MANILA: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the early frontrunner for the Philippines presidency, was hit by another formal complaint on Thursday, as long-time opponents of his powerful family pile pressure on authorities to disqualify him from elections next year.

SINGAPORE: Threats and coercion by China towards Taiwan increase the need for the United States to help Taiwan maintain a credible self-defence, the top US diplomat for Asia said on Thursday.

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world's longest serving leaders after 36 years in power, on Thursday offered support for his eldest son as his potential successor and defended the idea of establishing a political dynasty.

The government will not impose a national lockdown despite overseas concerns about the Omicron variant of Covid-19, but the closure of entertainment venues will likely be extended, the prime minister said on Thursday.

HONG KONG: Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and the staff of his now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper have been awarded a prestigious press freedom prize by the World Association of News Publishers.

HANOI: Heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides in central Vietnam have left at least 18 people missing, some feared dead, with houses destroyed and roads damaged, authorities said on Thursday.

NARATHIWAT: The man charged with shooting dead a 44-year-old woman in Tak Bai district on Wednesday is a soldier stationed at a military camp in this southern province, a 4th Army spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 continued to spread globally, with new infections discovered in countries including the US, Norway, Ireland and South Korea.

There were 4,971 new Covid-19 cases and 33 more fatalities registered during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Thursday morning.

GENEVA: The UN warned Thursday that the need for humanitarian aid was skyrocketing worldwide, as the pandemic continues to rage, and climate change and conflicts push more people to the brink of famine.