asia
Tokyo closes cherry blossom parks to slow spread of virus
Japan's cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but flower viewing has come to an abrupt halt in Tokyo because of the coronavirus.
Asia tourists troubled by canceled flights, borders closing
From the sun-soaked beaches of Thailand to the foothills of Mount Everest in Nepal, tourists across Asia are finding their dream vacations have turned into travel nightmares as airlines cancel flights and countries close their borders in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
China's Wuhan reports zero increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases
No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported Tuesday in Wuhan, the former hardest-hit city in central China's Hubei Province.
India goes under 21-day lockdown Wednesday
India will begin the world's largest lockdown on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a TV address, warning citizens to stay inside or risk inviting the pandemic into their homes, and pledging $2 billion to bolster the country's beleaguered health care system.
Pakistan announces lockdown of major provinces to curb COVID-19 spread
Pakistan on Monday announced to lock down east Punjab province hours after locking down south Sindh province to curb the spread of COVID-19 after the number of infected patients rose above 800 across the country, officials said.
India halts its lifeblood train network to try to stop virus
As India expanded its virus-containment measures and halted its lifeblood train network, the federal government warned Monday of strict legal action for those who flout the rules.
17 Indian policemen killed in attack by Maoist rebels
Seventeen policemen were killed and 14 others injured in an attack by Maoist rebels in eastern India, police said Sunday.
India stays home in 'people's curfew' to stem coronavirus
The typically boisterous streets of India's capital fell silent on Sunday as the country observed a 14-hour "people's curfew" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for in a national address to stem the rising coronavirus caseload.
2 Sri Lanka inmates killed in riot over virus restrictions
Inmates in a Sri Lanka prison scuffled with guards and some tried to escape during a protest against new strict measures to control the spread of the coronavirus, leaving two dead and six wounded, police said Sunday.
Japan reports 40 more cases of COVID-19, 1,055 in total
Japan's health ministry and local governments said Sunday the number of COVID-19 infections nationwide had risen to 1,055 cases as of 10:30 a.m. local time, an increase of 40 cases from a day earlier.