What WHO researchers in Wuhan are trying to learn January 14, 2021 at 07:02PM

The WHO team of international researchers that arrived in the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday hopes to find clues to the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. The visit has been shrouded in secrecy, with neither China nor the WHO revealing exactly what the team will do or where it will go. The search for the origins is likely to be a years-long effort that could help prevent future pandemics.

Earthquake in Indonesia kills at least 7, injures hundreds January 14, 2021 at 04:42PM

A powerful earthquake rocked Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Friday, killing at least 34 people, levelling a hospital and severely damaging other buildings, authorities said. Hundreds more were injured when the 6.2-magnitude quake struck in the early hours, triggering panic among the terrified residents of the island, which was hit by a huge quake and tsunami two and a half years ago that killed thousands.

Earthquake in Indonesia kills at least 7, injures hundreds January 14, 2021 at 04:42PM

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Indonesia's Sulawesi island killed at least seven people, injured hundreds and damaged many buildings on Friday, the country's disaster mitigation agency said, as panicked residents fled to safer areas.

North Korea parades new submarine-launched missile January 14, 2021 at 04:58PM

Pictures showed at least four of the missiles with black-and-white cones being driven past flag-waving crowds. North Korea is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

Pope Francis, former Pope Benedict get Covid-19 vaccine January 14, 2021 at 04:33PM

Donald Trump's trial could begin on Biden’s Inauguration Day January 14, 2021 at 04:18PM

US blacklists China's CNOOC, S&P deletes from stock indices January 14, 2021 at 07:23AM

The US Commerce Department on Thursday added China's state oil giant CNOOC to its blacklist over what it called "belligerent" actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Philippines' Duterte says presidency no job for a woman January 14, 2021 at 05:25AM

Lady Gaga to sing anthem at Biden's inauguration January 14, 2021 at 03:36AM

Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at Joe Biden's inauguration and Jennifer Lopez will give a musical performance on the West Front of the US Capitol when Biden is sworn in as the nation's 46th president next Wednesday. There will be a poetry reading from Amanda Gorman, the first national youth poet laureate, and the benediction will be given by Rev.

Japan's new virus emergency met with public indifference January 14, 2021 at 12:42AM

WHO convenes emergency committee early over Covid variants January 14, 2021 at 12:29AM

The World Health Organization's emergency committee will meet two weeks early on Thursday to discuss the new coronavirus variants from South Africa and Britain that have rapidly spread to at least 50 countries and sparked widespread alarm. ​​The newly identified variants, which appear to be significantly more infectious than the strain that emerged in China in 2019, come as spiking virus numbers force many nations to enforce new lockdowns.

Scottish nationalists set for record majority, boosting independence push January 13, 2021 at 11:49PM

'China denies entry to two WHO team members after tests' January 13, 2021 at 10:53PM

China denied entry to two members of a World Health Organization team investigating the origins of the novel coronavirus after both tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies, the Wall Street Journal reported. ​​Chinese officials blocked the duo from boarding their plane to the central Chinese city of Wuhan after they tested positive for the antibodies in blood-based serology tests during transit in Singapore, the report said.

Hong Kong emigration to Britain could mean $36bn capital outflow January 13, 2021 at 10:38PM