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March
'Milk Tea Alliance' activists across Asia hold rallies against Myanmar coup
Written by Nur Yasmin
Mar. 1 - Activists across Asia held rallies on Sunday to support protesters in Myanmar fighting against a military coup, showing the growing influence of cross-border youth movements pushing for democracy with the rallying cry “Milk Tea Alliance”.
Following a call for help from Myanmar pro-democracy campaigners, around 200 people in Taipei and dozens in Bangkok, Melbourne and Hong Kong took to the streets waving #MilkTeaAlliance signs and flags.
The hashtag, which originated as a protest against online attacks from nationalists in China, was used millions of times on Sunday. Its name originates from the shared passion for the milky drink in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.[L4N2FJ12F]
Activists in Indonesia and Malaysia held online protests and thousands more, from Southeast Asia and elsewhere, took part in a social media campaign, posting messages and artwork.
The rallies in Asia took place on the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations in Myanmar, after police fired on protesters, including in the country’s biggest city of Yangon, where some activists held their own “Milk Tea Alliance” signs. [L2N2KY00J]
At least 21 protesters have been killed since the military seized power and detained elected government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership on Feb. 1.
“When we see courageous people in Myanmar take to the streets, brave the water cannon, tear gas, batons and bullets, painful memories stir,” said Debby Chan, a Sino-Myanmar relations researcher who took part in a Hong Kong rally on top of city landmark Lion Rock.
“Hong Kong protesters also suffered from this in 2019,” she said. “Today we want to show our solidarity.”
Hong Kong campaigners climbed the small mountain and held #MilkTeaAlliance signs calling for an end to dictatorship in Myanmar.
Pro-democracy advocates say the budding pro-democracy pan-Asian solidarity coalition is now playing a consistent role in helping activists mobilize.
“Myanmar activists have been very active in engaging with Milk Tea Alliance since the coup,” said Thai activist Rathasat Plenwong who went to show his support for the Myanmar protests in Bangkok on Sunday.
“We feel like we’re in this together.” (Reuters)
February
Myanmar's UN ambassador vows to continue fighting after junta fires him
Written by nuke
Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun holds up the three-finger salute at the end of his speech in New York. (Photo: Reuters)
Myanmar's United Nations envoy in New York vowed to continue fighting on Saturday (Feb 27) after the junta fired him for urging countries to use "any means necessary" to reverse a Feb 1 coup that ousted the nation's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"I decided to fight back as long as I can," Kyaw Moe Tun told Reuters on Saturday.
Myanmar state television announced on Saturday that Kyaw Moe Tun had been fired for "betraying the country".
However, the United Nations does not officially recognise the junta as Myanmar's new government as it has received no official notification of any change, said a UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, and so Kyaw Moe Tun remains Myanmar's UN ambassador, for now.
"We have not received any communication concerning changes to the representation of Myanmar at the United Nations in New York," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, warned the 193-member UN General Assembly on Friday that no country should recognise or legitimise the Myanmar junta.
If the Myanmar junta, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, tries to seek international recognition by installing a new UN envoy it could set off a fight at the world body that could culminate with a vote at the General Assembly.
The UN has previously had to address competing claims for representation at the world body.
Elected lawmakers ousted in the coup have formed a committee and Kyaw Moe Tun said that is the "legitimate and duly elected government of Myanmar and must be recognised by the international community as such."
Guterres has pledged to mobilise international pressure "to make sure that this coup fails". The Security Council has voiced concern over the state of emergency, but stopped short of condemning the coup due to opposition by Russia and China//CNA
February
US authorises Johnson & Johnson's single-shot COVID-19 vaccine
Written by nuke
Johnson & Johnson's Janssen coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine - iHeart Radio
The United States on Saturday (Feb 27) authorised Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the nation a third shot to battle the outbreak that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.
The single-shot vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19, including against newer variants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said before approving it.
The FDA announced the emergency use authorisation for adults aged 18 and older following Friday's unanimous endorsement by the agency's panel of outside experts.
In large clinical trials, the vaccine's efficacy against severe disease was 85.9 per cent in the United States, 81.7 per cent in South Africa, and 87.6 per cent in Brazil.
Overall, among 39,321 participants across all regions, the efficacy against severe COVID-19 was 85.4 per cent, but it fell to 66.1 per cent when including moderate forms of the disease.
US President Joe Biden hailed the "exciting" announcement but warned the nation could not let its guard down.
"But we cannot let our guard down now or assume that victory is inevitable."
J&J expects to produce at least a billion doses of its vaccine in 2021 and has signed supply deals for most of that.
The United States agreed to pay more than US$1 billion for 100 million doses and may purchase an additional 200 million doses//CNA
February
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during a ceremony to mark the arrival of 200,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine shipment at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb 24, 2021 - Rappler
Thailand kicked off its COVID-19 inoculation campaign on Sunday (Feb 28), with ministers, health officials and medical professionals among the first in the queue to receive vaccinations.
The first doses of vaccine, developed by China's Sinovac Biotech, were given to Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the health minister, among others at an infectious diseases institute on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, 66, attended the event, although his age falls outside the range of 18 to 59 suitable to receive Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine, so he did not get it.
Thailand received its first 200,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China and 117,00 imported doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine this week.
CoronaVac has been distributed to 13 high-risk provinces, which will start injecting front-line health professionals and volunteers on Sunday, the health ministry has said.
AstraZeneca's vaccine will be ready for use by the second week of March, after going through quality control tests, the company said in a statement.
Thailand is expected to take delivery of a further 1.8 million doses of CoronaVac in March and April.
With a tally of just over 25,000 infections, Thailand has escaped the kind of fallout suffered by some other countries since the pandemic began last year//CNA
February
New Zealand's Auckland starts second COVID-19 lockdown this month
Written by nuke
New Zealand's Auckland starts second COVID-19 lockdown this month - The Guardian
Exactly one year after New Zealand recorded its first coronavirus case, the country's biggest city, Auckland, woke up on Sunday (Feb 28) to a second lockdown this month as health authorities try to rein in a cluster of the more contagious UK variant.
The seven-day lockdown of the city of nearly 2 million, announced late Saturday by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, was prompted by the case of a person who had been infectious for a week but had not been in isolation.
The lockdown follows a three-day stay-at-home order in mid-February after a local emergence of the UK variant of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. There are now about 14 cases linked to the cluster.Judith Collins, leader of the opposition, called for tougher penalties against those not following public health advice around isolation. "No one wants to be yo-yoing in and out lockdown," Collins said in a statement.
The new lockdown, with Level 3 restrictions, allows people to leave home only for essential shopping and essential work. Public venues will remain closed. Restrictions in the rest of the country will be tightened to Level 2, including limits on public gatherings.
The measures have complicated several high-visibility sporting events planned in Auckland.
The organisers of the America's Cup yacht race said on Sunday the head-to-head final between Italy and New Zealand that was to start Mar 6 was postponed to at least Mar 10.
Some social media users from around the world expressed dismay at the strong response that would lock down a large city over a single case, with one Twitter user writing, "They are insane."
However, swift public health measures often implemented in the past year, combined with aggressive contact tracing and border closure have been credited with making New Zealand highly successful in keeping the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.
New Zealand, with a population of 5 million, has recorded just over 2,000 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic and 26 deaths//CNA
February
Myanmar's UN ambassador appeals to world body for action to end military coup
Written by nuke
Myanmar's UN ambassador appeals to world body for action to end military coup - US News
Myanmar's UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, speaking for the country's elected civilian government ousted in a military coup on Feb 1, appealed to the United Nations on Friday (Feb 26) "to use any means necessary to take action against the Myanmar military" to restore democracy to the Southeast Asian country.
He addressed the 193-member UN General Assembly after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, warned that no country should recognise or legitimise the Myanmar junta and all efforts must be made to restore democracy."We need further strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people and to restore the democracy," Kyaw Moe Tun said to applause and praise from Western and Islamic counterparts.Schraner Burgener pushed for a collective "clear signal in support of democracy" as she sounded the alarm over the coup, urging "influential" countries to push the military to allow an independent assessment of the situation.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power and detained civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party after the military complained of fraud in a November election.
"Regrettably, the current regime has so far asked me to postpone any visit. It seems they want to continue making large-scale arrests and have been coercing people to testify against the NLD Government. This is cruel and inhumane," Schraner Burgener said.Guterres has pledged to mobilise enough international pressure "to make sure that this coup fails." The Security Council has voiced concern over the state of emergency, but stopped short of condemning the coup//CNA
February
Tokyo 2020 committee to pick at least 11 women to join board - media
Written by nuke
The Tokyo Olympics Chief, Seiko Hashimoto - Times Magazines
The Tokyo Olympic Organising Committee is expected to add at least 11 women to its board as it expands the panel to 45 from 35, Fuji Network News (FNN) said on Saturday, citing unidentified sources.
The news comes after comments on Wednesday by Seiko Hashimoto, head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, reiterating a goal for women to comprise 40per cent of the board.
With women now accounting for just seven, or 20per cent of the 34 places on the board, the appointment of 11 more would take their share to 40per cent.
Hashimoto replaced 83-year-old former prime minister Yoshiro Mori last week, following his resignation after a furore over sexist remarks about women.
The Olympics, delayed from last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, are set to run from July 23 to Aug. 8, and the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5//CNA
February
Climate Change ‘Grave Threat to Global Peace and Security’
Written by nuke
Climate Change ‘Grave Threat to Global Peace and Security’ - UN
The UK Prime Minister warned the UN Security Council this week that unless leaders take urgent action to tackle climate change, the world risks worsening conflict, displacement and insecurity.
He chaired a virtual session of the Council to call on members to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to the impact of climate change and take steps to cut global emissions to net zero by 2050. It was the first time a British Prime Minister has chaired the UNSC in nearly 30 years and the first leader-level discussion on climate at the Security Council. Both show the importance of the issue.
The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world, with the effects of rising temperatures and extreme weather forcing population movements and creating competition over increasingly scarce natural resources. Of the 20 countries ranked most vulnerable to rising global temperatures, 12 are already in conflict.
“The UNSC is tasked with confronting the gravest threats to global peace and security, and that’s exactly what climate change represents. From the communities uprooted by extreme weather and hunger, to warlords capitalising on the scramble for resources – a warming planet is driving insecurity.Unlike many issues the Council deals with, this is one we know exactly how to address. By helping vulnerable countries adapt to climate change and cutting global emissions to net zero, we will protect not only the bountiful biodiversity of our planet, but its prosperity and security.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said
Sir David Attenborough also spoke to the 15 members of the UNSC by video, before UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Sudanese climate activist Nisreen Elsaim briefed the Security Council live.
“If we bring emissions down with sufficient vigour we may yet avoid the tipping points that will make runaway climate change unstoppable. In November this year, at COP26 in Glasgow, we may have our last opportunity to make the necessary step-change. If we objectively view climate change and the loss of nature as world-wide security threats – as indeed, they are – then we may yet act proportionately and in time.” Sir David Attenborough explain.
The UK has led the way on climate action, committing in law to reach net zero by 2050 and pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68 per cent by 2030 - the steepest reduction of any major economy. UK have also pledged to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance over the next five years, including on efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable and fragile countries.
The Prime Minister is addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday (25/02/21) as part of the UK’s month-long presidency. The UK will also host a high-level Climate & Development Ministerial event on the 31st March with representatives from the countries most vulnerable to climate change around the world, as well as major donors and international institutions//UK Embassy realease
February
Papua New Guinea's Michael Somare, 'father of the nation', dies
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 26 - Papua New Guinea’s first prime minister, Michael Somare, has died aged 84, his daughter said on Friday.
Known as the “father of the nation”, Somare led the Pacific archipelago to independence from Australia in 1975 and served four times as prime minister.
He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early February, his daughter, Betha Somare, said in a statement.
She said many Papua New Guineans had embraced her father as their own “father and grandfather”.
Prior to independence, Somare was the chief minister of the Australian-administered territory of Papua New Guinea. He most recently served as the country’s leader briefly in 2011.
PNG is a mountainous and sprawling nation rich in resources and minerals, including oil and gas and gold and copper.
Linguistically diverse, it is one of the largest island economies in the South Pacific, although it has faced economic hardship and internal conflict, most notably during the decade-long civil war in the region of Bougainville that claimed as many as 20,000 lives before ending in 1998.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the former leader was now rested from the “pain and toils of life”.
“Our nation honors this great leader, the founding and longest serving prime minister of our country,” Marape said in a statement, appealing for a week of silence, peace and calm as the country pays its respects.
“He is unmatched by anyone of us who comes after him,” he added.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison wrote in a tweet on Friday that Somare was the founding father of a democratic and independent PNG and “great friend” to Australia. (Reuters)
February
U.S. concerned over Malaysia's deportation of Myanmar nationals
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 25 - The United States expressed concern over Malaysia’s deportation of nearly 1,100 Myanmar nationals and urged countries in the region to hold off on any repatriations in light of the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday. (Reuters)