World News

Taiwan's Air Force General Shen Yi-ming went missing after his Black Hawk helicopter made an emergency landing in northern Taipei. The aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff, prompting immediate search and rescue operations.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports that the war in Ukraine could severely impact food security in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Ukraine and Russia, responsible for one-third of global grain exports, face agricultural disruptions that may escalate worldwide food insecurity and drive up already high international food prices.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised Taal Volcano's alert level to 4, warning of potential volcanic tsunami if magmatic activity escalates. The bureau indicates that a full Alert Level 5 could be imminent, signaling extreme hazards and displacement of over 23,000 residents in the surrounding areas.

The Indian government has implemented stricter visa regulations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Existing visas for Chinese nationals and those who have visited China in the past two weeks have been canceled, requiring travelers to reapply through Indian embassies and visa centers.

After the Taal Volcano eruption, the Philippine government mobilized multiple agencies to provide immediate assistance to affected residents, ensuring rapid relief efforts, health services, and essential supplies for thousands of displaced victims.

Chinese manufacturers are under global scrutiny for selling counterfeit personal protective equipment (PPE). In February, authorities confiscated over 31 million substandard face masks and arrested 1,560 suspects involved in fraudulent production and distribution of coronavirus gear.

As Malaysia faces a sharp spike in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announces a comprehensive nationwide lockdown starting March 18. The measures include home confinement for 32 million citizens, closure of non-essential businesses, and travel restrictions to mitigate the pandemic's impact.

US-based World Population Review reports India's economic advancement, highlighting its transition to an open-market economy. With a robust service sector accounting for 60% of economic activity and 28% employment, India shows promising long-term growth potential through economic liberalization and global integration.

World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cautions about recession risks in key economies, highlighting challenges from Ukraine conflict, rising food and energy prices, and global inflation pressures.

The World Bank has lowered Malaysia's GDP growth projection to 4.5% in 2021, down from the previous 6%, citing concerns about COVID-19 resurgence, healthcare system strain, and economic disruptions caused by repeated lockdowns and business closures.