Aichi will become the first prefecture in Japan to recognize sexual minorities and common-law couples and their children as families under a “family ship” oath system that will come into effect on April 1.
I’m researching Mastodon accounts with huge follower numbers and looking for help.
In the US George Takei has over 400000 followers, in Germany Eugen Rochko has over 300000 and Jan Böhmermann nearly 200000, in the UK Stephen Fry has over 100000.
Know any other big accounts? Any over 500K? Any in #Asia? Who's big in #France, or #Spain, or #Italy, or #Argentina? Who is the most followed woman? Did most of them take their followers from Twitter?
Since the end of June, Russia has been enticing citizens of neighbouring nations and migrants from Central Asia with advertisements for recruits to join the conflict in Ukraine.
Taiwan is the only "open" country in Asia, based on a report by Civicus. Japan and South Korea are categorized as "narrowed." As expected, Afghanistan, China and North Korea are "closed."
NARROWED: Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Timor Leste
OBSTRUCTED: Indonesia, Malaysia
REPRESSED: Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, India
CLOSED: HK, Vietnam, Laos, China, Myanmar, North Korea
Hong Kong is losing its relevance in finance and business.
"At the height of the Zero-COVID madness in early 2022, tens of thousands of business and finance professionals left Hong Kong for more open cities, particularly Singapore."
"Despite Hong Kong's connections with China, the city's economic growth has lagged that of Singapore, which is now 70 richer than Hong Kong by GDP per capita."
Rice paddies are responsible for 11% of the world’s methane emissions. There are more than 200 million rice farms in Asia.
Working with local farmers, researchers in Bali, Indonesia, have discovered how to dramatically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions output of rice fields. Initial indications are showing a 70% reduction.
The colorful silk lanterns of Hoi An, Vietnam, illuminate the ancient streets with their mesmerizing hues, casting a magical glow over the city. Meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, are not merely decorative but carry deep cultural significance. Their vibrant colors symbolize joy, prosperity, and good fortune, making them an integral part of Hoi An's rich heritage.
Filipinos have a strange custom of putting water around a bottle of peanut butter to keep the ants away. I wonder, do other Southeast Asians do this? 😊
Three major #Greek shipping firms have stopped transporting Russian oil in recent weeks in order to avoid U.S. sanctions now being imposed on some shipping firms carrying Russian oil, four traders told Reuters and shipping data showed.
The development is a blow to Russia as it narrows the number of shipping firms that are ready to transport Russian oil to consumers in #Asia, #Turkey, the Middle East, #Africa and South America.
"Passengers who have a visa to enter the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and 32 countries of the European Union can stay in Korea visa-free for 30 days. Those who will be going to a third country not included in the previous list may also enter Korea visa-free for 3 days."
A solitary green pearl farm boat gently sways on the tranquil waters of Vietnam, its emerald hue mirroring in the glassy surface below, creating a serene symphony of green and blue. In the silence, only the soft lapping of water against the boat breaks the stillness
#ClimateDiary Watching this made me think yet again about #ClimateJustice or rather, the profound iINJUSTICE of climate change: how the poorest - Rikshah drivers, street hawkers, labourers - suffer the most, without any accees to #AirCon, outside all day, yet contribute nothing to #ClimateChange. The impacts are so hnequal, so unfair, in micro as well as macro ways, it makes you want to screem. #Heatwave#Asia#India#Odisha
Indigenous peoples and local communities are reporting a series of tangible and nuanced impacts of climate change, according to a new study. The study collected 1,661 firsthand reports of change in sites across all inhabited continents and aggregated the reports into 369 indicators of climate change impacts, including changes in...
There’s a gravity hole — a spot where the Earth’s gravitational pull is weaker — in the Indian Ocean, causing the sea level to dip by over 328 feet (100 meters). The anomaly has puzzled geologists for a long time, but researchers think they’ve found a credible explanation: magma. Read more from CNN: https://flip.it/CC.EAZ #Science#Geology#Asia#Ocean#IndianOcean
Russia recruits migrants from Central Asia to cover their war losses to close losses - UK Intelligence (www.pravda.com.ua)
Since the end of June, Russia has been enticing citizens of neighbouring nations and migrants from Central Asia with advertisements for recruits to join the conflict in Ukraine.
In largest ever study, Indigenous and local communities report the impacts of climate change (news.mongabay.com)
Indigenous peoples and local communities are reporting a series of tangible and nuanced impacts of climate change, according to a new study. The study collected 1,661 firsthand reports of change in sites across all inhabited continents and aggregated the reports into 369 indicators of climate change impacts, including changes in...