World / Asia

S.Korea in talks with mRNA vaccine makers to make up to 1 bln doses: Govt official 05 Jul 2021 - 12:42 pm

SEOUL: South Korea is in talks with mRNA vaccine makers including Pfizer and Moderna to produce COVID-19 shots in the country and is...

As COVID-19 cases abate, Taiwan eyes easing restrictions 05 Jul 2021 - 12:35 pm

TAIPEI: Taiwan's Cabinet said on Monday that with COVID-19 cases abating there is room to ease restrictions and ministries and officials should make...

'Call of duty': Indonesian bikers brave COVID-19 surge to escort ambulances 05 Jul 2021 - 12:15 pm

DEPOK, Indonesia: Indonesian volunteer biker Sebastian Dwiyantoro and his team have been particularly busy helping ambulances navigate heavy traffic in Jakarta's satellite city...

Rescuers in Japan hunt for 80 missing after deadly landslides 05 Jul 2021 - 12:06 pm

TOKYO: Rescuers in Japan searched on Monday for 80 people believed to be missing two days after landslides tore through the seaside city...

As COVID cases rise, Australia's New South Wales says next 2 days 'critical' 05 Jul 2021 - 11:29 am

Sydney/WELLINGTON: Australia's New South Wales (NSW) on Monday said the next two days would be "absolutely critical" in deciding whether a two-week anti-coronavirus...

Thailand factory blast kills 1, mass evacuation underway 05 Jul 2021 - 11:05 am

BANGKOK: Thousands of people on the outskirts of Thailand's capital were being evacuated on Monday and firefighters battled blazes for hours after a...

Bangladesh reports highest number of COVID-19 deaths despite lockdown 05 Jul 2021 - 12:12 am

DHAKA, Bangladesh – Bangladesh on Sunday witnessed 153 COVID-19 deaths, the highest number since the pandemic hit the country, amid a weeklong strict...

Philippine military plane crashes, 31 dead, 50 rescued 04 Jul 2021 - 02:22 pm

MANILA, Philippines: A Philippine air force C-130 aircraft carrying combat troops crashed in a southern province while landing Sunday, killing at least 29...

Philippines warns Taal Volcano may erupt as gas emissions surge 04 Jul 2021 - 01:30 pm

The Philippines’ volcanology agency warned that the Taal volano may erupt anytime, flagging record volumes of gas emissions, localized quakes, and rumblings from...

Indonesia ramps up oxygen output after dozens die amid scarcity 04 Jul 2021 - 12:55 pm

JAKARTA: Indonesia has ordered oxygen makers to prioritise medical needs amid growing demand from COVID-19 patients, the government said on Sunday, following more...

At least 17 killed in Philippines troop plane crash 04 Jul 2021 - 10:49 am

MANILA: At least 17 people were killed when a Philippines Air Force plane carrying troops crashed on landing in the south of the...

Japan rescue work continues after deadly landslides, 20 missing: Kyodo 04 Jul 2021 - 10:22 am

TOKYO: Rain hampered Japanese rescuers seeking 20 missing people on Sunday after landslides triggered by torrential rains hit the central city of Atami,...

Boxer Pacquiao backs corruption claims with missing public funds allegation 03 Jul 2021 - 02:48 pm

MANILA: More than 10 billion pesos ($204 million) in pandemic aid intended for poor Philippine families is unaccounted for, boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao said...

Overseas tourists finally roam free on Thai island of Phuket 02 Jul 2021 - 09:54 pm

PHUKET: Newly arrived overseas tourists on Thailand's island of Phuket were able to roam free without quarantine on Friday for the first time...

Novavax says Taiwan has opted to get firm's COVID-19 vaccine via COVAX 02 Jul 2021 - 08:29 pm

TAIPEI: Taiwan has chosen to get the Novavax Inc COVID-19 vaccine via the COVAX global sharing scheme, the company said on Friday, which...

Without ICUs, doctor in Jakarta hospital battles to help COVID-19 patients 02 Jul 2021 - 08:02 pm

JAKARTA: Indonesian doctor Cheras Sjarfi says the small public hospital where she works in south Jakarta was not ready for the influx of...

Philippine villagers fear twin perils: Volcano and COVID-19 02 Jul 2021 - 05:46 pm

LAUREL, Philippines: Thousands of people were being evacuated from villages around a rumbling volcano near the Philippine capital Friday, but officials said they...

Indonesia to boost social, health spending amid virus battle 02 Jul 2021 - 03:11 pm

JAKARTA: Indonesia will increase social assistance and healthcare spending in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases and to soften the economic blow...