Egypt has signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Japanese owner of a megaship that blocked the Suez Canal in March as it finalizes a compensation agreement, the canal authority chief said.
AFP
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Japan Top Court Backs Ban on Separate Married Surnames
Japan’s top court on Wednesday ruled a law requiring married couples to have the same family name is constitutional, rejecting plaintiffs who sought the right to keep separate surnames, local media said.
Crypto Funds ‘Disappear’ From French Asset Manager Books
French police are investigating claims that tens of millions of euros worth of crypto assets vanished from the books of an association representing hundreds of investors, a judicial source said.
Manure Hunt Underway after India Thieves Steal Cow Dung
A massive manhunt is underway in central India after a gang of robbers stole nearly a ton of cow dung from a village, police said.
Singaporean Woman Jailed 30 Years for Torturing, Killing Maid
A Singaporean woman who starved, assaulted and ultimately killed her domestic worker was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday, with the judge describing the case as “among the worst types of culpable homicide”.
Elephant in the Room: Thai Family Gets Repeat Mammoth Visitor
Some families living in a jungle may be fearful of things going bump at night, but for one household in Thailand, the sight of an elephant rummaging through their kitchen was not a total shock.
Thailand Greenlights Quarantine-Free Model for Phuket
Thai authorities on Tuesday greenlighted a pilot model for quarantine-free travel to ultra-popular beach destination Phuket, a first step towards the tourist-hungry kingdom’s goal of resuscitating its pandemic-battered economy.
US Lawyer Convicted of Assaulting Hong Kong Police Officer
An American lawyer working in Hong Kong was convicted of assaulting a policeman on Tuesday when he intervened in a confrontation between the officer and members of the public during political unrest two years ago.
Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Paper Apple Daily to Decide Closure on Friday
Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily said Monday its board will decide whether to close the publication at their next meeting on Friday after an asset freeze by authorities using a new national security law left the outspoken media group unable to pay staff.
Why China is Getting Tough on Crypto
Cryptocurrency prices have fluctuated wildly in recent weeks as China intensifies a crackdown on trading and mining operations.
China Gives One-Billionth COVID Shot as Brazil Toll Hits Milestone
China on Sunday announced it had administered its one-billionth shot in the world’s biggest coronavirus inoculation drive as Brazil’s death toll from the pandemic passed 500,000.
Taiwan Pulls Trade Office Staff over Hong Kong Ultimatum
Taiwan said seven employees of its trade office in Hong Kong left the financial hub on Sunday after authorities there demanded they sign a pledge recognising China’s sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
All a Boar-D! Wild Pig Takes Hong Kong Subway Journey
A young wild boar in Hong Kong has sparked delight by hopping onto a Hong Kong subway train and leading staff on a merry cross-harbor chase that included boarding two separate trains.
‘Listen to the Party’: Chinese Cities Deck Out in Slogans for Anniversary
China is ramping up a propaganda blitz ahead of the 100th birthday of the ruling Communist Party, with banners and billboards around the country reminding citizens to live a “civilized” life and obey authorities.
Five Convicted over Mob Attack on Hong Kong Protesters
Five men who took part in a mob attack on Hong Kong democracy supporters two years ago were found guilty of rioting and wounding on Friday in the first convictions over an assault which sparked widespread outrage.
Roaring Success at Euros for ‘Psychic’ Thai Lion
Move over Paul the Octopus, Thailand has a new claimant to the football forecasting crown: Boy the “psychic” lion, who has so far correctly called four Euro 2020 matches.
Chinese Mourn Passing of Heroic Pig that Survived 2008 Quake
A pig that became an unlikely national icon in China after surviving 36 days under rubble from a powerful 2008 earthquake has died at the age of 14, sparking an outpouring of emotion on Thursday.
Dread and Disinfectant: Cleaning COVID Wards in Japan
Naho has played a crucial role in fighting Japan’s two deadly coronavirus waves this year, the worst the country has faced since the pandemic began.
Dolphins, Turtles Killed by Fire-Ravaged Ship
Dozens of turtles and dolphins were killed by intense heat and chemical poisoning from a container ship that burned for almost two weeks off Sri Lanka, authorities said Thursday.
Cyberpunk 2077 Returning to PlayStation Store
Troubled game Cyberpunk 2077 will return to PlayStation stores from next week, Sony confirmed Wednesday, six months after it was pulled over bugs and compatibility issues.