New COVID-19 cases remain in 1,600s as authorities set to relax virus curbs South Korea’s daily new COVID-19 cases stayed in the 1,600s for the second consecutive day Saturday, as the government plans to relax social distancing rules, starting next week, ahead of a gradual return to normal life.

UK lawmaker stabbed to death in possible terrorist attack A British lawmaker was stabbed to death in a church on Friday by an assailant who lunged at him during a meeting with voters from his constituency, a killing police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack.

Hungry for fuel, China looks to the U.S., Europe eyes relief plans China’s energy crisis deepened on Friday with coal prices hitting a record high as cold weather sweeps in and soaring gas prices prompting major energy companies to seek long-term deals with U.S. suppliers, sources told Reuters.

Moon, Kishida agree to accelerate diplomatic consultations to resolve forced labor row President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed Friday to accelerate diplomatic consultations between the two countries to resolve a protracted row over wartime forced labor, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

Busan film festival closes safely amid pandemic The 26th Busan International Film Festival came to a close Friday, with its experiment on returning to normal likely finishing with flying colors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

TSMC plans chip plant in Japan, says supply shortages easing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. has confirmed it is planning to build a computer chip factory in Japan.

Brazil easily beat Uruguay in World Cup qualifying Leaders Brazil easily defeated Uruguay 4-1 in Thursday’s South American World Cup qualifying match, putting the team in standby mode for its direct spot at Qatar next year. Neymar and Raphinha shone for the Selecao in its home match at Manaus.

Officials seek cause of Taiwan building fire that killed 46 Taiwanese officials set up an independent commission Friday to investigate the conditions at a run-down building in the port city of Kaohsiung where a fire killed 46 people, while authorities scoured the blackened ruins for the cause of the blaze.

Main opposition party floor leader under fire for objecting to anti-discrimination law The floor leader of the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is facing a barrage of criticism for objecting to an anti-discrimination bill proposed by the minor progressive Justice Party and some lawmakers of other liberal political camps.

Aviation, tourism industries rushing to prepare for ‘living with COVID-19’ Expectations toward demand recovery for overseas travel are rising in the aviation and tourism industries, in line with the government’s move to shift to a “living with COVID-19” scheme next month. In preparation for growing demand, domestic air carriers are rushing to resume their flights […]