TOKYO (Reuters) – The Japanese government is preparing to hold a state funeral for former prime minister Shinzo Abe this autumn, public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday. Abe was shot dead while making an election speech in the western city of Nara last week. (Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A Catholic priest launched a three-day protest on Thursday in sweltering heat outside a Hong Kong maximum security prison, demanding the release of activists and democratic politicians held under a sweeping national security law. Milan-born missionary Franco Mella, a longtime rights activist in the Chinese-ruled city, vowed to refuse food as …
Priest begins protest outside Hong Kong prison against detentions of activists Read More »
SHANGHAI (Reuters) -For the third time this summer, Shanghai issued its highest alert for extreme heat as temperatures appeared set to test records in China’s most populous city on Thursday. The city of 25 million residents announced a red alert, indicating temperatures were expected to rise to at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) over …
Shanghai issues another rare extreme heat warning Read More »
By Lucy Craymer and Elaine Lies WELLINGTON/TOKYO (Reuters) – A new wave of coronavirus infections is rapidly spreading through Asia, prompting warnings for residents from New Zealand to Japan to take precautions to slow the outbreak and help prevent healthcare systems from being overwhelmed. The renewed surge in cases, mostly of the BA.4/5 Omicron variants, …
Fresh COVID wave sweeps Asia, New Zealand warns of pressure on hospitals Read More »
(Corrects paragraph 1 day of the week to Thursday) TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan warned on Thursday that a new wave of coronavirus cases appears to be rapidly spreading through the nation, calling on people to be especially careful ahead of an upcoming long weekend and imminent summer school vacations. Japan has recently seen new COVID-19 cases …
Japan warns of swiftly rising COVID cases, PM to give news conference Read More »
HANOI (Reuters) – Dengue fever cases in Vietnam so far this year have more than doubled compared to the same period in 2021, the health ministry said on Thursday, warning its hospitals to brace for more infections. Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease common in Southeast Asia that causes flu-like symptoms and no vaccine is available. …
Vietnam tells hospitals to prepare as dengue fever cases surge Read More »
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China reported 366 new COVID-19 infections on July 13, of which 121 were symptomatic and 245 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Thursday. That compared with 338 new cases a day earlier, 98 symptomatic and 240 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately. There were no new deaths, same as a …
China reports 366 new COVID cases for July 13 vs 338 a day earlier Read More »
By Uditha Jayasinghe, Devjyot Ghoshal and Waruna Cudah Nimal Karunatilake COLOMBO (Reuters) -Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday, driven out after an economic collapse unleashed a popular uprising that appeared to end his family’s near two-decade dominance of the country. His decision to leave his ally Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe …
Sri Lankan president flees to Maldives, protesters storm prime minister’s office Read More »
ZURICH (Reuters) – The Swiss government advised travellers on Wednesday to avoid unnecessary trips to Sri Lanka given the country’s political turmoil. “Tourist and other non-urgent travel to Sri Lanka is discouraged (except for air transit via Colombo International Airport),” the Swiss foreign ministry posted on its website, noting the country’s declared state of emergency. …
Swiss advise against non-urgent trips to Sri Lanka Read More »
By Yesim Dikmen and Ali Kucukgocmen KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Wednesday that an agreement to resume grain exports blocked by Russia appeared close as Turkey hosted four-way talks, raising hopes of an end to a standoff that has exposed millions to the risk of starvation. Kyiv believed a deal was just “two steps …
Ukraine targets grain exports breakthrough at four-way talks Read More »
