Singapore revises electoral boundaries, local media reports, as elections loom
Singapore has made revisions to its electoral boundaries, local media reported on Friday, in a move that is usually seen as a precursor to calling a vote.
Thailand warns of coronavirus danger of sharing drinks, cigarettes
Thailand issued a new coronavirus warning to the party-going public on Friday after a cluster of 13 cases was traced to a group of friends who shared cigarettes and drinks.
German state of Bavaria closes schools to slow coronavirus epidemic – dpa
The German state of Bavaria will close all schools, kindergartens and nurseries from Monday until the start of the Easter break on April 6 due to the coronavirus epidemic, dpa news agency reported, citing state government sources.
Estonia closes schools, events until May 1
Estonia has decided to close schools and ban public gatherings until May 1 to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the government said in a statement late Thursday.
U.S. should ‘think twice’ before returning 1MDB funds to Malaysia, says ex-PM Mahathir
The United States should “think twice” before giving Malaysia back the money recovered from an anti-kleptocracy probe into state fund 1MDB, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday, as the party accused of graft at 1MDB was back in power.
Nepal closes Mount Everest for climbers because of coronavirus fears
Nepal has closed all of its Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest this climbing season because of fears of the coronavirus outbreak, a government minister said on Friday.
In ‘People’s War’ on coronavirus, Chinese propaganda faces pushback
As Xi Jinping toured the coronavirus-stricken city of Wuhan this week, setting the tone for an official narrative that China will win a “People’s War”, numerous social media users went to extraordinary lengths to make an alternative voice heard.
Policymakers ramp up support as coronavirus fears shred markets
Governments and central banks readied more emergency measures to tackle the economic impact of the coronavirus on Friday, helping financial markets pare some of their steep losses, while more major events were canceled or postponed.
China’s coronavirus epicenter of Wuhan sees single-digit new cases for second day
China’s Wuhan city, ground zero of the new coronavirus outbreak, reported five new cases on Friday, the second day in a row the tally has been less than 10, while no locally transmitted infections were reported in the rest of the country.
Flowers and messages of support adorn New Zealand mosque for shooting anniversary
Aya al-Umari looks at the bunches of flowers and reads messages of support outside the Al Noor mosque, tributes left for the victims of the Christchurch shootings a year on from the attacks.
