Author: michealman

WEATHERLeave a comment

Russian city breaks 140 year old record during surge of summer-like warmth

michealman

Temperatures in Moscow, Russia, on April 13 surged to levels not seen on that day for at least 140 years. People were enjoying the unusually warm conditions amid several days of summerlike temperatures. On Tuesday, April 13, the high temperature in Moscow, Russia’s capital and largest city, surged to 22.6 C (73 F), making it the highest temperature on that day in at least 140 years of observations, reported Reuters. On Wednesday, another record was set as the temperature rose to 22 C (72 F). This broke the previous record of 20.8 (69.4 F) last reached in 1962, according to the … Continue reading Russian city breaks 140 year old record during surge of summer-like warmth

Geo PoliticsLeave a comment

FBI opens a new investigation into China ‘every 10 hours,’ bureau director says

michealman

 FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing about worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In his testimony, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that no other country represented more of a threat to the US’ economic security and democratic ideals than China, adding that its ability to influence American institutions was “deep and wide and persistent.” Wray’s comments come amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing across a range of fronts, including alleged human rights abuses in China’s western region of Xinjiang and issues related to Taiwan and Hongkong. US Director for National Intelligence Avril Haines … Continue reading FBI opens a new investigation into China ‘every 10 hours,’ bureau director says

AsiaLeave a comment

Update: Taiwan transport minister resigns over train crash

michealman

The 2 April crash was caused by a railway maintenance truck that slid down an embankment and onto the track moments before a high-speed train passed by. The accident, which left more than 200 injured, plunged Taiwan into mourning. Transport minister Lin Chia-lung offered his resignation the day after the crash but the government did not accept it, saying he was needed to concentrate on the rescue effort and subsequent investigation. However, that changed on Thursday with Premier Su Tseng-chang agreeing to let Lin step down. “The premier approved his resignation yesterday which will take effect on April 20,” cabinet spokesman Lo … Continue reading Update: Taiwan transport minister resigns over train crash

Banking and FinanceLeave a comment

HSBC is moving top executives from London to Hong Kong

michealman

HSBC will move four of its most senior executives to Hong Kong later this year, as the London-based bank focuses more attention on fast-growing markets in Asia. CEO Noel Quinn said in an internal memo on Wednesday that Barry O’Byrne, head of global commercial banking, Greg Guyett, co-head of global banking and markets, and Nuno Matos, head of wealth and personal banking will relocate to Hong Kong in the second half of the year. They will be joined by Nicolas Moreau, the head of global asset management. Those businesses account for virtually all of HSBC’s revenues. “These moves underscore the importance … Continue reading HSBC is moving top executives from London to Hong Kong

ChinaLeave a comment

Hong Kong marks first ‘National Security Education Day’

michealman

Hong Kong is marking its first “National Security Education Day” aimed at promoting a sweeping law that Beijing imposed on the semi-autonomous territory last year. Children as young as three years old were among those learning about the national security law on Thursday, according to the South China Morning Post, while authorities invited people across the city to create “mosaic walls” with messages of support or smiling pictures of themselves at cultural centres and schools. Hong Kong police meanwhile unveiled a new goose-step march in the mainland Chinese style, replacing British-style foot drills from the time the city was ruled … Continue reading Hong Kong marks first ‘National Security Education Day’

AsiaLeave a comment

Clock stopped by earthquake restarts 10 years on

michealman

An 100-year-old Japanese clock that stopped working after the 2011 earthquake has started ticking again – after another quake struck this year. The clock, stored in a Buddhist temple, was submerged by the tsunami on Japan’s north-eastern coast that followed the devastating earthquake, which killed more than 18,000 people in March 2011. Its owner, Bunshun Sakano, then tried to fix the clock, without success. But when a smaller quake hit 10 years later, he says it began working again. According to the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, the spring-driven clock was stored in the Fumonji Temple in Yamamoto, in Japan’s Miyagi region. Miyagi … Continue reading Clock stopped by earthquake restarts 10 years on

LUXURY and LIFESTYLELeave a comment

Kanye West’s $1 million Yeezy’s could be the world’s most expensive sneakers

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The Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes, which the American rapper debuted at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, will be among the most expensive sneakers ever to appear on the market, according to Sotheby’s auction house, which is organizing the sale. Described in a press release as “one of the most prized and sought-after sneakers in existence,” the shoes will be offered via private sale after going on display in Hong Kong later this month. Sotheby’s did not reveal an exact asking price, though it said it has valued the item “in excess of $1 million.” While there is … Continue reading Kanye West’s $1 million Yeezy’s could be the world’s most expensive sneakers

BusinessLeave a comment

Bernie Madoff, disgraced financier dies in prison

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Bernie Madoff, a Wall Street financier disgraced after he admitted to one of the biggest frauds in US financial history, has died in prison at age 82. His death was announced by the Bureau of Prisons. Mr Madoff had been serving a 150-year sentence after he pleaded guilty in 2009 to running a Ponzi scheme, which paid investors with money from new clients rather than actual profits. It collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis. “Bernie, up until his death, lived with guilt and remorse for his crimes,” his lawyer Brandon Sample said in a statement. “Although the crimes Bernie was … Continue reading Bernie Madoff, disgraced financier dies in prison

Latin AmericaLeave a comment

Mayan urn returned to Mexico by Albion College

michealman

A Mayan urn, made between 900 and 1600 AD, is returning to Mexico after spending more than 50 years at a college in the United States. The urn, considered to be of high historical value, has been housed at Albion College, Michigan, since 1969. The Mexican foreign ministry said the urn would now be taken to the Museo de los Altos in Chiapas. The artefact will be displayed alongside a twin urn that is on show at the museum. “The recovery of this Mayan urn and reunification with its twin artefact represent an act of great importance for Mexico and … Continue reading Mayan urn returned to Mexico by Albion College

Art and CultureLeave a comment

Stolen Roman statue found in Brussels antique shop

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A Roman statue dating back to the First Century BC has been recovered, almost a decade after it was stolen from an archaeological site in Italy. Two Italian officers came across the sculpture of a headless figure wearing a toga at an antique shop in Belgium. Suspicious of its origins, they searched a database of stolen artefacts and discovered the “Togatus” statue had been missing since 2011. The sculpture is believed to be worth around €100,000 ($120,000, £87,000). The two officers, who work for the antiquities division of the Carabinieri military police, were in the Belgian capital Brussels for a … Continue reading Stolen Roman statue found in Brussels antique shop

BusinessLeave a comment

Japan’s Toshiba president steps down amid acquisition talks

michealman

The president of Toshiba Corp. stepped down Wednesday, a week after the Japanese technology and manufacturing giant said it was studying an acquisition proposal from a global fund where he previously worked. Nobuaki Kurumatani tendered his resignation at a board meeting, and the board accepted, effective Wednesday, Tokyo-based Toshiba said in a statement. Kurumatani headed the Japan operations of CVC Capital Partners, which proposed the acquisition last week, before taking his post as chief executive of Toshiba in 2018. Some questions had been raised, both within and outside Tokyo-based Toshiba, about Kurumatani leading the board discussions on the acquisition. Kurumatani … Continue reading Japan’s Toshiba president steps down amid acquisition talks

STRANGE WORLDLeave a comment

Chinese man kidnapped and killed in elaborate body swap scheme

michealman

A Chinese man with Down’s syndrome was kidnapped and killed as part of an elaborate body swap scheme. There is a ban on burials in many parts of China – to get around this, one family hired someone to provide them with a substitute body, which was cremated in its place. But unbeknown to them, the body provided was that of a murdered victim. The murder took place in 2017 but only gained prominence last week after an article on the incident emerged online. The hired man – identified only by his surname Huang – has been handed a suspended … Continue reading Chinese man kidnapped and killed in elaborate body swap scheme