Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, Jan. 14

Xinhua
14 Jan 2022, 11:48 GMT+10

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 to generate additional revenue and bring financial reforms.

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin presented the bill before the National Assembly of Pakistan for voting during the session that concluded late Thursday night. (Pakistan-Bill-Tax-Financial Reform)

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SEOUL -- South Korea on Friday decided to extend the tightened social-distancing rules for three more weeks to tackle the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum told the COVID-19 response meeting that the Omicron spread gained speed two weeks ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays that continue from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 this year. (South Korea-Social Distancing)

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TOKYO -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu passed away this month at the age of 91, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported Friday.

After the Gulf War, the Japanese Self-Defense Force were deployed to the Gulf region to conduct minesweeping operations during Kaifu's term of office. (Japan-Ex PM Kaifu-Death)

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SYDNEY -- Authorities in several Australian states have remained steadfast that in-person schooling would go ahead without delay at the end of January despite surging Omicron cases.

Premier of the state of New South Wales (NSW) Dominic Perrottet has pushed back against calls to delay the start of the school term, saying on Friday, "We are completely committed to getting schools open day one, term one, in a way that is safe for students and for teachers." (Australia-COVID-19-School)

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