China will hold its annual National People’s Congress from May 22 after postponing it for the first time in decades due to the coronavirus epidemic (NICOLAS ASFOURI)

Singapore (AFP) – Here are the latest developments from Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic:

– China legislature to meet after virus delay –

China’s top legislature will hold its annual session next month after postponing the meeting for the first time in decades due to the coronavirus outbreak, official news agency Xinhua said.

The Communist Party leadership announced in February that it would put off the annual National People’s Congress (NPC) for the first time since the Cultural Revolution as the country battled the outbreak, which has since become a pandemic.

The rescheduled session on May 22 will be seen as a sign of confidence by the leadership that the country has largely brought its outbreak under control.

– Australia nets 10 mn Chinese tests despite diplomatic row –

An Australian mining magnate unveiled a deal to import 10 million coronavirus tests from China to Australia, despite a bitter diplomatic spat between the two countries.

Andrew Forrest, head of mining giant Fortescue, said he had used contacts to secure an order for the tests with Chinese genomics firm BGI Group at a significantly lower cost than from rival providers, amid fierce competition.

– Asian equities build on gains as more nations ease lockdowns –

Asian markets rose again, buoyed by a further easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, though the advances remain capped by concern that the reopenings could spark a second wave of infections.

– Australia’s Warner says England tour ‘highly unlikely’ –

Veteran batsman David Warner believes Australia’s upcoming limited-overs tour of England will be scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australians were scheduled to play three one-dayers and three Twenty20 matches against England in July, although changes to the English country cricket season now make that impossible.

Meanwhile, state authorities warned Australia’s National Rugby League that next month’s restarted season could end immediately if players continue to flout lockdown rules.

– Covid, Corona and Lockdown: the newborns named after a pandemic –

First there was Corona Kumar, then Covid Marie: parents have taken to naming newborns after the coronavirus, apparently unperturbed by the prospect of their children being forever associated with a deadly pandemic.

When Colline Tabesa gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the central Philippine city of Bacolod on April 13, she and the father John Tupas decided to mark the occasion with a show of gratitude.

“I wanted her name to remind us that COVID did not only bring us suffering. Despite all of this, a blessing came to us,” said 23-year-old Tupas.

And so, Covid Marie it was.

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Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.