infections stood at 7.43 million on Saturday, having risen by 62,212 in the last 24 hours, health ministry data showed. But the number of active…

Coronavirus, IndiaIndia

17th October 2020

Thai protestors defy bans

Tens of thousands of Thai protesters cheered and chanted into the night in central Bangkok on Thursday in a show of mass defiance to a ban on demonstrations designed to end more than three months…

Photo Story, ThailandThailand

16th October 2020

Reports Japan preparing to release Fukushima’s contaminated water into sea

Nearly a decade after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan’s government has decided to release contaminated water from the destroyed plant into the sea, media reports said on Friday, with a…

JapanEnvironment, fukushima, Japan

16th October 2020

Sinovac coronavirus vaccine offered by Chinese city for emergency use costs $60

A Chinese city is offering Sinovac Biotech's experimental COVID-19 vaccine to essential workers and other high-risk groups as part of a national programme for about $60. The eastern city of…

China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus, Sinovac, vaccine

16th October 2020

Coronavirus vaccine candidate from China’s CNBG shows promise in human test, study shows

One of China’s front-running coronavirus vaccine candidates was shown to be safe and triggered immune responses in a combined early and mid-stage test in humans, researchers said. The potential vaccine,…

China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus

16th October 2020

Thai PM vows to stay on as protesters defy his ban

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday he was not quitting after tens of thousands of anti-government protesters defied a ban on demonstrations and he warned them not to…

ThailandProtests, Thailand

16th October 2020

Philippines COVID-19 task force lifts overseas travel ban for citizens

The Philippines' coronavirus task force has lifted a ban on overseas travel for Filipino tourists, the presidential office said on Friday. Non-essential overseas travel could resume starting October 21, ending…

Coronavirus, PhilippinesCoronavirus, Philippines

15th October 2020

Photo Story: Scenes from the 6th Royal Culture Festival in Seoul

Scenes from the 6th Royal Culture Festival on the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, South Korea. The event held under the theme 'Today Meet the Palace' runs from 10 October until…

Photo Story, South KoreaSouth Korea

15th October 2020

Reports that Japan to waive landing fees to prop up airlines

Japan's government will waive airport landing fees worth up to 12.5 billion yen ($120 million) to ease the financial burden on airline operators, two sources familiar with the matter said,…

Business, JapanJapan

15th October 2020

What’s behind Thailand’s protests?

Thailand’s government banned gatherings of more than five people on Thursday in the face of three months of escalating demonstrations that have targeted King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime…

Diplomatique.Expert, ThailandProtests, Thailand

15th October 2020

Duterte wants entire Philippine population vaccinated for COVID-19

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his government has the money to procure coronavirus vaccines but he would need more as he wants to inoculate the country’s entire population. The government…

Coronavirus, PhilippinesCoronavirus, Philippines

15th October 2020

Kyrgyzstan president Jeenbekov resigns after unrest

Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov resigned on Thursday after 10 days of unrest following a disputed election, saying he wanted to prevent clashes between security forces and protesters who have demanded…

KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan

15th October 2020

Thailand bans protests as challenge to establishment escalates

Thailand's government banned protests and police arrested at least three protest leaders on Thursday in the face of escalating demonstrations targeting King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime Minister Prayuth…

ThailandProtests, Thailand

15th October 2020

North Korea’s nuclear, missile programs ‘serious threat’ to security – Pentagon chief

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Wednesday said North Korea's nuclear and missile programs pose a global threat, after Pyongyang's unveiling of previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missiles at a predawn…

CD eNews, News, North Korea, USANorth Korea, USA

14th October 2020

Philippines reports lowest amount of cases in 3 weeks

The Philippines recorded 1,910 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the lowest number in more than three weeks, and 78 more fatalities. In a bulletin, the health ministry said the Southeast…

Coronavirus, PhilippinesCoronavirus, Philippines

14th October 2020

Hyundai Motor heir takes over from father after 20 years in waiting

Hyundai Motor Group appointed Euisun Chung as group chairman on Wednesday, cementing his succession from his octogenarian father in a move likely to give impetus to the world's fifth-largest automaker's…

Corporate Dispatch, South KoreaHyundai, South Korea

14th October 2020

Photo Story: Scuffles during anti-government protest in Bangkok

A pro-democracy protester scuffles with a pro-monarchy one during an anti-government protest at the democracy monument in Bangkok, Thailand, 14 October 2020. Pro-democracy protesters take part in a rally against…

Photo Story, ThailandProtests, Thailand

14th October 2020

Photo Story: Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force unveils new submarine

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's new submarine Taigei is unveiled at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, 14 October 2020. Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force unveiled its new…

Japan, Photo StoryJapan

12th October 2020

Hong Kong postpones annual policy address until talks with Beijing

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has postponed her annual policy address scheduled for Wednesday in order to go to Beijing for talks on how the central government can help…

CD eNews, China, Hong KongChina, Hong Kong, Talks

12th October 2020

Tajik leader Rakhmon secures re-election

Tajikistan's President Imomali Rakhmon has been re-elected for a fifth term with 90.92% of vote, preliminary data shows, the Central Asian nation's central election commission said on Monday. Russian-allied Rakhmon,…

Election Watch, TajikistanTajikistan

12th October 2020

India’s coronavirus caseload topped 7 million

India’s coronavirus caseload topped 7 million on Sunday when the health ministry reported 74,383 new infections in the previous 24 hours, with a rise in infections in southern states offsetting…

Coronavirus, IndiaCoronavirus, India

12th October 2020

Floods kill 17 people in central Vietnam

At least 17 people have been killed by floods in Vietnam's central provinces in the past week and 13 are still missing, state media said on Sunday as the country…

Photo Story, VietnamFloods

11th October 2020

Pakistani renowned scholar killed in Karachi

The targeted killing of noted religious scholar and administrator of Jamia Farooqia, Karachi, Maulana Dr Adil Khan, along with his driver has sent shockwaves across the city as the authorities…

PakistanMaulana Adil Khan, Pakistan

11th October 2020

Huawei finding difficulty to counter US sanctions

Chinese telecom giant Huawei is finding it harder to counter U.S. sanctions designed to choke off its access to semiconductors but can continue to serve European 5G network clients, a…

China, Corporate DispatchChina, Europe, USA

11th October 2020

20 die after train collides with bus in Thailand

A bus heading to a Buddhist temple collided with a train in central Thailand on Sunday, killing at least 20 people dead and injuring 30, authorities said. The accident took place at…

CD eNews, ThailandKhlong Kwaeng, Thaliand, Train

11th October 2020

North Korea warns about mobilising its nuclear force

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned on Saturday that his country would "fully mobilise" its nuclear force if threatened as he presided over a military parade in which the country…

CD eNews, News, North KoreaKim Jong-un, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons

10th October 2020

China says will purchase COVAX vaccines for 1% of population

China will purchase COVID-19 vaccines for 1% of its population, or 15 million people, via a global scheme backed by the World Health Organization, the Foreign Ministry said. Beijing's move…

China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus

10th October 2020

Possibility Malaysia Airlines shuts down increases

Malaysia Airlines will have to shut down if its lessors decide not to back its latest restructuring plan, the airlines' group chief executive was quoted as saying on Saturday. A…

Malaysia, NewsMalaysia, Malaysia Airlines

10th October 2020

Taiwan president calls for ‘meaningful dialogue’ with China

Taiwan wants to have “meaningful dialogue” with China on an equal basis, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday, extending an olive branch at a time of heightened military tension with…

TaiwanChina, Taiwan

10th October 2020

Pakistan blocks social media app TikTok

Pakistan’s telecom regulator blocked TikTok on Friday for failing to filter out “immoral and indecent” content, another blow to the social media app that has come under increasing scrutiny as…

PakistanPakistan, TikTok

10th October 2020

The military ordered on the streets of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency in the capital Bishkek on Friday and ordered the military to end days of unrest, as supporters of rival political groups…

KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan

9th October 2020

North Korea prepares for military parade despite coronavirus concern

North Koreans wearing medical masks have gathered in the capital of Pyongyang, state media reported this week, ahead of what is expected to be a big military parade on Saturday,…

North KoreaNorth Korea

9th October 2020

Takeda-led COVID-19 plasma treatment enters clinical trial with first patient

Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Co said on Friday an alliance of drugmakers it spearheads has enrolled its first patient in a global clinical trial of a blood plasma treatment for COVID-19…

Coronavirus, JapanCoronavirus, Japan, Takeda Pharmaceutical

9th October 2020

Philippines teachers start call centre to help remote learners

Worried that remote schooling could become a struggle, a local authority in the Philippines has set up a makeshift call centre staffed by dozens of teachers to make sure students…

Coronavirus, PhilippinesCoronavirus, Education, Philippines

9th October 2020

Kyrgyzstan president declares state of emergency

Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency in Bishkek on Friday and ordered troops to deploy on the streets of the capital as unrest gripped the Central Asian…

KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan

9th October 2020

China joins COVAX initiative for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

China said on Friday it has joined a global COVID-19 vaccine initiative co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the biggest economy to date to pledge support to help…

CD Covid-19, China, CoronavirusChina, Coronavirus, vaccine

8th October 2020

South Korean accused of lying to coronavirus investigators sentenced to prison

A South Korean man accused of lying to authorities about his job and whereabouts during a coronavirus tracing probe was sentenced to six months in prison, Yonhap news agency reported…

Coronavirus, South KoreaCoronavirus, South Korea