Production of the world’s longest-running cartoon and a mainstay of the Japanese weekend has been interrupted by the coronavirus, forcing the broadcast of re-runs for the first time in decades.
AFP
Agence France Presse, founded in 1835, with bureaus in 151 countries and 200 locations. AFP's global network of journalists is an integral part of our partnership on breaking news content. AFP serves as the official Fact Checker for Facebook & TikTok, more info at FactCheck.Afp.com
Do It Yourself: Ikea Masturbation Video Goes Viral in China
Ikea has said it will take “more careful” security measures in its shops in China after an explicit video of a woman masturbating in one of its stores went viral online.
Beijing School Students Trial Temperature-Tracking Bracelets
Temperature-monitoring bracelets that alert an app if a student has a fever were being trialed at Beijing schools on Monday — China’s latest use of high-tech to track its population’s possible exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Hong Kong Protests Reemerge on Mother’s Day
Riot police chased protesters through Hong Kong’s shopping malls and streets on Sunday as democracy activists launched Mother’s Day flash mob rallies calling for independence and for the city’s unpopular leader to resign.
Seoul Closes Bars and Clubs Over Fears of Virus Second Wave
South Korea’s capital has ordered the closure of all clubs and bars after a burst of new cases sparked fears of a second coronavirus wave, and President Moon Jae-in urged the public to remain vigilant.
India Uses Drones to Disinfect Virus Hotspot as Cases Surge
Indian authorities used drones and fire engines to disinfect the pandemic-hit city of Ahmedabad on Saturday, as virus cases surged and police clashed with migrant workers protesting against a reinforced lockdown.
Inter-Species Lockdown Meet-Up at Japan Aquarium
A Japanese aquarium has come up with a wild idea to entertain the public during its temporary closure due to the coronavirus outbreak — introducing sea animals to each other and sharing the results online.
US Lawmakers to Name Chinese Embassy Street after Whistleblower Doctor
US lawmakers on Thursday proposed renaming the street in front of China’s embassy after the late Wuhan doctor punished after warning about the new coronavirus, a step sure to outrage Beijing.
‘Himalayan Viagra’ Harvest Shut Down Due to Pandemic
The lucrative annual trek to harvest a caterpillar fungus nicknamed “Himalayan Viagra” that can fetch three times the price of gold in China will be banned amid Nepal’s coronavirus lockdown, officials said Thursday.
Chinese Coronavirus Researcher’s Death Labeled as Murder-Suicide
An ethnic Chinese scientist working on the novel coronavirus in the United States has been shot dead in what police said was a murder-suicide over an “intimate partner”.
Indian Tigers Came Out to Play Under Shutdown
With the humans of West Bengal under virus lockdown, tigers in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in the eastern Indian state are coming out to play, with park rangers Thursday reporting a jump in sightings of the big cats.
Going Solo: Star Wars Fans Help to Maintain Distancing in Manila
A Philippines suburb is getting help from a galaxy far, far away to enforce its virus lockdown — Darth Vader and a retinue of stormtroopers, whose patrols are drawing smiles from locals weary of weeks of quarantine.
Round-the-World Cyclist Stranded and Scorned in Guinea
Raymond Lee had been travelling the world by bicycle for two years when the coronavirus erupted and he suddenly found himself stranded in the poor West African state of Guinea.
Penguins Chill Out at Hong Kong Park While Care Takers Work Overtime
Save for an absence of gawping crowds, life for the penguins of Hong Kong’s Ocean Park has been much the same during the coronavirus pandemic — but their carers have worked long shifts to keep the monochrome troupe healthy.
Philippines Forces Top Media Network off Air
The Philippines’ top broadcaster ABS-CBN was forced off air on Tuesday over a stalled operating licence renewal, drawing fresh accusations that the authorities are cracking down on press freedom.
Indian Officials Capture Rare Snow Leopard
A rare snow leopard captured as it savaged livestock in a remote village in the Indian Himalaya will be sent to a zoo instead of being released, officials said Sunday, triggering outrage from activists.
Mick Jagger, Will Smith to Boost India Coronavirus Concert
Rock legend Mick Jagger and Hollywood’s Will Smith will be among dozens of international and Bollywood stars taking part in a four-hour concert Sunday to raise funds for the battle against coronavirus in India, where the number of cases is surging.
Singapore Penguins Given a Free Run Around the Zoo After Shutdown
One cute group is making the most of Singapore’s partial virus lockdown — penguins at the city-state’s zoo, who are being given the run of the empty complex and reveling in the chance to do some exploring.
‘I’m Cheering for You’: Robot Welcome at Tokyo Quarantine
Coronavirus quarantine can be lonely, but at one Tokyo hotel converted to accept patients with mild symptoms, a humanoid robot will be there to offer support and encouragement — as well as admonishments and warnings.
Japan Aquarium Seeks for Video Chats with Eels
A Japanese aquarium closed during the coronavirus outbreak is asking people to make video calls to their eels so the sensitive creatures remember humans exist and don’t pose a threat.