Japan ‘One Piece’ singer stopped mid-performance as Japan-China relations sour

Axing of Maki Otsuki performance in Shanghai the latest in spate of cancelled cultural events involving Asia’s two biggest economies

Japanese “One Piece” singer Maki Otsuki was forced to halt her performance on stage in Shanghai, her management said, one of the latest events hit by a diplomatic spat between Tokyo and Beijing.

Otsuki, known for the theme song of the popular anime, had been slated to perform for two days from Friday at the Bandai Namco Festival 2025 in the Chinese city.

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Thousands in Philippines protest corruption and demand return of stolen funds from flood projects – AP News

  1. Thousands in Philippines protest corruption and demand return of stolen funds from flood projects  AP News
  2. Thousands march in Philippines, demanding Marcos resign over fraud scandal  Al Jazeera
  3. Davao protesters call Marcos, Duterte ‘king, queen of corruption’  Inquirer.net
  4. All but 1 PH diocese back Trillion Peso March  SunStar Publishing Inc.
  5. Malaybalay bishop to gov’t: fast-track probe on officials accused of corruption  MindaNews
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All the president’s millions: how the Trumps are turning the presidency into riches

From Vietnam to the Balkans, Donald Trump’s family has launched a global dealmaking blitz since his re-election

A crusading prosecutor in the Balkans comes under pressure to drop a big case. Vietnamese villagers learn they are to be evicted. A convicted crypto kingpin in the Gulf receives a pardon.

All have one thing in common: they appear to be connected to the Trump family’s campaign to amass riches around the world. Since Donald Trump’s re-election a year ago, warnings that his use of presidential power to advance personal interests is corroding American democracy have grown ever louder. What is less understood – and perhaps even more dangerous – is the damage this is doing everywhere else.

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Daughter of former South African president resigns from parliament amid investigation into Russian military recruitment scheme – The Kyiv Independent

  1. Daughter of former South African president resigns from parliament amid investigation into Russian military recruitment scheme  The Kyiv Independent
  2. South Africans Were Promised Job, but Ended Up ‘Going to War’ for Russia  The New York Times
  3. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigns as South African MP over Russia mercenary recruitment scandal  BBC
  4. S. Africa Arrests Men Headed to Russia on Army Work Suspicion  Bloomberg.com
  5. S African ex-leader Zuma’s daughter quits parliament amid Russia war claims  Al Jazeera
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Can you have a community without craic? Scholars of Ireland’s pubs warn of declining numbers

Two new books analyse what makes the ‘perfect pub’ and both come to a sobering conclusion: Irish pubs are in trouble

Like triple-distilled whiskey, Irish pubs appear to have timeless appeal. They are staple setting in films, books and plays, draw tourists to Ireland, replicate themselves around the world and induce social media quests for the perfect snug and the perfect pint.

Scholars have now bestowed academic imprimatur on this cultural treasure status by examining – and celebrating – pubs through the lens of history, sociology, architecture, psychology, design, art and literature.

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ADAPTIVE INDOMITABLE UKRAINE Clears Dobropilya. Pokrovsk Becomes New ‘Chasiv Yar’ Against Russia – Daily Kos

  1. ADAPTIVE INDOMITABLE UKRAINE Clears Dobropilya. Pokrovsk Becomes New 'Chasiv Yar' Against Russia  Daily Kos
  2. Russia claims to have captured key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after months of intense fighting  CNN
  3. Ukraine updates: Russia claims to have captured Pokrovsk  DW
  4. Kremlin: Russian troops conquer Pokrovsk after year of intense combat  Yahoo
  5. Russia Says It Has Captured Ukrainian Towns of Pokrovsk, Vovchansk  U.S. News & World Report
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Anger mounts in Hong Kong over apartment fires as Beijing warns against ‘anti-China disruptors’

Police on Saturday detained one person who was part of a group that launched a petition demanding accountability

Anger over a deadly blaze at a Hong Kong high-rise apartment complex simmered on Sunday as Beijing warned against attempts to use the disaster to disrupt the city, while people across the financial hub continued to mourn for the more than 128 victims.

Police on Saturday detained one person who was part of a group that launched a petition demanding government accountability, an independent probe into possible corruption, proper resettlement for residents, and a review of construction oversight, two sources familiar with the matter said.

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