Malaysia to reopen most economic activity
Malaysia is lifting coronavirus restrictions imposed nearly three months ago as it moves to revive an economy battered by the pandemic.


Pakistan's virus deaths cross 2000 mark
The number of deaths from the coronavirus in Pakistan has surpassed 2000, with total infections pushing towards 100,000.


SKorea's daily virus cases surpass 50
Authorities in South Korea are struggling to suppress a spike in coronavirus infections in the densely populated Seoul area.


Taiwan Speaker dead after vote loss
Police in Taiwan say a city council Speaker has been found dead a few hours after the mayor lost a vote against the backdrop of further tensions with China.


Indonesian helicopter crashes, killing 4
Four people out of nine on board an Indonesian army helicopter have been killed when it crashed in central Java, officials say.


India, China military hold border talks
India and China have held military-level talks amid a face-off on their disputed border involving thousands of Indian and Chinese forces since early May.


Biggest single-day rise in Indonesia cases
Indonesia has recorded its biggest single-day rise in coronavirus cases, taking the national tally to 30,514; experts say the increase is due to more testing.


Indonesian army chopper crashes, 3 dead
Three people out of nine on board an Indonesian army helicopter have been killed when it crashed in central Java, media reports say.


India registers record COVID-19 spike
India's Health Ministry has reported 9,887 new cases over the past 24 hours, the country's biggest single-day surge of infections recorded so far.


Taliban bombing kills 11 Afghan police
Eleven local police officers have been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's north-eastern Badakhshan province.


Philippines rejects UN human rights report
A UN report says violations in the Philippines have become more acute as President Rodrigo Duterte's "incendiary" language encourages the use of violent force.


North Korea supports China's HK measures
North Korea has given its support to Beijing's measures in Hong Kong during a meeting between its foreign minister and the Chinese ambassador.


Turkey cans weekend lockdown as cases rise
After a public backlash, Turkey has decided not to proceed with a weekend lockdown despite a daily jump in new COVID-19 cases from around 700 to almost 1000


Record 17.7 per cent Filipinos jobless
The Philippines' April unemployment rate has surged to a record 17.7 per cent, leaving 7.3 million people without jobs due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.


Pakistan closes shops as COVID cases surge
Pakistan's highest single-day jump in coronavirus infections has prompted authorities backed by security forces to shut down more than 3000 shops and markets.