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☆ North Korea to welcome China and Russia with military display after pandemic isolation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

MILITARY DISPLAYSImages from Russia's defence ministry and North Korean media showed Shoigu being greeted by North Korean defence minister Kang Sun Nam and Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora at the airport, and rows of North Korean and Russia troops. The only defence treaty China and North Korea have is with each other. Amid international sanctions over North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes - which both Moscow and Beijing voted to impose - China has become by far North Korea's largest trading partner. Russia and China have rebuffed recent attempts by the United States and some European countries to impose new sanctions on North Korea. "If North Korea also sends a high-level delegation to China for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, it means the resumption of high-level 'shuttle diplomacy' between North Korea and China since the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Li Hongzhong, Anthony Rinna, Travis King, Rinna, Shoigu, Kang Sun Nam, Alexander Matsegora, Wagner, Kim, Yang Moo, Dave Schmerler, James Martin, Schmerler, Kim Jong Un, KCNA, denuclearisation, Yang, Josh Smith, Michael Perry Organizations: Korean People's Army, North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, Russian, Communist Party, United Nations Security Council, Washington, U.S, Sino, NK, United, University of North Korean Studies, James, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies, Reuters, Fatherland, Thomson Locations: Pyongyang, North Korea, China, U.S, SEOUL, United States, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Korea, North Korean, Washington, Russian, Korean, Ukraine, Seoul, North, Hangzhou

☆ Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept Visa and Mastercard for all payments in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The move marks a revival of efforts by Alipay and WeChat Pay to accept foreign credit cards after they provided some limited access in late 2019. WeChat Pay is officially known as Weixin Pay in China. Alipay and WeChat Pay are dominant in digital payment services, accounting for a combined 91% market share. In 2019, Alipay and WeChat started allowing the use of foreign credit cards on their apps as Chinese regulators eased restrictions. A week later, an executive from Tencent said at a forum that the company would open wider its WeChat Pay system to international card organizations, such as Visa, starting in July.

Persons: Alipay, WeChat, ” Dennis Chang, Tencent, ”, Chen Qiru Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Mastercard, Ant Group, Visa, Club, Discover, World, Hangzhou, Alibaba, JCB, Greater China, “, Tencent Financial Technology, ”, People’s Bank of Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Tianjin, People’s Bank of China

☆ Olympic chief: Don't punish athletes for their govts' acts
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Asked about the participation of Russians and Belarusians at next year's Paris Summer Olympics, IOC President Thomas Bach said: "We have a mission to unite all the athletes of the world in a peaceful competition. We have the responsibility not to punish athletes for the acts of their governments." Bach said the IOC was in no hurry to decide on their participation, joking that the deadline was "before the Games." Bach presented the IOC's position as an attempt to safeguard athletes' rights. The IOC said it was confronted with the "irreconcilable positions" of Russia and Ukraine on the participation of Russians and Belarusians at the Games.

Persons: Thomas Bach, Bach, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Bernadette Baum Organizations: International Olympic Committee, IOC, Hangzhou, Games, Paris Olympics, Thomson Locations: LAUSANNE, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian

☆ Wimbledon 2023: Order of play on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sports category · July 8, 2023 · 5:24 PM UTCAthletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete at the Hangzhou Asian Games to help them earn points to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Organizations: Hangzhou, Games Locations: Russia, Belarus

☆ Gamers meet Games in inaugural Olympic Esports Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Edgar Su | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Workers set up the venue for the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in Singapore June 19, 2023. Building on the Olympic Virtual Series, the Olympic Esports Week is part of a drive under IOC President Thomas Bach to remain relevant to young people and embrace technological advances. "We've launched the brand Olympic Esports, and Olympic Esports Week here in Singapore is the first ever - super excited about it." "But they're also sharing a lot of similar values, and the Olympic values, like friendship, respect and excellence are all part of both worlds. "In esports we can see the same synergies, we can see the same values, and this is what we want to see during this Olympic Esports Week."

Persons: Edgar Su SINGAPORE, Siti Zhwyee, wiling, Zhwyee, Thomas Bach, Vincent Pereira, We've, Pereira, they're, Edgar Su, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Workers, Olympic, REUTERS, Elite, Convention, Exhibition, Ubisoft, Reuters, International Olympic Committee, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Suntec, esports, Hangzhou

☆ Indian police charge lawmaker with sexual harassment in case brought by female wrestlers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Rupam Jain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastav read out the charges at a court hearing in the capital New Delhi. A police source said last week more than 155 people have been questioned in the investigations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a member of parliament from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party. The investigations followed months of complaints by the country's top wrestlers, including several Olympic and Asian Games medallists. Amid mounting outrage, the wrestlers suspended their protest after Sports Minister Anurag Thakur promised a June 15 deadline to conclude the probe into Singh. Reporting by Rupam Jain; Writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan; editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Narendra Modi's, Atul Srivastav, Singh, Amit Shah, Anurag Thakur, Rupam Jain, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Wrestling Federation of India, Indian, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Games, Sports, Singh, Thomson Locations: Colonelgunj, DELHI, New Delhi

☆ Top Indian wrestler accuses government of silence over sexual harassment probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Rupam Jain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/7] Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat poses for a picture, after an interview with Reuters, at her residence in Sonipat, northern state of Haryana, India, June 10, 2023. REUTERS/Anushree FadnavisSONIPAT, India, June 10 (Reuters) - An Olympic wrestler on Saturday criticised the pace of a police inquiry into sexual harassment accusations against the chief of India's national wrestling body. Phogat is one of seven female athletes to have lodged a police case against Singh accusing him of sexually harassing them. Singh, who is also a federal lawmaker from Modi's ruling party, has denied allegations of making sexual advances, groping and threatening female athletes if they refused to meet him alone. Delhi Police have filed two cases against Singh, including one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Persons: Vinesh, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Narendra Modi's, Singh, Phogat, Modi, It's, Anurag Thakur, Thakur, Amit Shah, Rupam Jain, Amlan Chakraborty, Mike Harrison Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Wrestling Federation of India, Delhi Police, Sexual, Commonwealth Games, Olympic, Thomson Locations: Sonipat, Haryana, India, SONIPAT

☆ Indian wrestlers suspend protest after promise of swift probe of federation chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Rupam Jain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW DELHI, June 7 (Reuters) - India's top wrestlers said they had decided to suspend protests on Wednesday after the country's sports minister promised a swift probe of their federation chief who they accused six months ago of sexually harassing female athletes. The wrestlers have been camping in New Delhi for months seeking the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has denied the allegations. Singh, a six-time member of parliament, has been accused of sexually assaulting seven female athletes, including a minor. His lawyer rejected all the allegations levelled by the wrestlers and said Singh was cooperating with the police in the probe. It has also threatened to suspend WFI if it fails to hold a fresh election this month.

Persons: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Singh, Narendra Modi's, Bajrang Punia, Anurag Thakur, Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, . Sports Minister Thakur, Joanna Maranhao, Sakshi Dayal, Hritika Sharma, Bill Berkrot, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Wrestling Federation of India, Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Sports, Tokyo, . Sports Minister, Rights Alliance, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Thomson Locations: DELHI, New Delhi, Asian

CNN —It’s a city at the forefront of modern culture. CNNYouTube sensation Jaejae is perhaps the best-qualified person in Seoul to help understand this phenomenon and how it has come to pass. It is here where US and South Korean forces maintain a major base and where former US President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2019. Yet the worries that arise from it continue to dominate Korean life, with missile tests and the threat of war never feeling that far away. This patriotism, combined with pride in all things K-Pop, K-Drama and Newtro all go towards making Seoul a city like no other.

HONG KONG, May 8 (Reuters) - China wants to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to oppose the politicisation of sports, Premier Li Qiang said, amid demands on the sporting body to exclude athletes from Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. Premier Li made the comments at a meeting with IOC head Thomas Bach in Beijing over the weekend, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has already offered to let Russian and Belarusian athletes compete at the Asian Games in China this year. "Li said that China is willing to work together with the IOC to oppose the politicisation of sports and to make greater contribution to the Olympic movement," Xinhua reported. Bach said China plays an important role in maintaining world peace and promoting mutual development and IOC is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to promote the development of the Olympic movement.

☆ This Asian MMA promotion wants to crack the US market -- without the blood and trash-talking
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Could 2023 be the year mixed-martial arts (MMA) in the United States finally returns to its pure, humble beginnings nurtured in Asia nearly 5,000 years ago? “I can’t wait for the US fans to be exposed to true martial arts. Fighting on American soil, it’s amazing to be able to headline this landmark event,” said the former longtime UFC champion, who joined One in 2018. Courtesy Aaron Pan/ONE ChampionshipWhat “true martial arts” means in new-era combat sports is certainly up for interpretation. That’s more true to the spirit of martial arts and its traditional values.

☆ Two Cambodians held on rare royal insults charge after Facebook posts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They were arrested on Tuesday over their posts about a photograph of King Sihamoni and Hun Sen standing together at a torch relay ceremony for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games. Neither Yim Sinorn or Hun Kosal nor their legal representatives could immediately be reached for comment. Yim Sinorn later posted on Facebook that he had deleted what he wrote about the king and Hun Kosal said he respected the king and would promote the royal family. Hun Sen in comments on his official Facebook page about the arrests and before the men were charged said: "This is an insulting act that cannot be tolerated or excused." He had denied the charges he was conspiring with the United States to overthrow Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades.

☆ India 'seriously' considering bid for 2036 Games - sports minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW DELHI, Dec 28 (Reuters) - India is "seriously" considering a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, sports minister Anurag Thakur said. The world's second-most populous nation has previously hosted the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, and Thakur told the Times of India newspaper it was the "right time" to host the Olympics. "India is looking very seriously at bidding for the 2036 Olympics," Thakur added. Germany is considering whether to launch another Olympic bid despite strong domestic opposition. New Delhi hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982 and the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

SEOUL, Dec 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's military got a new recruit on Tuesday: Jin, the oldest member of K-pop phenomenon BTS, began 18 months of mandatory national service, complete with newly shaven head. "I wish it was a warm day," Lee Jin, 24, told Reuters outside the camp, where about 300 military, police and fire officials maintained tight security. BTS announced plans in October to sign up for mandatory military service, starting with Jin, who turned 30 on Dec. 4, after having postponed his service for the maximum time allowed. On Tuesday, Yonhap news agency said another BTS member, Suga, has been judged unfit for active duty and would do community service instead. South Korea's defence minister has said BTS would be able to perform overseas while in the military.

☆ K-pop star BTS member Jin to begin military service on Dec. 13 - report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Jin, the oldest member of the K-pop band BTS, will begin his mandatory military service on Dec. 13, South Korean newspaper Aju Business Daily reported on Thursday, citing unnamed military authorities. Spokespeople for BTS' agency, HYBE, and the South Korean Ministry of Defense declined to confirm the report. After years of uncertainty, the group announced in October it would go on mandatory military service, starting with Jin. The group plans to pursue individual projects and reunite in 2025 after all had served, HYBE said at the time. South Korea's defence minister has suggested BTS could still perform overseas while serving in the military.

☆ Vietnam will stick to target to keep inflation under control, PM says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Khanh Vu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam will stick to its target to keep inflation under control and ensure macroeconomic stability, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Saturday, as the economy faces fresh challenges. The central bank has this year raised its policy rates by a combined 200 basis points and allowed the dong currency to weaken against dollar. Vietnam’s stock market has fallen by more than 20% while the dong currency has lost 6% against dollar over the past three months. “It’s getting more difficult to manage the macro economy,” Chinh said. He said Vietnam will consider raising the national fuel storage capacity and domestic fuel production to avoid future fuel shortages.

☆ K-pop stars BTS to serve military duty
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Oct 17 (Reuters) - K-pop boy band BTS will go off on mandatory military service, starting shortly with oldest member Jin, their agency said on Monday. Since their 2013 debut, BTS have became a worldwide sensation with their upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering youth. All other members will also serve the mandatory military duty according to their respective plans, it added. BTS announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, raising questions about the band's future. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Tom Hogue and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Saudi Arabia just won a bid for the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The $500 billion city they're set to be hosted in doesn't exist yet.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Saudi Arabia is set to become the first country in West Asia to host the Winter Asian Games. But, like the rest of Neom, Trojena doesn't exist yet; it's slated to be completed in 2026, per the AFP. Neom, Saudi Arabia, on January 12, 2021. The Asian Winter Games are held every four years. Saudi Arabia stands to be the first West Asian country to host the event, which was most recently held in Sapporo, Japan, in 2017.

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