World / Asia

Thousands attend music festival in Wuhan, where COVID-19 first emerged 02 May 2021 - 01:16 pm

Wuhan, China: Thousands of people attended the first day of the Wuhan Strawberry Music Festival on Saturday. In warm conditions on the first...

Pakistan to slash international flights by 80% to curb COVID-19 02 May 2021 - 01:02 pm

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will reduce the number of international flights into and out of its airports by 80% to help curb rising COVID-19...

Malaysia reports first case of Indian COVID-19 variant 02 May 2021 - 12:57 pm

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has detected its first case of a highly infectious coronavirus variant first identified in India, Health Minister Adham Baba...

India's COVID-19 daily cases hold close to record, another state imposes lockdown 02 May 2021 - 12:41 pm

NEW DELHI - India's new coronavirus cases dipped marginally on Sunday but deaths due to the infection jumped by a record 3,689, with...

Taiwan's first batch of COVID-19 aid leaves for India 02 May 2021 - 11:54 am

TAIPEI - Taiwan's first batch of aid to India to help it fight a surging increase in COVID-19 infections left for New Delhi...

Australia's Perth at risk of second snap-lockdown with three new COVID-19 infections 02 May 2021 - 11:51 am

SYDNEY - Australia's fourth-largest city faces prospects of its second snap lockdown in two weeks, officials said on Sunday, after a hotel quarantine...

Indian scientists flag virus mutations that could 'evade immune response' 01 May 2021 - 02:37 pm

NEW DELHI: A forum of scientific advisers set up by the Indian government has told authorities about minor mutations in some samples of...

Kabul on high alert amid 'deadline' for U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan 01 May 2021 - 01:50 pm

Kabul: Kabul security was ramped up on Saturday as the city braced for reaction from the insurgent Taliban as U.S. troops still present...

Philippines receives first batch of Russia's Sputnik V vaccines 01 May 2021 - 12:55 pm

MANILA: The Philippines received its first batch of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, the presidential office said. The 15,000 doses of...

Hospital fire kills 18 virus patients as India steps up jabs 01 May 2021 - 12:27 pm

NEW DELHI: A fire in a COVID-19 hospital ward in western India killed 18 patients early Saturday, as the country grappling with the...

Japan jolted by magnitude 6.8 earthquake; no serious injuries reported, no tsunami alert 01 May 2021 - 11:54 am

Tokyo: An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8, revised up from an earlier estimate of 6.6, jolted northeast Japan on Saturday, shaking buildings...

Tanzania installs oxygen production plants as demand increases 01 May 2021 - 11:08 am

Nairobi: Tanzania has installed medical oxygen production plants in its biggest national hospitals to serve intensive care ward patients, including those ill with...

Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines 01 May 2021 - 11:00 am

SYDNEY: Australian residents and citizens who have been in India within 14 days of the date they plan to return home will be...

India's daily COVID-19 cases pass 400,000 for first time as second wave worsens 01 May 2021 - 10:38 am

New Delhi: India posted a record daily rise of 401,993 new coronavirus cases on Saturday as the country opened up its massive vaccination...

Japan luxury cruise halted after COVID-19 case 30 Apr 2021 - 05:01 pm

TOKYO: Japan's Nippon Yusen subsidiary NYK Cruises Co said on Friday that its luxury cruise ship "Asuka II" was returning to port after...

Singapore warns of 'tougher action' if infections spread wider 30 Apr 2021 - 03:26 pm

SINGAPORE: Singapore urged its people to reduce social interactions and warned of tougher action on Friday if coronavirus infections rise further, a day...

Record number of Chinese to travel over Labour Day break, but stick close to home 30 Apr 2021 - 03:14 pm

BEIJING: A record-breaking wave of Chinese tourists will hit the road for the Labour Day break, and with borders still shut many will...

Thailand to receive 3.5 mln more doses of Sinovac vaccine in May 30 Apr 2021 - 02:47 pm

BANGKOK: Thailand will next month receive another 3.5 million doses of Sinovac Biotech's coronavirus vaccine, a senior health official said on Friday, as...