China says will counter any U.S. actions over Hong Kong bill
China said on Friday it will take any necessary countermeasures if the United States insists on interfering in Beijing’s internal affairs and taking action in response to the Hong Kong security bill ratified by China’s parliament on Thursday.
Former South Korean ‘comfort women’ leader apologises for ‘banking errors’
The former leader of an advocacy group for South Korean victims of Japanese wartime sexual violence on Friday denied allegations of misusing funds meant for the victims but apologised for “banking errors”.
Hong Kong warns removing U.S. special status is a ‘double-edged sword’
Hong Kong told the United States to keep out of the debate over national security legislation being imposed by China, and warned that withdrawal of the financial hub’s special status under U.S. law could backfire on the U.S. economy.
Thailand to further ease restrictions, shorten curfew hours
Thailand will next week shorten curfew hours and ease restrictions on more businesses, the government said on Friday, in response to its low numbers of locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus.
What you need to know about the coronavirus right now
Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:
Japan air force pilots fly over Tokyo to salute medical workers
The Japanese air force’s aerobatic demonstration squadron, Blue Impulse, flew over central Tokyo on Friday in a salute to medical workers on the frontline against the coronavirus pandemic.
Britain needs to start tapering its COVID furlough scheme: minister
Britain cannot run its COVID-19 jobs protection scheme indefinitely and needs to start tapering it down as people slowly return to work, environment minister George Eustice said on Friday.
Australian court orders release of letters to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth surrounding PM sacking
An Australian court ruled on Friday that the country’s archives must release letters between Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and her local representative during the 1970s, a move which may shed light on the sacking of its then prime minister Gough Whitlam.
Nepali Sherpas wait, grow potatoes as Himalayas remain closed due to coronavirus
Had it not been for the coronavirus, Nepali climbing guide Tashi Lakpa Sherpa would have been on Mount Everest now, guiding clients and trying to add another feather in his cap – a ninth ascent.
Go-go bars gone as coronavirus hits Bangkok’s sex district
The black leather party masks that performers May and Som wear for their fetish shows in Bangkok are definitely not the sort to stop the coronavirus.
