Hong Kong government rejects UK criticism of new security law as biased
The Hong Kong government hit back on Friday at a report by Britain criticising Beijing’s move to impose national security legislation on the global financial hub, saying the report was “inaccurate and biased”.
South Korea to extend virus guidelines on prevention, sanitation
South Korea will extend prevention and sanitation guidelines against the coronavirus until daily new infections drop to single digits, the health minister said on Friday, failing which he warned of a return to tough social distancing measures.
Rio Tinto chief apologizes for blasting ancient caves as Australia starts inquiry
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques on Friday apologized for distress caused by Rio’s destruction last month of two ancient and sacred Aboriginal caves in Western Australia, pledging full cooperation with an Australian government inquiry.
Australia has eliminated COVID-19 in some parts, says chief medical officer
Australia has effectively eliminated COVID-19 in some parts of the country, its chief medical officer said on Friday.
Vietnam schoolgirl creates art from the chaos of the coronavirus
Stuck at home with school suspended, Nguyen Doi Chung Anh made the most of a lockdown in Vietnam by using art to demonstrate tragedy, resilience and chaos in the world’s battle against the coronavirus.
Australian PM pushes for internal borders to be reopened
Australia’s federal government stepped up pressure on state and territory leaders on Friday to reopen internal borders, a step viewed as key to reviving the country’s coronavirus-hit economy.
How a vaccine made of mosquito spit could help stop the next epidemic
Five years ago, in an office complex with a giant sculpture of a mosquito just northwest of Phnom Penh, Jessica Manning struck on a novel idea. Rather than spend more years in what felt like a futile search for a malaria vaccine, she would take on all …
Iraq, U.S. affirm commitment to U.S. troop withdrawal: state media
Iraq and the United States have affirmed their commitment to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq without giving a timeline, state news agency INA said on Friday, citing Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
Arms seized by U.S., missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia ‘of Iranian origin’: U.N.
Cruise missiles used in several attacks on oil facilities and an international airport in Saudi Arabia last year were of “Iranian origin,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council in a report seen by Reuters on Thursday.
Australian PM pushes for internal borders to be reopened
Australia’s federal government stepped up pressure on state and territory leaders on Friday to reopen internal borders, a step viewed as key to reviving the country’s coronavirus-hit economy.




