May 18, Tuesday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. Taiwan had decided to suspend face-to-face lessons at all of its schools from Wednesday through May 28 and switch to online learning amid a sharp surge in coronavirus cases. 2. In the latest development on controversial changes proposed for Japan’s immigration laws, the main ruling party says it intends to postpone any further debate on the bill until after the current session. The issue of lengthy detentions became a political flashpoint as concern mounted over a Sri Lankan woman who became ill at an immigration facility in Nagoya and died. 3. Japan’s health ministry is set to authorize the use of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine later this week. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one being used as Japan inoculates the elderly and others. Applications for the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines have been filed with the ministry, following Pfizer’s.