New Japan coronavirus cases include 14 returnees on charter flights from China: Report
TOKYO: The number of coronavirus infections in Japan rose to 1,484 on Sunday (Mar 15), increasing by a faster pace than the previous day, public broadcaster NHK reported. The total number of infections includes 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 returnees on charter flights from China, according to NHK data. Advertisement Advertisement
US city Hoboken announces night curfew, restricts service in bars, restaurants due to COVID-19
HOBOKEN, New Jersey: The US city of Hoboken, across the Hudson River from New York City, on Saturday (Mar 14) announced a night curfew starting Mar 16 and ordered bars and restaurants to conduct only delivery services amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. In a statement, Mayor Ravi Bhalla said all residents of Hoboken, New Jersey, will be required
MUIS details mosque visits by COVID-19 patients, urges other visitors to go to doctor if unwell
SINGAPORE: The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) on Sunday (Mar 15) released a list of 10 mosques visited by five Singaporeans who had tested positive for COVID-19, after they attended a mass religious gathering in Malaysia. “Thus far (the Ministry of Health)’s contact tracing efforts have revealed that the individuals who tested positive visited a
Australia’s ‘war cabinet’ set to meet as COVID-19 cases surpass 250
SYDNEY: Australia’s new national cabinet is set to meet Sunday (Mar 15) as the country’s cases of coronavirus topped 250 and the government faced questions about the possible closure of schools and tighter border controls. The government has already advised against non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday, though this does not include schools,
South Korea reports 76 new coronavirus cases, total 8,162: KCDC
SEOUL: South Korea reported 76 new coronavirus cases on Sunday (Mar 15), bringing the country’s total to 8,162 with 75 deaths, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said. The latest numbers are in line with a downward trend in new cases, down from the 107 recorded on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement READ: China imported
China imported coronavirus cases exceed new local infections for second day
SHANGHAI: The number of new coronavirus cases that came to mainland China from overseas surpassed the number of locally transmitted new infections for the second time on Saturday (Mar 14), data released by the National Health Commission (NHC) showed on Sunday. Mainland China had 20 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Mar 14, up from
Philippines closes off capital to fight COVID-19
MANILA: Police began closing off access to the Philippines’ sprawling and densely populated capital Manila on Sunday (Mar 15), imposing a quarantine that officials hope will curb the nation’s rising number of coronavirus cases. Officers armed with rifles blocked off main roads into the city of about 12 million as domestic flights to and from
‘Two choices’ for General Election timing, says PM Lee
SINGAPORE: There are two choices when it comes to the timing of the General Election, the country’s Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday (Mar 14), a day after changes to the electoral boundaries were announced. “When to hold elections? That depends on the situation, and the outlook,” Mr Lee said in a
12 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, 8 discharged: MOH
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health announced 12 new COVID-19 cases – with nine imported ones – on Saturday (Mar 14), bringing the country’s total to 212. The new cases in Singapore also include one case linked to the SAFRA Jurong cluster, one linked to a previous case and one patient with no links. Advertisement Advertisement A
Thailand releases detailed COVID-19 control measures for travellers
BANGKOK: Thailand’s public health ministry released detailed measures for travellers visiting the country as it intensified efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced on Saturday (Mar 14). Travellers arriving in Thailand will be categorised into three groups for different levels of surveillance, TAT reported. Advertisement Advertisement TRAVELLERS FROM THE DISEASE INFECTED ZONES Travellers from the
France closes shops, restaurants, tells people to stay home
PARIS: France will shut most shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities from midnight on Saturday (Mar 14) and people should stay home as much as possible as the spread of coronavirus is accelerating, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced. He was speaking at a news conference after the public health authority said 91 people had died in France
US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland; reviews domestic curbs
WASHINGTON: The United States said Saturday (Mar 14) it was stepping up its fight against the coronavirus and extending a European travel ban to include the United Kingdom and Ireland, while acknowledging that some domestic travel curbs are also being considered. President Donald Trump has decided to “suspend all travel from the United Kingdom and
Trump takes coronavirus test, US death toll rises
WASHINGTON/CHICAGO: President Donald Trump said on Saturday (Mar 14) he had taken a coronavirus test but that his temperature was “totally normal,” as he extended a travel ban to Britain and Ireland to try to slow the spread of a pandemic that has shut down much of the daily routine of American life. After White House

Commentary: So what if the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s report is out?
SINGAPORE: One can’t fault the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC), which released its report on Friday (Mar 13) and fulfilled its mission to the letter – to further reduce the average size of the Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and to have more than the 13 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). Some observers consider the changes, which include