N. Korea Increases Virus Budget After Partial Border Opening
SEOUL (AP) — North Korea plans to increase its government spending on pandemic measures by one-third this year to carry out leader Kim Jong Un’s calls for a more “advanced and people-oriented” virus response, state media said Tuesday.
Across Asia, Spike in Virus Cases Follows Lunar New Year
SINGAPORE (AP) — Many Asian countries are facing a spike in COVID-19 infections after the widely-celebrated Lunar New Year holidays, as health officials grapple with the highly-transmissible omicron variant and expectations that numbers will continue to rise in coming weeks.
Man Arrested for Stealing Cash From Greek Tourist in Phuket
PHUKET — Police said Sunday a man is under arrest for stealing 4,900 euros vacation cash from a Greek tourist’s car.
Peng Shuai Says Allegation Was “Enormous Misunderstanding”
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has told a French newspaper that international concern over her well-being is based on “an enormous misunderstanding” and she denied having accused a Chinese official of sexual assault.
Moroccans in Mourning After Trapped Boy’s Death
IGHRAN, Morocco (AP) — An eerie silence fell on a Moroccan village on Sunday after the death of a 5-year-old boy who had been trapped in a well for four days.
Myanmar Villagers Say Army Troops Burned 400 Houses
BANGKOK (AP) — Residents of two villages in northwestern Myanmar said government soldiers burned down hundreds of houses this week, apparently while searching for members of an armed militia opposed to military rule.
US Says New Intel Shows Russia Plotting False Flag Attack
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. accused the Kremlin on Thursday of an elaborate plot to fabricate an attack by Ukrainian forces that Russia could use as a pretext to take military action against its neighbor.
Japan Border Policy Keeps Thousands of Foreigners in Limbo
TOKYO (AP) — More than a year ago Sebastian Bressa finished his paperwork to become a language teacher in Tokyo and made plans to quit his job in Sydney. His life has been in limbo ever since.
Another Beijing Olympics With Human Rights Still Major Issue
BEIJING (AP) — Beijing was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics, largely under the assumption that the Games would improve civil liberties in the country.
Greek Tourist’s Cash Stolen in Phuket
PHUKET — A Greek tourist on Wednesday said he is offering a reward for the return of his 4,900 euros vacation cash stolen from his car on the resort island of Phuket.
