World

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Saturday for more effort and unity as the country enters a “new phase” in its approach to combating the pandemic, in his first comments addressed to the public on Covid-19 since his government changed course three weeks ago and relaxed its rigorous policy of …

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for developing new intercontinental ballistic missiles and a larger nuclear arsenal to counter U.S.-led threats, state media said on Sunday, amid flaring tension between the rival Koreas. At a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, Kim highlighted the need to secure “overwhelming military …

Thousands of people across the country poured out onto the streets Saturday night to celebrate the incoming New Year. Featured Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta (GMT+7) Oldest Latest Has news updated January 2 0h00 Welcoming the new year Two foreigners hug in Hanoi at the midnight strike. Photo by Ngoc Thanh Foreigners …

Thousands of people across the country poured out onto the streets Saturday night to celebrate the incoming New Year. Featured Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta (GMT+7) Oldest Latest Has news updated 21h00 Foreign tourists join Hue countdown In the central town of Hue, restaurants in the backpackers streets Vo Thi Sau and …

Dust pollution at the construction site of Long Thanh, slated to be Vietnam’s largest airport in the southern Dong Nai Province, exceeded permitted levels by multiple times, inspections found. Regular inspections by Dong Nai Department of Natural Resources and Environment between April and October found dust pollution at the site …

Former Pope Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, died on Saturday aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since his resignation, a spokesman for the Holy See said. “With sorrow I inform you that the …

Many drivers in Ho Chi Minh City have not been able to get registry renewal for their vehicles as an ongoing bribery case against registry officials has resulted in fewer centers opening. Drivers have had to wait in long lines day after day without getting the necessary papers to resume …

Australia is gearing up to celebrate its first restriction-free New Year’s Eve after two years of Covid disruptions, with more than a million revelers expected to flock to Sydney’s harbor front and watch an elaborate fireworks display. Sydney is one of the world’s first major cities to welcome in the …

China’s manufacturing activity contracted sharply in December for the third month in a row, according to official figures released Saturday, despite Beijing’s loosening of Covid restrictions at the beginning of the month. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) — a key gauge of manufacturing in the world’s second-biggest economy — came …

The U.K. said on Friday that passengers arriving in Britain from China will require a negative Covid-19 test after a surge in infections in China. Starting on Jan. 5, Chinese travelers will need to show a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than two days prior to departure, U.K.’s Department …