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.
Indonesia to ban face mask exports to ensure domestic supply
Indonesia will temporarily ban the export of face masks to safeguard domestic supply amid the coronavirus outbreak, Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto said on Friday.
Australia urges against gatherings of more than 500 people to contain coronavirus
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday urged people not gather in groups of more than 500 as health officials warned millions of residents will contract coronavirus within months.
Bob Dylan concerts in Japan canceled as coronavirus spreads
Bob Dylan’s upcoming concerts in Japan have been canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, the tour organizer said on Friday.
Policymakers ramp up support as coronavirus shreds markets
Governments and central banks readied more emergency measures to tackle the economic impacts of the coronavirus on Friday as Asian markets suffered their worst weekly crashes since the 2008 financial crisis.
