Priests delivered blessings from the back of trucks and motorised tricycles in the Philippine Sunday, adapting the deeply Catholic nation’s traditions to the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
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
Customers Desert South Korea’s Animal Cafes Over Virus Fears
A beige feline paces between two Gaudi-style columns at the empty 2 Cats cafe in Seoul, with upturned stools standing on the tables where humans sat to play with them in pre-virus days.
Japan’s Offer of Two Masks Per Household Met with Anger and Mockery
A pledge by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to send two reusable cloth face masks to every household as the country battles the coronavirus outbreak has been met online with derision and humor.
The New Great Wall: Rows of Fences Surrounding Wuhan
“It’s definitely not as intimate,” sighs a woman dressed in a raincoat, mask, gloves and visor after speaking to a friend over one of the imposing barricades that have sprung up all over Wuhan.
Animal Adoptions Soar in Australia During Virus Shutdown
Demand for rescue animals has soared in Australia as people stuck at home because of the coronavirus seek out cats and dogs to help them through the pandemic, officials said Wednesday.
Chinese ‘Light Painter’ Takes Artistic Inspiration From Virus
A Chinese artist has paid tribute to doctors and nurses and their months-long battle to treat virus-stricken patients in his latest light painting creations.
Pandemic Pranks off the Table on April Fools’ Day
It may be the global day for pranks but with the world under assault from the deadly coronavirus pandemic many governments on Wednesday were warning against virus-themed April Fools’ jokes — some even threatening jail.
China Lockdown May Have Blocked 700,000 Virus Cases: Researchers
China’s decision to lock down the city of Wuhan, ground zero for the global COVID-19 pandemic, may have prevented more than 700,000 new cases by delaying the spread of the virus, researchers said Tuesday.
Japan’s Fujifilm Starts Avigan Trial to Treat Coronavirus
Japan’s Fujifilm has begun clinical trials to test the effectiveness of its anti-flu drug Avigan in treating patients with the new coronavirus, after reports of promising results in China.
Telecommute is a Hard Sell for Office-Bound Japan
The longstanding stereotype of Japan’s office-bound “salaryman” is being tested as companies cautiously embrace working from home in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Huge Surge of Hate Speech toward Chinese on Twitter
The coronavirus outbreak has led to a 900 percent uptick in hate speech toward China and Chinese people on Twitter, according to a report by a tech startup.
Korean Air Chief Defeats ‘Nut Rage’ Sister’s Challenge
The “nut rage” heiress who forced a plane to turn back over her macadamias failed Friday to wrest control of the family airline from her brother, in what analysts said illustrated the power of incumbents at South Korea’s chaebols.
Taiwan Quarantine Skipper Handed Hefty Fine for Clubbing
A man in Taiwan had an expensive night out after he was fined Tw$1 million ($33,000) because he skipped quarantine to go clubbing, authorities said Monday.
Sales Boom for South Korea Drive-in Cinemas Amid Social Distance
A long queue of cars forms in front of a drive-in cinema in Seoul, as South Koreans look for safer spaces to enjoy a movie without the risk of contracting the coronavirus raging across the world.
China’s Virus Strategy: A Model for the World?
The head of the World Health Organization believes China’s battle with the coronavirus offers a beacon of hope, but others question whether Beijing’s strategy can be followed by other countries — particularly Western democracies.
Virus-Hit Wuhan Waits for Barriers to Come Down
A network of makeshift barriers has kept residents walled in their neighborhoods for weeks in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the heart of the coronavirus pandemic.
US Man Gets 4-Year Prison Sentence for Spying for China
A San Francisco tour operator who handled dead drops of sensitive information on behalf of Beijing’s Ministry of State Security was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for spying for China.
South Korea Dials Up Virus Testing with Hospital ‘Phone Booths’
A South Korean hospital has introduced phone booth-style coronavirus testing facilities that allow medical staff to examine patients from behind the safety of a plastic panel, the latest innovation in the country’s drive to track down infections.
US Demands Vietnam to Free Blogger Sentenced to 10 Years
The United States on Monday demanded that Vietnam immediately free a blogger who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after posts critical of the government.
Press Freedom Group Stores Censored Articles in Minecraft Library
A virtual library housing censored articles from around the world has been created within the hugely popular video game Minecraft by press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF).