COVID-19 Updates
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China’s world-factory status gets boost as coronavirus ravages India and other developing Asian countries
A sharp uptick in coronavirus cases in India and several Asian countries is diverting business to China, ensuring that its manufacturing engine will continue being the main driver of global…
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Coronavirus: flights from Britain to Hong Kong resuming on Friday, ending four-month ban
Passenger flights from Britain and Ireland to Hong Kong will resume on Friday, lifting a ban imposed more than four months ago to guard against more transmissible coronavirus variants.Hong Kong…
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With Covid-19, India’s crisis is an emergency for the world
In the fight against Covid-19, every day counts – once it starts to spread in the community, cases grow exponentially.The world is already late in responding to the humanitarian crisis…
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Use of digital payment technologies such as QR codes, cryptocurrencies in Asia-Pacific boosted by pandemic, Mastercard survey finds
The adoption of new payment technologies such as QR codes, cryptocurrencies and biometrics is on the rise in Asia-Pacific as a result of the pandemic, according to a Mastercard survey.…
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Coronavirus: mass testing of Hong Kong domestic helpers uncovers at least three Covid-19 cases, all with mutated variants
Mandatory mass testing ordered by Hong Kong health authorities has uncovered at least three Covid-19 infections among domestic helpers, all of which involved coronavirus mutated variants, prompting an expert to…
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Coronavirus: Hong Kong retail sales rise 20 per cent in March, but sector’s recovery is losing steam
Hong Kong’s retail rebound lost steam in March, posting a 20.1 per cent year-on-year increase that was significantly lower than February’s figure, despite the easing of Covid-19 social-distancing rules.Provisional figures…
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Tokyo Olympics: nine Japanese governors want option to scrap Games amid coronavirus surge
The governors of nine Japanese prefectures believe the Tokyo Olympic Games should be postponed again or cancelled outright if the present surge in coronavirus cases cannot be brought under control.…
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The world is watching India’s coronavirus crisis but Asia’s developing nations are all at risk
It’s not just India. Fierce new Covid-19 waves are enveloping other developing countries across the world, placing severe strain on their health care systems and prompting appeals for help.Nations ranging…
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Australia news live: crossbench MPs call on PM to undo India travel ban; RBA keeps interest rates at record low
Scott Morrison all but rules out lifting the ban early as cricketer Michael Slater adds to voices condemning the decision. Follow live 7.02am BST The chair of the independent threatened…
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Coronavirus live news: India passes 20m cases, US average daily infections fall below 50,000
India records 357,229 new daily cases and 3,449 deaths; US daily cases fall to lowest average since October; Germany cancels Oktoberfest Vaccine shortages blight India’s efforts to contain Covid crisis…