China

China to set up separation line on Mount Everest over Covid-19 fears
China, World

China to set up separation line on Mount Everest over Covid-19 fears

China to set up separation line on Mount Everest over Covid-19 fears Mount Everest straddles the China-Nepal border, with the north slope belonging to China. BEIJING: China will set up a "separation line" on the peak of Mount Everest to avoid possible Covid-19 infections by climbers from virus-hit Nepal, state media reported, after dozens were taken ill from the summit's base camp. While the virus first emerged in China in late 2019, it has largely been brought under control in the country through a series of strict lockdowns and border closures. Over 30 sick climbers were evacuated from base camp on the Nepalese side of the world's highest peak in recent weeks as Nepal faces a deadly second wave, raising fears that the virus might ruin a bumper climbing season. Mount Everest straddle...
General: China’s Africa outreach poses threat from Atlantic
Asia, China, Conflict, Opinion, Politics, Singapore, World

General: China’s Africa outreach poses threat from Atlantic

WASHINGTON - The top U.S general for Africa is warning that a growing threat from China may come not just from the waters of the Pacific but from the Atlantic as well. U.S. Gen. Stephen Townsend, in an interview with The Associated Press, said Beijing is looking to establish a large navy port capable of hosting submarines or aircraft carriers on Africa’s western coast. Townsend said China has approached countries stretching from Mauritania to south of Namibia, intent on establishing a naval facility. If realized, that prospect would enable China to base warships in its expanding Navy in the Atlantic as well as Pacific oceans. “They’re looking for a place where they can rearm and repair warships. That becomes militarily useful in conflict,” said Townsend, who heads U.S. Africa Command. “T
Netflix series criticized online in China over Taiwan flag
China, Singapore, World

Netflix series criticized online in China over Taiwan flag

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese nationalism on the internet has a new target: The popular Thai drama “Girl from Nowhere“ distributed by Netflix. Comments online Wednesday complained the series’ Facebook page showed the flags of Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory, and of Hong Kong, where the party is trying to crush pro-democracy activism. “Girl from Nowhere” joins a growing list of foreign retailers, airlines, hotels and other brands that have been attacked online in China over Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, human rights and other politically charged issues. Some comments complained the flags show support for “splitting China,” or promoting formal independence for self-ruled Taiwan. The flags, with those of Singapore and other markets, appeared
BEC invests in news, content for growth
Business, China, World

BEC invests in news, content for growth

BEC invests in news, content for growth Surin Krittayaphongphun, president for TV business at BEC World, the operator of Channel 3. SET-listed BEC World, the operator of Channel 3, is hoping for a business turnaround this year, supported by rejigged news programmes as it offers content for over-the-top (OTT) platforms and other countries via licensing, production of original series and increasing the subscription base of its CH3 Plus app. "Despite the pandemic, we have been profitable for three consecutive quarters since the third quarter of last year. We believe profitability is possible for the entire year as well," said Surin Krittayaphongphun, president of the TV business at BEC World. The company downsized and restructured to cut costs, while adding new sources of revenue through ...
US steers El Salvador funding away from government
China, World

US steers El Salvador funding away from government

SAN SALVOR, El Salvador (AP) — The United States Agency for International Development will redirect its funding from El Salvador’s state institutions to its civil society groups as tensions rise between the two governments over the Central American country’s removal of Supreme Court justices and the Attorney General. USAID Administrator Samantha Power said in a statement Friday that the agency has “deep concerns” about the shake-up in the justice system earlier this month and more generally about transparency and accountability. Funding will be redirected from the court and Attorney General’s Office, the National Civilian Police and El Salvador’s Institute for Access to Public Information and given instead to local civil society groups and human rights organizations “for promoting transp
The Latest: Connecticut data show COVID-19 vaccine effective
Business, China, Conflict, World

The Latest: Connecticut data show COVID-19 vaccine effective

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Of the more than 1.4 million Connecticut residents who are now fully vaccinated, 242 later became infected with COVID-19, according to data released Friday from the state Department of Public Health. Among the 242 so-called “vaccine breakthrough cases,” 109 people had no symptoms of the disease. DPH reported three deaths among vaccinated individuals who were confirmed to have had underlying medical conditions. They were between the ages of 55-64, 65-74, and 75 years and older. Nationally, there have been 132 vaccine breakthrough deaths, DPH said. “The main takeaway is that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and cases of infection after a person is fully vaccinated are very rare,” Dr. Deidre Gifford, the state’s acting public health commissioner, said in a statemen
Two foreign climbers die on Everest
Business, China, World

Two foreign climbers die on Everest

Two foreign climbers die on Everest Mountaineers trek near the Mount Everest base camp. KATHMANDU: Two climbers, from the United States and Switzerland, have died on Mount Everest, the first fatalities of this year's season, expedition organisers in Nepal said on Thursday. On average around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak. But in recent seasons, Everest has seen a surge in the number of climbers, leading to overcrowding that has been blamed for multiple deaths. "Two climbers passed away on Wednesday," Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks told AFP. Swiss climber Abdul Waraich, 40, died near the summit after reaching the top and suffering exhaustion, said Chhang Dawa Sherpa from the same organisation. "We sent two additional Sherpas with oxygen and foods, unfor...
Australia, NZ clash over manuka honey label
Business, China, World

Australia, NZ clash over manuka honey label

Australia, NZ clash over manuka honey label Australian production of manuka honey could soon be dealt a heavy blow, with a group of New Zealand producers launching proceedings in multiple countries to register the term and claim its exclusive use SOMERSBY, Australia: Beekeepers in New Zealand are seeking the exclusive right to use the "manuka" label for their honey, pitting them against rival Australian farmers over a prestige product that can fetch hundreds of dollars per jar. Manuka honey takes its name from the Maori term for Leptospermum scoparium, the flowering shrub whose nectar forms its essence, which is found in both Australia and New Zealand. But Australian production could soon be dealt a heavy blow, with a group of New Zealand producers launching proceedings in multiple cou...
Thailand assures foreign residents they can be vaccinated
Business, China, World

Thailand assures foreign residents they can be vaccinated

BANGKOK - Thailand sought Thursday to assure its foreign residents that they can get COVID-19 vaccinations, countering comments by some officials suggesting they would be at the end of the line for inoculations. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, made the pledge as Thailand fought to control an outbreak in the heart of its capital that has sickened thousands of people in the past month, Thais and foreigners alike. He said at least 70% of Thailand’s population has to be inoculated to create “herd immunity” and that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha “mentioned clearly that everyone on Thai soil, both Thais and foreigners, can access the vaccines.” “Foreigners and diplomats will have the same criteria as Thais,“ Opas said, adding that the countr
20 runners dead as hail, high winds hit China ultramarathon
China, World

20 runners dead as hail, high winds hit China ultramarathon

20 runners dead as hail, high winds hit China ultramarathon Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, where at least 16 runners died when extreme weather hit a 100-kilometre cross-crountry mountain running race in the Yellow River Stone Forest, some 145km (90 miles) away. BEIJING: Twenty people were killed and one remains missing after hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners taking part in a 100-kilometre cross-country mountain race in China, local officials said Sunday. "Abrupt, extreme weather" hit a high-altitude section of the race held in the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin city in northwestern Gansu province around 1pm Saturday, Baiyin city officials said at a briefing. "At around noon, the high-altitude section of the race between 20 and 31 kilometres was suddenly affecte...