LONDON: From Thailand to India, countries have told people not to make April Fools' Day pranks related to COVID-19, with some threatening jail time as they seek to prevent the spread of rumours which could put lives at risk. Tech giant Google, which is famous for its annual spoofs, has cancelled the tradition because of the pandemic which has killed about 40,000 people worldwide. Thailand said on Tuesday (Mar 31) that April Fools' Day jokes about the virus could be punished under a law carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison. "It's against the law to fake having COVID-19 this April Fools' Day," the government said on Twitter. READ: Fake cures, risky rumours - COVID-19 misinformation hits home Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen took to Facebook to tell people not to prank about the virus, adding that anyone spreading rumours or false information could face up to three years in jail and/or a fine of up to NT$3 million (US$99,200). In India, Maharashtra state's … [Read more...] about Countries threaten jail for April Fools’ Day jokes about COVID-19
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China says Taiwan pineapple ban not about politics as war of words escalates
BEIJING — China on Monday denied accusations by Taiwan that a ban on pineapples from the island was about politics, saying it was purely a matter of biosecurity, in an escalating war of words that has added to existing tensions. China announced the ban last week, citing “harmful creatures” it said could come with the fruit, threatening China’s own agriculture. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, says there is nothing wrong with its pineapples and that Beijing is using the fruit as another way to coerce the island. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said the decision was “totally rational and necessary” and that customs had a responsibility to prevent diseases carried by plants from entering the country. “The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have deliberately misrepresented and maliciously interpreted technical issues, taking the opportunity to attack and discredit the mainland,” it said, referring to Taiwan’s ruling party. The DPP has neither the will … [Read more...] about China says Taiwan pineapple ban not about politics as war of words escalates