SHANGHAI – China will not allow its mammoth mobile online population to play Pokemon Go or other augmented-reality games until it completes a review of potential security risks, a Chinese digital publishing group said.

The roadblock was put up amid concerns that such games contain “rather big social risks” including potential threats to consumer and traffic safety, and the security of “geographic information”, the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA) said this week.

The industry group said in a statement that it was informed of the move by China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT).

It said SAPPRFT was conducting a security review of such games in the meantime.

356040

2016-12-15 10:44:13

Photo Gallery

Pokemon Go health hazzards

Source:

The Straits Times

Shutterstock.com

pixabay

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

“Before then, SAPPRFT will not accept requests to approve such games and has advised domestic game developers to be cautious when considering developing, introducing or operating such games,” the publishing association said.

Pokemon Go engages mobile users in a virtual chase for cartoon creatures appearing in their vicinity, as seen through their phone camera, but relies for many of its functions on Google Maps, which is blocked in China.

Beijing keeps tight control over surveying, mapping and geographic information.

329291

2016-09-19 18:18:52

Photo Gallery

Artist reimagines Pokemons as humans

Source:

internet

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

China is a huge potential market for gamers, with 1.3 billion mobile users by the end of 2015.

Some Chinese companies are already getting into the act, with tech giants Alibaba and Tencent recently introducing augmented-reality games with a theme linked to the Chinese lunar new year holidays beginning in late January.

It was not immediately clear how the digital-publishing association’s announcement would effect those games.

DHAKA- Bangladesh urged Myanmar Thursday to end months of violence that has forced tens of thousands of Rohingya to flee across the border, saying the influx was hitting economic development.

At least 65,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since Myanmar launched a military operation in October following attacks on police posts in western Rakhine state, a third of them over the past week.

Rights groups say members of the stateless Muslim minority have faced abuses so severe they could amount to crimes against humanity.

On Wednesday Bangladeshi foreign minister A.H. Mahmood Ali held talks with a special envoy of Myanmar’s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Dhaka.

334244

2016-10-29 16:11:13

Photo Gallery

Pressure on Myanmar over abuses of Rohingya minority in Rakhine

Source:

AFP

Reuters

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

“The special envoy has been informed that the recent arrival of a huge number of Myanmar nationals and the long and illegal stay of approximately 300,000 unregistered Myanmar nationals have disrupted stability and economic development in the very important region of Chittagong,” he told reporters on Thursday.

There were already 33,000 registered and 300,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees in the country before the latest outbreak of violence.

“Bangladesh has demanded quick restoration of normal situation in Rakhine state so that Myanmar nationals who have taken shelter in Bangadesh can quickly go back home with full security and safety to their livelihood,” he said.

Dhaka is under pressure both at home and abroad to open its border to the Rohingya, but the recent arrivals are already putting enormous strain on the impoverished nation of 160 million people.

It has instead reinforced its border posts and deployed coastguard ships to prevent fresh arrivals.

195257

2015-05-15 11:19:00

Photo Gallery

Rohingya victims of human trafficking

Source: Reuters, The Nation/ANN, The Daily Star/ANN, The Star/ANN, Vice News, AFP

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

There was no comment from the envoy, Kyaw Tin, Myanmar’s deputy foreign minister, who was to wrap up his three-day visit to Dhaka Thursday.

Last month the Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Myanmar’s ambassador to express “deep concern at the continued influx”.

Those who arrived in Bangladesh have brought harrowing accounts of rape, murder and arson at the hands of Myanmar’s army or police.

Their stories have raised global alarm and galvanised protests against Suu Kyi who has been accused of not doing enough to help the Rohingya.

Myanmar’s government has said the claims of abuse are fabricated and launched a special commission to investigate the allegations.

The government refuses to recognise the Rohingya as one of the country’s ethnic minorities, instead describing them as Bengalis – or illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh – even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations.

TAIPEI – Taiwan objected on Thursday to a Nigerian request to the island to relocate its representative office in the African country, a request Taiwan sees as more pressure by China to isolate it.

Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province, ineligible for state-to-state relations, and to be taken back by force if necessary, especially if it makes moves toward independence.

Taiwan has no diplomatic ties with Nigeria, but has an office for handling business affairs in Abuja.

But Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Nigeria has asked Taipei to move its office from Abuja to its former capital, Lagos.

Taiwan called on Nigeria to consider the issue as both sides have an understanding based on reciprocity, under which Nigeria runs a trade office in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. “The foreign ministry urges Nigeria to leave room for discussion,” Taiwan’s ministry said in a statement, referring to the request to move the trade office. “The foreign ministry seriously objects and condemns the unreasonable actions by the Nigerian government,” it said.

Nigerian officials met their Chinese counterparts in Abuja on Wednesday and pledged to stick to Beijing’s “one China”policy, that Taiwan is a part of China, media reported. “China affirms and greatly appreciates Nigeria’s support for the ‘one China’ principle,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news briefing in Beijing. “This thoroughly resolves an issue left over from history that influenced mutual political trust between China and Nigeria, and eliminates a political obstacle that interfered with the healthy development of bilateral relations.” Taiwan has 21 formal allies, only two in Africa. Last month, former African ally Sao Tome switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

In countries with which Taiwan has no formal diplomatic relations it often sets up trade and commerce offices, in capitals and major cities.

While economic ties between the mainland and Taiwan have grown considerably in recent years, their relations have worsened since Tsai Ing-wen, who heads a pro-independence party, was elected president of the island last year.

Beijing has been stepping up pressure on her to concede to its “one China” principle.

SEOUL – Retired UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon returned to South Korea Thursday as momentum builds around his possible run in elections to succeed impeached President Park Geun-Hye.

“I have seriously considered and thought about how I can put my experience and knowledge as a UN Secretary General to best use,” Ban said in televised remarks after his arrival.

Speaking before a crowd of hundreds at Incheon International Airport, Ban said he was prepared to meet with the public this week before making a “selfless decision”.

351244

2016-11-06 10:08:13

Photo Gallery

Tens of thousands of South Koreans stage protest in Seoul calling for President Park Geun Hye to resign

Source:

AFP

Reuters

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

Ban’s return comes at a time of national uncertainty with tens of thousands of people marching in weekly protests demanding the permanent removal of scandal-hit Park, who was impeached by parliament last month over a corruption scandal.

If the Constitutional Court upholds the parliamentary vote, Park will be permanently removed and elections held within 60 days.

“It breaks my heart,” said Ban, referring to the ongoing political turmoil.

“We must never forget the people’s desire that was expressed on the streets.” A career diplomat, Ban never joined any South Korean political party, although he served as foreign minister under the late liberal president Roh Moo-Hyun from 2004 to 2006.

It remains unclear whether Ban will join Park’s ruling Saenuri Party or the emerging conservative party.

Saenuri Party floor leader Chung Woo-Taik “sincerely” welcomed Ban’s return through a Facebook post on Thursday, calling him “the pride and national asset of South Korea”.

The former UN secretary general has a 20.3 per cent approval rating according to a poll released Thursday.

Further troubling his political aspirations, Ban’s younger brother and nephew were indicted in a US court this week over an alleged attempt to bribe a Middle Eastern official regarding the sale of a building in Vietnam.

However Ban has denied any involvement, saying he was “perplexed and embarrassed” by the situation.

MANILA – Philippine Islamic militants have released a video showing an elderly German sailor abducted at sea late last year is alive, according to a security group that monitors jihadist activity.

The Abu Sayyaf, a notorious kidnap-for-ransom gang based in the southern Philippines, released the video of Jurgen Kantner on Wednesday along with photos that had a date stamp of December 26 last year, SITE Intelligence Group reported.

The military on November 7 last year reported finding Kantner’s yacht, Rockall, adrift off the southern Philippines.

The body of a woman with a bullet wound, later identified by the hostage as his partner, Sabine Merz, was found on board the vessel.

In Berlin, German authorities declined to comment on the video.

195555

2015-05-16 12:51:59

Photo Gallery

Malaysian hostage beheaded by Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines

Source: The Star/ANN, AFP

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

“As a matter of policy, the government does not comment on cases of kidnapping and hostage taking of German citizens abroad,” said a source from the German foreign ministry.

The Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, later claimed the abduction and the killing.

The group is made of up several small armed bands based in the mainly Muslim southern islands of Basilan and Jolo, where they are also holding a Dutchman and foreign crew members of several other vessels.

It is blamed for the Philippines’ deadliest bombing attacks as well as dozens of kidnappings-for-ransom. The Abu Sayyaf murdered two Canadian hostages last year after ransom demands were not met.

124587

2014-07-17 16:07:58

Photo Gallery

Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsi cheers beheading of hostages in chilling video clip

Source: The Star/ANN, YouTube screengrabs

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s tough pro-Beijing number two Carrie Lam announced her bid to lead the deeply divided city Thursday after stepping down from her current post.

Lam is deputy to Hong Kong’s unpopular leader Leung Chun-ying and rose through the ranks as a career civil servant before taking public office.

The city has become sharply polarised under Leung, whose term has been marked by anti-Beijing protests. Opponents cast him as a puppet of the Chinese government squeezing the semi-autonomous city’s freedoms.

While Lam is less hated than Leung, critics fear she will take a similar hard line if she wins the leadership at elections in March.

Lam, who has worked in government since 1980, would become the city’s first woman chief executive.

She said Thursday she was stepping down as deputy leader in order to stand for the top job.

If her resignation is accepted by Beijing, she will run for chief executive she said.

247930

2015-12-31 12:21:39

Photo Gallery

HK leader CY Leung’s Facebook page hacked

Source: Apple Daily video screengrabs, Facebook screengrabs

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

“There is only one reason for me to resign at this juncture,” Lam told reporters.

“I intend to prepare to contest in the upcoming chief executive election.” She said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to have served the people of Hong Kong for more than 36 years.

Lam ended the brief press conference without taking questions, with one reporter shouting after her “Are you going down the path of CY?” referring to current leader Leung.

Political analysts said Lam was considered by the public to be a capable leader.

“The worry is that her ambition might prompt her to side exclusively with Beijing because that’s where her power comes from,” Willy Lam, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told AFP.

The city leader is chosen by a 1,200-strong committee of representatives of special interest groups, weighted towards Beijing.

Mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 called for fully free leadership elections but failed to win concessions.

355475

2016-12-11 09:17:51

Photo Gallery

Hundreds of anti-China protesters rally in Hong Kong as vote looms

Source:

Reuters

AFP

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

Critics are already accusing Lam of trying to gain favour with Chinese authorities by pushing through a museum project which would bring historic cultural artifacts to Hong Kong from Beijing’s Palace Museum.

They say the project is cultural brainwashing and accuse Lam of failing to consult the public on the plans.

Lam was also vilified by pro-democracy activists during the 2014 rallies for being a Beijing stooge.

The city’s finance secretary John Tsang resigned in December and is expected to enter the race soon.

Nicknamed “Mr Pringles” by local media for his resemblance to the crisp brand’s mascot, Tsang is seen as a more moderate alternative to Leung and Lam.

While Tsang and Lam are considered the strongest contenders, others have already thrown their hats in the ring.

Former Hong Kong security chief Regina Ip, who is loathed by the city’s pro-democracy camp, declared her candidacy last month.

Retired judge Woo Kwok-hing, who has said he will prioritise political reform, has also declared he is running.