Māori liken their trademark application to France’s effort to protect the term champagne, while Australia says you can’t claim a plantLong before the name Mānuka became synonymous with a booming honey industry, celebrity endorsements and protracted glo…
Vaccines on horseback: Fiji doctors take long and muddy road to protect remote villages from Covid
A team of medics hiked in the mountains for hours to take supplies to the small village of NakidaSee all our coronavirus coverageTo reach Nakida village in the highlands of Fiji, Dr Losalini Tabakei and her colleagues hiked for hours, up and down mount…
China bans reality talent shows to curb behaviours of ‘idol’ fandoms
Broadcasters ordered not to promote ‘sissy’ men in attempt to reshape country’s entertainment industryChina has banned some reality talent shows and ordered broadcasters not to promote “sissy” men, in the latest attempt to reshape the culture of the co…
Japan’s Moderna Covid vaccine rollout hit by recall and contamination scares
Foreign materials including stainless steel identified in batches of Covid-19 vaccine though no safety or efficacy issues have been reportedThe Moderna coronavirus vaccine programme in Japan has been hit by a series of contamination incidents, promptin…
New Zealand Covid update: 83 new cases, with all but one in Auckland
The nation’s Delta outbreak continues to grow, with Auckland likely to remain in lockdown for at least another fortnightJacinda Ardern says she won’t hesitate to impose tougher restrictions to contain New Zealand’s growing Covid-19 outbreak, as the cou…
Chinese university appears to ask for lists of LGBTQ+ students for ‘investigation’
Survey by Shanghai University that asked colleges to research the political stance and ‘state of mind’ of members of LGBTQ+ communities has sparked alarmA well-known Chinese university appears to have asked its colleges to make lists of their LGBTQ+ st…
Afghans reach Europe and buying burqas in Kabul: human rights this fortnight – in pictures
A roundup of the struggle for human rights and freedoms, from Afghanistan to Greece Continue reading…
China bans celebrity rankings in bid to ‘rectify chaos in the fan community’
Authorities increase regulation of fame and fan culture that they say will tackle online bullying and protect childrenChinese authorities have banned online lists ranking celebrities by popularity, as regulators continue a drive to “clean up” fame and …
How a hot blob off New Zealand is contributing to drought in South America
Study reveals the vast patch of warm water has produced a dry ridge of high pressure across the south Pacific, blocking storms from reaching ChileA vast patch of warming water off the coast of New Zealand – referred to as a “warming blob” – has contrib…
Thai police chief accused of killing suspect in custody is arrested
Manhunt for Thitisan Utthanaphon followed allegation he tortured suspect to death to extort moneyA Thai police chief accused of torturing and killing a suspected drug dealer while in custody, allegedly in an attempt to extort tens of thousands of pound…