China accuses Taiwan of recruiting university students as spies and the horror at a Kenyan hospital.
‘Huge corruption expose’ in Maldives tourism sector
The Maldives government has been involved in large-scale corruption in the tourism sector, an investigation has revealed, reported Al Jazeera.
According to a report released Tuesday by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) — an investigative reporting platform — at least 50 of the nation’s most prized tourist islands were often obtained on lease at hugely discounted prices, and without a public tender, thus making them illegal.
The investigation revealed that incumbent president Abdulla Yameen helped clear the deal of at least 24 islands out of 50. The president was directly involved in a discussion about one island.
While previously Maldives had only around 100 resorts, which came about over a span of four decades, Yameen’s election spelled a boom with at least 50 more resorts approved within a few years, Al Jazeera added.
Yameen is running for a second term as president Sunday.
China announces latest tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods
China has announced tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods Tuesday, reported CNN.
Beijing’s announcement come as a response to Washington’s latest decision of imposing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products.
US sanctions, starting at the rate 10 per cent, will hit 25 per cent at year end. The new tariffs will come into effect on 24 September. China, on the other hand, plans to levy tariffs of 5 or 10 per cent, depending on the goods, on the same date.
The moves by both countries mean that several products that the two trade in with each other, will become more expensive.
“The White House warned Monday that it would respond to any retaliation from Beijing with yet more tariffs on roughly $267 billion of Chinese exports,” CNN added.
The prospect of a new round of talks that the economic giants were planning this month, now remains unclear, added the report.
12 dead babies found in plastic bags and boxes in Kenya hospital
The Nairobi governor has ordered an investigation after 12 dead babies were found stuffed in boxes and plastic bags in a Kenyan Hospital, reported CNN.
The case came to the forefront when governor Mike Sonko paid a surprise visit to a hospital.
Sonko said that he went to the Pumwani Maternity Hospital after he received reports of negligence.
“During the impromptu visit, I uncovered 12 bodies of infants who died at the hospital mysteriously and their bodies hidden in boxes and paper bags inside a room,” Sonko said in a statement.
Following the incident, Sonko said he’s suspended top hospital officials including the superintendent, the administrator and the ob-gyn physician on duty.
China accuses Taiwan of using ‘sex’ to recruit Chinese spies
Taiwan’s intelligence agencies have been accused by China for using honey traps to recruit university exchange students as spies, reported CNN.
The allegations were part of a state media campaign focused at pointing out spying activities of foreign Taiwanese agents.
A report on state media CCTV claimed that the Taiwanese spies use money, love, seduction and internet hook-ups to develop spies into mainland China and build the espionage network.
State-run China Daily reported the example of an alleged 18-year-old Chinese student who studied in Taiwan and turned into an informer after entering a sexual relationship with a Taiwanese spy.
“The authorities said that, over three years, the student provided with about 100 pieces of information on science and technology related to national defense and was paid about 45,000 yuan,” the report claimed.
Taipei denied all allegations, saying China’s accusations would give way for “more doubts and misunderstandings” between the two governments. Its Mainland Affairs Council issued a statement accusing Beijing of attempting to stop Chinese students coming to Taiwan to study.
Meet the first tourist who will fly around the moon
Yusaku Maezawa, a 42-year-old Japanese billionaire, will become the first ever private tourist to fly around the moon, reported CNN.
The announcement was made at aerospace firm SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California, Tuesday.
SpaceX said the flight on board the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) — a launch system —represents a significant step toward enabling access for everyday people who dream of travelling to space, reported BBC.
Maezawa is taking six to eight artists along with him, and won’t be charging them for the ride.”I want to share this experience and things with as many people as possible,” he said at a news conference.
The mission, planned for 2023, will the first lunar journey by humans since 1972.
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