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September
UK PM Johnson to address parliament on COVID-19, BBC reporter says
Written by nuke
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at a news conference in Downing Street, in London, Britain, September 7, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville -
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address parliament and hold a news conference on Tuesday (Sep 14) about how to manage COVID-19 through the winter, a BBC reporter said on Saturday.
"The prime minister is expected to address both parliament and a news conference on Tuesday about the government's plan for managing Covid through the autumn and winter," BBC reporter Chris Mason said on Twitter.
"Officials are exploring contingency plans for what might become necessary if pressure on hospitals in England were to grow, such as the use of facemasks or working from home if possible."//CNA
September
Thousands of Catalans rally for independence in Barcelona
Written by nuke
People hold up Esteladas (Catalan separatist flag) during the National Day Catalonia, called 'La Diada', in Barcelona, S 2021. REUTERS/Albert Gea -
Thousands of Catalans chanted, sang and waved flags as they marched through Barcelona on Saturday (Sep 11), calling for the region's independence from Spain.
The march, organised by the grassroots Assemblea Nacional Catalana [ANC], was the first since Spain's government pardoned nine Catalan separatist leaders who had been jailed for their role in a 2017 botched bid for independence, which was Spain's biggest political crisis in decades.
Most marchers wore face coverings. Police said about 108,000 people took part. ANC put the figure close to 400,000.
The figure was lower than in 2019, when about 600,000 marched, and last year, when only small static protests were organised to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
Some of the nine pardoned politicians and activists attended Saturday's protests. In Catalonia, Sept. 11 marks La Diada, the anniversary of the fall of Barcelona to Spanish forces in 1714 and it has been marked in the past decade by separatist rallies.
"For the first time in four years, nine very special people have participated in La Diada again. The political prisoners are back on the streets," said ANC chairwoman Elisenda Paluzie.
Cultural activist Jordi Cuixart, who was among those jailed, urged the crowd to continue to fight for independence.
"Those who ask us to turn the page and do not want us to fight for self-determination... What is Spain's plan for Catalonia? None. Only repression and more repression," he said.
The protests took place at a moment of lower tension between Barcelona and Madrid than in past years as the central and regional governments favour dialogue despite their opposing views on independence.
The central and regional governments are expected to meet next week in Barcelona to resume talks on Catalonia's political conflict, which have been suspended since Feb 2020.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has not confirmed yet whether he will attend, and the talks risk being overshadowed by a recent clash between both governments related to Barcelona's airport.
The Spanish government has said it is cancelling a proposed 1.7-billion-euro (US$2-billion) investment to expand the airport, saying it lacked backing from regional authorities who have questioned its potential environmental impact while accusing Madrid of acting dishonestly//CNA
September
Polish medics march to demand better pay and health system reforms
Written by nuke
Polish medics march to demand higher health spending, in Warsaw, Poland September 11, 2021. Slawomir Kaminski/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS -
Thousands of Poland's healthcare workers marched through the streets of Warsaw on Saturday (Sep 11), demanding better pay and conditions as the country braces for a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many medical staff say coronavirus has laid bare failings in the country's health system and that careers in the sector are not attractive due to low wages and high levels of stress.
"We want decent jobs and wages ... I work now for about 500 hours a month, not for money, but because there is no one to work," said 41-year-old paramedic Wojciech Zdanowski.
Brandishing banners with slogans such as "Together for the good of patients" and "Sick country", nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and ambulance staff, many in uniform, gathered near the Supreme Court before marching through the centre of the capital.
Their demands include higher wages, hiring more administrative and support staff and steps to protect against physical and verbal aggression.
Poland's Health Minister Adam Niedzielski has dismissed the demands as too costly and unrealistic, involving an increase of around 105 billion zlotys (US$27.31 billion) that would push health spending to over 10per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
"Let's be serious, if at this moment we have a budget for health that is 120 or 130 billion zlotys and there is a demand to increase that by 100 billion... it goes completely beyond the bounds of good sense and reason," Niedzielski told private broadcaster Radio Zet on Friday.
In January 2020 a doctor with a specialisation earned on average almost 14,000 zlotys a month before tax, while nurses earned between 5,700 and 6,600 zlotys, according to health ministry data cited by daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.
Poland, a country of around 38 million, has so far reported 2,893,173 cases of the coronavirus and 75,425 deaths//CNA
September
Thousands protest new Turkish COVID-19 vaccine and test rules
Written by nuke
A boy holds a placard as anti-vaccine demonstrators wave Turkish flags during a protest against official coronavirus d related mandates, including vaccinations, tests and masks, in Istanbul, Turkey September 11, 2021. REUTERS/Murad Sez -
More than 2,000 Turks demonstrated in Istanbul on Saturday (Sep 11) against official coronavirus-related mandates including vaccinations, tests and masks, responding to new government measures and an inoculation push.
In Turkey's largest such protest, mostly maskless people shouted slogans, held placards and Turkish flags, and sang songs in defence of what they called individual rights, echoing anti-vaccine rallies in some other countries.
"This pandemic is just going on with even more restrictions on our freedoms and there's no end to it," said Erdem Boz, 40, a software developer. "Masks, vaccines, PCR tests might all become mandatory. We're here to voice our discontent with this."
On Monday the government began requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for all users of intercity planes, buses and trains, as well as for those attending large events such as concerts or theatre performances.
All unvaccinated school employees are required to take a PCR test twice per week. Masks and social distancing are required in public.
Some 64 per cent of Turks have received two vaccine shots under a national programme that has administered more than 100 million jabs.
Still, about 23,000 new cases emerge daily, prompting the health minister, Fahrettin Koca, to warn this month of "a pandemic of the unvaccinated".
On Saturday, Koca said on Twitter: "Vaccines are the final solution! Rules are very necessary."
Protesters attending the government-approved rally in Istanbul's Maltepe district were not required to show proof of vaccination nor a negative test, according to Reuters witnesses. Police did not intervene.
"We're against all these mandates," said Aynur Buyruk Bilen, of the so-called Plandemic Resistance Movement. "I think that the vaccines aren't complete, and that it's an experimental liquid."
Turkey's top trending Twitter hashtag was: "Maltepe is everywhere, resistance is everywhere"//CNA
September
Afghan women wearing full face veils sat in rows at a Kabul university lecture theatre on Saturday (Sep 11), pledging commitment to the Taliban's hardline policies on gender segregation -
Afghan women wearing full face veils sat in rows at a Kabul university lecture theatre on Saturday (Sep 11), pledging commitment to the Taliban's hardline policies on gender segregation.
About 300 women - covered head-to-toe in accordance with strict new dress policies for education - waved Taliban flags as speakers railed against the West and expressed support for the Islamists' policies.
A handful wore blue burqas, which have only a small mesh window to see from, but most wore black niqabs covering most of the face apart from the eyes. Many also wore black gloves.
Women's rights in Afghanistan were sharply curtailed under the Taliban's 1996-2001 rule, but since returning to power last month they have claimed they will implement a less extreme rule.
This time, women will be allowed to attend university as long as classes are segregated by sex or at least divided by a curtain, the Taliban's education authority has said.
They must also wear an abaya robe and niqab.
The women, who organisers said were students, listened to a series of speeches at Shaheed Rabbani Education University in the capital, Kabul.
Large Taliban flags flanked the podium, as the female speakers criticised women who have protested across Afghanistan in recent days.
They also defended the new government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which has banned demonstrations unless permission is granted by the justice ministry.
Daud Haqqani, director of foreign relations at the education ministry, said the protest was organised by the women, who had asked and been granted permission to demonstrate.
The public demonstration was in stark contrast with scenes in Kabul and elsewhere earlier in the week, when Taliban fighters fired into the air to disperse a number of protests against their rule, shooting two people dead.
"Women who left Afghanistan cannot represent us," one pro-Taliban banner on Saturday read.
"We are satisfied with attitude and behaviour of Mujahideens (Taliban)" read another.
The Taliban say they want to distance themselves from the harsher policies of old, when half the population was excluded from work and education.
Under new rules, women may work "in accordance with the principles of Islam", the Taliban have decreed, but few details have yet been given as to what that exactly might mean//CNA
September
New nursery for coastal trees launched at Pulau Ubin as part of efforts to enhance habitats
Written by nuke
The new coastal arboretum at Pulau Ubin will house around 500 trees from more than 70 native coastal species. (Photo: Facebook/NParks) -
A new nursery for planting and growing coastal trees was launched at Pulau Ubin on Saturday (Sep 11) as part of efforts to rejuvenate the island's coasts.
The coastal arboretum will showcase about 500 trees from around 70 native species. They include the critically endangered Sea Tristania and Damak-damak Tahun, which was presumed extinct in Singapore until it was rediscovered at Coney Island in 2014.
The plants in the arboretum will later be reintroduced to the coasts of Pulau Ubin as part of ongoing habitat enhancement efforts.
"It will supplement other habitat enhancement projects on mainland Singapore as well," said the National Parks Board (NParks). "This includes the reintroduction of coastal native plants at parks such as Coney Island Park."
Located at Ubin Living Lab, a 5.3ha facility for field studies, the new arboretum will serve as a valuable reference resource for students and researchers studying Pulau Ubin’s biodiversity, said NParks.
“NParks will work with various school or interest groups to implement environmental education programmes as well,” it added.
“These activities will encourage greater community involvement in conserving the island’s rustic charm, while nurturing a deeper appreciation and understanding of its rich biodiversity.”
NParks also said two new insects were discovered in the mangroves of Pulau Ubin in 2018 and 2019.
One of them is a new species of Sepsid fly, whose larvae are scavengers that live in dung.
The insect – which was previously thought to be another fly due to its physical resemblance – was determined to be not only a new species, but a genus or category new to science, said NParks.
The other insect, the Long-Legged Fly, is predatory and feeds on other smaller insects such as sandflies and midges.
“It shows that after all these years, we are still finding new wildlife on the island, underscoring the importance of biodiversity conservation,” said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee at the launch event.
NParks added that these findings will enable it to update Pulau Ubin’s biodiversity baseline data and its species inventory. This will contribute towards “developing better management strategies for the island and planning for future research, habitat enhancement and species recovery projects”.
The agency also announced it will reforest nine sites across Pulau Ubin this year.
They include Balai Quarry South, Bukit Surau, Chek Jawa Wetlands, Jalan Jelutong, Kekek Quarry and Ketam Mountain Bike Park.
These sites were previously used for granite mining, aquaculture, agriculture and settlements, and have since been abandoned.
Many of the sites are also covered with non-native invasive plant species and do not support a high diversity of wildlife, said NParks//CNA
September
French rescue 126 migrants attempting Channel crossing
Written by nuke
File photo of smugglers walk back after embarking migrants on boat on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France on Sep 22, 2020. (Photo: AFP) -
French maritime officials rescued 126 migrants attempting to cross the Channel to Britain as tensions escalated over record arrivals on England's southern coast.
At least 14,100 people have now crossed the Channel to the UK on small boats this year, according to Britain's domestic Press Association news agency - around 6,000 more than for the whole of 2020.
A record 828 people crossed over from France on a single day in late August, as traffickers took advantage of favourable late-summer weather.
French maritime authorities said Saturday (Sep 11) that a first vessel transporting 43 people, including six women and two babies, was intercepted by a patrol boat after encountering problems.
Forty migrants were rescued in another operation.
Another 43 were picked up from the Channel waters after sending out a distress signal.
France has a policy of not intercepting or turning back migrant boats unless they ask for help, and instead escorts them to British waters.
That has stoked anger in Brexit-supporting sections of the British media and the government in London, who accuse France of shirking its responsibilities.
Illegal Channel crossings have ballooned since the end of 2018 despite repeated warnings by French authorities of the perilous journey, fraught with heavy maritime traffic, icy waters and strong currents.
Since 2018, French authorities have confirmed 11 deaths and three people are missing//CNA
September
The coronavirus pandemic shuttered cinemas across the world -
Disney announced Friday (Sep 10) that all of its films slated for release by the end of the year will be exclusively screened in cinemas first, bringing relief to theaters anxious to reconnect with audiences after the coronavirus pandemic devastated their industry.
The animated film Encanto will be released on the big screen on Nov 24 and will not appear on Disney's on-demand video platform until Dec 24, the company said in a statement.
Other planned projects, including The Last Duel by Ridley Scott, Eternals by Marvel Studios and West Side Story by Steven Spielberg, will be screened in theaters for at least 45 days before they are released elsewhere.
The decision was eagerly awaited by traditional cinemas after the entertainment giant recently chose to release a series of big productions such as Black Widow, Jungle Cruise and Cruella on its Disney+ platform, diverting part of their revenue.
Black Widow actor Scarlett Johansson has sued Disney, accusing the company of breach of contract and costing her millions of dollars in box office revenue after it released the film on its video platform.
Two years ago, Disney was producing content for both theaters and television channels, but it now has direct access to its audience via streaming, a trend accelerated by the pandemic.
In mid-August, Disney boss Bob Chapek said he favoured "flexibility" and the ability to "follow the consumer wherever he goes".
During a presentation of the company's financial results, he said "when theaters reopened, there was immense reluctance from the public to return".
Warner Bros studios has also been heavily criticised for its decision to release all of its new movies for the rest of the year on its HBO Max platform//CNA
September
New Zealand COVID-19 cases rise, denting optimism over outbreak
Written by nuke
FILE PHOTO: A normally busy road is deserted during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Auckland, New Zealand, August 26, 2021. REUTERS/Fiona Goodall -
New Zealand said on Saturday (Sep 11) it detected 23 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, denting optimism that the country was on course to eradicate the virus once more.
The new infections, all in the epicentre of Auckland, were up from the 11 cases detected a day earlier.
"This does serve as a strong reminder of the importance of following the COVID-19 alert level rules wherever you are, and to get tested if you have any symptoms or have been at a location of interest at the specified times," New Zealand's Ministry for Health said in an emailed statement.
About 1.7 million people living in Auckland remain in a strict level 4 lockdown, while curbs were eased in the rest of the country earlier this week.
The government will decide on Monday whether the lockdown in Auckland would be eased or extended//CNA
September
Australia's Queensland state warns of possible COVID-19 lockdown
Written by nuke
A man walks past signage at a COVID-19 vaccination hub at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane on Aug 17, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Patrick Hamilton) -
Australia's third most populous state said on Saturday (Sep 11) it may order a snap lockdown after a cluster of COVID-19 cases, as the country posted a record one-day rise in daily infections.
Queensland state, home to more than 5 million people, said it had detected five new infections in the past 24 hours after a family tested positive for COVID-19. The next few days would be critical to see if a lockdown was warranted, authorities said.
"If we start seeing any seeding, then we may have to take very quick, fast action. But at the moment, it’s contained to the family," said state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The family lives in Brisbane, the state's capital. It was not clear whether a lockdown would be limited to some parts of the state like previous orders.
New South Wales, home to Sydney and Australia's most-populous state, is under lockdown as are the cities of Melbourne and Canberra. A lockdown for Queensland would be another blow to Australia's A$2 trillion (US$1.5 trillion) economy, which could slip into a second recession in as many years.
Australia on Saturday posted 2,077 infections, surpassing the previous day's record of 1,903. New South Wales, which has been under strict stay-at-home orders for nearly three months, said it detected 1,599 new infections.
Authorities warned people on Saturday to continue social distancing, but hot weather across Sydney saw scores of people head to the beach.
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said police would be out checking whether people were within 5km of their homes, as permitted under emergency rules.
Police and military personnel have for weeks been patrolling the streets of Sydney, issuing fines to those contravening health orders, such as wearing masks.
One person fined was former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who confirmed on Saturday he had been ordered to pay A$500 after being pictured not wearing a mask.
"I believe that I was well within the law, reasonably interpreted. But I'm not going to challenge the fine because I don't want to waste the police's time any further," Abbott told reporters in Sydney.
"I never thought that dobbing and snitching was part of the Australian character and I think that the sooner we can leave this health police-state mindset behind us, the better for everyone."
In neighbouring Victoria, authorities reported 450 new locally acquired cases, the biggest one-day rise in locally acquired cases in more than a year.
Australia has now recorded nearly 73,000 COVID-19 cases and a death toll of 1,084//CNA