TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday he was considering declaring a state of emergency in the greater Tokyo area over a “very severe” third wave of coronavirus infections. Speaking at a regular New Year press conference, Suga also said he hoped vaccinations would begin in Japan in late
WASHINGTON: The United States on Saturday saw its highest number yet of coronavirus cases recorded in one day, with more than 277,000 infections. The hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, the United States has marked 20.4 million cases overall and just under 350,000 deaths. Infections have been surging
GOMBAK: Diminutive Malaysian delivery rider Muhammad Sidek Osman cuts a striking figure weaving through traffic on a modified four-wheeled motorbike on his way to drop off food. Birth complications left him stooped and shorter than average at just 108 centimetres, making even simple tasks such as climbing stairs a challenge.
TAIPEI: Taiwan began construction on a fleet of indigenous submarines on Tuesday, the latest move by the out-gunned island to bolster its defences against increasingly bellicose threats from Beijing. Democratic Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by communist China, which views the self-ruled island as part of its
PARIS: The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1,397,322 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 59,256,310 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 37,691,800 are now considered
WASHINGTON: Thousands of die-hard Donald Trump supporters rallied for a last stand Saturday in Washington, chanting “four more years” and blaming fraud for an election defeat that will force the president to vacate the White House after just one term. Trump himself made a drive-past in his armoured motorcade, on
WASHINGTON: With Kamala Harris poised to become the first female vice president of the United States, and with a record number of women elected to Congress — including more Republicans than ever — considerable history will be made when they all take office in January. The 56-year-old Harris, a senator,
HANOI, Vietnam: Backed by China, the sprawling Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is seen as a coup for Beijing in extending its influence across the region and marks its dominance in Asian trade. After eight years of wrangling over the details, the trade pact — the world’s largest in terms
PARIS: Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis: New York may shut schools The US city worst hit by the first wave of the pandemic could close schools from Monday if its seven-day rolling average infection rate rises over three percent, Mayor Bill de Blasio has warned. Bars
SOFIA, Bulgaria: Teenager Jannik Sinner on Saturday became the youngest ATP champion in 12 years when he defeated Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in the Sofia final. The 19-year-old, ranked at 44 in the world, racked up a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Pospisil, his 19th win of the season. Sinner, the youngest