Asia

Saudi Arabia announced on Friday, July 30, that it would reopen its borders to vaccinated foreign tourists, after a 17-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the national news agency said. Riyadh, however, has not announced the lifting of restrictions on the Omra pilgrimage, which attracts millions of Muslims from …

The Delta variant of the covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the world. The latest covid-19 variant is now spreading to several provinces in China, including Beijing, authorities said on Thursday. The Delta strain is said to be more contagious. China, where Covid-19 was first detected at the end …

A drone attack on Friday sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the Saudi capital Riyadh and was claimed by Yemeni Houthi rebels, the Saudi energy ministry said. The attack was claimed by Yemeni Houthi rebels, the Saudi energy ministry said. “The Riyadh oil refinery was attacked by drones, …

In addition to pollution, Beijing the Chinese capital is currently being hit hard by a violent sandstorm. The combination of the two phenomena produces a cocktail that is dangerous for health and reduces visibility to a few hundred meters. The whole capital is enveloped in a yellowish cloud. Sandstorms from …

Thailand has suddenly delayed the launch of its vaccination campaign with AstraZeneca amid fears of the vaccine over blood clots. The vaccination campaign with the Oxford / AstraZeneca was due to start this Friday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha being the first to receive this product under the watch of the …

Member states of the World Trade Organisation will on Wednesday begin talks on a joint proposal by India and South Africa to suspend patents on coronavirus vaccines to increase production. It’s supported by more than 100 developing countries, many of whom have not yet made a meaningful start to their …

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved a range of initiatives aimed at assisting firms and individuals operating in support of Islamic pilgrimages, Saudi state news agency SPA said late on Monday. The initiatives are aimed at mitigating the financial and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the sector that provides …

South Korean authorities said on Wednesday they are investigating the deaths of two people, both with pre-existing conditions, who died within days of receiving AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. A 63-year-old nursing home patient with cerebrovascular disease, developed symptoms including high fever, after being given the vaccine four days ago, Korea Disease …

A decision by South Korean health authorities to allow more doses to be extracted from coronavirus vaccine vials sparked controversy on Tuesday as the country ramped up its vaccinations of healthcare workers and the elderly. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) had allowed healthcare workers to use the …

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Monday the United States and China could work together on issues like climate change and the coronavirus pandemic if they repaired their damaged bilateral relationship. According to Wang Yi, diplomat and foreign Minister, Beijing is ready to reopen constructive dialogue with Washington after …