Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

Beijing, Apr 27 (AP/PTI) China is fighting back against calls for an investigation into its role in the global coronavirus pandemic, citing faults with the U.S. response to the outbreak and calling for Washington itself to admit error.

We hope the U.S. will respond to people's concern from the U.S. and the international community. Perhaps the World Health Organization can also be invited in to assist in the investigation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily briefing on Monday.

BAKU, April 26 (NNN-BERNAMA-AZERTAC) — On the initiative of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is the chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a Summit of the NAM’s Contact Group will be held through videoconference on May 4.

The Summit entitled “We stand together against COVID-19” will focus on the fight against coronavirus pandemic, Assistant to the President, Head of the Department for Foreign Policy Affairs of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev told Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC).

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland has dropped below 100, Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, said Monday.

There were still over 600 imported cases undergoing treatment, according to a daily report issued by the commission earlier on Monday.

The health authority received reports of two new imported COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total imported cases to 1,636.

Of the imported cases, over 1,000 have been cured and discharged from hospital, Mi said. 

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Multiple countries are easing or considering easing restrictions gradually for social and economic recovery although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide is nearing 3 million.

Global caseload at 0000 GMT on Monday hit 2,968,627, with the United States standing first at 964,937, followed by Spain with 226,629, and Italy with 197,675, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock prices gained Monday after Japan’s central bank boosted support for financial markets as more governments prepared to reopen economies that were shut down to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Tokyo’s benchmark surged 2.7% and European markets opened higher. Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney also gained.

Investors are looking ahead to meetings of U.S. and European central bankers this week for additional measures to reverse the deepest global slump since the 1930s. Evidence is mounting that the damage is even worse than expected.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A top South Korean official said his country remains confident there have been no “unusual developments” in North Korea, suggesting that rumors about the possible ill health of leader Kim Jong Un are untrue.

Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul told a closed-door forum in Seoul on Sunday that South Korea has “enough intelligence to confidently say that there are no unusual developments” in rival North Korea that would back up speculation about Kim Jong Un’s health, according to his ministry.

JAKARTA, April 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Indonesian police have thwarted thousands of people planning to go back to hometowns for celebrating the Islamic festivity as the country has been beefing up strides to cushion the spread of COVID-19.

Nearly 5,000 vehicles carrying people have been stopped by police personnel and ordered them to turn back to their original cities including the capital of Jakarta from which they started departures, Chief of the National Police’s Traffic Corps General Istiono said.

BANGKOK (AP) — China’s ambassador reportedly is warning the Australian government its pursuit of a coronavirus inquiry could set off a boycott by Chinese consumers, who may no longer travel and study in Australia or buy major exports including beef and wine.

Ambassador Cheng Jingye told The Australian Financial Review in an interview published on Monday that Australia’s push for an inquiry was “dangerous” and predicted it would fail to gain traction.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s central bank is making it easier for cash-strapped companies to get funding in response to the growing economic devastation from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bank of Japan decided at a meeting Monday to ease monetary policy, including expanding the purchase of commercial papers and corporate bonds, which work to deliver cash to companies.

(AP) --- The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

TOP OF THE HOUR:

— Japan adds 14 more countries to entry ban list.

— New Zealand prepares to ease rules on strict lockdown.

— South Korea mulls reopening schools after 26th straight day under 100 new cases.

— China reports just 3 new virus cases, no new deaths.

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