World / Asia

New Zealand reports 21 local Covid-19 cases, more expected 21 Aug 2021 - 11:03 am

New Zealand recorded 21 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warning the number will go higher in the...

Cautious optimism as Philippines, Malaysia ease some coronavirus curbs 20 Aug 2021 - 07:09 pm

MANILA: After 17 months of on-off lockdown measures in and around the Philippine capital Manila, its weary residents are hoping the latest easing...

Philippines sees record coronavirus infections, death rate climbs 20 Aug 2021 - 05:26 pm

MANILA: The Philippines reported a record in new coronavirus cases on Friday and warned the trend could continue as restrictions were relaxed in...

Vietnam to deploy troops, issues stay-home order as COVID-19 deaths spiral 20 Aug 2021 - 05:20 pm

HANOI: Vietnam will deploy troops in Ho Chi Minh City and prohibit residents from leaving their homes, authorities said on Friday, as the...

India says to exceed emission cut targets, further reduction hinges on climate fund 20 Aug 2021 - 04:03 pm

NEW DELHI: India is set to exceed its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the share of non-fossil fuels in electricity...

S.Korea extends social distancing, allows fully vaccinated some leeway 20 Aug 2021 - 03:57 pm

SEOUL: South Korea has extended its social distancing curbs for two weeks amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, while allowing vaccinated people some...

Indian drug regulator panel recommends Cadila's COVID-19 vaccine - CNBC-TV18 20 Aug 2021 - 12:40 pm

BENGALURU - The Indian drug regulator's subject expert committee has recommended emergency use approval for Zydus Cadila's three-dose COVID-19 vaccine, CNBC-TV18 reported on...

Sri Lankans seek full COVID lockdown ahead of president's address 20 Aug 2021 - 12:33 pm

COLOMBO - Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will meet his COVID-19 advisers on Friday and is expected later to address the nation as...

Thailand reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases, plans vaccine boosters 20 Aug 2021 - 12:30 pm

BANGKOK - Thailand's passed the 1 million mark in coronavirus cases on Friday, 97% of which were recorded in the past five months,...

In highly vaccinated Singapore, masks may be last virus curb to go 20 Aug 2021 - 12:13 pm

SINGAPORE - Singapore, one of the world's most vaccinated countries, is likely to stick to its mask mandate for some more time, according...

Japan to ramp up COVID-19 tests as it battles worst wave of infections 20 Aug 2021 - 11:53 am

TOKYO - Japan plans to dramatically ramp up daily COVID-19 tests, borrowing from anti-contagion measures used in the recent Tokyo Olympics, as it...

New Zealand outbreak widens making lockdown extension likely 20 Aug 2021 - 11:20 am

WELLINGTON - New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended a nationwide lockdown on Friday as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country...

Singapore gets sweet pandemic distraction as Museum of Ice Cream opens 19 Aug 2021 - 08:09 pm

SINGAPORE - America's Museum of Ice Cream launched its first international outlet in Singapore on Thursday, providing some sweet distraction from the coronavirus...

Philippines' Duterte to relax coronavirus curbs in capital region 19 Aug 2021 - 06:58 pm

MANILA - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday approved the easing of coronavirus curbs in the capital region from Aug. 21 to 31,...

S.Korea COVID-19 count ticks up as authorities consider tougher distancing 19 Aug 2021 - 03:11 pm

SEOUL: South Korea reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases for the second time on Thursday as it struggles to subdue a wave...

Singapore’s vaccinated travel easing starts with Germany, Brunei 19 Aug 2021 - 02:25 pm

Singapore will pilot quarantine-free travel lanes for vaccinated passengers next month from Germany and Brunei and open up to visitors from Hong Kong...

A small Afghan girl is lifted from the crowd, capturing desperation to flee Kabul 19 Aug 2021 - 01:51 pm

From the surging crowd of people outside Kabul airport, a small girl is lifted up over the high perimeter wall and passed into...

Sydney steps up vaccine rollout as Australia's COVID-19 cases at daily high 19 Aug 2021 - 01:32 pm

SYDNEY: Australia reported its biggest one-day rise in coronavirus infections on Thursday, as authorities began doling out emergency supplies of vaccine in the...