Saturday, 16 Nov 2024

Asia

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Muted Hari Raya Haji in Malaysia as Covid-19 cases remain stubbornly high

KUALA LUMPUR – Hari Raya Haji was a muted affair in Malaysia as new Covid-19 infection numbers remained where it had been for the past week, above the five-figure mark. House visits, inter-state and inter-district travel were banned for the festival this year, with only animal sacrificial rites and prayers allowed at mosques under strict […]

Myanmar loses 1.2 million jobs after coup, UN labour agency says

YANGON (BLOOMBERG) – Myanmar lost an estimated 1.2 million jobs in the second quarter following the February military takeover that paralysed an economy already weakened by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Estimates by the United Nations labour agency showed employment contracted 6 per cent in the second quarter of 2021, […]

30 fishmongers, assistants tested positive for Covid-19: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE – Out of 1,120 fishmongers and assistants who were tested over the weekend, 30 were found to be Covid-19 positive, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (July 20). Speaking during a virtual press conference by the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19, Mr Ong shared that 28 markets and food centres have been […]

S. Korea leaders apologise for navy ship Covid-19 outbreak amid vaccine furore

SEOUL (REUTERS) – South Korea’s prime minister and defence minister apologised as hundreds of Covid-19-infected sailors were flown to Seoul on Tuesday (July 20) after a navy destroyer patrolling the waters off Africa was found to be riddled with the coronavirus. Almost 250 of the 301-strong unvaccinated crew aboard the destroyer Munmu the Great were […]

10 more markets and food centres, 2 KTV clubs linked to Covid-19 cases: MOH

SINGAPORE – New Covid-19 infections have been detected among fishmongers working at 10 more markets and food centres, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said. They are: Albert Centre Market and Food Centre, Ang Mo Kio Central Market and Food Centre, 630 Bedok Reservoir Road Market and Food Centre, 497 Jurong West Street 41 Market, 505 Jurong West Street […]

New hub gives firms taste of artificial intelligence

SINGAPORE – A facility offering immersive experiences with artificial intelligence was launched on Monday (July 19) to encourage firms to experiment with and develop AI innovations for their businesses. Hong Kong-based AI company SenseTime also announced partnerships with Business China and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to nurture talent in the field through internships […]

Indian court orders release of activist jailed for cow dung comment

NEW DELHI (AFP) – India’s top court on Monday (July 19) ordered the release of an activist arrested on sedition charges two months ago for Erendro Leichombam, 40, made the comments in May after the death of a Manipur state politician from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Cows are sacred in […]

S'pore to make regular oxygen shipments to Indonesia to fight Covid-19 surge

SINGAPORE – Singapore has arranged for regular shipments of emergency oxygen supplies to Indonesia, under a programme to support its neighbouring country’s fight against Covid-19. The Oxygen Shuttle programme will see more than 500 tonnes of oxygen shipped to Indonesia till August, to supplement the urgent need at medical facilities there, the Ministry of Foreign […]