Briefly

ANTARCTICA

Coronavirus invades planet's last frontier

Antarctica, once the only continent not to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, has reportedly recorded its first cases, according to The Guardian. The 36 positive tests were reported on Monday at a Chilean Army base in Antarctica. The army, in a statement on Monday, said swab testing was done on all personnel. Of the 36 infections, the army accounted for 26. The rest were among contract workers doing maintenance work at the base.

JAPAN

Ex-PM Abe quizzed over funds, report says

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe submitted to voluntary questioning by Tokyo prosecutors on Monday in a case against his secretary over unreported political funds, public broadcaster NHK reported on Tuesday. Abe is under fire on suspicion his office helped cover the costs of dinner parties for supporters, a possible violation of funding laws that he denied when questioned in parliament last year. Prosecutors have been building a case against Abe's secretary over unreported funds involving as much as 40 million yen ($386,922) and had asked Abe to appear for voluntary questioning. Abe's office declined to comment and requested that questions be sent by facsimile.

ISRAEL

Fresh election looms amid budget wrangle

Israeli lawmakers on Tuesday rejected a bill to give the government more time to pass a budget, raising the likelihood that parliament will dissolve and force a fourth election in less than two years. Israel's coalition government－a broken marriage between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Defence Minister Benny Gantzhas been inching toward collapse for weeks. Under the arrangement, the coalition has until midnight on Wednesday to agree on a budget for the current year. If a 2020 budget is not passed, Israel's parliament would be dissolved, with new elections held as early as March. Israel has this year managed its finances on the basis of a pro-rated version of the 2019 budget.

UNITED STATES

Apple eyes driverless vehicle by 2024

Apple is moving forward with self-driving car technology and is targeting 2024 to produce a passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology, Reuters said. The iPhone maker's automotive efforts, known as Project Titan, have proceeded unevenly since 2014 when it first started to design its own vehicle. At one point, Apple drew back the effort to focus on software and reassessed its goals. Central to Apple's strategy is a new battery design that could "radically "reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle's range, according to a source. Apple declined to comment on its plans or future products.

Agencies Via Xinhua