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...

Bali to stay closed to foreign travellers till end of 2020

Plans to reopen Bali to international tourists on Sept. 11 have been reconsidered following the government's decision to wait until the end of this year before welcoming foreign visitors. "The government is still prohibiting its citizens from traveling abroad at least until the end of 2020. In line with the policy, we also cannot open the gate to international travelers...

Coronavirus: Vietnam says contagion ‘under control’ in virus epicentre but has spread elsewhere

A new coronavirus outbreak in Vietnam spread to two more provinces on Wednesday (Aug 5), the country's Health Minister said, as the Covid-19 task force declared the contagion "under control" in the central city where the outbreak began. Aggressive contact-tracing, targeted testing and strict quarantining had helped Vietnam contain earlier outbreaks, but it is now battling...