Hong Kong has recorded its sharpest annual drop in population, with experts blaming the decline on strict Covid control measures and a political crackdown that have taken the shine off a financial hub long advertised as "Asia's world city." [...]

Seoul vows to move families from 'Parasite'-style basement homes after flooding deaths

Seoul has vowed to move some of the city's poorest families out of underground and semi-subterranean homes after 13 people were killed in flooding caused by record-breaking rainfall this week, sparking public horror and calls for government accountability. [...]

They survived lockdown in Shanghai, only to be trapped again in Hainan

"I chose to come to Sanya because the Covid restrictions are more relaxed than (in) Shanghai," said Li Zefeng, an engineer who lives in China's biggest city. [...]

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Philippines detects 225 additional Omicron subvariant cases

(Eagle News) — The Philippines logged over 200 more Omicron subvariant cases. According to Department of Health officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire, of the 225 additional Omicron subvariant cases, 190 were BA.5 cases, 34 were BA.4 cases, and one was a BA.2.12.1 case. BA.5 According to Vergeire, of the additional 190 new BA.5 cases, 162 individuals were from Davao Region, 23 from Soccsksargen, three from Bangsamoro, and one each from Caraga and Metro Manila. With the […] [...]

‘Extreme vigilance’ at vast western France fire

Hostens, France | AFP | A huge fire that has devastated swathes of southwestern France was largely contained, but firefighters face another “complicated” day, local authorities said on Friday. The 40-kilometre (25-mile) active fire front in the Gironde and Landes departments around Bordeaux “has not developed, but the weather conditions are pushing us towards extreme vigilance,” deputy prefect Ronan Leaustic told reporters. No new evacuations had been ordered on top of the 10,000 people already […] [...]

Australian economist pleads not guilty at Myanmar junta trial: source

Yangon, Myanmar | AFP | An Australian economist detained by Myanmar’s junta has pleaded not guilty to breaching the colonial-era official secrets act, a source close to the case said on Friday. Sean Turnell was working as an adviser to Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi when he was detained shortly after the coup that ousted her government in February last year. On trial in a secretive junta court that journalists cannot access, he […] [...]