Asia

PECA's reach was recently extended with a new section inserted into Pakistan's penal code stipulating up to two years in prison and a fine of over €2,500 ($3,018) for anyone that "intentionally ridicules, brings into disrepute or defames the Armed Forces of Pakistan" or its members. … [Read more...] about Pakistan journalists face charges for criticizing military

Nakagawa was also dismissive of government plans to offer subsidies to hospitals that free up more beds for Covid patients. “There aren’t enough doctors or nurses,” he said. “Even if hospitals are told to increase the number of beds, what can’t be done, can’t be done. If the number of infection cases keeps rising, the healthcare system could be wiped out.” … [Read more...] about Hospitals in Japan close to collapse as serious Covid cases soar

The women and child development minister, Piyal Nishantha de Silva, was among several politicians who consumed the concoction, but parliamentary officials said he had since tested positive for coronavirus and was taken to a treatment centre. … [Read more...] about Sri Lankan holy man’s ‘miracle’ potion for Covid turns sour

“Poachers are seeing the (tiger) farmers making money and they want some of that. It’s very easy money to go into the forest and shoot a tiger or snare a tiger. So the demand is creating more poaching in the forests.” … [Read more...] about Inside cruel tiger trade where cats are chained in tiny cages & butchered to make wine – and it’s worse than Tiger King

'Following confirmation of the Cook Islands' Covid free status and the implementation of strict health and border protocols, we are now in the position to resume quarantine-free travel for passengers from the Cook Islands into New Zealand,' Arden said in a recent statement.  … [Read more...] about The ten countries that STILL have not had a single case of Covid-19: How tiny island nations have remained coronavirus-free despite 95 million cases worldwide