All Asia Pacific
First LookOnce the epicenter of the virus, China strives to keep it outChina closed its northern border with Russia after experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 cases.聽Many Chinese live and work in Russia, where China has major investments.
The web鈥檚 a threat to democracy? Think again, Taiwan says.Taiwan鈥檚 digital minister Audrey Tang is leading a charge to make technology strengthen democracy, not undermine it.
First LookAfter 11 weeks, Wuhan ends lockdownOn April 8, Wuhan allowed its residents to leave their homes after 2 1/2 months. Masked crowds swarmed the streets, airports, and favorite shops as people rejoiced in their freedom of movement: "Wuhan has defeated the virus," one resident said. 聽
First LookVictory over the virus? Sidewalks bustle to life in Wuhan.No new cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Wuhan for one week. But Chinese officials are keeping a close watch as millions of people cautiously head back to work in factories, offices, and shops.
First LookVirus 'angel': S. Korean cobbler donates land to help othersA South Korean cobbler plans to donate about $500,000 worth of farmland so the funds could help people facing economic difficulties because of the coronavirus pandemic. "I've always thought I should one day become a person who helps others," said聽Kim Byung-rok.聽
First LookIt's official: Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for July 2021Japan and the International Olympic Committee have announced a new date for Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, at a massive expense for Japanese taxpayers. The Paralympics have also been rescheduled to August 2021.
First LookWuhan revives: From outbreak epicenter to forefront of hope鈥淚鈥檓 so excited, I want to cry,鈥� said one customer on one of Wuhan鈥檚 major shopping streets as stores started reopening after two months. Residents and business owners are cautiously emerging to normal routines.
鈥楪enocide is un-Burmese鈥�: Breaking taboos, activists speak up for RohingyaRohingya persecution has become a taboo topic in Myanmar, as the country fights charges of genocide. But some activists push back against the silence.
First LookAltruism or PR? China sends supplies to help fight coronavirusChina is sending millions of masks and other needed items to nations fighting COVID-19. But some say Beijing is trying to聽defuse criticism.
First LookChina offers apology as Wuhan sees second day with no new casesWuhan reports a second day with no new virus cases. It will take 14 days before the quarantine is lifted. The Communist Party has issued an apology for reprimanding Dr. Li Wenliang, who had warned about the coronavirus in December and later died of the disease.
First Look'Hate has lost': New Zealand marks mosque shooting anniversarySurvivors say newfound strength in their community has sustained and healed them in the wake of New Zealand's largest mass shooting. Christchurch marked the first anniversary of the March 15 shootings in "small but poignant ways" amid coronavirus fears.
First LookIn Wuhan, a cautious return to work after coronavirus ebbsBusinesses and factories are starting to reopen in Wuhan and restrictions are loosened across China as the nation works to bounce back from the coronavirus quarantine.聽Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Wuhan for the first time since the virus outbreak.聽
First LookChina's effort to regain trust: A 'people's war' against a virusFor the Chinese Communist Party, COVID-19 is both a risk and an opportunity. Chinese state media are used to project positive images in tackling the novel virus but growing numbers of social media users are questioning the party's line.
First LookForced online by virus, China's schools grapple with censorsChina's Education Ministry announced that聽"classes have stopped but learning will not." But online lessons keep failing the ruling party's pervasive internet censorship tests, puzzling teachers and students.
[special project]Beijing is challenging global 鈥榬ules.鈥� But some are pushing back.Today, many capitals share Taiwan鈥檚 alarm 鈥� and readiness to push back聽鈥� as China increasingly asserts itself as an economic and military power.
First LookNorth Korea resumes ballistic missile launches after hiatusNorth Korea fired missiles into the sea on Monday after a months-long break, possibly because of the coronavirus concerns, some analysts speculate. Kim Jong-un hinted at聽a new "strategic weapon" in the works.
First LookAfter a month on lockdown, can China's economy bounce back?As global virus cases rise, the Communist Party insists it can use government aid to achieve the economic growth targets set before the coronavirus outbreak. Forecasters are less sure.聽
First LookSouth Korea virus alert level rises and focuses on a churchSouth Korea says that more than half the new cases are linked to a church in the city of Daegu. All branches of the church were temporarily closed.聽
First LookFood delivery services boom as coronavirus continuesE-commerce is thriving as coronavirus controls keep factories, restaurants, cinemas, offices, and shops closed across China. Shut-in Chinese are relying on the internet for food, entertainment, and shopping as delivery companies work overtime to meet demands.
The ExplainerCoronavirus outbreak: Three questions on China鈥檚 responseCoronavirus is only the most recent of several outbreaks that have originated in China. Why is that, and how is Beijing responding?
