Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean students began returning to schools Wednesday as their country prepares for a new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a reminder that returning to normalcy won’t be easy, students in some schools near Seoul were quickly asked to leave and return home after two students were found to have contracted the virus. South Korean health authorities on Wednesday reported 32 new cases over a 24-hour period, the first time the daily jump has been above 30 in more than a week.

Beijing, May 18 (AFP/PTI) China on Monday announced 80.5 percent tariffs on Australian barley, days after suspending beef imports from the country -- a move that could escalate tensions between the countries.

Following a government investigation into Australian grain exports, China found Australian subsidies and dumping had "substantially damaged domestic industry," the commerce ministry said in a statement.

19 May 2020; AFP: A Chinese laboratory has been developing a drug it believes has the power to bring the coronavirus pandemic to a halt.

The outbreak first emerged in China late last year before spreading across the world, prompting an international race to find treatments and vaccines.

A drug being tested by scientists at China's prestigious Peking University could not only shorten the recovery time for those infected, but even offer short-term immunity from the virus, researchers say.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan is complying with international sanctions against North Korea, a senior Taiwanese security official told the United States’ deputy representative for North Korea on Tuesday, having previously been called out for breaking them.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own, is not a member of the United Nations, but says that as a responsible global player it is committed to ensuring sanctions are enforced to rein in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to broaden market access and open up its service sector as part of efforts to keep foreign investment stable amid the COVID-19 epidemic, the country's commerce minister said Monday.

Noting that the pandemic has inevitably brought challenges to cross-border investment, Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan said at a press conference that the country will take various measures to stabilize foreign investment.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares rose Tuesday on optimism about a potential vaccine for the coronavirus after hopes for a U.S. economic recovery in the second half of the year sent Wall Street into a rebound.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.9% in morning trading to 20,517.42. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 2.0% to 5,569.20. South Korea’s Kospi was up 1.8% to 1,972.73. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 1.8% to 24,362.80, while the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.5% to 2,889.42.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today officiated the opening of the third session of the country’s 14th Parliament sitting.

His Majesty was welcomed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and Dewan Negara President Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran.

The King delivered the Royal Address shortly after that.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Offshore oil and gas (O&G) exploration activities is expected to remain muted in 2020, given the current lower oil price and demand environment amidst the COVID-19, says Bumi Armada Bhd.

Its chairman, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia’s king on Monday said the appointment of Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister during turmoil this year was proper and constitutional, days after parliament put off a vote on an opposition challenge to his leadership.

Muhyiddin’s appointment on March 1, at the end of a week of political wrangling that led to the collapse of the ruling coalition, has been challenged by the opposition who say it was not clear that Muhyiddin had majority support from among the 222 members of parliament’s lower house, the Dewan Rakyat.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Scuffles broke out on Monday between pro-democracy and pro-government legislators in Hong Kong over the leadership of a key committee which could pave the way for a debate on a controversial China national anthem bill.

In chaotic scenes, pro-democracy legislators charged at security guards surrounding pro-establishment lawmaker Chan Kin-Por, who had taken the chairman’s seat in the meeting against procedural objections by the opposition.