ht

Singaporean women are using virtual reality to fight back against sexual harassment

“Wow, your shirt is really see-through. Are you wearing matching underwear?” the man says lewdly.It’s a virtual reality simulation – but it’s enough to shock 23-year-old Elizabeth Lee into silence as the scene plays out on her headset.The VR technology is part of the Girl, Talk project which is aimed at helping women fight back against harassment in Singapore.“I would think that I would respond in a more confrontational way,” Lee admits. “It felt very physically close … it was just really…




ht

India claims major victory as top Kashmir rebel leader killed in gunfight

Indian government forces killed a top rebel commander and his aide in disputed Kashmir on Wednesday and shut down cellphone and mobile internet services during subsequent anti-India protests, officials and residents said.India’s security officials and some members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party called his death as a major victory against insurgents. The killing could spark more unrest in the region.Riyaz Naikoo, 35, was the chief of operations of the region’s largest indigenous rebel…




ht

India’s massive repatriation effort from 12 countries begins with scramble to get on flights

Since Mumbai native Alex Johnson’s work contract in Saudi Arabia ended more than a month ago, the former cashier in a restaurant has been surviving on one meal a day to make his funds last while waiting to return to India.The 35-year-old, who did not want to use his real name out of concerns there might be repercussions from his former employer, is desperate to see his two-year-old son.In Singapore, Ramya Rekha Chola who is 29 weeks pregnant needs to return to Kurnool in southern India at least…




ht

Coronavirus: South Korea reports new infection cluster linked to nightclubs

South Korea confirmed 12 new coronavirus cases on Friday, its first increase above 10 in five days, as authorities warned numbers would increase as it had identified a new cluster of infections linked to a 29-year-old man.The IT company employee had spread the virus to at least 14 others as he wandered around the capital Seoul and four neighbouring cities over a long weekend period at the start of the month, said the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.While the 12 cases were those…




ht

Coronavirus latest: sombre Victory Day in Russia as cases rise; Seoul orders nightspots to close

President Vladimir Putin told Russians they are “invincible” when they stand together as the country on Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of the end of second world war on lockdown from the coronavirus.With the number of virus cases surging and authorities urging Russians to stay in their homes, celebrations of this year’s Victory Day were muted after the Kremlin grudgingly agreed to postpone plans for a grand parade with world leaders.Instead of columns of military hardware and thousands of…




ht

Coronavirus survivors: they said we brought the plague to Indonesia, say country’s first patients

Ratri Anindyajati had plenty of things to worry about when she, her sister and her mother became the first three people in Indonesia to catch the coronavirus. Little did she know that personal abuse and social stigma would be among them.But that was exactly what came her way after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo revealed to a stunned nation on March 2 that Indonesia had recorded its first two infections. Though he did not name the victims, their details soon leaked out; Anindyajati’s younger…




ht

Coronavirus survivors: Covid-19 felt worse than when I was shot, says Muay Thai camp owner who attended Lumpinee fight

The night of March 6, 2020, started much like every other night for boxing camp owner Pitak Kaewprapol – with a visit to a fight.Pitak and thousands of other Muay Thai fans had packed the New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok to watch an evening of kick-boxing, ignoring a government order just three days earlier requiring large gatherings to be cancelled or postponed.Like many others among the crowd of fans, tourists, celebrities, trainers and promoters who packed the 5,000-capacity stadium,…




ht

How Singapore’s president spoke up for home businesses amid pressure to ease tighter circuit breaker rules

Picka.treatsg, an online business operating out of a Singapore public flat, saw an increase in orders of its cakes late last month, after the authorities announced commercial snack and drinks outlets would have to temporarily stop operating.This came amid tighter restrictions during Singapore’s circuit breaker or partial lockdown period, and just before the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.Singapore moves nursing-home employees into hotels to protect elderlyWith orders growing from…




ht

Lichtenstein Foundation loses case, concerning 600 hectares of forest

Prague Daily Monitor

The Prince of Lichtenstein Foundation has lost its case concerning ownership of 600 hectares of forest close to the city of Říčany, outside of Prague. The Constitutional Court upheld the prior verdict in the case which was not to return the 600 hectares of forest to the foundation. "The Prince of Lichtenstein will in this case use all possible tools and opportunities to get justice in an international court and international institutio," said the foundation's spokesperson.

read more




ht

It’s time we rethought our idea of monogamy

Some people are just built differently. Some people are poor at compromising.




ht

Muhammad Ali moots Iran fight and Macau ferry raised from the sea: headlines from 40 years ago

Muhammad Ali offering to help free Iran hostages, a contest pitting an abacus against a calculator and an Indian hospital using patients as guinea pigs made the headlines 40 years ago this week.May 4, 1980● The Macau ferry Fatshan, which capsized during Typhoon Rose in August 1971, was brought to the surface by a Chinese salvage team. Three skeletons, believed to be the remains of three of the victims trapped in the vessel when it sank near northeastern Lantau Island, were discovered inside the…




ht

Hong Kong police chief furious over ‘dishonour brought to the force’ by recent string of arrests among ranks

Hong Kong’s police chief has reacted with fury over the “dishonour brought to the force” by the arrest of 18 officers for various offences over the past three weeks, including nine detained on Friday in connection with actions against street sleepers.Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung said the behaviour of the officers concerned had brought disgrace to the force and dealt a severe blow to its credibility and nullified efforts achieved over the years.“As commissioner, I am not just…




ht

Hong Kong police arrest 10 people after fight broke out at a Lennon Wall over political differences

Hong Kong police arrested 10 people following a fight between two groups with different political views at the so-called Lennon Wall in Wong Tai Sin district in the early hours of Friday.Five victims aged between 20 and 44 suffered injuries to their heads, backs and limbs in the incident that happened at a public housing estate in Lok Fu shortly before 12.30am.The dispute first erupted when a group of about 20 people carrying handy tools and paint were seen removing messages at the Lok Fu…




ht

Two Hong Kong men get eight months’ jail for carrying weapons at unauthorised Yuen Long protest in July

Two Hong Kong men found carrying weapons at an unauthorised protest last year were jailed for eight months on Friday.Fanling Court sentenced sales consultant Yung Wai-shing, 26, and clerk Chu Tsz-wan, 24, to jail for possessing an extendable baton, a laser pointer, a catapult and a packet of metal pellets at a march in Yuen Long on the night of July 27.The court sentenced co-defendant Vincent Chu Chun-hoi, a 19-year-old cook, to correctional training for carrying an air pistol at the same event…




ht

Hong Kong lunchtime protesters return after coronavirus social-distancing rules are eased but police quickly disperse group in mall with pepper spray

Police dispersed lunchtime protesters with pepper spray in an upscale Hong Kong shopping centre just 12 hours after the government relaxed some coronavirus social-distancing measures and allowed people to gather in groups of eight on Friday.Shortly after dozens of anti-government demonstrators began yelling slogans and belting out their anthem, officers entered the IFC Mall in Central to cordon off their protest site, forcing the Apple store to lower its shutters.Later, police used pepper spray…




ht

Hong Kong man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting his daughter since she was 6

A Hong Kong man has admitted in court to raping his nine-year-old daughter and telling his younger son that it was none of his business when the child caught him in the act.The High Court heard the sexual attacks spanned nearly six years, since 2011, when the casual vegetable seller, who could not be identified for legal reasons, first attempted to rape his daughter after school.At the time she was only six, while he was 40.Acting deputy director of public prosecutions Catherine Ko said the…




ht

Coronavirus survivors: I fought Covid-19 with a Hong Kong karate champ while mom was in a coma in the UK

As a journalist, you want to report the story – you never want to be the story. So after weeks of covering the coronavirus crisis, it was a shock to learn I had tested positive for Covid-19.Unfortunately, though I did not know it at the time of my diagnosis, my story with the disease would soon be taking an even darker turn when it left my 73-year-old mother Lien comatose and struggling for her life.I had arrived in Hong Kong from Britain on Monday March 23, following a holiday to see my family…




ht

Protect Journalists’ Rights so We can Stop the COVID-19 Disinfodemic

Stella Paul is the recipient of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award, a multiple winner of the Asian Environmental Journalism Awards, the Lead Ambassador for World Pulse and a senior IPS correspondent.

The post Protect Journalists’ Rights so We can Stop the COVID-19 Disinfodemic appeared first on Inter Press Service.




ht

'Airway team': the nurse couple fighting the virus together

"What's important is that we stick together, we work together, and we always support each other. And not just Ben and I, but the human race right now."




ht

Right-wing shock jock takes right-wing media to task over coronavirus lies

Michael Savage has howled with unabated contempt about "the pimps" in the right-wing media who he calls "intellectual dwarfs" and "science illiterates".




ht

Coronavirus analysis shows weight elevates risk of complications

An analysis of 15,100 patients across Britain hospitalised with COVID-19 finds carrying excess weight increases the likelihood of severe complications.




ht

Coronavirus is accelerating eight challenging mega trends

We are about to experience the next 20 years in 12 months, and we need to get ready for it, according to a former British foreign secretary.




ht

Israeli missiles target fighters near Palmyra

Syrian state TV gave no further details about the attacks, the latest to hit central Syria in three weeks.




ht

Tamannaah Bhatia sets the record straight about dating Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq

Tamannaah Bhatia has quashed the chitchat about her love life




ht

Deepika Padukone highlights importance of music, songs

The actress is in self-isolation with husband Ranveer Singh and the couple has been keeping their fans updated on social media.




ht

Farhan Akhtar donates over 1,000 PPE kits to hospitals all over India amid pandemic

Farhan Akhtar recently won the hearts of fans as a result of his generous donation to hospitals in India




ht

Analysis: VE Day and President Putin's pandemic nightmare

1




ht

Pakistan announces first flight to repatriate stranded students from Wuhan

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari announced Friday that Pakistan would sent its first flight on May 18, 2020 to repatriate students from Wuhan,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]




ht

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie plan 'separate parties' for daughter Shiloh's 14th birthday

Shiloh will have a separate celebration at her mom Angelina Jolie's home, but Brad Pitt would be delighted to have all his kids over for the party




ht

Adele's trainer lashes out at trolls questioning her weight loss: 'Appreciate the hard work'

Adele got accused of getting her weight reduced cosmetically




ht

ABS-CBN shutdown may lead to curtailing of more rights, says press freedom fighter Edita Burgos

“We are alarmed that soon, other media outlets would follow. Without the freedom of the press, there is the danger of other freedoms to be lost. God forbid, these are the first 'test signs' of curtailing other rights.”

The post ABS-CBN shutdown may lead to curtailing of more rights, says press freedom fighter Edita Burgos appeared first on Bulatlat.




ht

Veteran journalists urge the public to defend press freedom, democratic rights

“Di ko akalain na ang kalayaan na na-achieve natin noong 1986 ay manganganib uli ngayon.” (I did not expect that the freedom we had achieved in 1986 would be threatened once again.)

The post Veteran journalists urge the public to defend press freedom, democratic rights appeared first on Bulatlat.




ht

Rights defender detained while doing humanitarian work

Karapatan Rizal was quick to point out that the incident was only the latest in a series of “harassment and delaying tactics” performed by the 80th IB designed to “deny the family of their latest victim justice and hide their crimes.”

The post Rights defender detained while doing humanitarian work appeared first on Bulatlat.




ht

China continues supporting Pakistan to fight epidemic

ISLAMABAD: All sections of Chinese society are generously supporting Pakistan, donating medical supplies and funds, sharing experience of anti-epidemic and dispatching medical experts to overcome COVID-19 virous.According to Gwadar Pro, in recent fortnight, Chinese government and the people,...




ht

Egypt's Sisi ratifies emergency law amendments sparking rights concerns

CAIRO: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified a host of amendments to Egypt’s emergency law which an international rights groups says expands “repressive powers” as the country’s battles the coronavirus. Egypt has been under a state of emergency since April 2017 when...




ht

Syrian fighters upping attacks on civilians: UN

GENEVA: The UN on Friday accused the Islamic State group and others in Syria of exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic to step up violence on civilians, describing the situation as a “ticking time-bomb”.United Nations rights chief Michelle Bachelet lamented a surge in violence in the country...




ht

Hong Kong parliament in chaos as politicians fight for chair

HONG KONG: Rival Hong Kong lawmakers clashed on Friday inside the city’s legislature which has been paralysed for seven months as pro-democracy politicians attempt to scupper a controversial law that bans insulting China’s national anthem.The chaotic scenes come weeks after Beijing...




ht

'Every parent's nightmare': Boy's death may have virus link

The death of a 5-year-old New York boy is challenging assumptions that children are less susceptible to COVID-19 complications, Gov.




ht

Data on climate change an effective weapon in fighting India’s coastal erosion -- by Rajesh Yadav

Effective and planned shoreline management would trigger activities for tourism, and support development of ocean and beach landscape, conserve biodiversity along with coastal people’s livelihood.




ht

What surfing taught me about reforming state-owned enterprises -- by Rafael Abbasov

Reforming state-owned enterprises can be an extraordinarily complex activity but it is underpinned by a single clear goal.




ht

Getting it right on railways -- by Naoyuki Yoshino, Grant Stillman

Lining up rights-of-way for megaprojects, such as railways and highways, in crowded places is challenging but it can be done with an imaginative and respectful plan.




ht

Eight steps to get PPPs right in Viet Nam -- by Donald Lambert, Sanjay Grover

A well-structured law on private-public partnerships is a key opportunity to upgrade Viet Nam’s infrastructure.




ht

Finding the right balance in food production -- by Akmal Siddiq, Md. Abul Basher

The transmission channels of perishables like fruits and vegetables from producers to consumers in developing countries need a revamp to provide benefits to all involved.




ht

In Indonesia, a new tool is being used to fight child marriage -- by Claudia Buentjen, Kate Walton

Local officials can now find information from all sectors, such as health, education, women’s empowerment, child protection, and human rights and law, to help them address child and teen marriage in their area.




ht

The right policies can help manage foreign debt in Asia -- by Irfan A. Qureshi

A high level of external debt is linked with decreased economic growth but there are policy options that can help economies keep growing.




ht

Pandemic highlights the need to manage Asia’s debt problem -- by Bambang Susantono

Bank-held nonperforming loans in some Asian economies have risen in recent years. Policy makers should address this growing risk now.




ht

Let’s use the pandemic to expand our transport options -- by Lloyd Wright

The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to embrace the future of work-from-home and the greater adoption of walking and cycling. 




ht

COVID-19 highlights Asian banks’ vulnerability to U.S. dollar debt -- by Cyn-Young Park (朴信永), Peter Rosenkranz

The pandemic provides an opportunity for regional financial cooperation on reforms to make Asian banks more resilient to crises.




ht

COVID-19 highlights the need for safe, nutritious, and affordable food -- by Akmal Siddiq

Hunger and malnutrition were an increasing problem worldwide before the pandemic. Restrictions imposed to curb disease spread have disrupted local and international food supply chains, making the problem even more urgent.




ht

Build green to help fend off the next pandemic -- by Anouj Mehta, Naeeda Crishna Morgado

Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure should be the centerpiece of the billions of dollars in economic stimulus being used to rebuild Asia’s economies.