The 2022 Gay Games will be pushed back a year, organisers announced Wednesday, citing anti-coronavirus travel restrictions to Hong Kong, the city chosen to host the event.
AFP
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Chinese Court Throws out First #MeToo Case
A Chinese court on Tuesday threw out a landmark sexual harassment case on the basis of insufficient evidence, in a blow to the country’s fledgling #MeToo movement.
Struggles Facing China’s Evergrande Not Panicking Markets – Yet
Debt-crippled Chinese real estate giant Evergrande’s troubles are being watched closely by foreign investors, but markets do not seem to fear a major contagion, at least so far. With a debt load of $300 billion, the threat of bankruptcy is real, especially as Evergrande hinted on Tuesday that it may not be able to pay its creditors.
BTS Issued Diplomatic Passports for UN Session
K-pop sensation BTS have been granted diplomatic passports ahead of the United Nations General Assembly as they embark on their new roles as presidential special envoys, South Korea’s presidential office said.
Apple Users Urged to Download Pegasus Spyware Flaw Fix
Apple users were urged Tuesday to update their devices after the tech giant announced a fix for a major software flaw that allows the Pegasus spyware to be installed on phones without so much as a click.
Testing Times: Borneo Orangutans Get COVID Swabs
Dozens of critically endangered orangutans in Malaysia have been tested for the coronavirus, with vets in protective suits undertaking the tricky task of giving the apes nasal swabs.
No Bull! Climate Researchers ‘Potty Train’ Peeing Cows
Scientists say they have successfully “potty trained” cows to urinate in a designated toilet area as part of a program aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions.
China to Target Biggest Payment App Alipay in Tech Crackdown
Chinese regulators have ordered sweeping changes to the country’s biggest payment app Alipay, as the ruling Communist Party attempts to rein in “the unruly growth” of the tech giants.
Fugitive Chinese Billionaire’s Firms to Pay $539M Fines
Three companies of exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui have agreed to pay $539 million in penalties to settle charges over illegal cryptocurrency sales, the top US financial market watchdog said Monday.
The Self-Made Chinese Billionaire Battling to Save Debt-Mired Evergrande
From rural poverty to real estate billions, the fortunes of Xu Jiayin tracked China’s runaway growth for much of the past two decades — but now he is battling to save his Evergrande conglomerate from a quagmire of debt.
Sri Lanka Returns Stolen Elephants to Captors
Two Sri Lankan elephant homes have returned 13 of the young animals stolen from wildlife parks back to their alleged captors following a court order, officials said Friday.
Apple Rejects Epic “Fortnite” Request Despite S. Korea Antitrust Law
Apple refused to reinstate the wildly popular “Fortnite” game to its South Korean App Store Friday despite a new Seoul anti-monopoly law that effectively outlaws its lucrative digital payment platform, escalating an ongoing dispute with videogame developer Epic Games.
Thai Device Tests for Coronavirus in Armpit Sweat
For Bangkok market sellers, the armpit sweat soaking their T-shirts during the humid monsoon season may contain subtle signs of coronavirus infection, local scientists have said.
Former Afghan Central Bank Chief Warns of Economic Collapse
With the Taliban in control and foreign aid blocked, Afghanistan’s economy is likely to contract sharply as it faces a shortage of cash, the nation’s former central bank chief said Friday.
Hong Kong Police Raid Shuttered Tiananmen Museum
Hong Kong police on Thursday raided a museum that houses exhibits commemorating Beijing’s deadly crackdown on Tiananmen Square in 1989, a day after they arrested four members of the group that ran the venue.
Nerve Disorder Listed as ‘Very Rare’ Side Effect of AstraZeneca Jab
The European Medicines Agency has listed the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis, as a “very rare” side effect of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
Sri Lanka Asks Women to Delay Pregnancy over COVID Risks
Sri Lankan women were urged to delay getting pregnant after more than 40 expectant mothers died of Covid-19 in four months, the health ministry said Thursday.
Japan Drops 2021 Club World Cup
Japan will not host the FIFA Club World Cup later this year because of virus restrictions that could cap spectator numbers, a report said Wednesday.
Taiwan Agency Proposes Removal of Giant Chiang Kai-Shek Statue
A government agency tasked with addressing the trauma of Taiwan’s authoritarian past said Wednesday it backed the removal of a giant statue of former president Chiang Kai-shek, who oversaw decades of brutal martial law.
China Welcomes ‘End of Anarchy’ with New Afghan Govt
China said Wednesday it welcomed the end of “three weeks of anarchy” in Afghanistan with the establishment of a new interim government in Kabul, pledging $31 million in immediate aid as it urged the Taliban to restore order.