Japan to End State of Emergency Over Coronavirus Crisis
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan is expected to end its state of emergency over the coronavirus crisis Monday, easing curbs on economic activity that are in place in Tokyo and four other prefectures ahead of schedule, with the spread of infections brought under control.
China Denies Using Virus to Grow Presence in South China Sea
BEIJING (AP) — China’s foreign minister is dismissing claims that the country is exploiting the coronavirus outbreak to expand its footprint in the South China Sea, labeling such accusations as “sheer nonsense.”
Protest Erupts in Hong Kong Over China’s Security Bill
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police fired tear gas and a water cannon at protesters in a popular shopping district Sunday, as thousands took to the streets to march against China’s move to impose national security legislation on the city.
Filipino Artist Encourages Social Distancing by Scary Masks
MANILA (Xinhua) — You might better keep social distancing when it comes to a face mask made of shuttlecocks, recycled plastic bottles and cups.
Trump Plays Golf for 1st Time Since the Coronavirus Pandemic
STERLING, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump played golf Saturday for the first time since he declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency more than two months ago, leading to the shutdown of much of American society.
Trump Calls Churches ‘Essential,’ Urges Them to Reopen
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has labeled churches and other houses of worship as “essential” and called on governors nationwide to let them reopen this weekend even though some areas remain under coronavirus lockdown.
Virus Cases Drop to Zero in China but Surge in Latin America
TOKYO (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic continued to drop in much of Asia on Saturday even as the outbreak surged in Latin America, as the world grappled with balancing the urge to restart economies with fears about health risks.
Hong Kong Bill to Plug National Security Loophole, China Says
HONG KONG (Xinhua) — The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said Friday that the ongoing national legislative session's agenda on the HKSAR is an imperative move to close the legal loopholes in the SAR concerning national security.
Trump Lashes Out at Scientists Whose Findings Contradict Him
As President Donald Trump pushes to reopen the country despite warnings from doctors about the consequences of moving too quickly during the coronavirus crisis, he has been lashing out at scientists whose conclusions he doesn’t like.
IOC Says Tokyo Games May Not Go Ahead, Even With Vaccine
SYDNEY (Kyodo) — International Olympic Committee senior official John Coates said the postponed Tokyo Games might not go ahead in July 2021, even with the development of a coronavirus vaccine, Australian media reported Thursday.
