Only masked punters: Macau casinos reopen after coronavirus suspension
Casinos in Macau, the world’s biggest gambling hub, reopen on Thursday after being closed for two weeks because of the coronavirus epidemic, but all punters and croupiers will have to wear a mask at the tables.
Criticism of Japan’s effort on coronavirus cruise ship as passengers leave
Hundreds of people began disembarking a cruise ship quarantined in Japan on Wednesday as criticism mounted of Japan’s handling of an onboard outbreak of the new coronavirus that has infected more than 540 people.
Rains mock drought-stricken Australian town as climate risks hit home
For all the relief felt in other parts of eastern Australia as torrential rain in the past few weeks doused wildfires and filled reservoirs, the tiny township of Murrurundi, one of the driest places in the country, just can’t seem to catch a break.
China won’t send officials to G20 meeting amid virus outbreak: sources
China’s central bank and its finance ministry will not send any officials to a G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Riyadh due to virus outbreak, officials said.
Sierra Leone gangster leaves streets for life of poetry
In his poem “Rough Path”, Yousef Kamara reflects on his years selling drugs and stealing as the leader of a street gang in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.
China revokes press credentials of three at Wall Street Journal over opinion piece
China has revoked the press credentials of three journalists of the Wall Street Journal after the newspaper declined to apologize for a column that called China the “real sick man of Asia”, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Japan conducts emergency survey on its banks amid China virus outbreak: sources
Japan’s financial watchdog has begun conducting an emergency survey on domestic financial institutions with business operations in China to gauge how the coronavirus outbreak could affect credit costs, government sources said on Wednesday.
With stricken cruise ship, Japan draws criticism over coronavirus response
As the virus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship is evacuated, Japan faces deepening criticism over its response to the outbreak, tarnishing what was supposed to be a triumphant Olympic year for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Britain heralds end of ‘cheap labor from Europe’ with Brexit immigration system
Britain will prioritize access for high-skilled workers from around the world in its post-Brexit points-based immigration system, the government said on Tuesday, setting out its plans to put an end to a reliance on “cheap labor from Europe”.
Malaysia maintains tourism target, bets on locals and non-Chinese visitors
Malaysia expects to meet its target of a record 30 million tourists this year by redirecting its marketing efforts to local and other markets as arrivals from coronavirus-hit China fall, a tourism official told Reuters on Wednesday.
