Asia

China’s economic growth weakens amid construction slowdown

Editorial Bureau October 18, 2021

BEIJING — China’s economic growth sank in the latest quarter a a slowdown in construction and curbs on energy use weighed on its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The world’s second-largest economy grew by 4.9% over a year ago in the three months ending in September, down from the

World

Australia’s NSW state says coronavirus vaccination pace slows

Editorial Bureau September 13, 2021

SYDNEY – The government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Monday the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations had slowed as first-dose coverage neared 80% and urged the unvaccinated to get shots soon or risk missing out on freedoms when curbs ease. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has promised to relax some restrictions for […]

Sport

Cricket-Fifth England v India test called off after COVID-19 case

Editorial Bureau September 10, 2021

MANCHESTER, England (Sports) -The fifth test between England and India at Old Trafford was cancelled barely two hours before its scheduled start on Friday after the tourists failed to field a side following a COVID-19 case in their camp. India were 2-1 up in the series heading into the final test but the match was […]

Asia

Coronavirus spreads in Tokyo, daily cases reach a total of 3,058

Editorial Bureau August 1, 2021

TOKYO (JAPAN) – Newly reported COVID-19 cases in Tokyo came in at 3,058 on Sunday, the metropolitan government announced, as the infection spreads in the Olympic host city.

World

South Australia detects COVID-19 infections, goes into seven-day lockdown

Editorial Bureau July 20, 2021

SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – Australia’s infections and deaths are well below other developed nations, but its use of lockdowns, prompted by a sluggish vaccination campaign, is putting pressure on the national government, with polls at their lowest in a year and just months before elections are due to be held. More than half of Australia’s 25 […]

Asia Sport

Olympics-Czech beach volleyball player tests positive for COVID-19

Editorial Bureau July 19, 2021

PRAGUE (CZECH REPUBLIC) – Czech beach volleyball player Ondrej Perusic has returned a positive COVID-19 test at the Games Village in Tokyo, the country’s Olympic Committee said on Monday. On Saturday, the team had said a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Tokyo on a charter flight from Prague. “Unfortunately, beach […]

Asia Sport

Olympics-First competitors in athletes’ village infected with COVID-19

Editorial Bureau July 18, 2021

TOKYO (JAPAN) – As the population of athletes’ village swells ahead of the start of the pandemic-hit Olympic Games next week, the organisers on Sunday reported the first COVID-19 cases among competitors residing in the village. Two athletes from the same country and competing in the same sport staying in the village in the Harumi […]

Asia

Olympics-Soccer- Japanese captain Yoshida asks to lift fan ban

Editorial Bureau July 18, 2021

TOKYO(JAPAN)- Calling on authorities to reconsider the spectator ban before the football tournaments begin on Wednesday, Japan’s men’s captain Maya Yoshida has questioned the decision to hold the Olympic Games behind closed doors. Fans will be absent from the Games as coronavirus infections continue to climb in Japan, even though fans are allowed to attend […]

Asia

138 coronavirus deaths, Malaysia sets a new daily record

Editorial Bureau July 17, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA) – Setting a new daily record, amid a surge in infections, Malaysia reported 138 coronavirus deaths. The health ministry also reported 12,528 new COVID-19 cases, below the record 13,215 infections seen on Thursday.

Middle East

At least 44 killed, 67 injured in coronavirus hospital fire in Iraq

Editorial Bureau July 13, 2021

NASSIRIYA (IRAQ) – At least 44 people were killed and over 67 injured in a fire likely due to an oxygen tank explosion at a coronavirus hospital in Iraq’s southern city of Nassiriya, health officials and police said on Monday. As rescuers combed the smoke-charred building in search of more bodies, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi […]