Cautious Japan unlikely to introduce September school year start any time soon: media
Japan is unlikely to change its academic year to start in September rather than April in either 2020 or 2021, domestic media said on Thursday, despite calls for reform that advocates say would help internationalise the country’s education system.
U.S. unit to arrive in Colombia to help fight drug trafficking
A U.S. army unit will arrive in Colombia in the coming days to help the Andean country’s armed forces fight against drug trafficking for a four-month period, the U.S. embassy in Bogota said on Wednesday.
As Japan reopens, coronavirus testing slowed by bureaucracy and staff shortages
At the beginning of April, a young Japanese sumo wrestler known as Shobushi came down with a fever. His coaches tried calling a local public health centre to get him a coronavirus test, but the phone lines were busy.
South Korea reports 79 new coronavirus cases, most since April 5
South Korea reported 79 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, the largest one day increase since April 5.
Australia’s rugby league football to kick off as COVID-19 cases slow
Australia’s National Rugby League football competition, a bruising body contact sport, will on Thursday resume after a two-month hiatus as the number of coronavirus cases in the country slows and social restrictions are eased.
U.S. and China fight at United Nations over Hong Kong
The United States and China clashed over Hong Kong at the United Nations on Wednesday after Beijing opposed a request by Washington for the Security Council to meet over China’s plan to impose new national security legislation on the territory.
Colombia to begin easing restrictions from the start of June
Colombia will begin easing restrictions put in place to control the spread of the coronavirus starting from June, President Ivan Duque said Wednesday, though he asked the public to continue isolating at home and keep using measures to contain the disea…
Philippines’ task force recommends easing of lockdown in capital
The Philippines’ coronavirus task force has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte easing lockdown measures in Manila from June 1, despite the country still reporting some of its highest daily numbers of COVID-19 cases and missing testing targets.
UK closes embassy, pulls diplomats from North Korea over coronavirus restrictions
Britain temporarily closed its embassy in North Korea and all diplomatic staff have left the country, the U.K. ambassador said on Thursday, the latest foreign delegation to leave amid strict coronavirus restrictions.
Mexico registers 78,023 total cases of coronavirus and 8,597 deaths
Mexico on Wednesday registered 3,463 new cases of coronavirus and 463 deaths, bringing its totals to 78,023 cases and 8,597 fatalities, according to information provided by health authorities.
