Australia objects to China charging writer with spying
Australia strongly objects to the formal indictment of Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun for espionage , who continues to be held in “unacceptable” conditions, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Wednesday.
Australian charged over ‘prank’ coronavirus cough on police
An Australian man has been charged over a “prank” in which he coughed on a police officer on purpose while pretending he was infected with the new coronavirus as a friend filmed the incident, authorities said.
Tsunami warnings after magnitude 7.8 quake off Russia’s Kuril islands
U.S. authorities put out tsunami warnings on Wednesday after an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck off Russia’s Kuril Islands, but meteorological officials in Japan issued no alerts, although they said there might be slight tidal changes.
‘Act like you have COVID-19’: PM Ardern says as New Zealand heads into lockdown
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told New Zealanders on Wednesday to behave as if they had the coronavirus and cut all physical contact outside their household when the country heads into a one-month lockdown at midnight.
China to encourage local governments to stockpile poultry, aquaculture products
China said on Wednesday that it encourages local governments to temporarily stockpile poultry and aquaculture products in a bid to support the farming sectors after the unprecedented coronavirus cut production and supplies.
Death toll in Peru hits seven as coronavirus spreads
The death toll from coronavirus in Peru hit 7 on Tuesday after a 38-year-old man died after he contracted the disease while on a trip to Canada, the country’s Ministry of Health said.
Australia boosts lockdown measures as coronavirus cases jump
Australian officials warned that an accelerating number of coronavirus infections could start overwhelming the country’s intensive care units, as stricter social distancing measures came into force on Wednesday.
Trump seeks South Korea’s help for medical equipment to tackle coronavirus
South Korea said it will send medical equipment to the United States to fight the coronavirus if it has any spare after an urgent request from U.S. President Donald Trump in which he promised to help Korean firms gain U.S. government approval.
New Zealand PM Ardern declares national emergency to tackle coronavirus
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday declared a state of national emergency as the country prepared to go into a complete lockdown at midnight to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea to tighten border checks for U.S. entries
South Korea said it would tighten border checks for travellers from the United States by Friday as concerns rise over imported coronavirus cases despite a decline in domestically transmitted infections.
