Tokyo needs to convince sponsors Olympics will really happen

IOC President Thomas Bach this week will join a number of Japanese government and city officials, local organizers, and other top International Olympic Committee leaders in repeating a message they’ve failed to convey forcefully enough to local sponsors: Trust us, the Tokyo Olympics will open on July 23, 2021

Critic of Chinese leader sentenced to 18 years in graft case

The former chairman of a Chinese state-owned real estate company who publicly criticized President Xi Jinping’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been sentenced to 18 years in prison on corruption charges

UK science advisers warn of darker COVID-19 days ahead

Britain’s top medical advisers have painted a grim picture of exponential growth in illness and death if nothing is done to control the second wave of coronavirus infections, laying the groundwork for the government to announce new restrictions later this week

Van Morrison targets virus restrictions in 3 new songs

Van Morrison is planning to release three new songs that take a swipe at the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the British government

'This is a big moment:' UK government cautions on virus

Fresh restrictions on social gatherings in England, potentially involving limits on pub opening hours, appear to be on the cards soon as the British government seeks to suppress a sharp spike in new coronavirus infections

Bank of England says economic outlook 'unusually uncertain'

The Bank of England has kept its main interest rate unchanged at the record low of 0.1% as it waits to see how the recovery from recession pans out and what Britain’s future trade relationship with the European Union will be

Netflix woos Japan with new original series about a reporter

Netflix is producing and shooting an original series set in Japan about a journalist who challenges authority, hoping to woo this nation still hooked on good old TV

US issues sweeping new travel warning for China, Hong Kong

The U_S_ has issued a new advisory warning against travel to mainland China and Hong Kong, citing the risk of “arbitrary detention” and “arbitrary enforcement of local laws."

China US Travel Warning

Suga wins party vote, all but assuring election as Japan PM

Yoshihide Suga has been elected as the new head of Japan’s ruling party, virtually guaranteeing him parliamentary election as the country’s next prime minister