BEIJING: China on Friday said it will "no longer recognise" the British National (Overseas) passport for Hong Kongers, as Britain prepares to open its doors to millions more residents of the former colony following a security crackdown by Beijing.

MANILA: The Philippines extended on Friday partial Covid-19 restrictions in the capital Manila until the end of February in a bid to slow a spike in infections after year-end holidays, officials said, warning the curbs could further delay economic re...

Covid-19 restrictions are being relaxed in most areas, allowing some closed businesses and activities to resume on Monday, but substantial controls remain in place throughout red-zoned provinces in the greater Bangkok cluster.

HANOI: Vietnam reported nine more new Covid-19 infections early on Friday as the country's first outbreak for nearly two months spread to Hanoi, the capital, where the ruling Communist Party is currently holding its key five-yearly congress.

YANGON: More than a dozen embassies, including the US and EU delegation, Friday urged Myanmar to "adhere to democratic norms", joining the UN in a chorus of international concern about a possible coup.

SURAT THANI: The 109 people caught partying at a bar on Koh Phangnan in contravention of Covid-19 restrictions have been fined 4,000 baht each.

The government on Friday reported 802 new Covid-19 cases, 781 local infections and 21 imported, raising the total to 17,023.

The Ministry of Labour aims to send 100,000 Thai labourers overseas this fiscal year, with the latest batch having left for Israel on Thursday.

More than 800 hotels, restaurants and shops have been accused of defrauding the popular Rao Tiew Duay Kan ("We Travel Together) co-payment scheme, according to police.

PARIS - Former biathlon boss Anders Besseberg was accused on Thursday of covering up Russian doping cases in exchange for favours in a damning independent report which cites corruption, prostitutes and hunting parties.