By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Sexual minority groups and human rights activists launched a petition on Oct. 15 calling for an LGBT equality law in Japan in hopes that it can be enacted next year, when the country is to host the Olympics and will be the focus of international attention. “In […]
Chinese company says coronavirus vaccine ready by early 2021
A Chinese pharmaceutical company said on Sept. 24 the coronavirus vaccine it is developing should be ready by early 2021 for distribution worldwide, including the United States.
Israeli jeweler makes $1.5m gold coronavirus mask
By ISAAC SCHARF Associated Press MOTZA, Israel (AP) — An Israeli jewelry company is working on what it says will be the world’s most expensive coronavirus mask, a gold, diamond-encrusted face covering with a price tag of $1.5 million. The 18-karat white gold mask will be decorated with 3,600 white and black diamonds and fitted […]
Hong Kong postpones elections by a year, citing coronavirus
By ZEN SOO Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced on July 31 that the government will postpone highly anticipated legislative elections by one year, citing a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The Hong Kong government is invoking an emergency ordinance in delaying the elections. Lam said […]
South Korea to let fans watch sports live again
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea will allow baseball fans to return to the stands as health authorities outlined a phased process to bring back spectators in professional sports amid the COVID-19 epidemic. Senior Health Ministry official Yoon Tae-ho also said at a virus briefing that fans will be allowed at professional soccer games […]
Google CEO Sundar Pichai announces $10 billion ‘digitization’
NEW DELHI (AP) — Google is investing in a $10 billion fund to help accelerate India’s transition to a digital economy in the next five to seven years. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc’s Google, said on July 13 that the project will focus on building products that are relevant to India’s needs and empowering […]
Cambodian province famous for Angkor Wat bans dog meat trade
By SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The Cambodian province that is home to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, a major destination for foreign tourists, has outlawed the trade in dog meat, which animal rights activists have said is rife in the area. The authorities in Siem Reap province issued an […]
Tokyo governor wins 2nd term, buoyed by handling of virus
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has won a second term to head the Japanese capital, propelled to an election victory on July 5 by public support for her handling of the coronavirus crisis despite a recent rise in infections that has raised concerns of a resurgence of the disease.
Virus outbreak bracelet
It sits on your wrist, just as a wristwatch would. And in a moment when the world fears infections more than almost anything, it knows exactly where you are.
Korean soccer club apologizes for putting sex dolls in seats
By KIM TONG-HYUNG Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean soccer club has apologized after being accused of putting sex dolls in empty seats during a match on May 17 in Seoul. In a statement, FC Seoul expressed “sincere remorse’’ over the controversy, but insisted that it used mannequins —not sex dolls—to […]