People
Philippines protests China's claim on reef
Since 2012, Manila has protested China's "unlawful establishment of Sansha City and the extent of its administrative jurisdiction". In a statement on Wednesday, the American navy said USS Barry undertook the so-called " freedom of navigation operation" on Tuesday, a week after Beijing upped its claims in the area by designating an official administrative district for the islands. [Full Article...]
Palace cites journalists' crucial role amid Covid-19 pandemic
Afghanistan can be "justly proud" that it has one of the most pluralistic and flourishing media sectors in southeast Asia, according to the statement, adding that "it is an achievement all the more striking given where press freedom stood in the country less than a generation ago". [Full Article...]
China, U.S. spar over Taiwan
Whilst the world have been tackling the coronavirus pandemic that China started in Wuhan, Beijing have been busy building up their military presence. "While the coronavirus is raging across the world, people of all countries are calling for worldwide solidarity in fighting the pandemic", the Chinese spokesperson said. [Full Article...]
Michigan Governor Extends Stay At Home Order Amid Armed Protests In Lansing
In Texas, an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott allows many retail stores, restaurants, malls and movie theaters to reopen at 25% capacity amid the coronavirus outbreak; in rural counties with five or fewer confirmed coronavirus cases, retailers can open at 50% capacity. [Full Article...]
Trudeau announces ban on 1500 assault-style firearms in Canada
During the announcement, Trudeau restated his position that guns created to kill the most people in the shortest amount of time have no place in Canada. "These events, and concerns about the inherent deadliness of assault-style firearms used in them, have led to increasing public demand for measures to address gun violence and mass shootings in Canada". [Full Article...]
Asia's 'murder hornet' lands in USA for first time
For a world that is already suffering from a dwindling bee population, the Asian giant hornet is a formidable foe. Researchers have referred to the hornet as the " murder hornet " due to the fact that it claims 50 lives per year on average in Japan. [Full Article...]
S.Korea to ease social distancing rules further, starting May 6
The country endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside China and strict social distancing has been widely observed since March. "South Korea will implement the everyday life quarantine scheme starting Wednesday", Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a government meeting. [Full Article...]
Trump denies report that Congress doesn't have enough coronavirus tests
Pelosi decided against having her members join the Senate in returning next week because the Washington area remains a virus hot spot. The Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test that both Trump and Azar referred to was granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late March. [Full Article...]