Japan evacuation flight from Wuhan lands, 5 reported ill
The first chartered flight carrying 206 Japanese nationals evacuated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday – four of them showing symptoms of fever or coughing.
Russian PM orders watchdog to draw up plan to prevent virus spread
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ordered Russia’s consumer safety watchdog to draw up and present a national plan to the government on Wednesday on ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Indian ministries buy more air purifiers as capital battles toxic air
India’s government has stepped up the purchase of air purifiers over the last two years, taking the number of devices in ministries to protect against deteriorating air quality to nearly 300, government data seen by Reuters showed.
UAE confirms new coronavirus case in family arriving from China
A family in the United Arab Emirates, arriving from China’s central city of Wuhan, has been diagnosed with a case of the new coronavirus, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
Malaysia in talks to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan: PM Mahathir
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Wednesday Kuala Lumpur was in talks with China to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
China virus turns Macau into gambling ghost town
The Chinese territory of Macau has become a near-ghost town during what is typically the busiest time of year in the world’s biggest casino hub, after authorities announced a raft of measures to keep visitors away and contain the new coronavirus.
China virus toll passes 130; Japan evacuates citizens
The death toll from a new coronavirus in China rose sharply to 132 on Wednesday with nearly 1,500 new cases, as Japan said it flew citizens out of the central city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Beijing drugstore fined for hiking mask prices amid virus outbreak
A drugstore in the Chinese capital will be fined 3 million yuan ($434,530) for hiking the price of masks by almost six times the online rate amid a spreading virus outbreak, the Beijing municipal market regulator said on Wednesday.
Australia’s Kangaroo Island Plantation suspends shares, says most trees not productive after fires
Australia’s Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers Ltd on Wednesday suspended trading in its shares, saying an estimated 90% of its trees are no longer productive due to the bushfires that have ravaged the country for months now.
Latest North Korea quake shows legacy of instability at nuclear test site: South Korea
A small natural earthquake detected in North Korea on Wednesday was likely a result of seismic instability lingering in the area since North Korea conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test in 2017, the South Korean government said.
