Washington pledges $1 billion for coronavirus vaccine as pandemic risks grow
U.S. President Donald Trump will seek $2.5 billion from Congress to fight the coronavirus epidemic and U.S. and South Korean militaries are considering scaling back joint training as the virus spreads in Europe and the Middle East.
China to keep strict control, prevention measures in virus epicenter
China’s national health commission says it will continue to take the strictest control and prevention measures in Hubei province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a statement on Tuesday.
Japan’s Abe urges telecommuting, staggered shifts to curb coronavirus
Japan will unveil new measures on Tuesday to stem the spread of a coronavirus as infections and deaths climb, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urging people to telecommute or work staggered hours to minimize risk.
Chinese court gives Gui Minhai, Hong Kong bookseller, 10 years in jail
A Chinese court sentenced Chinese-born Swedish citizen Gui Minhai to 10 years in jail for illegally providing intelligence overseas on Monday, the Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court said in a statement on its website.
U.S., South Korea may scale back military training over coronavirus concerns
The U.S. and South Korean militaries said on Monday they are considering scaling back joint training because of mounting concerns about the coronavirus, in one of the first signs of the epidemic’s fallout on global U.S. military activities.
Malaysia’s Mahathir returns as interim PM amid political uncertainty
Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad went back to work on Tuesday with the new title of interim prime minister, a day after he resigned the leadership in a shock move that plunged the country into political turmoil.
East Timor PM resigns after political coalition collapses
The prime minister of East Timor has sent a letter of resignation to the president, he said on Tuesday, as the tiny Southeast Asian nation faces new political instability after the collapse of a coalition supporting him in parliament.
Mexico’s economy ministry hit by cyber attack
Mexico’s economy ministry detected a cyber attack on some of its servers on Sunday but did not consider sensitive information to have been compromised, and beefed up safety measures, it said in a statement.
Colombia congressional committee to investigate president after ex-senator’s allegations
A committee in Colombia’s lower house of Congress will investigate allegations by an ex-senator who fled the country that President Ivan Duque participated in vote-buying and sought to have her assassinated, the head of the panel said on Monday.
Floods in Indonesia capital paralyze parts of city, cut power
Flooding caused by torrential rain paralyzed large parts of Indonesia’s capital on Tuesday, as major streets were inundated with murky, brown flood water and power supplies cut in certain parts of the city.
