As the world struggles to fight the spread of coronavirus, companies as well as governments are waking up to the growing threat of cyber viruses, with over over 1,000 companies targeted worldwide from January to October.
A Hong Kong judge granted pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai bail, but imposed extensive restrictions barring him from using social media, giving interviews or leaving his home, stoking concerns about the deterioration of free speech under a national security law.
Organizers unveiled a final budget that has increased nearly ¥294 billion due to unprecedented postponement and pandemic measures. The extra costs come as officials work to build enthusiasm for the first games postponed in peacetime.
Taiwan recorded its first locally transmitted COVID-19 case after more than 250 days. The woman was infected after coming into contact with a pilot from New Zealand and the government is testing those she came into contact with.
South Korean officials redouble efforts to defend a controversial law criminalizing the distribution of anti-Pyongyang propaganda at the inter-Korean border. The recently revised law has received international condemnation from several human rights groups and U.S. officials.
Malaysia will enter 2021 with its biggest spending plan yet to spur its virus-hit economy, but concerns are focusing on how to foot the bill after a sovereign-rating downgrade earlier this month.
It took more than nine months, and two waves of the novel coronavirus, for Japan’s number of infections reported to reach 100,000. But it took less than two months for that figure to double, in a sign that the outbreak is gaining momentum.