Chinese laboratory blast kills 2, injures 9; Australia: would stand with US in China conflict

Several explosions and fires flared up in China over the weekend. From the north to the east, the country saw three separate accidental blasts. Many were killed and wounded.

Australia says it will stand with the United States if China attacks Taiwan. The country reiterated it has "been with the United States through every major battle in the 21st century."

Taiwan and the Czech Republic are strengthening their diplomatic relations in a move angering Beijing. To mark the talks, a Taiwanese minister made an official visit to Prague.

International rights group Amnesty International announces plans to close its Hong Kong offices due to concerns over deteriorating freedom in the city.

Beijing appears to push a new pandemic narrative: that the virus origin tracks back to American seafood. The latest claim comes after a series of others, with the regime having blamed at least four other countries in the past.