LEE HSIEN LOONG

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time after returning home from work trips in Africa and Asia.

The Hong Kong government says leader John Lee tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Thailand.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping would be a “positive thing” if one can be arranged on the sidelines of one of the leaders’ summits to be held in Southeast Asia this month.

Australian and Singaporean leaders have announced what they describe as a world-first agreement to cooperate in transitioning their economies to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela offered condolences to the United Kingdom on Friday following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch.

Singapore’s gay community says the government’s plan to decriminalize sex between men is “a triumph of love over fear.”.

Singapore's leader says the city-state will decriminalize sex between men by repealing a colonial-era law while protecting the city-state's definition of marriage.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Taiwan.

The White House is criticizing Beijing’s rhetoric over an expected visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and vowing the United States “will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling."

The White House says President Joe Biden will host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian nations in Washington next month for a summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has recalled Ukraine’s ambassadors to Georgia and Morocco.

President Joe Biden says he's not yet convinced that Russia’s announcement that it will scale back military operations near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv will lead to a fundamental shift in the war.

The Pentagon says it may have to go back to Congress for additional money to support Ukraine’s battle to defeat Russia’s invasion.

Singapore’s top court will decide Tuesday on the fate of a Malaysian man on death row who is believed to be mentally disabled.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected Chinese criticism of Australia’s new nuclear submarine alliance with the United States and says he doesn’t mind that President Joe Biden might have forgotten his name.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has delivered a sharp rebuke to China for its incursions in the South China Sea, warning its actions there amount to “coercion” and “intimidation” and affirming that the U.S. will support its allies in the region against Beijing’s advances.

Vice President Kamala Harris says the U.S. must maintain its focus on evacuating Americans and vulnerable Afghans and shouldn’t get distracted by questions over what went wrong in the chaotic U.S. exit from Afghanistan.

The White House on Monday announced a series of new agreements with Singapore aimed at combating cyber threats, tackling climate change, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and alleviating supply chain issues.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is giving new urgency to Vice President Kamala Harris’ tour of Southeast Asia.

Former President Donald Trump went off script during a closed-door speech to Republican donors, with former Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell among his targets.

Former President Donald Trump is staking his claim to the Republican Party in a closed-door speech to donors Saturday night, casting his populist policies and attack-dog politics as the key to future Republican success.

Singapore’s designated future leader, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, has taken himself out of the running in a surprise decision, citing his age.

Laura Kelly said Thursday that inmates will be vaccinated after health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. The governor warned Friday that initially, the supply of vaccines available to people other than health care workers and nursing home patients will be very limited. The announcement came as many local officials argued it was time to distribute the vaccine beyond health care workers. The governor’s plan came as the state’s new COVID-19 cases continue to rise and ICU beds are nearly full. Shots also are still being given to health care workers, first responders and staff and residents at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

A city in northern China is offering rewards of 500 yuan ($77) for anyone who reports on a resident who has not taken a coronavirus test. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)BRISBANE – A city in northern China is offering rewards of 500 yuan ($77) for anyone who reports on a resident who has not taken a recent coronavirus test. China on Friday reported 53 new cases, including 33 in Hebei. Quarantine workers would be tested for the virus daily. Authorities in Brisbane are locking Australia’s third-most populous city down for three days beginning Friday evening to contain the spread.

Wearing masks and plastic gloves, Singaporeans began voting Friday in a general election that is expected to return Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's long-governing party to power. The health crisis and concerns over an economic recession are a bonanza for Lee's People's Action Party, with voters likely to opt for stability. The younger Lee joined an opposition party last month but is not running in the election. The prime minister has said the polls are about securing the country's future, not his family feud. Polls will be open 12 hours and results are expected to begin arriving late Friday,___Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Singapore Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party Lee Hsien Loong, second left, wears a face mask while talking to food vendors at a local market at Yio Chu Kang while on the campaign trail in Singapore July 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Ee Ming Toh)Singaporeans vote Friday in Southeast Asias first election since the coronavirus pandemic began, with the health crisis and a grim economy expected to bolster Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs party and extend its unbroken rule. Lee Hsien Loong is the country's third prime minister and has led the government since 2004. Singapore's elections follow polls in Mongolia last month and in South Korea in April, when governing parties in both countries scored resounding victories. Only ownself check ownself. This is dangerous for the future of Singapore, Lee Hsien Yang said in a final election message on Facebook.

(AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's estranged brother is not running in next month's general election but said Tuesday he hopes to be a catalyst for change" as campaigning began. I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee," Lee Hsien Yang said in a statement on Facebook. Prime Minister Lee, 68, told reporters after submitting his candidacy Tuesday that he wasn't worried about his brother's sway over voters. As for Lee Hsien Yang, I have no comment. The public will assess which ones are worth listening to, which ones make sense," the prime minister said.