Japan set to announce coronavirus emergency, finalise near $1 trillion stimulus
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to announce a state of emergency for the capital Tokyo and six other prefectures to stem a worrying rise in coronavirus…
Singer Pink says she had coronavirus, pledges $US1 mln to relief efforts
US singer Pink said she had tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, two weeks ago and has since recovered. “Two weeks ago my three-year…
India says no plan to extend coronavirus lockdown as poor struggle
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU – India has no plans to extend a 21-day lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the government said, as it struggled to keep essential supplies flowing and prevent…
S.Korea’s emergency exercise in December facilitated coronavirus testing, containment
SEOUL – A South Korean tabletop exercise on emergency responses to a fictional mysterious outbreak led directly to tools the country deployed less than a month later to manage the arrival…
Thailand closes more public facilities as coronavirus cases top 1,100
BANGKOK – The Thai government has ordered the closing down of more public facilities and businesses in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, and extended existing closures until…
British PM Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus
LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating at his Downing Street residence but said he would still lead the government’s response to…
Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus, Queen Elizabeth in good health
LONDON – Prince Charles, the 71-year-old heir to the British throne, has tested positive for coronavirus but is in good health and is now self isolating in Scotland with mild symptoms. Charles,…
Delayed by sanctions, border checks, first medical aid trickles into N.Korea
SEOUL – The first shipments of international medical aid are due to arrive at North Korea’s borders this week to shore up its defences against the coronavirus, but strict border controls…
‘Is that it?’: Chinese report into death of doctor who raised coronavirus alarm underwhelms
SHANGHAI – A Chinese report into the coronavirus death of a young doctor reprimanded by police for “spreading rumours” when he tried to raise the alarm about the disease has…
S.Korea, China, Japan to discuss coronavirus response
SEOUL – The foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan will hold a video conference today to discuss cooperation on the coronavirus pandemic, Seoul’s foreign ministry said, amid growing…
