World / Asia

New Zealand Covid cases more than double over holiday break 26 Dec 2021 - 10:15 pm

Covid-19 cases in New Zealand have more than doubled in the two days since Christmas Eve, with 126 new infections in the community...

Australian state sees record cases, lab sends false results 26 Dec 2021 - 02:55 pm

SYDNEY: Australia’s most populous state reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and a sharp jump in hospitalizations while thousands...

Squid Game and BTS are driving a boom in Korean-made goods 26 Dec 2021 - 02:01 pm

The booming global popularity of South Korean entertainment is luring consumers to embrace the country’s culture and cuisine, fueling sales around the world...

China's local COVID case count driven to 21-month high by Xian outbreak 26 Dec 2021 - 12:41 pm

BEIJING: China reported its highest daily rise in local COVID-19 cases in 21 months as infections more than doubled in the northwestern city...

More than 100 Japan flights cancelled due to heavy snow 26 Dec 2021 - 10:16 am

Tokyo: More than 100 domestic flights in Japan were grounded on Sunday due to heavy snow in the northern and western parts of...

India to give COVID-19 booster shots to healthcare workers from Jan. 10 25 Dec 2021 - 08:03 pm

New delhi: India will start administering COVID-19 booster shots to healthcare and frontline workers from Jan. 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on...

China's Covid-hit Xian city reports rise in infections 25 Dec 2021 - 10:58 am

China's Xian city reported an increase in daily COVID-19 infections and local companies curtailed activity as the country's latest COVID-19 hot spot entered...

Indians flood markets, tourist spots despite Omicron concerns 24 Dec 2021 - 06:16 pm

NEW DELHI- Indians are crowding markets and taking packed flights to holiday destinations again despite calls from authorities urging restraint and caution amid...

Chinese officials punished over COVID outbreak that led to Xian lockdown 24 Dec 2021 - 04:46 pm

BEIJING- Officials in the northwestern Chinese city of Xian are facing punishment after a COVID-19 outbreak led to the lockdown of its 13...

Bhutan starts giving COVID-19 booster shots 24 Dec 2021 - 03:29 pm

KATHMANDU: Bhutan has started giving COVID-19 booster shots to senior citizens and priority groups as the Himalayan kingdom tries to stave off the...

Japan health panel approves Merck's oral COVID-19 treatment 24 Dec 2021 - 01:20 pm

TOKYO: A Japanese health ministry panel on Friday recommended approval of the COVID-19 antiviral pill developed by Merck & Co Inc, part of...

Hong Kong to widen booster access to all adults from Jan. 1 24 Dec 2021 - 12:02 pm

Hong Kong will start giving out Covid-19 booster shots to all adults from Jan. 1 following studies around the world that two doses...

Elephant Santas pass out face masks, hand gel in Thai school tradition 24 Dec 2021 - 11:57 am

AYUTTHAYA, Thailand: Elephants in Thailand wearing Santa hats and surgical masks passed out hand gel, face masks and balloons to students at a...

Ferry fire kills at least 37 in southern Bangladesh 24 Dec 2021 - 10:54 am

DHAKA, Bangladesh: A massive fire swept through a river ferry in southern Bangladesh early Friday, leaving at least 37 dead and 72 injured,...

Ecuador makes COVID-19 vaccination obligatory 24 Dec 2021 - 10:47 am

BOGOTA: Ecuador's government said on Thursday it has made it obligatory for eligible people to be vaccinated against COVID-19, amid an increase in...

Thailand reports first Omicron cluster, cancels some New Year events 24 Dec 2021 - 10:42 am

BANGKOK: Thailand reported on Friday its first domestic cluster of coronavirus infections from the Omicron variant in Kalasin province in northeastern Thailand, officials...

Australia shortens booster wait as Omicron explosion turns holidays into chaos 24 Dec 2021 - 10:37 am

SYDNEY: Australia on Friday narrowed the wait time for people to receive COVID-19 booster shots as another record jump in daily infections resulted...