Asia
Anti-virus treatment proved effective as recovered patients surge: official
The rise in the number of recovered patients infected with the novel coronavirus is a positive signal that the current treatments are getting results, said Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC).
China reports 254 new virus deaths and 15,152 daily cases
China has reported 254 new daily deaths and a spike in new daily virus cases of 15,152, after new methodology was applied in the hardest-hit province of Hubei as to how cases are categorized.
Vietnam locks down village with cluster of cases
Vietnamese news media say a community northwest of the capital Hanoi has been locked down due to a cluster of cases of COVID-19 confirmed there.
US, Taliban close to 'reduction in violence' agreement
The Taliban have issued an ultimatum to Washington after weeks of talks with a U.S. peace envoy, demanding a reply on their offer of a seven-day reduction of violence in Afghanistan, or they would walk away from the negotiating table, two Taliban officials said Wednesday.
Inmates set fire to overcrowded prison in western Indonesia
Angry inmates set fire to an overcrowded prison on Indonesia's Sumatra island during a riot that erupted Wednesday, officials said.
China still mostly closed down as virus deaths pass 1,000
The daily death toll in China from a new virus topped 100 for the first time, pushing the total fatalities above 1,000 Tuesday as the World Health Organization announced a new name for the disease caused by the virus.
Stunning defeat for Modi's party in New Delhi elections
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party was given a stunning defeat by a regional party Tuesday in elections in the national capital that were seen as a referendum on his policies, including a new national citizenship law that excludes Muslims.
Indian capital starts counting of local assembly polls
Counting of votes began in Delhi on Tuesday, after the February 8 Assembly polls amidst a high-pitched electoral battle.
Kashmir journalists accuse Indian police of muzzling press
Journalists in disputed Kashmir urged the Indian government on Monday to allow them to report freely and expressed concern about alleged police harassment since the region's semi-autonomy was rescinded in August amid an unprecedented lockdown.
Hong Kong lifts quarantine on cruise ship
Hong Kong has lifted a quarantine on the World Dream cruise ship after clearing all crew members of the new virus.