Relations between the two Koreas are likely to deteriorate as the South's new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, is expected to take a less conciliatory approach

But the authors of the new World Health Organization report concluded that although no new data pointed to a laboratory leak, more Chinese input was needed.

The skyrocketing numbers over the weekend prompted a sympathetic response from South Korea, which offered vaccines, medical equipment and health personnel.

Strict Covid-curbs have put 26 million lives on hold in Shanghai - China's most important economic hub. The resulting supply chain disruptions and revenue losses will spell fresh economic trouble for China, and the world.

The city has closed gyms and entertainment venues, banned dine-in services at restaurants and shut scores of bus routes and almost 15% of its subway lines

Officials have enforced strict lockdowns in China's most important economic hub, Shanghai, and the pinch from resulting economic losses will be felt across the world

Tesla employees have returned to work at the giant’s Covid-hit Shanghai plant, and they aim to restart production with 1,000 cars a day after a stoppage of more than three weeks.

Xpeng CEO warns that if suppliers in and around Shanghai can’t resume operations and production, all of China's carmakers will have to stop production in May

China now has Covid curbs in 87 cities – blocking highways and ports, stranding workers, shutting countless factories – disruptions that could hammer global supply chains

General Motors' joint venture in Shanghai maintained production by asking workers to sleep on factory floors and getting passes for trucks to continue deliveries

The 2022 auto show was scheduled to take place from April 21 to April 30 in the new China International Exhibition Center in Beijing

Tesla's restart came as movement controls imposed on its workers as part of the city's efforts to curb the latest Covid-19 outbreak eased