China’s parliament to delay Hong Kong legislative vote, overhaul electoral system
HONG KONG — Elections for Hong Kong’s legislature will likely be deferred for a second year to September 2022 as Beijing plans a major...
Australia asks European Commission to review Italy’s vaccine block
CANBERRA — Australia has asked the European Commission to review a decision by Italy to block a shipment of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)...
Amid shortage, US suppliers to Chinese chip giant SMIC struggle to get export licenses
The US government has been slow to approve licenses for American companies like Lam Research Corp and Applied Materials Inc. to sell chipmaking equipment...
China says it will deter Taiwan independence but seek peaceful ties
BEIJING — China will resolutely deter any separatist activity seeking Taiwan’s independence but is committed to promoting the peaceful growth of relations across the...
New Zealanders take to the hills as powerful quakes trigger tsunami waves
WELLINGTON — Small tsunami waves triggered by a series of powerful earthquakes hit the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island on Friday and...
Italian mafia targets Europe’s crisis recovery fund
CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES — like their legitimate counterparts — have suffered during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. But the Italian mafia has already laid the foundation for a massive payday.
Singapore regulator tells banks to monitor Myanmar fund flows after coup
SINGAPORE — Singapore’s central bank has told financial firms to be vigilant to any suspicious transactions or fund flows between the city-state and Myanmar, a circular seen by Reuters showed, citing concerns over the potential for financial crimes.
Bharat’s COVID-19 shot 81% effective, based on Indian drug maker’s data
BENGALURU — Bharat Biotech’s vaccine showed 81% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in an interim analysis of a late-stage trial in India, it said on Wednesday, a major boost for the shot shunned by some due to a lack of such data.
Cambodian PM gets AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot, defends Chinese vaccine
PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen received on Thursday a shot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine supplied by India, about three weeks...
Death of S.Korea’s first transgender soldier spurs calls for change
By Sangmi Cha and Josh Smith
SEOUL - The death of South Korea's first known transgender soldier, who was discharged last year for undergoing gender reassignment surgery, sparked calls from...
U.S. House passes ‘George Floyd’ police reform bill, Senate prospects unclear
By Makini Brice and Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday banning controversial police tactics and easing the way for lawsuits against officers...
Myanmar activists vow more protests after bloodiest day since coup
March 4 - Myanmar pro-democracy activists pledged on Thursday to hold more demonstrations after the United Nations said 38 people had been killed in...