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August
Blast in Afghan capital as Taliban claim attack on minister's compound
Written by Nur Yasmin
A blast near the office of Afghanistan's main security agency wounded three people on Wednesday hours after a bomb and gun attack on a minister's compound brought surging Taliban violence to the capital.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the late Tuesday car bomb and gun attack on the home of acting Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi. The was no immediate claim for the Wednesday blast.
Mohammadi survived the attack on his compound in a heavily fortified part of Kabul but the violence was a stark illustration of the deterioration in security as U.S.-led foreign forces complete their withdrawal and the insurgents seize swathes of territory.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said his group targeted the minister's residence as an important meeting was underway there.
Government forces battled the attackers for more than four hours and the Ministry of Interior said at least eight civilians were killed and 20 wounded.
The explosion on Wednesday near a facility of the National Directorate of Security wounded two civilians and a security official, police said.
The Taliban have stepped up their campaign to defeat the U.S.-backed government since April as foreign forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years of war.
Fighting has been particularly heavy around the city of Herat, near the western border with Iran, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south.
An Afghan military spokesman said an emergency had been declared in Lashkar Gah and government forces were getting reinforcements and U.S. air support.
"Special forces have been sent to the area. They are in good morale," armed forces spokesman General Ajmal Omar Shinwari told Reuters.
The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a huge blow for the government, which has pledged to defend strategic centers after losing many rural districts to the Taliban in recent months.
Scores of families have fled from their homes in the small city, capital of Helmand province, as government forces launched a counterattack against the Taliban.
The United Nations reported on Tuesday that at least 40 civilians had been killed in Lashkar Gah in the previous 24 hours.
Taliban fighters had taken control of some radio and TV stations in the city and were moving into homes to stop people from helping government forces, residents said. (Reuters)
August
Japan warns of unprecedented COVID spread as Tokyo cases hit new record
Written by Nur Yasmin
Japan warned on Wednesday that coronavirus infections were surging at an unprecedented pace as new cases hit a record high in Tokyo, overshadowing the Olympics and adding to doubts over the government's handling of the pandemic.
The Delta variant was leading to a spread of infections "unseen in the past", Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said as he defended a new policy of asking patients with milder symptoms to isolate at home rather than going to the hospital.
"The pandemic has entered a new phase ... Unless we have enough beds, we can't bring people to the hospital. We're acting pre-emptively on this front," Tamura told parliament.
But he signaled the chance of rolling back the policy, as the decision to ask some sick people to stay at home has drawn criticism from medical experts as putting lives at risk.
"If things don't turn out as we expect, we can roll back the policy," Tamura said, adding the policy shift was a move to deal with the unexpectedly fast spread of the new variant.
Japan has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Tokyo reported a record 4,166 new cases on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Monday only COVID-19 patients who were seriously ill and those at risk of becoming so would be hospitalised, while others isolate at home, a shift in policy some fear may lead to an increase in deaths.
Officials of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have agreed to seek a withdraw of the policy, the Jiji news agency reported on Wednesday, joining similar calls made by opposition lawmakers.
The outcry is another setback for Suga, who has seen support plunge over his handling of the pandemic ahead of general elections to be held this year.
Polls have shown many Japanese people opposed to holding the Olympics while the country lagged in efforts to contain the pandemic and vaccinate the population.
Suga and Olympics organizers have said there is no link between the July 23-Aug. 8 Games and the spike in cases.
But top medical adviser Shigeru Omi told parliament hosting the Games may have affected public sentiment and eroded the impact of government requests for people to stay home.
Imposing a nationwide state of emergency could be an option to deal with the pandemic, he said. States of emergency are already in place in several prefectures, as well as Tokyo.
"Political leaders are sending out messages to the public in earnest but probably not as strongly and consistently as hoped," Omi said. "We're seeing COVID-19 clusters emerge more broadly including at schools and offices," he said. (Reuters)
August
The Aggravating State Of Human Rights In Jammu and Kashmir
Written by Muhammad Hassan
Nelson Mandela once said, “to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”. This is what is happening in the Illegally Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIO&JK) for the last 74 years.
The Jammu and Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India has been on the agenda of the UN Security Council since 1948. It remains an internationally recognized dispute, as affirmed by the relevant Security Council resolutions. Despite the solemn commitments made by the Government of India in numerous official communications to the Security Council, to Pakistan, to other states, and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to abide by and implement the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, India has reneged on these commitments over the years.
The Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) has a long and tragic history of massive human rights abuses by Indian occupying forces, who for seven decades have been committing atrocities with complete impunity. Today, the IIOJ&K is the most militarized part of the world, where close to a million security forces have been deployed to curb the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination.
A new chapter in the repression of Kashmiris at the hand of Indian authorities was opened on 5th August 2019, when India's BJP government stripped Kashmiris of the special autonomy, they had for seven decades by repealing Articles 370 and 35 A of its constitution, to change illegally and unilaterally the status of IIOJ&K and further pave the way for demographic changes in the valley with an aim to turn the indigenous Muslim population in to a minority.
What has followed is the worst human rights situation in the history of Jammu and Kashmir dispute with two years of uninterrupted and brutal military siege and crackdown. The deployment of additional 180,000 paramilitary troops, has turned the territory in to world’s biggest open-air prison. This was accompanied by a huge security clampdown in the occupied territory, media blockade, extrajudicial killing, fake encounters, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, communication blackout including shutdown of internet and telephone services, an excruciating curfew. Through its illegal and unilateral actions of August 2019 and illegitimate domicile laws, India has been acting in direct contravention of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law including the 4th Geneva convention.
Since August 2019, there has been no letup in the worsening humanitarian situation in IIOJ&K. Two years into siege, hundreds of political leaders, including pro-Indian political figures remain detained, thousands of young men and children, political activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers have been denied the right to offer Friday and Eid prayers, in utter violations of their fundamental rights.
Despite calls to ease up the restrictions, the India authorities also callously exploited the Covid-19 crisis to further advance its unlawful occupation. The corona virus has exacerbated the suffering of the Kashmiris condemning them to the precipice of a vast human tragedy. The prolonged siege in IIOJ&K has already depleted essential medical supplies in hospitals. Now with the coronavirus spreading rapidly, the hospitals are entirely incapable of meeting the public health crisis.
Post August 5, 2019, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed concerns over reports of restrictions on the Indian side of Kashmir, which could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region. The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) termed IIOJK as world’s largest prison.One of the most significant pronouncements on India’s systematic and widespread violations of human rights in Kashmir came from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who published two comprehensive reports in 2018 and 2019 on the despicable state of human rights in Kashmir repeatedly calling for establishment of a Commission of Enquiry to investigate gross systematic violations of the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Special Mandate Holders and Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council have also frequently urged India to ease restrictions in Kashmir and hold the perpetrators of these heinous crimes accountable.
In February 2021, two UN human rights experts Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, after concluding a two-day visit of the occupied valley, voiced their concern over India's decision to revoke occupied Kashmir's autonomy and enact laws that could curtail the political participation of Muslims and other minorities. They noted that that on August 5, 2019, India "unilaterally and without consultation" revoked the constitutional special status of the region and passed the so-called domicile rules in May 2020 which removed protections given to those from the occupied territory. They further pointed out that the legislative changes might have the potential to pave the way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to settle in the region, alter the demographics of the region and undermine the locals’ ability to effectively exercise their human rights.
On 30 July 2021, 16 European parliamentarians wrote a letter to the European Commission on the "humanitarian situation" in Indian-occupied Kashmir, urging the European Union to raise its voice on the issue and take action. Addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice President Josep Borrell, the letter said: "As a champion of universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule-based international order, the EU must raise its voice against the violations of human rights affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "We believe that the EU should use all its leverage and tools to cooperate with our Indian and Pakistani partners to honour the pledge made to the Kashmiris by the international community and create an environment conducive to the implementation of the United Nations resolutions." The lawmakers expressed the resolve to continue their engagements with Pakistani and Indian lawmakers as well as Kashmiri leaders "to impress upon them the urgent need to foster a climate of peace and dialogue in the region". The letter noted that it was "extremely important" for Kashmiris to be heard and granted the opportunity to decide their own future.
The lawmakers called on von der Leyen and Borrell to carry out the following actions on EU's behalf:
- Convey the "grave concern" over the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in IoK to the Indian government
- Take urgent action to address the "alarming" human rights situation in the region
- Contribute to peace and stability in the region by enhancing dialogue between India, Pakistan, and Kashmiri representatives through making use of "our special relationships with both India and Pakistan".
Pakistan has welcomed the letter by members of the European Parliament addressed to the president and vice president of the European Commission. Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry has said that the letter was “another demonstration of the continuing global censure of the ongoing human rights violations and humanitarian crisis in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir”. He said although India continuously peddled false propaganda in futile attempts to push the sham narrative of so-called normalcy in occupied Kashmir, the global censure and condemnation of the Indian atrocities in the valley continued. He further stated that India must realize that it cannot ignore the international community’s continuing calls to end its grave and systematic human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.
The international community, human rights organizations, media, and civil society have been vocal in their condemnation of India's unconcealed absolutism. Parliamentarians of major world powers have written to their leadership and moved resolutions, condemning India's actions. Major world leaders have stood by the Kashmiris. The United Nations Security Council has discussed the issue of Jammu Kashmir three times during the past two years after a gap of more than 55 years.
The above notwithstanding, the international community must do more and back its words with concrete actions for the innocent Kashmiri people who have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, corporal punishment, extrajudicial killings, digital lock down and end its siege in Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir continuing for over 24 months for a large part of the global population to continue to have faith in international justice. It is imperative that India is held accountable for his actions since 5th August 2019. The world community must press India to revoke all draconian laws, allow neutral observers, international human rights and humanitarian organizations and the international media to visit the occupier territory to ascertain the conditions of Kashmiri people and let the Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the UNSC resolutions. Pakistan will continue its unstinted support for the Kashmiri people until the achievement of their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with the UNSC resolution and as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The writer is Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia
August
The Aggravating State Of Human Rights In Jammu and Kashmir
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Jammu and Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India has been on the agenda of the UN Security Council since 1948. It remains an internationally recognized dispute, as affirmed by the relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Security Council has clearly delineated the principle that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
Despite the solemn commitments made by the Government of India in numerous official communications to the Security Council, to Pakistan, to other states, and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to abide by and implement the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, India has reneged on these commitments over the years.
The Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) has a long and tragic history of massive human rights abuses by Indian occupying forces, who for seven decades have been committing atrocities with complete impunity.
Today, the IIOJ&K is the most militarized part of the world, where close to a million security forces have been deployed to curb the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination.
After the cold-blooded murder of a popular young Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani in 2016, the Indian state terrorism against Kashmiris reached unprecedented levels with attendant consequences for human rights.
Taking serious note of these excesses, the UN human rights mechanisms, notably human rights organization, independent observers, parliamentary bodies, think tanks and international media took to report most extensively about the appalling state of human rights in IIOJ&K.
A new chapter in the repression of Kashmiris at the hand of Indian authorities was opened on 5th August 2019, when India's fascist BJP government stripped Kashmiris of the special autonomy, they had for seven decades by repealing Articles 370 and 35 A of its constitution, to change illegally and unilaterally the status of IIOJ&K and further pave the way for demographic changes in the valley with an aim to turn the indigenous Muslim population in to a minority.
August 5th, 2021 marks two years since India undertook illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJ&K in a bid to alter its internationally recognized disputed status and change its demographic structure. What has followed is the worst human rights situation in the history of Jammu and Kashmir dispute with two years of uninterrupted and brutal military siege and crackdown.
The deployment of additional 180,000 paramilitary troops, has turned the territory into the world’s biggest open-air prison. This was accompanied by a huge security clampdown in the occupied territory, media blockade, extrajudicial killing, fake encounters, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, communication blackout including the shutdown of internet and telephone services, an excruciating curfew.
Through its illegal and unilateral actions of August 2019 and illegitimate domicile laws, India has been acting in direct contravention of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law including the 4th Geneva convention.
Since August 2019, there has been no letup in the worsening humanitarian situation in IIOJ&K. Two years into siege, hundreds of political leaders, including pro-Indian political figures, remain detained, thousands of young men and children, political activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers have been denied the right to offer Friday and Eid prayers, in utter violations of their fundamental rights.
Despite calls to ease up the restrictions, the India authorities also callously exploited the Covid-19 crisis to further advance its unlawful occupation. The coronavirus has exacerbated the suffering of the Kashmiris condemning them to the precipice of a vast human tragedy.
The prolonged siege in IIOJ&K has already depleted essential medical supplies in hospitals. Now with the coronavirus spreading rapidly, the hospitals are entirely incapable of meeting the public health crisis.
Post-August 5, 2019, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concerns over reports of restrictions on the Indian side of Kashmir, which could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region. The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) termed IIOJK as the world’s largest prison.
One of the most significant pronouncements on India’s systematic and widespread violations of human rights in Kashmir came from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who published two comprehensive reports in 2018 and 2019 on the despicable state of human rights in Kashmir repeatedly calling for the establishment of a Commission of Enquiry to investigate gross systematic violations of the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Special Mandate Holders and Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council have also frequently urged India to ease restrictions in Kashmir and hold the perpetrators of these heinous crimes accountable.
In February 2021, two UN human rights experts Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, after concluding a two-day visit of the occupied valley, voiced their concern over India's decision to revoke occupied Kashmir's autonomy and enact laws that could curtail the political participation of Muslims and other minorities.
They noted that that on August 5, 2019, India "unilaterally and without consultation" revoked the constitutional special status of the region and passed the so-called domicile rules in May 2020 which removed protections given to those from the occupied territory.
They further pointed out that the legislative changes might have the potential to pave the way for people from outside Jammu and Kashmir to settle in the region, alter the demographics of the region and undermine the locals’ ability to effectively exercise their human rights.
On 30 July 2021, 16 European parliamentarians wrote a letter to the European Commission on the "humanitarian situation" in Indian-occupied Kashmir, urging the European Union to raise its voice on the issue and take action.
Addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice President Josep Borrell, the letter said: "As a champion of universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule-based international order, the EU must raise its voice against the violations of human rights affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We believe that the EU should use all its leverage and tools to cooperate with our Indian and Pakistani partners to honour the pledge made to the Kashmiris by the international community and create an environment conducive to the implementation of the United Nations resolutions."
The lawmakers expressed the resolve to continue their engagements with Pakistani and Indian lawmakers as well as Kashmiri leaders "to impress upon them the urgent need to foster a climate of peace and dialogue in the region".
The letter noted that it was "extremely important" for Kashmiris to be heard and granted the opportunity to decide their own future.
The lawmakers called on von der Leyen and Borrell to carry out the following actions on EU's behalf:
- Convey the "grave concern" over the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in IoK to the Indian government
- Take urgent action to address the "alarming" human rights situation in the region
- Contribute to peace and stability in the region by enhancing dialogue between India, Pakistan, and Kashmiri representatives through making use of "our special relationships with both India and Pakistan"
Pakistan has welcomed the letter by members of the European Parliament addressed to the president and vice president of the European Commission. Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry has said that the letter was “another demonstration of the continuing global censure of the ongoing human rights violations and humanitarian crisis in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir”.
He said although India continuously peddled false propaganda in futile attempts to push the sham narrative of so-called normalcy in occupied Kashmir, the global censure and condemnation of the Indian atrocities in the valley continued.
He further stated that India must realize that it cannot ignore the international community’s continuing calls to end its grave and systematic human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.
The international community, human rights organizations, media, and civil society have been vocal in their condemnation of India's unconcealed absolutism.
Parliamentarians of major world powers have written to their leadership and moved resolutions, condemning India's actions. Major world leaders have stood by the Kashmiris. The United Nations Security Council has discussed the issue of Jammu Kashmir three times during the past two years after a gap of more than 55 years.
The above notwithstanding, the international community must do more and back its words with concrete actions for the innocent Kashmiri people who have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, corporal punishment, extrajudicial killings, digital lockdown and end its siege in Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir continuing for over 24 months for a large part of the global population to continue to have faith in international justice. It is imperative that India is held accountable for its actions since 5th August 2019.
The world community must press India to revoke all draconian laws, allow neutral observers, international human rights and humanitarian organizations, and the international media to visit the occupier territory to ascertain the conditions of Kashmiri people and let the Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the UNSC resolutions.
Pakistan will continue its unstinted support for the Kashmiri people until the achievement of their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with the UNSC resolution and as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people. (The Embassy of Pakistan)
August
Top Japan medic urges nationwide state of emergency amid COVID surge
Written by Nur Yasmin
The head of the Japan Medical Association called on Tuesday for a nationwide state of emergency to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases in Olympics host city Tokyo and elsewhere, Kyodo news agency said, as worries grow about a strained healthcare system.
The call by JMA President Toshio Nakagawa followed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's announcement that only COVID-19 patients who are seriously ill and those at risk of becoming so will be hospitalised, while others isolate at home, a shift in policy some fear could boost the death toll.
Japan has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Tokyo, which had a record high of 4,058 new infections on Saturday, had another 3,709 new cases on Tuesday.
Tokyo hospitals are already feeling the crunch, Hironori Sagara, director of Showa University Hospital, told Reuters.
"There are those being rejected repeatedly for admission," he said in an interview. "In the midst of excitement over the Olympics, the situation for medical personnel is very severe."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters fewer elderly people, most already vaccinated, were getting infected.
"On the other hand, infections of younger people are increasing and people in their 40s and 50s with severe symptoms are rising," he said, adding some could not immediately get admitted to hospital.
Suga announced the change in hospital policy on Monday, saying the government would ensure people isolating at home can be hospitalised if necessary. Previous policy had focused on hospitalising a broader category of patients.
Suga and Olympics organisers say there is no link between the July 23-Aug. 8 Summer Games and the sharp increase in cases.
Medical experts, however, have said holding the Olympics sent a confusing message about the need to stay home, contributing to the rise.
Unlike the voluntary restrictions and low vaccination rates elsewhere in Japan, more than 80% of the people in the Olympic village in Tokyo for athletes and coaches are vaccinated, testing is compulsory and movement is curtailed.
Organisers on Tuesday announced 18 new Games-related COVID-19 cases, bringing the total since July 1 to 294.
'IN-HOME ABANDONMENT'
On Tuesday, Suga, meeting with heads of national medical groups, vowed to "protect people's lives".
"The spreading infections on a nationwide scale are approaching our biggest crisis since last year's first wave," Nakagawa said.
Some worry the hospital policy shift could lead to more deaths.
"They call it in-home treatment but it's actually in-home abandonment," opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Edano was quoted as saying by NHK public TV.
Japan on Monday expanded its state of emergency to include three prefectures near Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka. An existing emergency in Tokyo - its fourth since the pandemic began - and Okinawa is now set to last through Aug. 31.
Japan’s latest emergency steps, unlike stricter measures in many countries, have focused mainly on asking eateries that serve alcohol to close and those that don’t to close by 8 p.m.
The country has avoided a devastating outbreak of the virus, with about 941,000 total cases and just over 15,000 deaths as of Monday.
But it is now struggling to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant even as the public grows weary of mostly voluntary limits on activities and the vaccination rollout lags.
Just under 30% of the population is fully vaccinated, includingthree-quarters of those 65 and over.
Nearly 70% of hospital beds for seriously ill COVID-19 patients were filled as of Sunday, Tokyo data showed.
Showa University Hospital's Sagara said there was a difference between theoretically available beds and beds that could accept patients immediately.
"I think the latter is close to zero," he said, adding that if infections keep rising, hospitals will have to limit surgery and other non-COVID-19 treatments.
"We must avoid a situation in which the Olympics was held but the medical system collapsed," he said. "At present, infections are spreading quite a lot and if they spike further, (the Olympics) will be considered a failure."
According to health ministry guidelines, seriously ill patients are defined as those admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) or needing artificial respirators.
The Tokyo Shimbun newspaper said 12,000 patients were isolating at home, a 12-fold increase in the past month. (Reuters)
August
Sydney's ticket out of COVID lockdown? Six million shots
Written by Nur Yasmin
Australian authorities said they could ease a COVID-19 lockdown that demands Sydney's five million people stay home until the end of August if half the population is vaccinated, even as new infections linger near a 16-month high.
A lifting of restrictions in the country's most populous city and its surrounds in New South Wales state would be a boost for Prime Minister Scott Morrison, under intense pressure for his government's handling of the vaccine rollout, with the threat of a second economic recession in as many years looming.
New South Wales, which accounts for a third of all activity in Australia's A$2 trillion ($1.47 trillion) economy, has struggled to contain a surge of cases of the highly infectious Delta variant in Sydney despite the lockdown, currently due to be lifted on Aug. 29.
While the state on Tuesday reported another 199 locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours - near a 16-month high of 239 infections recorded in one day last week - Premier Gladys Berejiklian said curbs could be eased if six million people in New South Wales are vaccinated by the time the lockdown is due to end.
"Six million jabs is roughly half the population with at least one or two doses," Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney. "That gives us additional options as to what life looks like on 29 August."
Berejiklian didn't say exactly how many in New South Wales were fully vaccinated as of Tuesday, but said the state is on course to meet its vaccination target. She cautioned the number of people in the community while infectious would also need to come down.
Although Australia has largely kept its COVID-19 numbers relatively low, with just over 34,500 cases and 925 deaths, its national vaccination rollout has hit several roadblocks due to changing medical advice on AstraZeneca (AZN.L) doses over blood clot concerns and supply constraints for Pfizer (PFE.N) inoculation.
The target in New South Wales comes just days after national premier Morrison promised lockdowns would be "less likely" once the country inoculates 70% of its population above 16 years of age - a long way from the current 19% level. Morrison expects to hit the 70% mark by the end of the year.
On Tuesday Morrison rejected the idea of offering people financial incentives to boost vaccination rates.
"If [Australians] do have hesitancy about vaccine, I am not going to pay them off," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
The PM also released the modeling behind the national strategy which showed Australia would need to vaccinate seven in 10 people to control the spread of the virus without economically damaging lockdowns.
The modelling, by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, also called for younger Australians to be the next focus of the vaccine campaign.
Once vulnerable Australians were inoculated, "uptake by young adults (aged 16 and over) will strongly influence the impact of vaccination on overall transmission", notes published alongside the modelling said.
The lockdown of Sydney is expected to see the Australian economy shrink in the current quarter, and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned the length of the stay-at-home orders will determine whether a recession can be avoided.
Despite the ongoing threat to the economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday said it would stick with its plan to taper bond buying from September, contravening marketing expectations.
Meanwhile, Queensland state said on Tuesday it has reported 16 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number of new cases in a year. (Reuters)
August
UAE lifts ban on transit flights from India, Pakistan, other countries
Written by Nur Yasmin
The United Arab Emirates will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries from Aug. 5, the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Tuesday.
The UAE, a major international travel hub, has banned passengers from many South Asian and African countries for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.
Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.
The transit ban had also included Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.
NCEMA said that a ban on entry to the UAE for passengers from these countries would also be lifted for those with valid residencies and who are certified by Emirati authorities as fully vaccinated.
However, they would need to apply for online entry permits prior to travelling and would need to present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
Those working in the medical, educational or government sectors in the Gulf Arab state as well as those studying or completing medical treatment in the UAE would be exempt from the vaccination requirement as would humanitarian cases. (Reuters)
August
N.Korea wants sanctions eased to restart talks with U.S., S.Korea says
Written by Nur Yasmin
North Korea wants international sanctions banning its metal exports and imports of refined fuel and other necessities lifted before it restarts denuclearisation talks with the United States, South Korean lawmakers said on Tuesday.
The North has also demanded the easing of sanctions on its imports of luxury goods to be able to bring in fine liquors and suits, the lawmakers said after being briefed by Park Jie-won, head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), South Korea's main intelligence agency.
The briefing came a week after the two Koreas restored hotlines that North Korea suspended a year ago, the first hint in months that North Korea might be more responsive to engagement efforts.
"As a precondition to reopen talks, North Korea argues that the United States should allow mineral exports and imports of refined oil and necessities," Ha Tae-keung, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters, citing Park.
"I asked which necessities they want the most, and they said high-class liquors and suits were included, not just for Kim Jong Un's own consumption but to distribute to Pyongyang's elite," he said, referring to North Korea's leader.
North Korea's state-run media made no mention on Tuesday of any new request for the lifting sanctions to restart talks.
The U.N. Security Council has imposed a wide range of sanctions on North Korea for pursuing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes in defiance of U.N. resolutions. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006 and test-fired missiles capable of hitting the United States.
The United States, Japan and South Korea have also imposed their own sanctions on North Korea.
North Korea has not tested a nuclear weapon or its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) since 2017, ahead of a historic meeting in Singapore between Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018.
Trump had two subsequent meetings with Kim but without progress on getting the North to give up its nuclear and missile programmes in exchange for sanctions relief.
Kim Byung-kee, another South Korean legislator, said North Korea appeared to have "harboured discontent" with the United States for not offering concessions for the moratorium on nuclear and ICBM tests.
"The United States should be able to bring them back to dialogue by readjusting some sanctions," Kim said, citing Park.
'FLEXIBILITY ON EXERCISES'
A senior official in President Joe Biden's administration told Reuters in March that North Korea had not responded to behind-the-scenes diplomatic outreach.
After a review of North Korea policy, the U.S. administration said it would explore diplomacy to achieve the goal of complete denuclearisation of North Korea but would not seek a grand bargain with Kim.
Military exercises involving U.S. and South Korean forces, which North Korea sees as preparations for an invasion, could stymie any positive steps.
The North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo Jong, who has assumed a significant role in the administration, warned South Korea on Sunday that joint exercises with the United States would undermine a thaw between the two Koreas.
South Korean legislator Kim quoted Park as saying that the question of exercises had to be considered: "There's also a need to consider responding flexibly to South Korea-U.S. military exercises."
Legislator Ha said Kim Jong Un and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in had expressed a willingness to rebuild trust and improve ties since April and Kim had asked to reconnect the hotlines.
The lawmakers said North Korea needed of some 1 million tonnes of rice even after releasing reserves saved in case of war, as its economy had been battered by the coronavirus and bad weather last year.
South Korea's central bank said last week North Korea's economy suffered its biggest contraction in 23 years in 2020.
"They're running out of the reserves and banking on some 400,000 tonnes of summer crops including barley and potatoes they've just harvested," Kim Byung-kee said. (Reuters)
August
Malaysia's embattled PM says will discuss debate on emergency laws
Written by Nur Yasmin
Malaysia's prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Tuesday his cabinet would discuss holding a debate in parliament to repeal emergency virus laws, amid opposition calls to resign over allegations he disrespected the Southeast Asian country's king.
Muhyiddin has been under pressure from opposition parties to debate the move in parliament after his government initially revoked emergency laws, designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, without seeking prior consent from the palace.
"This proposal will be discussed in the cabinet meeting tomorrow, with the hope of resolving the polemics related to the repeal of the emergency ordinances in a harmonious and constitutional manner," Muhyiddin said in a statement.
The debate could be held during a scheduled parliamentary session in September, he added.
A debate in parliament on revoking the measures, which the government had previously said would not be necessary, could ease some of the pressure on Muhyiddin, who has governed with a razor-thin majority and led an unstable ruling coalition since coming to power in March 2020.
King Al-Sultan Abdullah, who imposed the emergency ordinances on the advice of Muhyiddin, issued a rare rebuke of the move, which he said ran counter to Malaysia's constitution, last Thursday.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim filed a no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin following the King's comments and on Monday, opposition lawmakers attempted to march on Malaysia's parliament building to demand Muhyiddin's resignation after he deferred a parliamentary sitting over COVID-19 concerns. read more
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy in which the much-revered king has a largely ceremonial role, carrying out his duties on advice from the prime minister and cabinet.
Some analysts say the monarch has discretion over whether an emergency should be declared, however. Consent from the king is also needed to name a prime minister. (Reuters)
August
New Zealand PM Ardern tests negative for COVID-19
Written by Nur Yasmin
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's COVID-19 test result is negative, a government spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.
Ardern had stepped back from her duties on Tuesday after picking up a "seasonal sniffle" from her three-year-old daughter. She had taken a COVID-19 test earlier in the day as a precautionary measure.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson stood in for Ardern and took on all her responsibilities for the day.
New Zealand is largely free of coronavirus and has had no cases in the community since February. (Reuters)