HK legislature to discuss new immigration bill amid ‘exit ban’ fears

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s legislature is set to discuss a controversial immigration bill, which lawyers, diplomats, and right groups fear will give authorities...

India nears 200,000 COVID-19 deaths

NEW DELHI — India’s coronavirus death toll neared the bleak milestone of 200,000 with another 2,771 fatalities reported on Tuesday, while its armed forces pledged urgent medical aid to help battle the staggering spike in infections.

US to share up to 60M AstraZeneca vaccine doses globally

WASHINGTON — The United States will start to share up to 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc’s coronavirus vaccine with other countries as soon as the next few weeks, the White House said on Monday.

Drums of war are beating, warns Australian official

CANBERRA — One of Australia’s most senior security officials has said liberal democracies must brace for war while searching for peace amid elevated global tensions.

Australia to consider proposal to suspend flights from India

By Renju Jose
SYDNEY - Australia is set to consider a proposal on Tuesday to suspend flights from India to prevent more virulent coronavirus variants entering the...

Hong Kong leader says govt could intervene in Bar Association if necessary

HONG KONG - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday the government could intervene if necessary in the Bar Association, whose chief has...

U.S. legislation on China to be delayed, lawmakers say

By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON - A U.S. legislative proposal to allocate $112 billion for basic and advanced technology research and science in the face of rising competitive...

Fighting erupts in Myanmar; junta to ‘consider’ ASEAN plan

Fighting erupted in eastern Myanmar near the Thai border early on Tuesday as ethnic minority Karen insurgents attacked an army outpost in some of...

Countries vow to send aid to India

NEW DELHI — India’s new coronavirus infections hit a record peak for a fifth day on Monday as countries including Britain, Germany and the United States pledged to send urgent medical aid to fight the crisis overwhelming its hospitals.

COVID vaccine brand matters if you’re traveling abroad

WITH the resumption of global travel on the horizon, some people are discovering that their choice of vaccine could determine where they’re allowed to go.

Thailand starts tightening coronavirus measures

BANGKOK — Thailand has suspended issuing travel documents from India over concerns of imported coronavirus cases, as more venues were closed in Bangkok on Monday as part of efforts to contain a third wave of infections in the Southeast Asian nation.

Hong Kong, Singapore to start long-delayed travel bubble next mont

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE — A long delayed travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore will begin on May 26, the two cities said on Monday, as they moved to re-establish overseas travel links and lift the hurdle of quarantine for visiting foreigners.