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Business
South Korea reports zero local infections for first time in 72 days
SEOUL: South Korea marked the first time in 72 days that local infections have fallen to zero. The four cases of the new coronavirus reported on Thursday were all imported ones and brought the total to 10,765. It was the first time since February 18 that no locally infected cases…
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Politics
Malaysia does not recognise refugee status of Rohingyas
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s government said it does not recognise the refugee status of any groups, including the Rohingyas, even if they are United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) card holders. Such groups were, instead, classified as illegal immigrants (PATI), Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said. Malaysia is not party to…
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Society
Suwon building robust standards in COVID-19 response
Suwon: South Korea, one of the first nations after China to be hit with a major coronavirus outbreak, sought to mitigate the spread of the disease and ensure the safety of its citizens and residents. South Korea’s response system to the epidemic is considered the best model and Suwon, the…
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Business
With eased social distancing, South Koreans imagine post-coronavirus life
SEOUL: When South Korea reported its first case of the new coronavirus on Jan. 20, little was fathomed about how this virus would change life. Three months into the virus outbreak, what was once deemed a regional virus has developed into a global pandemic, reshaping how people work, rest and…
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Society
Longing for coronavirus-free, ecotourism dream Ulleungdo
By Sang-ki Lee Founder of Asia Journalists Association (AJA) AsiaN CEO ULLEUNGDO: As South Korea’s health officials continue their drive to stem completely the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday that the tally now stood at 10,752, with 244 deaths,…
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Society
Free book ATM supports reading culture in Hanoi amid virus outbreak
By Phong Lan Dantri Online Newspaper, Vietnam HANOI: Following the recent success of the rice ATM project, a free book ATM machine has been set up in Hanoi to help people continue their reading habits amid the difficult time caused by the Covid-19 epidemic. The first-ever free book ATM machine…
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Society
Saudi courts to drop flogging in disciplinary cases
By Habib Toumi RIYADH: In a major development in the Saudi legal system, the General Assembly of the Supreme Court, the kingdom’s highest court, has instructed all courts to drop flogging sentences in disciplinary cases. The decision was approved by the majority of the assembly comprised of the Supreme Court president…
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Society
Spectre of COVID-19: Run from dorms to Singapore citizenry
By Ivan Lim Former AJA President, Contributor to AsiaN SINGAPORE: An early favourite in the Covid-19 world wrestling challenge, Singapore began to falter midway in the match, leading to what some have characterised as a costly lesson of presumption. Entering the ring, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as…
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Society
Bahrain extends COVID-19 circuit breaker to Ramadan
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Bahrain’s circuit breaker to choke off the spread of the coronavirus will be extended to Ramadan, the holy month associated with extra piety and devoutness as well as large family and social gatherings, while existing measures will be reinforced. Preventive measures announced by the Government Executive…
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Culture
Ramadan features in Grand Mosques suspended, restricted as world combats COVID-19
By Nasir Yousoff Contributor to AsiaN Makkah: Taraweeh, the prayers performed by Muslims after Isha (evening) prayers in Ramadan, will be limited to the imam and a group of worshippers in the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has…
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