Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries and the EU High Representative have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the ongoing large build up of Russian military forces on Ukraine's borders and in illegally-annexed Crimea.
Thai authorities have ordered the temporary closure of bars and nightclubs in Bangkok and 40 other provinces, following mass coronavirus infections at several such venues.
Pandemic-related bankruptcies in Japan hit 1,300
A credit research firm says more than 1,300 businesses in Japan have gone bankrupt since February last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Teikoku Databank says the tally was at 1,301 as of Monday. It includes companies that have filed for bankruptcy, or suspended operations to begin legal liquidation procedures.
Bars and restaurants topped the list of industries with 218 cases, followed by construction firms at 117, and hotels and inns at 87.
The number has been rising since the third wave of cases arose late last year. Last month saw the largest number of bankruptcies at 172, followed by February at 134, and January at 125.
Indonesia, East Timor mudslides kill over 200
Mudslides in Indonesia and neighboring East Timor one week ago have claimed over 200 lives.
Heavy rain from a cyclone caused mud flows and landslides on April 4, in Indonesia s East Nusa Tenggara Province and East Timor.
Indonesia s disaster management agency said that 177 deaths had been confirmed as of Sunday, and 45 others were missing.
The government of East Timor says 42 people have been confirmed dead in the capital Dili and elsewhere.
About 13,000 people have been displaced in the country. They received relief aid from Japan, including about 4,800 blankets on Sunday.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Indonesia s main island of Java on Saturday, killing eight people.