Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., the appointed vaccine czar, has maintained that the government acted fast in securing COVID-19 vaccine supply for the country. “RA 9184 does not allow advance market ... ( read original story ...)
Philippines Celebrates Human Rights Day With Crackdown on Activists
A new slate of arrests follows weeks of baseless accusations by the Duterte administration that political opponents are associated with terrorist groups. ( read original story ...)
Philippines targets deal for 25 mn doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine
The Philippines aims to finalise negotiations with Sinovac Biotech this week to acquire 25 million doses of the Chinese company's Covid-19 vaccine for delivery by March, a coronavirus taskforce ... ( read original story ...)
COVID-19 cases in Philippines cross 450,000; deaths at 8,757
Coronavirus cases in the Philippines climbed past 450,000 Monday after the Department of Health recorded 1,339 additional infections. Total COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 450,733, of which 23, ... ( read original story ...)
Covid-19 forces Japan to close New Year’s Eve celebration spot Mount Takao
Tokyo officials deemed that the large numbers, as well as the likelihood that people would be drinking alcohol and sleeping overnight on Takao was too risky. ( read original story ...)
Japan picks the kanji character for “dense” to define coronavirus year
Japan on Monday selected a kanji character used to encourage social distancing as its defining symbol for 2020, highlighting a catchphrase used extensively during the coronavirus pandemic that even ... ( read original story ...)
In Japan, Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ is a Christmas carol
Five thousand amateur chorus members sang “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Tokyo, Japan, in February of 2006. The sing-alongs to the German composer’s piece about brotherhood and ... ( read original story ...)
Asia shares trend higher; Japan data offsets Wall St losses
Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Monday, shrugging off a weak close last week on Wall Street as hopes for a new round of aid for American workers and businesses faded. Benchmarks ... ( read original story ...)
Japan, South Korea fret as surging coronavirus undermines leaders’ support
Japan and South Korea grappled with surging coronavirus cases and growing public frustration on Monday as Japan's prime minister tiptoed around a contentious travel subsidy programme while an anxious ... ( read original story ...)
Bangladesh’s COVID-19 deaths reach 7,089, total cases rise to 492,332
DHAKA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh reported 1,799 new COVID-19 cases and 37 new deaths on Monday, bringing the tally to 492,332 and death toll to 7,089, the Directorate General of Health Services ... ( read original story ...)