Russia says nearly half its reserves are frozen, counts on ties with China, World News,LONDON – Russia said on Sunday that it was counting on China to help it withstand the blow to its economy from Western sanctions, which it said had frozen nearly half of its gold and foreign currency reserves. “We
Hong Kong begins talks on controversial 'anti-doxxing' privacy bill, China News,HONG KONG – Hong Kong's legislature, which has no opposition party, begins discussions on Wednesday (July 21) on privacy laws tackling \”doxxing behaviour\” that some technology giants fear are so broad and
Thai court rules protesters intended to overthrow monarchy, Asia News,BANGKOK – A Thai court ruled yesterday (Nov 10) that three anti-government activists who had called for reform of the country's powerful monarchy had violated the Constitution by making what it called a veiled attempt to over
North Korea says won't attend Beijing Olympics, blames Covid-19 and 'hostile forces', Asia News,SEOUL – In a letter to China, North Korea blamed \”hostile forces\” and Covid-19 risks for not being able to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing and accused the United States of tr
Mission: Impossible sues insurance company over 7 Covid-19 shutdowns, Entertainment News,LOS ANGELES – Production on the new Mission: Impossible movie was shut down seven times due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday (Aug 30) that accuses the film's insurance com
Australia records first Omicron community case, authorities hold nerve for now, World News,SYDNEY – Australia on Friday (Dec 4) reported its first community transmission of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, but authorities held steady on a plan to reopen the economy amid hopes it would prove to b
Sri Lanka declares emergency after violent protests over economic crisis, Asia News,COLOMBO – Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a nationwide public emergency late on Friday following violent protests over the country's worst economic crisis in decades. In a Sri Lankan government
UK PM says China must be held to commitments made on Hong Kong, World News,LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain would do all it could to hold Beijing to its commitments on democratic rights made 25 years ago when Hong Kong was handed back to China. Johnson said China had failed to comp
Russian border becomes China's frontline in fight against second virus wave, China News,SUIFENHE, China – China's northeastern border with Russia has become a frontline in the fight against a resurgence of the coronavirus epidemic as new daily cases rose to the highest in nearly six weeks
China demographic crisis looms as population growth slips to lowest ever, China News,China's population grew at its slowest since the 1950s as births declined, sowing doubt over Beijing's ability to power its economy as it succumbs to the same ageing trends afflicting developed nations lik
South Korea reports biggest rise in coronavirus cases since March, Asia News,SEOUL – South Korea reported its highest daily rise in novel coronavirus cases since early March on Sunday (Aug 23), as outbreaks continued to spread from a Seoul church and from political demonstrations its members had att
Movie by gondola: Philippine cinema offers Venice-themed pandemic escape, Asia News,MANILA – Some moviegoers in the Philippine capital, tired of lengthy Covid-19 restrictions, are opting for a taste of Venice, bobbing in front of the big screen in socially distanced gondolas. Gondoliers in striped u
On Covid-19 alert, more Chinese cities advise residents to stay put for holiday, China News,BEIJING — More Chinese cities advised residents on Wednesday (Aug 7) to avoid unnecessary trips for the upcoming holiday long weekend, adding to Covid-19 policies that are keeping tens of millions of people u
Repeat offender? Woman who refused to wear mask in MBS has pending charge over similar offence, Singapore News,SINGAPORE – The woman seen in a viral clip refusing to don a mask while at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) last Saturday (May 15) is already facing a criminal charge over a similar offence allegedly
