Asia

Photo Story: Plane salvaged after crashing into the sea in the Philippines

A Filipino soldier stands guard next to a submerged airplane in the shoreline off Sinunuc village in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines. According to reports, a twin-engine plane Piper Seneca with…

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Tokyo coronavirus cases hit record daily high

Tokyo has recorded 224 new cases of coronavirus infection on Thursday, public broadcaster NHK said, marking a new daily record in Japan's capital since the crisis began. The total confirmed…

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Bali begins to reopen after 3-month virus lockdown

Indonesia’s resort island of Bali reopened after a three-month virus lockdown Thursday, allowing local people and stranded foreign tourists to resume public activities before foreign arrivals resume in September. The…

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Beijing converts Hong Kong hotel into new national security office

Beijing opened its new national security office in Hong Kong on Wednesday, turning a hotel in the bustling shopping and commercial district of Causeway Bay into its new headquarters. The…

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Voting in time of the coronavirus, Singaporeans expected to share gripes on foreigners

For many Singaporeans, voting on Friday under the cloud of the coronavirus pandemic, a big election issue is job prospects and whether their rich little island needs so many foreigners taking better-paid roles. No-one expects a…

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India’s Covid-19 death toll surpasses 20,000

India's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surpassed 20,000 on Tuesday and case numbers surged as the south Asian nation pushed ahead with relaxations to its almost two-month lockdown amid grim economic…

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U.S. trade groups urge China to increase purchases of U.S. goods, services

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and over 40 trade associations on Monday urged top U.S. and Chinese officials to redouble efforts to implement a Phase 1 trade agreement signed by…

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Trump wants popular TikTok app banned

The United States is considering banning the popular Chinese social media app TikTok, according to its Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo said that this was more than a veiled threat,…

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China halts imports from two more Brazil meat plants amid COVID-19 concerns

China has suspended imports from two Brazilian pork plants owned by meatpackers JBS SA and BRF SA, according to the Chinese customs authority, as it cracks down on meat shipments…

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China warns its citizens to exercise caution in travelling to Canada

China warned its citizens on Monday to exercise caution in travelling to Canada, citing “frequent violent actions” by law enforcement, amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Ottawa. The warning, published…

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Photo Story: Celestial ‘thumbs up’ for South Korean health workers

Some 400 drones, flown by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport form the thumbs-up sign in a message of appreciation for medical workers during the coronavirus pandemic above Yeouido…

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Philippines reports 2,099 new coronavirus cases, 6 deaths

The Philippines reported 2,099 more coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 46,333, its health ministry said. The Department of Health also recorded six…

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China warns UK will face consequences if it rules China is a hostile country

Britain will have to bear the consequences if it treats China as a hostile country when deciding whether to allow Huawei to be involved in the country's telecommunications networks, the…

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Dalai Lama marks 85th birthday with the release of an album of mantras and teachings

The Dalai Lama made a bid for music chart stardom on Monday, his 85th birthday, with the release of an album of mantras and teachings. “Inner World” kicks off with…

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Nearly 40 feared dead in floods in southwest Japan

Nearly 40 people were feared dead as torrential rains continued to hit Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu, with river banks at risk of bursting on Monday morning and new evacuation…

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With nearly 700,000 coronavirus cases, India is third worst-hit country

India has over-taken Russia with the world's third-highest number of novel coronavirus cases, at nearly 700,000, according to the latest data, as the outbreak shows no sign of slowing. Health…

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China reports 4 new coronavirus cases in mainland for July 5

China on Monday reported 4 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for July 5, down from 8 cases a day earlier, the health authority said. Three of the new infections…

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Japan’s ‘most powerful’ woman wins second term as Tokyo governor

Yuriko Koike was re-elected Tokyo governor on Sunday, according to an exit poll released by public broadcaster NHK, after winning over voters with her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in…

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China takes precautions after case of bubonic plague

Authorities in China have stepped up precautions after a city in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region confirmed one case of bubonic plague. According to state reports, the Bayannur patient -…

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Photo Story – Covid-19 Education Campaign in South Korea

A visitor examines a statue of Pengsoo, a popular penguin character created by the national education broadcasting channel EBS, at a beach in the southern port city of Busan, South…

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Japan braces for return of torrential southern rains that killed 16

Torrential rains that hit Japan's southern island of Kyushu killed 16 people, with 13 going missing and 17 showing no vital signs, public broadcaster NHK said on Sunday, as the weather…

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Mainland China reports eight new coronavirus cases

China recorded eight new coronavirus cases for July 4, up from with three a day earlier, the national health authority said on Sunday, while city officials in Beijing said nearly…

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Thailand’s main airport offers rapid coronavirus test for international arrivals

Thailand's main international airport unveiled rapid coronavirus tests for some overseas arrivals after a three-month ban on foreign visitors was partially lifted this month. All foreigners, except those with work…

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China says G4 swine flu virus not new; does not infect humans easily

China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Saturday that the so-called "G4" strain of swine flu virus is not new and does not infect or sicken humans and…

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Tokyo new coronavirus infections over 100 for third day

Tokyo confirmed about 130 new cases of infections of the coronavirus on Saturday, a third consecutive day with more than 100 new cases, public broadcaster NHK reported. Cases in Tokyo…

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North Korea says no need to sit down with US for talks

North Korea does not feel the need to have talks with the United States, which would be nothing more than "a political tool" for Washington, a senior North Korean diplomat…

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Heavy flooding in southwestern Japan

Japan is sending thousands of troops to join rescue operations on the southern island of Kyushu, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday, as three people were reported badly injured…

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Pakistani foreign minister tests positive for COVID-19

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday he had tested positive for COVID-19, days after holding high-profile meetings including one with U.S. special representative on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad…

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Indian state bans dog meat

The Indian state of Nagaland has banned the import, trading and sale of dog meat, in a move celebrated by animal rights activists. The north-east state's government announced the ban…

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Philippines reports 1,531 new coronavirus cases, largest single-day increase

The Philippines' health ministry on Friday reported six additional novel coronavirus deaths and 1,531 more infections, its largest single-day increase in confirmed cases. In a bulletin, the ministry said total…

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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport prepares to accommodate international passengers

According to reports in the Thai media, Suvarnabhumi airport is ready to accommodate international passengers under the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand's latest COVID-19 directives, which eases international air travel…

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India approves human trials for second COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Zydus has received approval from Indian regulators to begin human studies for its COVID-19 vaccine contender, the drugmaker said on Friday, as the novel coronavirus infections continue to surge in…

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HSBC to invest further in China amid political strife over Hong Kong law

HSBC Holdings Plc said on Friday it would make new investments in its wealth management and insurance operations in mainland China. The announcement comes at a time when the UK-headquartered…

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Kim Jong Un says North Korea prevented coronavirus from making inroads

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told a meeting of the politburo of the ruling Workers Party the North had stopped the novel coronavirus from making inroads in the country,…

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Italy gets jurisdiction in marines’ case accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012

The International Tribunal of Arbitration on Thursday ruled in Italy's favour in the case of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the southern Indian coast in…

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South Korea reports 63 new cases

South Korea reported 63 new coronavirus cases as of Thursday, most from domestic infections outside Seoul, triggering the return of tighter social distancing curbs in one city as the spectre…

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China reports five new coronavirus cases in mainland

China on Friday reported five new coronavirus cases in the mainland for July 2, compared with three cases a day earlier, the health authority said. Three of the new infections…

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China committed with 11 other countries to smoothen supply chain despite covid-19

China says it is committed with 11 other countries to ensuring well functioning supply chains despite the pandemic, according to a statement from the Commerce Ministry on Thursday. "We are…

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China warns of consequences if UK offers residency to HK citizens

China said on Thursday that Britain would bear all consequences for any move it took to offer Hong Kong citizens a path to settlement in the UK. China reserved the…

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Death toll in Myanmar landslide surges past 100

A landslide at a jade mine in northern Myanmar killed at least 100 people, with more feared dead, authorities said on Thursday, after a pile of mine waste collapsed into…

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Covid cases in India surpass 600,000

India has now recorded more than 600,000 coronavirus infections, and 17,834 deaths. The country has the fourth largest outbreak in the world, and the increase in infections presents a severe…

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Thailand reports 6 new coronavirus cases imported from abroad

Thailand on Thursday reported six new coronavirus cases, all of which were imported from abroad, marking 38 successive days without any domestic transmission. The new cases were four Thai nationals…

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Tokyo registers more than 100 more coronavirus cases

Tokyo confirmed more than 100 more novel coronavirus infections on Thursday, public broadcaster NHK said, the highest daily tally in two months in the city at the centre of Japan's…

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Photo Story: British artist and musician Goldie opens art gallery in Bangkok

British artist and musician Goldie walks through the Aurum Gallery in Bangkok, Thailand. Aurum Gallery was founded by Goldie to exhibit contemporary art. It will open on 04 July 2020.…

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Photo Story: Panda birth at Taipei Zoo

A handout photo made available by Taipei Zoo shows a zoo keeper feeding milk to a panda cub at Taipei Zoo in Taipei, Taiwan, 01 July 2020. Yuan Yuan gave…

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India gold prices hit all-time high as virus spike lifts safe-haven demand

Gold prices in India hit an all-time high on Wednesday, tracking a global rally, as surging coronavirus cases in many countries raised the metal's safe-haven appeal. Local gold futures hit…

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Tokyo Disney reopens

Tokyo Disney Resort welcomed visitors on Wednesday for the first time in four months after being closed due to the coronavirus, with fans practicing social distance as they returned to…

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Dozens held in Hong Kong as ‘anti-protest’ law kicks in on handover anniversary

Hong Kong police fired water cannon on Wednesday to break up the first protest since China introduced sweeping security legislation and they made their first arrests under it, warning of…

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Chinese study warns new swine flu virus has ‘pandemic’ potential

Researchers in China have discovered a new type of swine flu that could be capable of triggering a pandemic, according to a study published on Monday in the US science…

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South Korea calls for U.S.-N.Korea leaders’ summit before U.S. election

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un should meet again before the U.S. presidential election in November, a Seoul…

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Hong Kong wakes up to new national security law on handover anniversary

Security was tight near the heart of Hong Kong's government district on Wednesday only hours after new security laws came into force and as the city marked the 23rd…

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China reports three new coronavirus cases

China on Wednesday reported three new coronavirus cases in the mainland for June 30, down from 19 a day earlier, the health authority said. All the new infections were in…

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Covid-19: Thailand extends state of emergency until end July

Thailand on Tuesday extended an emergency decree until the end of July in a bid to avoid the risk of a second wave of the coronavirus, an official said, as the…

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China passes controversial law restricting democracy in Hong King

China's parliament passed national security legislation for Hong Kong on Tuesday, setting the stage for the most radical changes to the former British colony's way of life since it returned to Chinese…

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China registers 19 new cases of coronavirus as WHO experts fly in to investigate causes of outbreak

China has registered 19 new cases of coronavirus on the mainland, seven more than the day before. Of these new cases, seven were identified in the capital city Beijing, where a…

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Vietnam grounds Pakistani pilots over licence concerns

Vietnam's aviation authority said on Monday it had grounded all Pakistani pilots working for local airlines, amid concern from global regulators that some pilots may have been using "dubious" licences.…

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Photo Story: At least 28 killed as boat capsizes in Bangladesh

A woman reacts during the rescue operation in the aftermath of a boat capsizing in the Buriganga river in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 29 June 2020. According to local media reports and…

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