Taiwan loses 2 fighter jets in apparent collision, third such crash in 6 months

The F-5E jets crashedReuters Two Taiwanese fighter jets crashed on Monday (March 22) in the third such incident in the past half-year, at a time when the Beijing-claimed island's armed forces are under increasing pressure to intercept Chinese aircraft on an almost daily basis. While Taiwan's air force is well trained and well equipped, mostly with US-made equipment,...

Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine appears safe, triggers antibodies in trial in children: Researcher

The preliminary data was from Phase I and II clinical trials involving over 500 people.Reuters Sinovac Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine appears to be safe and able to trigger immune responses among children and adolescents, according to preliminary results from early and mid-stage trials, the company said late on Monday (March 22). The preliminary data was from Phase I...

Is North Korea’s move to cut ties with Malaysia a ‘test’ for Joe Biden?

Twitter/imnormgoh A move by Pyongyang to sever ties with Malaysia, following the extradition of a North Korean national to the United States on money-laundering charges, could be aimed at testing the administration of US President Joe Biden, according to analysts. Pyongyang announced on Friday that it was cutting diplomatic ties after a Malaysian Federal Court panel earlier...

NUS hostel residents to be swabbed after traces of Covid-19 found in wastewater

Swabbing stations would be set up at UTown Residence on March 23, 2021. Residents of a hostel block at the National University of Singapore will need to be swabbed after traces of Covid-19 were detected in its wastewater. Staff and students were informed in a circular seen by The Straits Times on Monday night (March 22). Dr...

33-year-old businessman linked to alleged fraud of record $1b charged

Ng Yu Zhi was charged with two counts of cheating and two of being a party to fraudulent trading on March 22, 2021. Hreasily   A businessman charged on Monday (March 22) has been linked to an alleged fraud involving at least $1 billion, the largest in Singapore's history. Ng Yu Zhi, 33, is the director of two firms...

Heavy rains in Australia’s east bring worst floods in 50 years

  Heavy rains along Australia’s east coast over the weekend have brought the worst flooding in half a century in some areas, authorities said on Sunday, forcing thousands to evacuate and damaging hundreds of houses. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the downpour across the state, Australia’s most populous with 8 million people, was worse than...

Philippines tightens coronavirus curbs as cases top 7,000 for third day

A worker in a hazmat suit disinfects a street as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at a village in Manila, Philippines, March 19, 2021.Reuters The Philippines will expand tighter Covid-19 rules to include four provinces surrounding the capital Manila, and restrict travel to and from these areas for two weeks beginning...

Dozens of Thai protesters injured after rally near king’s palace

Riot police beat a protester (C) during anti-government protests in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 20, 2021.Reuters More than 30 civilians and police were injured in anti-government protests in Thailand, an emergency medical centre said on Sunday after police used water cannon, teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the rally the night before. Video circulated on social media...

Chinese city bans ‘vulgar’ wedding hazings after string of incidents take tradition too far

Zouping city said it wanted to make weddings civilised.Multifolds A city in eastern China has formally banned a notorious wedding tradition where guests are allowed to tease the new couple and their bridesmaids, after a series of incidents when the joke went too far. The authorities in Zouping, a city in Shandong province, issued a notice on...

Chinese scientists discover skin whitening cream for a man from 2,700 years ago

The 6-gram residue in an ornate and sealed bronze jar was found in the grave of an ancient Chinese nobleman dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Who doesn’t love to take the load off, sit down with a soothing cosmetic face mask and turn on the latest...