Australia, Thailand Reopen Borders After Lengthy Lockdowns
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Sydney’s international airport came alive with tears, embraces and laughter on Monday as Australia opened its border for the first time in 20 months, with some arriving travelers removing mandatory masks to see the faces of loved ones they’ve been separated from for so long.
It’s Happening! Visitors Arrive in Thailand for Nov. 1 Reopening
BANGKOK — Fully vaccinated travelers from 63 countries and territories can now fly to Thailand with minimal quarantine requirements as the highly anticipated reopening officially begins today.
Activists Launch Campaign for Repeal of Royal Defamation Law
BANGKOK (AP) — Pro-democracy activists in Thailand on Sunday announced a campaign to gather 1 million signatures to support the abolition of the law that makes defaming the monarchy a crime.
Man in ‘Joker’ Costume Stabs 17 People on Tokyo Train, Starts Fire
TOKYO (AP) — A man dressed in Batman's Joker costume and brandishing a knife on a Tokyo commuter train on Sunday stabbed several passengers before starting a fire, which sent people scrambling to escape and jumping from windows, police and witnesses said.
How ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Became Code for Insulting Joe Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Republican Rep. Bill Posey of Florida ended an Oct. 21 House floor speech with a fist pump and the phrase “Let’s go, Brandon!” it may have seemed cryptic and weird to many who were listening. But the phrase was already growing in right-wing circles, and now the seemingly upbeat sentiment -- actually a stand-in for swearing at Joe Biden -- is everywhere.
In the Middle of a Crisis, Facebook Inc. Renames Itself Meta
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Like many companies in trouble before it, Facebook is changing its name and logo.
Vaccine Reluctance in Eastern Europe Brings High COVID Cost
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Truck driver Andriy Melnik never took the coronavirus seriously. With a friend, he bought a fake vaccination certificate so his travel documents would appear in order when he hauled cargo to other parts of Europe.
Pentagon Official Calls Chinese Weapon Test ‘Very Concerning’
WASHINGTON (AP) — China recently conducted a “very concerning” test of a hypersonic weapon system as part of its aggressive advance in space and military technologies, the top U.S. military officer says.
Chamber of Commerce Concerned About Lifting Booze Ban
BANGKOK — Representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce told the authorities that they’re worried about a possible lifting of alcohol sales in restaurants by Dec. 1, since it could lead to a new surge in coronavirus infections.
Woman in Bangkok High-rise Cuts Rope Holding Painters
BANGKOK (AP) — A resident of a high-rise condominium in Thailand cut the support rope for two painters, apparently angry she wasn't told they would be doing work, and left them hanging above the 26th floor until a couple rescued them, police said Wednesday.
