New Zealand police step up patrols after distressing image of attack mosque
New Zealand police said on Wednesday they have stepped up patrols at two mosques ahead of the first anniversary of a shooting that killed 51 worshippers, after a distressing image linked to one of the mosques appeared on social media.
Fifteen Italians test positive for coronavirus in India – media
Fifteen Italian citizens in India have tested positive for coronavirus, media said on Wednesday.
Japanese coronavirus infections reach 1,000, Olympics preparations on track
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Japan reached the 1,000 mark on Wednesday, as the government reiterated that plans to host the Tokyo Summer Olympics in July remained on track.
Australian stores ration toilet paper amid coronavirus panic buying
Australia’s major grocers put strict limits on purchases of toilet paper on Wednesday after a rush of panic buying related to coronavirus fears emptied shelves, as the country recorded its third case of local transmission of the disease.
Russia says Turkey does not meet terms of pact in Syria’s Idlib – media
Russia accused Turkey on Wednesday of failing to meet its obligations under a pact to create a demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib province and of helping militants instead.
China reports dwindling new cases, pivots to control risk from overseas
China reported on Wednesday another drop in new coronavirus cases as its attention turns to controlling the risk of infection from abroad, as clusters of the disease that originated in China appear around the world.
Malaysia’s new prime minister delays parliament session by two months
Malaysia’s new prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has postponed the start of parliamentary proceedings by two months, the speaker said on Wednesday, amid opposition efforts to challenge his government with a confidence vote.
Vietnam carrier Vietjet to halt flights to South Korea over coronavirus
Budget carrier Vietjet Air will suspend flights to destinations in South Korea from Saturday over coronavirus concerns, the carrier said.
Taiwan to ‘have no problem’ maintaining GDP growth of 2% this year
Taiwan will ‘have no problem’ maintaining economic growth of 2% this year, its statistics chief said on Wednesday, amid concerns that a coronavirus outbreak could hit the economy of the island which is a key part of the global technology supply chain.
As Myanmar farmers lose their land, sand mining for Singapore is blamed
From a boat on the Salween River in southeastern Myanmar, Than Zaw Oo pointed to a brown stretch of water he said was once full of lush paddy fields.
