Beijing, on HK, says no country would let separatists endanger security
China said on Friday it opposed foreign interference in Hong Kong and that no country would allow separatists to endanger national security, responding to the latest U.S. criticisms about Beijing’s handling of the city.
Indian PM visits cyclone stricken Kolkata promising help, Bangladesh counts cost
Peering down from his aircraft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw on Friday the devastation and flooding caused by the most powerful cyclone to strike India and Bangladesh in more than a decade, before landing in the stricken city of Kolkata.
China to bolster disease control system in post-virus overhaul
China will strengthen its disease control centres and improve the deployment of resources to resolve shortcomings in its health system exposed by the novel coronavirus outbreak, the state planning agency said on Friday.
China drops word ‘peaceful’ in latest push for Taiwan ‘reunification’
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang left out the word “peaceful” on Friday in referring to Beijing’s desire to “reunify” with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, an apparent policy shift that comes as ties with Taipei continue on a downward spiral.
Japan asks China to be open about its aims after defence spending hike
Japan’s chief government spokesman on Friday urged China to be open about what it spends on its military and its security goals after Beijing announced a 6.6% increase in its annual defence budget.
Coronavirus cases in Singapore surpass 30,000: Reuters tally
Coronavirus cases in Singapore topped 30,000 on Friday as the city-state reports hundreds of new infections in cramped migrant worker dormitories every day.
UK set to outline quarantine measures for international arrivals
The United Kingdom will later on Friday spell out details of its plans for a COVID-19 quarantine for travellers arriving from overseas, a measure that airlines have warned will devastate their industry.
Russia reports record daily rise in new coronavirus deaths
Russia on Friday reported 150 new fatalities from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, a record daily rise, taking the country’s official nationwide death toll from the virus to 3,249.
Hong Kong says national security law will not hamper judicial independence
Hong Kong’s government said on Friday that plans by Beijing to impose national security legislation in the Chinese-ruled city would not affect its judicial independence or that of its legal entities.
Australia slashes costs of COVID-19 job subsidy to $46 billion
Australia on Friday halved the number of people expected to be covered by its coronavirus wage subsidy scheme due to reporting errors and after swiftly controlling the outbreak, a revision that will save the government around A$60 billion ($39 billion)…
