The fate of some 27,000 Hong Kong cross-border pupils living in mainland China was in limbo, as the education minister said on Friday that it could not be guaranteed whether they would be exempted from quarantine rules amid the coronavirus pandemic when classes resumed in late May.Although Hong Kong’s government last week decided to exempt these cross-border students from a 14-day mandatory quarantine period when entering the city, a similar rule had so far not been lifted by the Shenzhen…

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…

A senior civil servant overseeing the distribution of reusable masks to all Hongkongers has promised to put the production of their replacement filters out to tender after admitting to shortcomings in the transparency of the original contract awarded by the government.Annie Choi Suk-han, permanent secretary of the Innovation and Technology Bureau, on Friday rejected suggestions the government had intentionally hidden the identity of the manufacturer chosen for the HK$320 million (US$41 million)…

After almost three months of hectic preparation, Denis Huen Yin-fan’s Hong Kong factory started delivering masks to customers last week to help protect them against the Covid-19 pandemic.Just as the supplies began reaching his clients, the Hong Kong government announced it will be distributing reusable and disposable masks to all households, free of charge, within weeks.Every household will receive reusable masks that can be washed up to 60 times, as well as a pack of 10 disposable masks.1.5…

A revised bailout plan will be proposed by the Hong Kong government very soon to save Ocean Park from running out of cash as early as in June, the Post has learned.Two sources said that a HK$10.6 billion (US$1.35 billion) proposal tabled in January would not go ahead with officials unveiling an alternative on Monday at the earliest, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the theme park on Southern district to shut down temporarily.On Friday night, the legislature’s Finance Committee announced that…

Hong Kong’s Canto-pop “dancing king” Aaron Kwok Fu-shing’s online charity concert on Saturday afternoon to help the city’s struggling dancers attracted about 2 million viewers and raised more than HK$1 million, amid local signs of an easing coronavirus threat.Kwok’s onstage moves are known to be inspired by Michael Jackson. The one-hour performance by the singer-dancer-actor, 54, flanked by about 100 dancers, was live-streamed on multiple channels on social media from 5pm to 6pm.He performed on…

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling on governments and leaders around the world to ensure that their respective lockdown measurements don’t end up causing harm to people by those enforcing the lockdowns.   “Emergency powers should not be a weapon governments can wield to quash dissent, control the population, and even perpetuate […]

The post Governments Cautioned Not to Use COVID-19 Lockdown to Cause Harm appeared first on Inter Press Service.

As social distancing, quarantines and lockdowns have spread across the globe to slow the spread of coronavirus, they have imposed some of the greatest worldwide restrictions on public gatherings in living memory. These restrictions may be necessary for public health, but they require the most anxious scrutiny to prevent them being misused to quash legitimate political […]

The post How Coronavirus Makes us Rethink Youth Protests appeared first on Inter Press Service.

Interruptions to vaccination programmes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could result in new waves of measles or polio outbreaks, health experts warn. A growing number of one-off immunisation campaigns and national routine vaccine introductions are being delayed amid social distancing and other measures to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, leaving millions unprotected. Uptake of routine […]

The post Polio, Measles Outbreaks ‘Inevitable’, Say Vaccine Experts appeared first on Inter Press Service.

Franciscka Lucien is Executive Director of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti. Joel Curtain is the Director of Advocacy at Partners in Health.

The post Time for the World Bank and IMF to Be the Solution, Not the Problem appeared first on Inter Press Service.

Kenya has accused the UN of bowing to pressure from other countries by setting up an investigation that pins the blame for peacekeeping failures in South Sudan on the Kenyan force commander.

A Kenyan official says a South Sudanese rebel spokesperson has been deported to South Sudan over a Facebook posting, while colleagues fear for his life and human rights workers say he was a UN-registered refugee.

A group of irate youths got their lives handed to them when they attempted to block Deputy President William Ruto’s bloackade.

Mombasa County inspectorate officers on Monday were caught in a land dispute issue with a private investigator when they attempted to bring down an erected wall.

Bomet Governor, Isaac Ruto was airlifted to Nairobi Hospital on Monday morning after clashing with police officers.

Bomet Governor, Isaac Ruto who was being treated for injuries at Nairobi Hospital after clashes with police will be transferred a hospital in South Africa, a report says..

Bomet County Commissioner, Benard Lebarmarai has lambasted Governor Isaac Ruto for falsely accusing the police of causing harm to him.

Russia marked 75 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two on Saturday, but the coronavirus outbreak forced it to scale back celebrations seen as boosting support for President Vladimir Putin. With coronavirus infections rising, Putin last month postponed the highlight of annual Victory Day celebrations,...

The post Putin presides over slimmed down Victory Day as virus cases rise appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

The chief executive of Premier League club Watford has said that plans to resume the season at neutral venues are unfair and that there could be enough clubs in opposition to stop the idea. The Premier League’s “Project Restart” envisages a return to play in June, once given the green...

The post Watford chief opposed to Premier League neutral grounds plan appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Where do you live? In a small apartment in Nicosia, Cyprus. What did you have for breakfast? Tea and bread with forest fruits jam. Describe your perfect day A walk with my dog and a swim in the sea. Best book ever read? In terms of personal taste in content...

The post A minute with Andreana Lemonari Pole Dance Artist appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

A Cypriot national who recently returned from London on one of the dozens of repatriation flights has documented her journey and experience in quarantine on her Youtube channel. Alina Nazrulloeva, who posted the videos on her channel FOMOthevlog, arrived on the island a week ago after getting a call informing...

The post Coronavirus: Repatriated graduate documents quarantine on Youtube (Videos) appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Disha Patani opened up about how her filming schedule and professional life has come to a halt

Hrithik Roshan had an extraordinary 2019, having made two hit movies in a row

Tamannaah Bhatia has quashed the chitchat about her love life

Arjun Kapoor shared a gut-wrenching post, wherein he reminisced about his life as an actor

Paulo Coelho praised Shah Rukh Khan for his recently released movie 'Kaamyaab'

Richa Chadha releases a domestic violence awareness campaign to curtail its growing impact

Rishi Kapoor passed away last week, leaving his fans and devotees in a state of shock

Neha Kakkar opened up about handling pressure and competition from her peers

Ananya Panday joined James McVey to spread awareness against online bullying's detrimental impact

Sara captioned the video, “Don’t pray for lighter burdens. Work for a #stronger back.”

Presently, the Bharat actor is spending quality time with family and close friends including Iulia Vantur and Jacqueline Fernandez at his Panvel farmhouse amid coronavirus lockdown.

Saif Ali Khan said they were shooting for a song with director Rahul Rawali as well as Kajol

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