Emanuele Scimia

Doubts persist over the origin of the coronavirus in nature or in the laboratory. The Institute of Virology in Wuhan still under the spotlight. Virologist Anthony Fauci also asks to investigate the story. Beijing criticizes the move of the US president: political manipulation to target China.

The suspicions of previous months have turned into a direct accusation. Taipei had bought five million doses from BioNTech. So far the island has received 720,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Only 1 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. The German pharmaceutical company has not yet spoken in the matter, whilst China denies any involvement.

The powerful criminal organization offers "protection" with the obligatory payment of the "mikajimeryo". The lower income and losses caused by the pandemic have encouraged victims to oppose the practice. Fines for entrepreneurs who succumb to the Japanese mafia racket.

This proposal to invite Taiwan was excluded from this year’s agenda despite the request from Taiwan’s allies. The Vatican was not one of them. Pakistan backed China in its opposition. The island is now grappling with a surge of the pandemic.

Danny Fenster was detained at Yangon airport before he could fly home for a visit to the United States. Some 34 journalists are still held by the military. Fierce fighting is pitting rebels against Myanmar’s military in Kachin State. The UN Assembly is set to vote a resolution calling for an arms sales embargo against country.

Only 19% received the first dose; 14% the second. The city has 15 million doses available for 7.5 million inhabitants. Residents do not trust the authorities and perceive a low risk of infection. Carrie Lam: No public incentives to get vaccinated.

The pro-democracy leader appeared in person at a court hearing for the first since her arrest during the 1 February coup. One of her lawyers said that she is in good health. Bombing in Kayan Thaya kills four civilians. Violent clashes occur in Kayah State. Card Bo calls for peace to build a democratic state.

Victims of hypothermia after the race was hit by heavy hailstorms, freezing rains and gusts of wind. Eight other runners hospitalized. Among the dead are two national champions of the discipline. Organizers accused of failing to make athletes wear heavy clothing.

The representative office on the island territory is closed. The Tsai administration welcomed anti-establishment demonstrators from the former British colony. Taiwanese government: The Lam executive has shown its contempt for democracy. In 2020, nearly 11,000 Hong citizens moved to Taiwan.

MEPs freeze the ratification process by an overwhelming majority vote. Even Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic MEPs elected with the European People's Party back the resolution; the German chancellor is the real sponsor of the agreement. The European Commission is criticised for its weak stance vis-à-vis China, especially over human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The Tianzhou 2 cargo spacecraft had technical problems: it was to refuel the Tiangong space station, which is nearing completion. First images of a Beijing robotic vehicle from Martian soil. China is the first country after the US to explore the red planet.

Organisers’ request has been turned down. Like last year, the authorities cite the pandemic. Hong Kong’s Secretary of Security says that activists who fled abroad will remain criminally liable for the rest of their lives. Defendants in national security cases can now be tried without a jury.