Asia & Pacific – Page 28 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Japan tops 1 million Covid-19 cases as Olympics fuels new infections

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021By Editor

Japan has reached the solemn milestone of one million registered Covid-19 infections, with case numbers outside the capital swelling and the inoculation campaign lagging as the end of the Olympic Games draws near. … Read More >Japan tops 1 million Covid-19 cases as Olympics fuels new infections

‘Shameless political manipulation’: China rebukes Biden’s offer of a ‘safe haven’ in US for Hong Kongers

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021By Editor

The US is trying to play the “Hong Kong card” to undermine Beijing and doesn’t really care about the people, China’s foreign ministry has said, in response to US President Joe Biden’s offer of a ‘safe haven’ for Hong Kongers. … Read More >‘Shameless political manipulation’: China rebukes Biden’s offer of a ‘safe haven’ in US for Hong Kongers

China pledges ‘legitimate & necessary’ response after Biden’s first arms sale to Taiwan approved by State Department

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021By Editor

Beijing has vowed to retaliate after the US State Department gave the green light to a $750 million arms sale to Taiwan – President Joe Biden’s first to the island – arguing the deal damaged bilateral ties and Chinese sovereignty. … Read More >China pledges ‘legitimate & necessary’ response after Biden’s first arms sale to Taiwan approved by State Department

Indonesia announces ‘new era of bilateral relations’ with US as pair kick off largest-ever joint military training

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021By Editor

Indonesia’s foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, has announced a “new era of bilateral relations” with the US, as the two countries host a joint training exercise involving more than 3,000 soldiers. … Read More >Indonesia announces ‘new era of bilateral relations’ with US as pair kick off largest-ever joint military training

Pure racism’: Foreign workers in South Korea slate major city’s ‘discriminatory’ new anti-Covid directive to firms employing them

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021By Editor

Foreign workers have denounced a South Korean city’s newly launched Covid-screening campaign as “racist” and “nonsensical” after it made testing mandatory for workplaces with less than 30 employees – if one of them is a foreigner. … Read More >Pure racism’: Foreign workers in South Korea slate major city’s ‘discriminatory’ new anti-Covid directive to firms employing them

Singapore court orders British expat caught without a mask to undergo psychiatric evaluation after courtroom outburst

Posted on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021By Editor

A British national accused of not wearing a mask and being a public nuisance has been sent to a mental hospital by a Singapore court, after dismissing the charges against him as absurd and refusing to enter a plea. … Read More >Singapore court orders British expat caught without a mask to undergo psychiatric evaluation after courtroom outburst

Malaysia greenlights Moderna Covid vaccine for conditional use as coronavirus cases climb

Posted on August 16, 2021August 16, 2021By Editor

Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority has announced that Moderna’s Covid vaccine has been given conditional approval for usage, just as the country suffers a surge in daily coronavirus infections. … Read More >Malaysia greenlights Moderna Covid vaccine for conditional use as coronavirus cases climb

Covid restrictions in Japan extended to over 70% of the country as Tokyo hospitals struggle to cope with surging cases

Posted on August 16, 2021August 16, 2021By Editor

Japanese officials have extended Covid restrictions to more than 70% of the country’s population, amid a surge in infections that is threatening to overwhelm hospitals across the nation, including the Olympics hub of Tokyo. … Read More >Covid restrictions in Japan extended to over 70% of the country as Tokyo hospitals struggle to cope with surging cases

South Korea to be one of world’s largest vaccine manufacturers, says Moon, pledging $1.92 billion investment

Posted on August 16, 2021August 16, 2021By Editor

The South Korean president’s office has announced plans to elevate the country to be one of the world’s largest vaccine producers with an investment of 2.2 trillion won ($1.92 billion) over the next four years. … Read More >South Korea to be one of world’s largest vaccine manufacturers, says Moon, pledging $1.92 billion investment

China reimposes restrictions on overseas travel amid crackdown to control jump in Covid cases

Posted on August 15, 2021August 15, 2021By Editor

Chinese officials have announced new restrictions on overseas travel, restricting the issuing of passports and other documents except in “non-essential” circumstances, as the state tries to curb rising Covid cases. … Read More >China reimposes restrictions on overseas travel amid crackdown to control jump in Covid cases