China police smash $30 million fake Lego ring

Beijing: Chinese police have dismantled a ring accused of manufacturing some $ 30 million worth of counterfeit Lego sold across the country, authorities said. Police earlier this week raided the premises of Lepin - a Chinese toymaker manufacturing Lego knockoffs in the southern city of Shenzhen - arresting four people, Shanghai police said on Friday."In October 2018, the Shanghai police found that Lepin building blocks available on the market were extremely similar to that of Lego," the statement said.  AFP

British 9-yr-old girl sends $3 to Notre Dame appeal

London:  A nine-year-old British girl sent $3 to the Fondation du Patrimoine, one of the four organisations tasked by the French government with collecting donations for  the reconstruction of the Notre Dame after fire ravaged the Paris cathedral earlier this month. "Dear people of France and Paris. My name is Caitlyn, and I am 9 years old, I live in England," Caitlyn Handley wrote in a letter to the foundation. Ians

Hollywood producer's sexual assault trial deferred 

New YORK:   The sexual assault trial of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein will take place on September 9, three months later than expected, a New York judge said Friday.  Weinstein -- a catalyst for the #MeToo anti-harassment movement-- has been charged over the alleged assaults of two women and faces life in prison if he is convicted at the trial, which could last for five weeks. AP