VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Netanyahu eyes COVID-19 vaccine victory as Israel heads for fourth vote - AFP

Israel this month will hold its fourth election in under two years, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoping goodwill from a world-beating COVID-19 vaccination campaign can finally secure him an elusive majority government.

When Israelis last went to the polls a year ago, they delivered a result that had become familiar: Neither the right-wing Netanyahu nor his centrist challenger Benny Gantz had enough support to form the necessary 61-seat parliamentary majority.

Just weeks after the last election, Israel entered the first of three coronavirus lockdowns.

In May, Netanyahu and Gantz formed a unity government, declaring that the unprecedented health and economic threats from the pandemic required political stability.

Their coalition, which had been set to last three years, collapsed in December when Netanyahu's refusal to approve a 2021 Budget forced new elections, to be held Mar 23.

Netanyahu, Gantz, other political leaders and voters have all expressed frustration with the seemingly endless cycle of campaigns that have mired the Jewish state in grinding political gridlock.

But Netanyahu, a wily political veteran with a long record of out-manoeuvring his rivals, is hoping he can sneak over the line this time thanks to the inoculation drive.

The 71-year-old, Israel's longest serving prime minister, has also clinched historic normalisation deals with four Arab states.

But despite Netanyahu's apparent successes, polls point to another indecisive result, with the leader lacking a clear path to form a government. 

Israel secured a large vaccine stock from Pfizer because its highly digitised medical system enabled it to offer the company fast, precious data on the product's impact, in what medical experts have called the largest-ever human clinical trial//CNA

Singapore may reopen borders by year-end, says PM Lee - CNA

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a TV interview he hoped Singapore would start reopening its borders by the end of the year as more countries ramp up vaccination drives against COVID-19 infections.

Singapore has largely banned leisure travel, but has put in place some business and official travel programmes. It is also discussing the mutual recognition of vaccine certificates with other nations.

As of Mar 8, the country has administered just over 611,000 doses of vaccines among a population of 5.7 million – a much slower pace compared to larger nations. But it has said it plans to vaccinate everyone by year-end.

Mr Lee said few local cases meant the country could take the time to persuade its population to take the vaccine. Some are hesitant due to the low risk of infection and concern about possible side effects from rapidly developed vaccines.Singapore has also received China's Sinovac Biotech vaccine ahead of approval. The Prime Minister said Singapore was evaluating the vaccine and will use it if it passes safety and effectiveness standards.

"If (the Sinovac vaccine) passes muster in terms of safety and effectiveness, we will use it. We will use vaccines from any source," he said. 

"Vaccines do not carry a nationality. Is it good or is it no good? Does it work? If it does, then we will use it."

Singapore's economy recorded its worst recession in 2020 due to the pandemic, after being bruised the previous year by trade tensions between the United States and China//CNA

Indonesian brands prove champions in the 2020-2021 World Branding Awards 

The prestigious World Branding Awards, the ultimate global brand recognition accolade – now in its 12th edition, saw over 400 brands from more than 45 countries named “Brand of the Year” in the 2020-2021 World Branding Awards, nominated by over 250,000 consumers across the globe.Numerous victorious Indonesian brands won over consumers’ hearts, and were awarded in the National Tier. 

Winners are uniquely judged through three streams: brand valuation, consumer market research, and public online voting. Seventy percent of the scoring process comes from consumer votes. There can only be one winner in each category per country.

The voting and nomination had taken place amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic whilst many countries were faced with restriction measures that had greatly disrupted the economic landscape. The Awards celebrates the innovative and creative ways these successful brands have managed to remain distinct and relevant to their consumers over the past year.

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin - ANT

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin spoke of his plan to administer 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccine shots every day in the second half of 2021 since July to achieve the target of the nation's vaccination program.

"As many as 75 percent of the vaccines will become available since July. (The vaccination target is) 181.5 million people, and (it means) 363 million doses (of vaccines). (If it is) divided by 365 days, it is one million a day, if the vaccines are available. The vaccines will be available in the second semester, which is a lot. Second semester. My calculation that (we have to administer) 1.5 million vaccine jabs per day," Sadikin informed the press here on Saturday.

The minister urged Indonesians to exercise patience whilst awaiting their turn for vaccinations. Owing to the current limitations of vaccines, only 24 percent of the population will be given the vaccine shots, he noted.

On the other hand, Sadikin pointed out that vaccine administration was targeted for priority groups: health workers and elderly or senior citizens vulnerable to contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.Nonetheless, the minister advised the inoculated people to continue to follow the health protocols of wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining a distance as they could still contract the COVID-19 infection and spread it to other people.

Sadikin drew attention to optimal immunity being attained at 28 days after the second injection, though cautioning against not misinterpreting that he or she has become a "superhuman," who is immune to the disease.

On the same occasion, Minister of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia/National Development Planning Agency Head (BAPPENAS) Bambang Brodjonegoro stressed on the need for innovation in public services and solidity to handle the COVID-19 pandemic that has emerged as a common foe in the past year.

These innovations encompass cooperation between the private and public sectors in offering vaccination services and the optimal use of digital technology-based systems.Brodjonegoro lauded the involvement of youngsters, who prioritize innovation backed by optimal digital technology to provide better public services, especially in vaccination.

"This is a good example. We are upbeat about the vaccination program running quickly, so that the economic recovery program can also take place more quickly. It is expected to provide relief for all of us. At least, with continued strict implementation of health protocols, we can start conducting economic activities as we did before the pandemic," he stated.

He expressed optimism that increasingly more number of parties, including the private sector, would become involved in the vaccination program in the country//ANT