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By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand welcomed hundreds of travellers from Australia with emotional scenes on Wednesday as it opened its borders to its trans-Tasmanian neighbour for the first time since mid-2021. Maori cultural performers greeted travellers while families and friends hugged and cried at the Auckland International Airport where two flights from …

With hugs, tears and Maori performers, NZ welcomes Australian visitors as curbs ease Read More »

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China is trying out reduced quarantine times for overseas arrivals and close contacts of positive cases in eight cities, in a potential easing of some of the world’s most stringent pandemic entry controls, financial media outlet Caixin reported. Shanghai and Guangzhou are among the cities picked by the State Council for a …

China trying out reduced quarantine for some groups in eight cities – media Read More »

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -An Australian minister met with the leader of the Solomon Islands on Wednesday and asked him not to sign a proposed security agreement between the Pacific island nation and China that Australia opposes. Despite a national election campaign putting the Australian government in “caretaker” mode, when ministers traditionally avoid diplomatic …

Australia minister asks Solomon Islands not to sign China security pact Read More »

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan is in only the early stages of a COVID-19 outbreak and domestic cases will keep rising for the time being, its health minister said on Wednesday, as the island recorded its highest number of daily COVID infections since the pandemic began. Unlike much of the rest of the world, Taiwan has …

Taiwan says it’s at only early stage of COVID outbreak, cases will rise Read More »

By Neil Jerome Morales MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine authorities on Wednesday struggled to distribute aid to tens of thousands of displaced people sheltering in evacuation centres after typhoon Megi triggered landslides in coastal provinces that left 56 dead and dozens missing. More than 42,000 people were displaced and 200 injured when Megi made landfall at …

Thousands displaced after typhoon Megi hits Philippines Read More »

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea is preparing to celebrate its most important holiday on Friday, overshadowed by international concerns that Pyongyang may stage a major weapons test. From floral baskets to ballistic missiles, here is the history of the holiday, and expectations for this week’s events. * “The Day of the Sun” is an annual …

Factbox-N.Korea to stage major holiday overshadowed by nuclear, missile tensions Read More »

By Joori Roh SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea’s health ministry said on Wednesday it will administer a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for people over 60 as the country continues to battle the highly contagious Omicron variant. “The government plans to expand the fourth round of vaccination to those aged 60 and older,” Health Minister Kwon …

S.Korea to expand rollout of second COVID booster shot to people over 60 Read More »