Tag Archives: Asia

The Japanese government, under fire for a limited number of coronavirus tests conducted, eased access to such tests on Friday and indicated that a new test supplementing the currently dominant polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test could be approved next week. The Health Ministry said it now wants people experiencing difficulty …

At least 13 people have been killed by a massive gas leak at a chemical plant in southern India, with 800 others taken to hospital. The leak from the LG Polymers plant in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state came as people slept. Doctors say patients have been …

Chinese youngsters in the global virus epicentre of Wuhan filed back to class on Wednesday, wearing masks and walking in single file past thermal scanners. Senior school students in 121 institutions were back in front of chalkboards and digital displays for the first time since their city — the ground …

A genetic study of samples from more than 7,500 people infected with COVID-19 suggests the new coronavirus spread quickly around the world after it emerged in China sometime between October and December last year, scientists said on Wednesday. Scientists at University College London’s Genetics Institute found almost 200 recurrent genetic …

Three Indian soldiers were killed in a gunbattle with militants in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Monday, a day after a similar incident in which five were killed. Juniad Khan, a senior paramilitary force officer, told Reuters that militants attacked the men from the Central Reserve Police Force …

World leaders, organizations and banks on Monday pledged 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) for research to find a vaccine against the new coronavirus, but warned that it is just the start of an effort that must be sustained over time to beat the disease. The funds, pledged at a video-conference …

Two defector-turned-lawmakers in South Korea have apologized for publicly raising suspicions over the health of Kim Jong-un after a recent appearance by the North Korean leader ended global speculation about his well-being. Thae Yong-ho, who won a parliamentary seat during last month’s general elections, in a statement on Monday apologized …

Coronavirus patients with light symptoms arriving to stay at several Tokyo hotels are likely to get a lift from a pleasant surprise – a robot greeter in the lobby. Japan is now using hotels to house patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus but whose symptoms are too light …

India has seen its highest jump in deaths related to the novel coronavirus in a 24-hour period following its highest daily increase, the Health Ministry says. A total of 73 people affected by the virus had died since Tuesday morning, taking the country-wide toll to 1,007. The Wednesday daily increase …

At least 36 people have been killed in a fire at a warehouse that was under construction in the South Korean city of Icheon. The blaze was caused by an explosion of flammable material being used in the installation of insulation in a basement, South Korean media reported. All the …

Satellite imagery showing recent movements of luxury boats often used by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his entourage near Wonsan provide further indications he has been at the coastal resort, according to experts who monitor the reclusive regime. Speculation about Kim’s health and location erupted after his unprecedented …

A bomb attack has left three people dead and 15 others injured near the Afghan capital, Kabul. “A suicide bomber detonated his explosives among civilians in the Reshkhor area of Char Asiab district of Kabul on Wednesday morning,” Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said. Char Asiab is approximately 11 …

Over 1.37 billion Indians have entered the 33rd day of what is being called the world’s largest lockdown as a precaution against the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic. As total COVID-19 cases have exceeded the 29,000 marks, a lockdown extension after 3 May has been demanded by state chiefs, …

US President Donald Trump further fueled speculation about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, telling reporters at the White House he had a “very good idea” of his condition but couldn’t talk about it at this time. “I can’t tell you exactly. Yes I do have a very …

The United Nations’ top human rights official has called on the Bangladeshi authorities to allow the disembarking of two stranded boatloads of starving Rohingya Muslim refugees who have fled Myanmar by boats. In a letter to the Bangladesh government on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned …

Severe floods and landslides in northern Vietnam caused by torrential rains resulted in the deaths of five people over three days, 25 were injured and a few others went missing, local media reported on Saturday, citing local authorities. According to the VN Express newspaper, citing the Central Steering Committee for …

Rumors of North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un’s declining health have inspired a bevy of mocking and agenda-driven tweets from both the left and right. The hashtag #KIMJONGUNDEAD began trending on Twitter shortly after Reuters reported that China had dispatched a team of medical experts to the country to advise …

India allowed shops in residential areas to reopen from Saturday, more than a month after the country went into lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, federal and state officials said. The federal home ministry said late on Friday that retailers could resume operations with the staff numbers reduced …

China has dispatched a team to North Korea including medical experts to advise on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to three people familiar with the situation. The trip by the Chinese doctors and officials comes amid conflicting reports about the health of the North Korean leader. Reuters was …

Chinese medical experts have shared their experience with Iraqi health officials in a video conference, as part of China’s efforts to help Iraq cope with the spread of COVID-19. Renowned Chinese respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan joined the conference which was held on Thursday. China’s Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao, Iraqi …