SYDNEY -- An Aussie research released to the public on Monday showed that the COVID-19 pandemic could bring indirect negative impacts on children's mental well-being, academic results and physical health.
The research, published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), was led by Australia's Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). It synthesized the literature on previous pandemics, epidemics and natural disasters, and the current COVID-19 pandemic. (Australia-Research-COVID-19-Children)
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TOKYO -- As Japan grapples to deal with a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases, senior government officials said Monday that 30 of the country's 47 prefectures will be placed under a quasi-state of emergency in the coming days.
Following Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holding talks with necessary Cabinet ministers later in the day regarding the latest prefectures requesting to be placed under the COVID-19 emergency measure, a formal decision on the matter will likely be announced Tuesday, informed sources said. (Japan-Virus Emergency Extension Measures)
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BANGKOK -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Saudi Arabia from Tuesday to Wednesday at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Thai government.
The official visit will be the first one on the head of government level between the two countries in more than 30 years, the Thai government said in a statement. (Thailand-Saudi Arabia-Visit)
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TOKYO -- Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Monday said Japan will ignore South Korea's objection when deliberating a contentious plan to nominate a gold and silver mine site on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture for the 2023 UNESCO World Heritage list.
"We are not giving any diplomatic consideration to South Korea. We are comprehensively considering within the government what would be most effective in seeking the U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage designation," Hayashi said. (Japan-S. Korea-UNESCO) ■
