MELBOURNE • The Australian state of Queensland, which has been battling a small outbreak of Covid-19, recorded no new cases yesterday as the country began what Prime Minister Scott Morrison called a “sacred” long Easter weekend. On Thursday, a three-day snap lockdown was lifted on the state’s capital Brisbane, as the authorities managed to contain […]

SINGAPORE – In his new role as chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), Dr Tan Cheng Bock will not be idle. The party’s founder said on Saturday (April 3) that he will now focus on reaching out to more Singaporeans, including businesses and clan associations, mobilising and strengthening the party’s grassroots outreach efforts, and […]

HUALIEN, TAIWAN (AFP) – Survivors of Taiwan’s worst rail crash in decades have recounted their desperate efforts to find loved ones in the twisted wreckage of the train at what should have been the start of a holiday weekend. Friday’s (April 2) crash, which killed at least 50 people and injured more than 170, was […]

YANGON (REUTERS) – Attempts by Myanmar’s military to end dissent are turning to the virtual world with internet blocks and arrest warrants for online critics as big rallies become rare in the face of relentless repression by the security forces. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group said on Saturday (April 3) the […]

TAIPEI (REUTERS) – European countries are providing help for Taiwan’s indigenous submarine project, the island’s defence ministry said, in a rare admission that the sensitive programme is not getting assistance solely from the United States. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has worked for years to revamp its submarine force, some of which […]

STOCKHOLM (REUTERS) – Chinese authorities have asked H&M to change a map on its website in the latest clash between the clothing giant and officialdom there, media reported on Friday (April 2). The company, based in Sweden, has faced a backlash in China in recent days after it voiced concerns last year about alleged human […]

HUALIEN (AFP, REUTERS) – Salvage teams began removing mangled train carriages on Saturday (April 3) after Taiwan’s worst rail disaster in decades killed at least 50 people, as flags flew half-mast across an island plunged into mourning.   Officials said Friday’s devastating collision was caused when a parked railway maintenance vehicle slipped down an embankment […]

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Saturday, April 3.  Taiwan train accident: At least 50 killed, flags to be flown at half-mast from Saturday The driver of the truck that had slid down a bank onto the track was questioned by police.  READ MORE HERE ‘Mangled bodies everywhere’: Taiwan train survivors […]

LONDON (Reuters) – The majority of British firms have faced disruption with trade with the European Union since Brexit, with many expecting the problem to last for some time, according to a survey published on Saturday.FILE PHOTO: A general view shows the London skyline, in London, Britain December 24, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA trade agreement between […]

HONG KONG – Hong Kong has pushed for vaccinating all healthy adults quickly. As pressure mounted on officials to restart the economy, the five-week-old islandwide vaccination programme that was rolled out to priority groups first – the sick and the elderly – was quickly expanded to those aged 30 to 59 to attain herd immunity […]