Jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded guilty alongside three others on Friday to joining a banned candlelight vigil for victims of China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown.
AFP
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Singapore Hospital Hit by Rare COVID Outbreak
A Singapore hospital has locked down four wards after detecting coronavirus cases, authorities said Friday, a rare outbreak in a country that has largely brought the virus under control.
TikTok Taps New CEO from Chinese Parent Firm
The fast-growing video-sharing app TikTok named a new top executive Friday who will keep his responsibilities at Chinese parent firm ByteDance.
Bali to Boot out Influencers over Face-Mask Prank
A pair of social media influencers will be booted from Bali over a prank video that featured one sporting a painted-on virus mask that broke Covid-19 rules.
Intervention ‘Could Buy 20 Years’ for Declining Great Barrier Reef
Using experimental “cloud brightening” technology and introducing heat-tolerant corals could help slow the Great Barrier Reef’s climate change-fueled decline by up to 20 years, Australian scientists said Thursday.
China’s ‘Space Dream’: A Long March to the Moon and Beyond
The launch of the first module of China’s new space station – “Heavenly Palace” – on Thursday underlined how far the country has come in achieving its space dream.
US Sounds Alarm over Hong Kong ‘Exit Ban’ Fears
The United States said Thursday it was “deeply concerned” by a new Hong Kong immigration law which includes powers to stop people leaving the city, raising fears Chinese mainland-style exit bans could be deployed there.
Widow Arrested over Alleged Murder of Japan’s ‘Don Juan’
The young widow of an ageing Japanese real estate mogul was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murdering the self-described “Don Juan” just months into their marriage, local media said, citing police sources.
Indonesia Police Seize Meth Worth $82 Million, Arrest 17
Indonesian police said Wednesday they have smashed a drug smuggling ring that moved 2.5 tons of methamphetamine into the country from Afghanistan, a haul worth about $82 million.
Wall of Sand Engulfs Chinese Town
A towering wall of sand rushed over factories and apartment blocks in northwestern China’s Gansu province as seasonal sandstorms barrelled across the country, causing air pollution and traffic accidents.
Embattled Philippine Journalist Wins UN Press Prize
The UN’s cultural agency on Tuesday awarded its annual press freedom prize to Philippine journalist Maria Ressa whose reporting has made her a target of her country’s judiciary and online hate campaigns.
Lyft to Sell Autonomous Driving Unit to Toyota for $550M
US ride-hailing service Lyft agreed to sell its autonomous driving division to a unit of Japan’s Toyota for $550 million, the companies said Monday.
China Censors Oscars Success of History-Making Chloe Zhao
Beijing-born Chloe Zhao was scrubbed from Chinese social media on Monday as a nationalist backlash airbrushed out her remarkable achievement of becoming the first woman of colour to win the best director Oscar.
‘Demon Slayer’ Sets US Record for Best Foreign Language Film Opening Weekend
The Japanese animated film “Demon Slayer” this weekend had the best opening ever recorded in North America for a foreign language film, a new milestone after already setting a box office record in Japan.
Malaysian Artist Arrested for Allegedly Insulting Queen
A Malaysian artist has been arrested for allegedly insulting the queen by posting a satirical playlist online, police said, fuelling concerns about a widening crackdown on freedom of expression.
Panasonic to Buy AI Logistics Firm Blue Yonder for $7.1B
Panasonic will buy American AI supply chain software firm Blue Yonder for $7.1 billion, the Japanese company said Friday.
Thai Buddhist Sect Attempts World Record With 330,000 Candles
Buddhist monks chanted around a spaceship-shaped golden shrine, as a controversial Thai sect burned 330,000 candles attempting a Guinness World Record for the largest flaming image on Thursday — all to commemorate Earth Day.
Hong Kong Journalist Convicted over Database Search for Mob Attack Probe
An award-winning Hong Kong journalist was found guilty on Thursday of improperly searching a public database of vehicle license plates to help track down the perpetrators of an attack on democracy supporters by government loyalists.
Instagram Lets Users Filter Insults in Private Message Requests
Instagram started offering users on Wednesday the option to filter incoming direct message requests for hurtful language, a step aimed at showing the Facebook-owned social network is serious about reducing online harassment.
Four Weddings and a Fine: Taiwan Couple Maximize Leave with Repeat Weddings
Keen to make the most of a statutory holiday for newlyweds, a couple from Taiwan found a novel way to maximize their honeymoon — by marrying four times in just over a month.