Asia

Sars ruled out as dozens fall ill in China

A mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected dozens in central China is not Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), health chiefs have said. They also discounted bird flu and Middle East…

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Photo Story: Winter in Afghanistan

Afghan children selling tea and groceries warm up themselves with a blanket as they wait for the customers on a hilltop after a heavy snowfall in Kabul, Afghanistan, 06 January…

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China replaced top official in Hong Kong as protests entered their eight month

China replaced one of its top officials in Hong Kong as anti-government protests on the island enter their eighth month. Luo Huining, the former Communist party chief for Shanxi province,…

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Alarms raised in China as mystery pneumonia outbreak infects dozens and spurs WHO action

China's health authorities are trying to identify what is causing an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan, officials said, as the number of its cases rose to 44…

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At least 50 dead as record rainfall continues to hit Jakarta

The death toll from flash floods around Indonesia's capital Jakarta has risen to at least 53 with a further 175,000 people being made homeless. Authorities confirmed one other person is…

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Indonesia plans cloud seeding to halt rain, as floods death toll rises to over 40

Indonesia will carry out cloud seeding on Friday in a bid to prevent further rainfall over the capital Jakarta, after deadly flash floods and landslides following some of the heaviest…

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HSBC kicks off year with Hong Kong branches closed, vandalized

HSBC is being drawn into Hong Kong’s political turmoil with protesters attacking some of its branches and graffiti daubed on the famous pair of lions that guard its city-center headquarters.…

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Photo Story: Kashmir in a grip of intense cold weather

A tourist poses for a photograph near a frozen waterfall in Drang area of Tangmarg, north of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, 02 January 2020. Kashmir valley is…

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Photo Story: The fatal floods in Jakarta

Indonesian rescuers evacuate a boy from a flooded area in Jakarta, Indonesia, 02 January 2020. Overnight heavy rains triggered widespread flooding in Jakarta and surrounding areas, killing at least 21.…

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Taiwan army chief dead in helicopter crash

Taiwan's top military official is among eight people killed when a military helicopter made an emergency landing in mountainous terrain, officials say. General Shen Yi-ming and 12 others were on…

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Money pumped into China’s economy in attempt to fight slowdown

China’s central bank has acted to pump more liquidity into the country’s economy in an attempt to prevent growth slowing in 2020. The People’s Bank of China is allowing commercial…

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China investigates respiratory illness outbreak

Chinese experts are investigating an outbreak of respiratory illness in the central city of Wuhan that some have likened to the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. The city’s health commission said in…

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UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ over North Korea missile tests threat

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is "deeply concerned" about North Korea's indication on Wednesday that it could resume nuclear and missile tests. The statement comes a day after…

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Japanese royal couple’s New Year address to the country

(L-R) Japan's former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, his son and current Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Crown Prince Akishino greet well-wishers through a bullet-proof glass from a balcony…

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Several dead, thousands caught in flooding in Indonesia’s Jakarta

At least 16 people were confirmed dead on Thursday and thousands were forced to evacuate, after severe flooding hit Indonesia's capital as residents were celebrating the New Year. Tens of…

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Filipinos warned against malicious online holiday greetings

A cybersecurity non-profit firm from the Philippines warned the public against malicious and fraudulent Christmas and New Year greetings sent through social messenger apps, such as Facebook Messenger. Several netizens…

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Photo Story: India gears up for the New Year with kites

Indian kite maker Jagmohan Kanojia displays his new kites made specially for New Year, at his home workshop in Amritsar, India, 30 December 2019. In winter season, each year youngsters…

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Hong Kong to end year with multiple protests, kick off 2020 with big march

Hong Kong will end 2019 with multiple protests planned for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day aimed at disrupting festivities and shopping in the Asian financial hub, which has…

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Chinese scientist who ‘gene-edited’ babies given three years in prison for illegal medical practice

A Chinese court on Monday sentenced the doctor who claimed to be behind the world’s first gene-edited babies to three years in prison for illegal medical practice, state media reported.…

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Photo Story: China prepares to welcome the Year of the Rat

Chinese people stand next to a mouse-shaped decoration at a shopping mall in Beijing, China, 30 December 2019. The Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, will fall on 25…

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Kim Jong-un calls for ‘positive and offensive’ security policy

North Korea's leader has called for "positive and offensive measures" to ensure the country's "sovereignty and security", state media said. Kim Jong-un was speaking at a multi-day gathering of party…

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Japan Airlines to offer 50,000 free round-trip domestic flights to foreign tourists

Japan Airlines Co. has said it will launch a campaign to offer free round-trip domestic flight tickets to up to 50,000 foreign nationals who visit Japan next summer. The initiative,…

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Photo Story: Dog show in Bhopal

The owner of a Rampur Greyhound dog caresses it during a pet show in Bhopal, India, 29 December 2019. Some 300 exhibitors from different states of India participated in the…

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Tourists stay away from Taj Mahal, other Indian attractions as protests flare

India’s tourism industry has been hit by a wave of violent anti-government protests against a new citizenship law that have rocked several cities this month, with at least seven countries…

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Boat with two human heads washes up on Japanese coast

A handout photo made available by Sado Coast Guard Office shows Korean letters written on the outside of a wooden boat that washed ashore on Sao Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.…

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The Year in Pictures – April: Multiple blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday

Sri Lankan police investigate the scene after an explosion hit Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 April 2019. Several explosions hit churches during Easter services and luxury hotels in…

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The Year in Pictures – February: US-North Korea Summit in Hanoi

A video grab shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) and US President Donald J. Trump (L) exchanging glances during the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, 27 February…

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Chinese aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait again

A newly commissioned Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait for a second time Thursday, Taipei’s defense ministry said, just weeks before the island goes to polls to elect…

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China, Russia, Iran to hold joint naval drills starting Friday

China, Iran and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting on Friday in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, China’s defence ministry said on Thursday amid heightened tension in…

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Japan executes first foreigner in a decade

Japan on Thursday executed a 40-year-old Chinese man who was convicted of murdering a Japanese family in 2003. Justice Minister Masako Mori said she had ordered the execution of the…

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Fifteenth anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami remembered

December 2019 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, or 'Boxing Day Tsunami'. The tsunami was triggered by a 9.2 earthquake in the Indian Ocean off…

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Philippines counts cost of deadly typhoon

At least 10 people have died after a powerful typhoon hit the central Philippines on Christmas Day, with the death toll likely to rise. Typhoon Phanfone, also known as Ursula,…

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Christmas prayer – China

People attend Christmas Eve Mass at the Xishiku Catholic Church in Beijing, China, 24 December 2019. Catholics in China attend church masses as they prepare to celebrate the religious holiday…

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EU to evaluate the Chinese offer for European investors

This week the EU and China held the 25th round of negotiations for the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. This round saw the second exchange of market access offers…

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Photo Story: The International Carnivals in Bangkok

Scenes outside a shopping mall during 'The International Carnivals' show in Bangkok, Thailand. The performance art from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Chile are to join the event of the…

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US braced for ‘Christmas gift’ missile launch from North Korea

The US is closely monitoring North Korea for a threatened "Christmas gift" missile launch or nuclear test. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had given the US until the end…

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Indian police ban protests

Police in India detained more than 100 protesters in key Indian cities Thursday as they defied a ban on protests that authorities hope stop widespread demonstrations against a new citizenship…

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Barack Obama states he believes women make better leaders than men, speaks about leaders stepping aside

If women ran every country in the world there would be a general improvement in living standards and outcomes, former US President Barack Obama has said. Speaking in Singapore, he…

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Hong Kong government must ‘restore order,’ says China’s premier

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday said Hong Kong is facing "unprecedented, serious and complicated situations" following months of civil unrest. Speaking at a press conference with Hong Kong leader…

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Protests erupt across India over citizenship law

Protests over a controversial new law on migrants have raged across several Indian cities, prompting police to clash with demonstrators. The new law entitles non-Muslim migrants from three Muslim-majority countries…

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U.S. urges North Korea to come to the negotiating table

U.S. special envoy Stephen Biegun has urged North Korea to come to the negotiating table, saying: "We are here, let's get this done." His comments in Seoul come days after…

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First photos from the earthquake in southern Philippines, a child is the first confirmed victim

Some of the first photos to emerge from quake-hit town of Padada, Philippines, 15 December 2019. Reports from the Philippines are saying that at least one child and causing several…

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UPDATED: Strong earthquake strikes Philippines, causes damage and possible victims

A powerful earthquake struck near the southern Philippines city of Davao on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, but there was no threat of a tsunami. The magnitude 6.8 quake…

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Biggest protest in Thailand since 2014 military coup

A reported 10,000 supporters of a Thai opposition party which could be banned by authorities have taken to the streets in the country's biggest protest since a 2014 military coup.…

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Photo story: Bangalore hosts its 45th annual cake exhibition

Sculptures crafted out of sugar bricks, sugar paste, and cakes, at the 45th annual Cake Exhibition prior Christmas in Bangalore, India. The annual cake exhibition is open for public and…

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India shuts down internet in north-eastern city of Guwahati after deadly protests

Internet access was cut in India's north-eastern city of Guwahati on Friday as thousands gathered for fresh protests against a new citizenship law, a day after police shot dead two…

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Photo Story: Obama attends an event in Kuala Lumpur

Former US president Barack Obama reacts on stage at an Obama Foundation event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13 December 2019. Obama and his wife Michelle are in Kuala Lumpur for…

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Photo Story: Christmas decorations in Seoul

People look at Christmas decorations in the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday 12 December 2019. Photos:EPA-EFE/JEON HEON-KYUN Click on photos to enlarge

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Celebration for to mark the conclusion of King Rama X coronation in Thailand

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (C) sits on a palanquin carried by royal guards as part of the celebrations to mark the conclusion of the Royal Coronation ceremony, near the…

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Patients die as lawyers ransack Pakistani hospital

Three patients died when hundreds of lawyers attacked a hospital in Lahore during a furious dispute with doctors. Video showed the lawyers ransacking wards at the cardiac hospital, beating up…

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South Korea finds some liquid e-cigarette products have ingredient linked to lung illness

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Indian Space Research Organization puts in orbit Earth Observation satellite

A handout picture provided by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) shows the fully integrated PSLV-C48 successfully launches RISAT-2BR1 taking off from the launch pad at Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space…

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India deploys troops to curb violent protests over citizenship law

India moved thousands of troops into Assam on Thursday after violent protests overnight against a new law that would make it easier for non-Muslim minorities from some neighbouring countries to…

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Chinese metropolitan area of Shanghai reclaims land from shallow coastal waters at a rapid rate

A handout composite photo made available by NASA Earth Observatory of two satellite images showing Nanhui New City, a newly-built city in the Pudong district on Hangzhou Bay, some 60…

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China orders state offices to replace foreign PCs and software

Beijing has ordered all government offices and public institutions to remove foreign computer equipment and software within three years, in a potential blow to the likes of HP, Dell and…

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Photo Story: Moon rises over Kathmandu

An eagle flies as the moon rises over Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday 9th December 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/NARENDRA SHRESTHA

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Tesco considering selling Thailand and Malaysia stores

Britain's biggest retailer, Tesco, is considering selling its stores in Thailand and Malaysia. The supermarket giant has more than 2,000 shops in both countries, which trade as Tesco Lotus. Only…

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