The founder of the firm behind Hello Kitty is stepping down aged 92 and handing the reins to his 31-year-old grandson — the first change in leadership in the company’s six-decade history.
AFP
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China Pushes Back Harvard Study on Covid-19 May Have Started Since August
Beijing on Thursday criticized a preliminary study by US researchers suggesting the coronavirus may have been circulating in China since August 2019, calling it proof of a disinformation campaign.
An Indian Landowner has Willed His Land to Two Elephants That Saved His Life
An Indian landowner has willed most of his land to two elephants he said saved his life from gun-toting criminals, a decision that has upset his wife and children.
‘Don’t Call Me Kalar’: Myanmar Message Inspired by #BLM Movement
Myanmar activists inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement have launched their own anti-racism campaign in a country where many Muslims and people of Indian heritage are made to feel like outsiders.
Police Destroy Disgraced Malaysia First Lady’s Handbags
Hundreds of handbags belonging to Malaysia’s scandal-plagued former first lady have suffered serious damage after being seized by police, a lawyer grumbled Wednesday — prompting mockery from graft-weary citizens.
Vietnam’s Lychee Crop Not Bearing Fruit as Prices Slump
Hundreds of lychee farmers sorted and graded huge piles of the tropical fruit at a busy wholesale market in northern Vietnam on Tuesday, but many bemoaned slumping prices as foreign traders were held up in quarantine.
BTS Fans Match K-Pop Superstars’ $1M Black Lives Matter Donation
Fans of K-pop megastars BTS raised and donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement, matching the septet’s donation of the same amount within 24 hours, organizers said Monday.
‘Late Bloomer’ Lingerie Thief Jailed for Breaching Singapore Lockdown
A serial underwear thief was sentenced to nearly six months in jail Monday for breaching Singapore’s strict coronavirus lockdown to sneak into a backyard and steal women’s lingerie.
Indonesia’s Indofood Eyes $3B Purchase of Noodle-Maker Pinehill
Indonesia’s Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur plans to buy instant noodle maker Pinehill for $3.0 billion as it eyes growth in Africa and the Middle East, according to a stock exchange filing.
The Heir to Samsung Empire Avoided Arrest Over Controversial Merger
The heir to South Korea’s Samsung empire avoided arrest on Tuesday over a controversial merger of two business units seen as a key step to his succession, Yonhap news agency reported.
Disposable Face Masks Polluting Hong Kong’s Beaches
Surgical masks are washing up in growing quantities on the shores of Hong Kong, a city that has overwhelmingly embraced face coverings to fight the coronavirus.
Japanese Firms Produce Electrifying Fabrics that Zaps Bacteria
It’s a shocking idea: a fabric that can produce small amounts of electricity powered by movement, allowing your clothing to zap microbes and bacteria as you go about your day.
Robot Dog Hounds Thai Shoppers to Keep Hands Virus-Free
A scurrying robot dog named K9 dispenses hand sanitizer to curious children and wary shoppers — one of the more unexpected measures Thai malls are taking as the kingdom relaxes virus restrictions.
India Vows Probe after Elephant Killed with Explosives
India pledged to investigate Thursday the death of a pregnant elephant that ate explosives-filled fruit, as cricket and Bollywood stars joined a chorus of outrage over the incident.
40 Years Strong: Taiwan’s ‘Uncle Stone’ Turns Pebbles into Eye-Catching Momentos
From Chinese characters to traditional Aboriginal totems, artist Wu Rong-bi has been selling intricately painted pebbles on the streets in Taiwan for the last 40 years.
eSports Icon ‘Uzi’ to Retire Due to Professional Gaming Related Health Problems
A top eSports player with a vast following in his native China announced his retirement on Wednesday with a litany of health problems related to professional gaming.
Malaysian Beauty Queen Apologize for “Relax” Remarks over BLM Protest
A Malaysian beauty queen has apologized after her comments that black people should “relax” in response to raging US protests against police racism sparked an online outcry, including condemnation from “Crazy Rich Asians” actor Henry Golding.
Wuhan Finds 300 Infections After Testing Nearly 10 Million People
China tested almost 10 million people for coronavirus in just over two weeks in Wuhan, the city where the pandemic began, officials said Tuesday, reporting only a few hundred positive cases.
Malaysian University Using Robot for Graduation Ceremonies to Cut Virus Risk
A Malaysian university is considering using robots dressed in gowns and mortarboards to act as stand-ins at graduation ceremonies to prevent coronavirus infections — but students have blown a fuse at the idea.
MMA’s Angela Lee Slams Online Bullying after Hana’s Death
MMA fighter Angela Lee urged social media users to “think twice before you speak” after the death of a young wrestler and TV star who was targeted by online abuse.