Asia & Pacific – THE OVAL CIRCLE

China suspends economic dialogue with Australia ‘indefinitely’ amid spat over Belt & Road Initiative

Posted on May 7, 2021May 7, 2021By Editor

Beijing has axed a high-level channel for economic talks with Canberra, blasting Australian leaders for having a “Cold War mentality” after the country canceled two contracts linked to its Belt and Road project. … Read More >China suspends economic dialogue with Australia ‘indefinitely’ amid spat over Belt & Road Initiative

India’s top court gives govt till Thursday morning to provide plan on supplying Delhi hospitals with oxygen amid shortages

Posted on May 6, 2021May 6, 2021By Editor

India’s highest court has set a strict deadline for officials to devise a plan for solving the medical oxygen crisis in the capital. A lower court had previously threatened to charge the government with contempt. … Read More >India’s top court gives govt till Thursday morning to provide plan on supplying Delhi hospitals with oxygen amid shortages

Red Cross warns ‘Covid variants are running rampant across Asia’ as India’s crisis spills over into neighbor Nepal

Posted on May 6, 2021May 6, 2021By Editor

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has warned Nepal’s health system is at risk of being overrun by rising Covid cases, as India’s outbreak spills across into neighboring nations around South Asia. … Read More >Red Cross warns ‘Covid variants are running rampant across Asia’ as India’s crisis spills over into neighbor Nepal

Beijing tells Manila to keep hands off Chinese islands, asks FM to comply with basic etiquette of diplomacy after ‘dirty’ remarks

Posted on May 6, 2021May 6, 2021By Editor

The Chinese foreign ministry has issued a stern rebuke after Philippines’ foreign minister ordered Beijing’s vessels to “get the f**k out” of Manila’s waters. Beijing says Huangyan Island is Chinese territory. … Read More >Beijing tells Manila to keep hands off Chinese islands, asks FM to comply with basic etiquette of diplomacy after ‘dirty’ remarks

‘Not a god reborn’: Taiwan defends health minister criticized over minor uptick in Covid-19 cases, urges public to follow rules

Posted on May 5, 2021May 5, 2021By Editor

Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang has defended the island’s health minister, criticized over the recent slight spike in Covid-19 cases, stating that even “a god reborn” would not have been able to assure perfect compliance. … Read More >‘Not a god reborn’: Taiwan defends health minister criticized over minor uptick in Covid-19 cases, urges public to follow rules

China administers 279 million Covid-19 vaccines in fight against virus

Posted on May 5, 2021May 5, 2021By Editor

The Chinese authorities have administered nearly 280 million vaccines, surpassing the US, in an effort to inoculate 40% of its population by the end of June. … Read More >China administers 279 million Covid-19 vaccines in fight against virus

Chairman of South Korean dairy giant steps down after company claims its yogurt is effective against Covid-19

Posted on May 5, 2021By Editor

The head of one of South Korea’s largest dairy companies has resigned after the firm claimed that its yogurt drink helps to fight Covid-19, prompting authorities to launch a probe into false advertising. … Read More >Chairman of South Korean dairy giant steps down after company claims its yogurt is effective against Covid-19

Grim milestone: India’s Covid-19 cases surpass 20 million as country suffers from medical oxygen shortages

Posted on May 5, 2021May 5, 2021By Editor

India has become the second nation after the US to record more than 20 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. The opposition in the country has called for a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the virus. … Read More >Grim milestone: India’s Covid-19 cases surpass 20 million as country suffers from medical oxygen shortages

Stalin fulfills political destiny, comes to power in Indian state assembly elections

Posted on May 5, 2021May 5, 2021By Editor

An Indian politician named after Joseph Stalin is set to become chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu – a role he has been groomed for since birth – after his party’s comfortable victory in state assembly elections. … Read More >Stalin fulfills political destiny, comes to power in Indian state assembly elections

‘GET THE F**K OUT’: Philippines foreign secretary issues not-so-diplomatic request to China amid maritime dispute

Posted on May 5, 2021May 5, 2021By Editor

In a startling detour from diplomatic norms, Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has fired off an expletive-laced Twitter rant directed at China as the two countries lock horns over territorial claims. … Read More >‘GET THE F**K OUT’: Philippines foreign secretary issues not-so-diplomatic request to China amid maritime dispute