Japan’s PM Abe resigns as coronavirus hits economy, endangers legacy
Tokyo, JapanReuters Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving premier, announced his resignation because of poor health on Friday, ending a stint at the helm of the world’s third-biggest economy in which he sought to revive growth and bolster its defences. Abe has battled the disease ulcerative colitis for years and two recent hospital visits within […]
Shooting fails to deter Afghan woman on Taliban talks team
Kabul, AfghanistanThomson Reuters Foundation Afghan women’s rights advocate Fawzia Koofi had nightmares for days after a volley of bullets was fired at her car as she travelled with her daughter in the restive province of Parwan. Just two weeks later and with her arm still in a cast, Koofi, one of the few female members […]
Soundbite – The TCM Update: Hillsong Young & Free’s ‘All Of My Best Friends’
Hillsong’s Young and Free Listen to this week’s TCM Update…
Snapshot: Danco Island, Antarctica
See DEREK OYEN’s image…
Japan PM Abe set to resign over worsening health – source
Tokyo, JapanReuters Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the nation’s longest serving premier, is set to resign due to his worsening health, a source close to a ruling party official said on Friday, sparking a slide in Tokyo stock prices and a rise in the yen. “The resignation is a done deal,” said the source close […]
On the Screen: ‘The One and Only Ivan’ a muddled tale based on a true story
MARCUS CHEONG watches the Disney+ release, The One and Only Ivan…
Selfies in cells? Thailand bets on prisons to boost tourism
Bangkok, ThailandThomson Reuters Foundation Thailand plans to turn about half its prisons into tourist attractions to boost visitor numbers as the South-East Asian nation struggles to recover from an economic slump caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Sporting events, art exhibitions, cooking contests and souvenirs made by inmates will be rolled out in 72 of the […]
Severe or fatal COVID-19 very rare in children, study finds
London, UKReuters Children and young people are far less likely than adults to get severe cases of COVID-19 infection, and death from the pandemic disease among children is exceptionally rare, according to UK research published on Thursday. A study of COVID-19 patients admitted to 138 hospitals in Britain found that less than one per cent […]
“Build back better”: US tree-planting push to curb warming, boost jobs
Washington DC, USThomson Reuters Foundation American cities and corporate giants on Thursday pledged to plant more than 800 million trees by 2030 as part of a global effort to tackle climate change, improve health and boost job creation in communities reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. More than 20 cities, companies and non-profits announced the creation […]
Putin says Russia is ready to provide security help to Belarus
Minsk, Belarus/Moscow, RussiaAP Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that he stands ready to send police to Belarus if protests there turn violent but sees no such need yet, while Belarusian police dispersed a protest in the capital with renewed vigour Thursday, detaining about 180 people and raising pressure on the opposition. Belarus’ authoritarian president of […]