Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, may linger on human skin for nine hours, much longer than the flu viruses can, according to a study.

The influenza A virus (IAV), in contrast, remained viable on human skin for nearly two hours, said the researchers including those from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan.

BISHKEK, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said late Thursday he was ready to resign after the appointment of new heads of executive bodies and the country's return to the legal order.

"We need to return the situation to the legal order as soon as possible. After the appointment of legitimate heads of the executive bodies and the country's return to the legal order, I am ready to leave the post of the president of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan," Jeenbekov said, as quoted by his press service.

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of shelling a historic cathedral in the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, where nearly two weeks of heavy fighting has killed hundreds of people.

The Holy Savior Cathedral, also known as the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, had its dome pierced by a shell that also damaged the interior.

Media reports said some children were inside the cathedral in the town of Shusha at the time of the shelling, and although they were not wounded, they suffered from stress after the attack.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China, which has at least four coronavirus vaccine candidates in the last stage of clinical trials, said Friday it is joining the COVID-19 vaccine alliance known as COVAX.

The country signed an agreement with Gavi, the co-leader of the alliance, on Thursday, China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Initially, China did not agree to join the alliance, missing the deadline to join in September.

BEIJING, Oct 8 (APP): Chinese border troops, stationed in plateau areas, were recently equipped with ready-to-assemble thermal shelters, a guarantee they could get through the chilly winter and support the military’s combat readiness in extreme weather.

The use of thermal shelters comes amid the ongoing border tension between China and India, with experts saying it can provide the Chinese military with reliable combat-readiness support in a long-term standoff during the harsh winter, Global Times reported on Thursday.

07 Oct 2020; MEMO: The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry yesterday accused Armenia of using mercenaries from Syria and Lebanon to fight alongside its forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

TOKYO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan is reportedly planning to ease travel restrictions to China and 11 other countries and regions next month, local media reported here Thursday.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, the 11 countries and regions also include Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and China's Taiwan, among others.

The Japanese government said it will urge travelers to not make unnecessary trips and to refrain from visits that are not urgent, the newspaper said.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — For months, North Korea has been relatively uncombative, as leader Kim Jong Un grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters and the deepening economic pain under years of tough U.S.-led sanctions.

But ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of his ruling party this weekend, speculation has risen that Kim may hold a massive military parade and unveil newly developed, powerful missiles. The goal, experts say, would be to bolster internal unity and draw U.S. attention amid deadlocked nuclear diplomacy between the countries.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher on Thursday on optimism U.S. stimulus may be coming after all, as President Donald Trump appeared to reverse his earlier decision to halt talks on another economic rescue effort.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.9% to 23,636.35. South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.2% to 2,391.63. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.4% to 6,119.20. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.8% to 24,048.48. Trading was closed in Shanghai for a holiday.

BEIJING, Oct 7 (APP): China has received support from about 70 counties including Pakistan on its stance and policies on Hong Kong and Xinjiang-related issues at the Third Committee of the 75th UN General Assembly, Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.

Pakistan made a joint statement on issues related to Hong Kong on behalf of 55 countries, and Cuba made a joint statement on issues related to Xinjiang on behalf of 45 countries, supporting China’s position and measures, she said in a statement issued here.