Tuesday, 19 Nov 2024

Asia

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Indonesia to start vaccinating children aged 6 to 11 against Covid-19

JAKARTA (REUTERS) – Indonesia will start administering Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged between six and 11 on Tuesday (Dec 14), a health ministry official said, as the South-east Asian country becomes one of the first in the region to immunise the very young. The date was brought forward from Dec 24. Indonesia approved China’s Sinovac vaccine […]

US ambassador to Solomons warns of aid that goes to 'one bank account'

SYDNEY (REUTERS) – The US ambassador to the Solomon Islands has warned Pacific Islands against “aid that benefits one person, one party and one bank account” – remarks that come after the Solomons were beset with riots last month blamed in part on discontent with China. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was accused last […]

Young Scientist Award recipients break new ground

SINGAPORE – Three young researchers who made their mark early in their careers received the Young Scientist Award last Friday (Dec 10) from Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. Here’s a look at how their research broke new ground. Working on the building blocks for futuristic computer Dr Yvonne Gao (right) and PHD students from […]

Malaysian government draws flak after paltry fine for crowded event

Malaysia’s government has again been accused of double standards in enforcing Covid-19 curbs, after an event it organised flouted safety protocols but attracted only a fine of RM1,000 (S$325). The four-day event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre was launched by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob last Thursday and marked his government’s achievements in its […]

Indonesia and G-20 sees Jokowi on the world stage: Jakarta Post contributor

JAKARTA (THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – For Indonesia 2022 will prove a historic year as the nation hosts the Group of 20 (G-20) summit for the first time. Indonesia is the only South-east Asian nation to ever become a G-20 member and will be the first country to host the prestigious summit. It will […]

Australia to buy South Korean weapons; Seoul rules out Beijing Games boycott

CANBERRA (BLOOMBERG) – Australia has agreed to buy artillery from South Korea and increase ties between their defence industries as the nations cemented a new comprehensive security partnership amid increasing tensions with China. The countries also pledged to boost critical minerals and clean-energy trade in pacts signed by President Moon Jae-in and Australian Prime Minister […]

Billionaire's bet on Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for China fails to pay off

SHANGHAI (BLOOMBERG) – As Covid-19 started spreading in Wuhan early last year, Chinese billionaire Guo Guangchang’s drugmaker appeared to have scored a big win: A partnership with Germany’s BioNTech SE, which went on to produce with Pfizer, one of the world’s most successful vaccines against the coronavirus. Yet almost a year later, the shot is […]

More domestic travel rules ease in Australia ahead of Christmas holidays

SYDNEY (REUTERS) – Coronavirus-free Queensland state opened its domestic borders to all vaccinated people on Monday (Dec 13) for the first time in nearly five months, as Australians gear up for quarantine-free travel across most of the country during the busy Christmas period. Hundreds of cars queued up at the state’s southern border with New […]