World

Australia orders checks on Chinese-made cameras in defence offices
The checks come after Britain in November asked its government departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings, citing security risks
China approves two domestically developed COVID drugs
The drugs, used for treating adult patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infections, have been developed by Simcere Pharmaceutical Group and a unit of Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co
N Korea calls for normalising factories
South Korea's central bank has said the North's economy shrank in 2021 for a second straight year after suffering its biggest contraction
'Once in a century' flood cuts off communities in Australia
People in the Kimberley are experiencing a one-in-100-year flood event, the worst flooding Western Australia has had in its history, said Western Australia Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson
Indonesia bans sex outside marriage
The country’s parliament approves a new criminal code that bans sex outside marriage with a punishment of up to one year in jail
Japan tees up Abe's ex-interpreter to help chart course with Trump
Takao is likely to move to a US-focused role, enabling Tokyo to leverage his knowledge of and familiarity with Trump
China job ad sparks social media outcry over 'middle-age' unemployment
The nation of 1.4 billion is grappling with the threat of high youth unemployment, but people over 30 also face unrelenting pressure in finding jobs
New Hong Kong security law comes into force
The law takes effect despite growing international criticism that it could erode freedoms in the China-ruled city