World / Asia

N.Korea reports first COVID-19 outbreak, orders lockdown in "gravest emergency" 12 May 2022 - 10:22 am

SEOUL: North Korea confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak on Thursday, calling it the "gravest national emergency" and ordering a national lockdown, with state...

Philippine economy in solid shape as Marcos set to take the helm 12 May 2022 - 10:15 am

MANILA: Newly-elected Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will inherit an economy that has strongly bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic when he takes...

Sherpa woman climbs Everest for 10th time, breaks own record 12 May 2022 - 10:09 am

Kathmandu: A Nepali Sherpa broke her own record as the most successful female climber of Mount Everest by reaching the summit of the...

Philippines' Marcos to 'hit the ground running' as president 11 May 2022 - 03:37 pm

MANILA: Philippines election winner Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday he would hit the ground running as president and was looking very carefully...

WHO chief's remarks on China's Covid policy blocked on country's social media 11 May 2022 - 10:49 am

Beijing: A United Nations Weibo post on the World Health Organization chief's comments that China's zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy is not sustainable was removed...

Japan passes economic security bill to guard sensitive technology 11 May 2022 - 10:48 am

TOKYO: Japan's parliament on Wednesday passed an economic security bill aimed at guarding technology and reinforcing critical supply chains, while also imposing tighter...

Japan hints masks no longer needed outside ahead of reopening 11 May 2022 - 10:29 am

Japan’s top government spokesman said people don’t need to wear masks outside provided they’re taking proper distancing precautions after a top medical expert...

India eases green rules for coal mines to tackle fuel crisis 11 May 2022 - 10:21 am

India has eased environment approvals for coal mine expansions to boost output amid fuel shortages that have triggered hours-long blackouts. Some existing sites...

Shanghai firm says affiliate carrying out checks after COVID test accuracy questioned 11 May 2022 - 10:13 am

SHANGHAI: Shanghai Runda Medical Technology said on Wednesday it has ordered its COVID testing affiliate to carry out checks after Shanghai residents whose...

Marcos Jr. faces calls to ensure democracy, human rights 11 May 2022 - 09:57 am

MANILA, Philippines: After most of his key rivals conceded defeat, presumptive Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the namesake son of an ousted dictator,...

Sri Lanka extends curfew after violence, PM's resignation 11 May 2022 - 09:27 am

Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities extended a curfew another day Wednesday as sporadic violence and arson continued after pro-government mobs attacked peaceful protesters and...

Philippines election winner Marcos tells world to judge him by actions, not family's past 10 May 2022 - 03:45 pm

MANILA: The son of the disgraced late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos vowed on Tuesday to work for all people after his stunning election...

Sri Lanka anti-government protests continue despite curfew 10 May 2022 - 02:48 pm

COLOMBO: Defying a nationwide curfew in Sri Lanka, several hundred protesters continued to chant slogans against the government on Tuesday, a day after...

Indonesian sailors seize $82M of cocaine floating off port 10 May 2022 - 02:35 pm

Jakarta, Indonesia: Sailors deployed to secure travel during the Eid al-Fitr holiday made Indonesia's biggest cocaine seizure after finding plastic packages of the...

Luxury brands navigate Shanghai's lockdown to keep VIPs pampered 10 May 2022 - 11:13 am

SHANGHAI: What Ms. Zhang didn't expect when she hunkered down for Shanghai's citywide lockdown was complementary ready meals and desserts from luxury brands...

Francisco Domagoso concedes defeat in Philippine presidential election 10 May 2022 - 11:00 am

MANILA: Manila city Mayor Francisco Domagoso on Tuesday conceded defeat in the Philippines presidential election, after the poll body's unofficial tally showed Ferdinand...