Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

S. Korea in shock, grief as 153 die in Halloween crowd surge

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Concerned relatives raced to hospitals in search of their loved ones Sunday as South Korea mourned the deaths of more than 150 people, mostly in their 20s and 30s, who got trapped and crushed after a huge Halloween party crowd surged into a narrow alley in a nightlife district in Seoul.

China to work with other BRICS members to jointly advance expansion process

BEIJING, Oct 29 (APP): China, along with other combined economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) members, will jointly advance the expansion process so that more partners will join the BRICS family, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said here Saturday.

“As the BRICS Chair this year, China actively supports the process of BRICS expansion,” he said during his regular briefing in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that Russia supports the accession of Saudi Arabia to BRICS.

Direct air flights to promote bilateral tourism with Pakistan: Indonesian Minister

JAKARTA, Oct 29 (APP): Indonesian Deputy Minister for Tourism and Economic Creativity, Ni Made Ayu Marthini Saturday said that direct air flights are very important to promote bilateral tourism between Indonesia and Pakistan.

Talking to APP here, she said in terms of the population of Indonesia and Pakistan, the market consisting of 500 million people can open new ways of cooperation in all economic sectors including tourism and trade in both countries.

Malaysia Reported 3,296 New COVID-19 Infections, One New Death

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia recorded 3,296 new COVID-19 infections as of midnight, bringing the total tally to 4,893,733, according to the health ministry.

The new infections were 10 new imported cases and 3,286 local transmissions, data released on the ministry’s website showed.

One new death was reported from the pandemic, taking the death toll to 36,463.

The ministry reported 1,960 new recoveries, bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients cured and discharged to 4,827,215 in the country.

G20 members committed to tackling global health challenges: Indonesian minister

JAKARTA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said that the Group of 20 (G20) members reaffirmed a strong commitment to jointly tackle global health challenges and find common solutions.

The Indonesian health minister made the remarks Friday at the closing session of a G20 health ministers' meeting.

During the meeting held in Indonesia's Bali on Oct. 27-28, health ministers of G20 members agreed on six key actions on strengthening the global health architecture to meet future challenges.

50 dead, dozens feared missing as storm lashes Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Flash floods and landslides set off by torrential rains left at least 50 people dead, including in a hard-hit southern Philippine province, where as many as 60 villagers are feared missing and buried in a huge mudslide laden with rocks, trees and debris, officials said Saturday.

China-Pakistan Health Corridor to bring changes in health sector

BEIJING, Oct 28 (APP): China-Pakistan Health Corridor (CPHC) will provide a platform that can bring changes in the health sector of Pakistan. Working together, both countries could boost this industry around the globe, said Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, President of China Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA).

He said that Pakistan had Harappa and Mohnjo Dharro civilizations dated back to 7,000 years ago.

Cambodia Launched Longan Exports To China

PHNOM PENH, Oct 28 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia, yesterday, launched longan exportation to China, marking another fruitful cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two countries.

Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, attended the launching ceremony here.

Japan Cabinet OKs $200B spending plan to counter inflation

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet approved Friday a hefty economic package including 29 trillion yen ($200 billion) in government spending to counter the blow to household budgets from inflation, signaling that the greater concern of its policymakers is that the economy will stall, not overheat.

While central banks around the world are raising interest rates aggressively to try to tame decades-high inflation, with its own inflation rate near 3%, Japan has stuck mainly to using fiscal measures, or government spending, to counter that challenge.

Subscribe to Asia (except ME & Indian SC)