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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)
February
Investing in digital up-skilling of APEC's workforce critical: report
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 24 - Hiring of workers with digital skills has grown substantially in the last three years across the APEC region, according to a recent report issued by the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group and received here on Tuesday.
The report highlights the gap between workforce supply and demand and emphasizes the urgent need for member economies to invest in digital up-skilling and reskilling of their workforce.
Research by LinkedIn and Burning Glass Technologies in the 'APEC Closing the Digital Skills Gap Report - Trends and Insights' has found that the digital hiring rate across the region increased three-fold between 2016 and 2019.
While the COVID-19 pandemic led to a hiring slowdown in the first quarter of 2020, the report predicts continued strong demand for digital talent, with a greater than one-fold increase in March, 2020 compared to the previous year.
"Digitalization offers us many opportunities and challenges, the most pressing one is to address and manage the discrepancy between industry and education and training systems, where the former moves and innovates a lot faster than the latter," said Park Dong Sun, chair of the APEC Human Resources and Development Working Group.
"COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation and adoption in almost all aspects of our lives, it is extremely critical for policymakers to look into measures to support the up-skilling and reskilling of our workforce," Park added.
The report stresses the importance of reskilling workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as many are looking for new opportunities, and it is "necessary to have at least baseline digital skills". It is also critical to equip new workers with digital skills so they can thrive in the workforce, the report states.
Moreover, as businesses are forced to adjust to a more digital work environment, workers may need to expand their skill set in order to work efficiently and effectively from home or other locations.
In addition to efforts to measure the digital skills gap, the initiative also announced the finalization of a digital readiness checklist designed to help APEC governments, employers, and academia understand their levels of preparedness for jobs in the digital age and to support their efforts to up-skill and reskill workers amidst COVID-19.
"Digital skills and remote work have become critical to retaining employment and to economic survival, with occupations requiring higher levels of digital skills more likely to offer remote work opportunities during these challenging times," explained Andrew Tein of Wiley, co-chair of the APEC Closing the Digital Skills Gap Forum.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also exposed the risks for those whose jobs are least digital, such as workers in the front-line services sector. As these least digital jobs are also least open to remote work, workers in this sector are negatively affected, according to the report. This dichotomy may deepen inequality if they do not have the necessary digital skills to transition to other jobs.
"We must come together to prepare the current and next generation of workers to have the digital skills necessary to succeed in the new economy," said Jennifer Thornton of the Business-Higher Education Forum and co-chair of the APEC Closing the Digital Skills Gap Forum.
"A skilled workforce is key to our continued success and to increasing opportunity across APEC economies," she concluded. (Antaranews)
February
EU backs donating COVID-19 shots to African health workers
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 24 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday supported a call by French President Emmanuel Macron to donate COVID-19 vaccines to health care workers in Africa, as a star-studded event was announced to support equitable distribution.
“Vaccines are still scarce everywhere but it is in our common interest to share,” von der Leyen said in a webcast with the World Health Organisation (WHO).I
“And I therefore support President Macron’s proposal to donate vaccine doses that are necessary to vaccinate health care workers in Africa.”
The European Union has contributed an additional 500 million euros ($606 million) to the WHO-backed COVAX programme to supply COVID-19 shots to emerging economies, doubling the bloc’s initial contribution.
Global Citizen, an international pressure group that aims to end extreme poverty by 2030, launched a campaign to support equitable distribution of vaccines that will feature a broadcast special in May.
Artists scheduled to participate include Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter, Billie Eilish.
“A year ago I was three shows into my world tour, when because of COVID-19 we had to cancel everything ... The pandemic is still raging across the globe, and I’m still at home like most of you,” the 19-year-old said.
“But we’ve seen how we can create change, when we come together and use our voices so we’ve got to take action to get everybody access to COVID-19 vaccines as quickly as possible.” (Reuters)
February
China rejects genocide charge in Xinjiang, says door open to U.N
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 23 - China on Monday rejected “slanderous attacks” about conditions for Muslim Uighurs living in Xinjiang, as European powers and Turkey voiced concerns and called for U.N. access to the remote western region.
Activists and U.N. rights experts have said that at least 1 million Muslims are detained in camps in Xinjiang. China denies abuses and says its camps provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the U.N. Human Rights Council that it was taking counter-terrorism measures in accordance with the law and that Xinjiang enjoyed “social stability and sound development” after four years without any “terrorist case”.
There were 24,000 mosques in Xinjiang, where people of all ethnic groups also enjoyed labour rights, he said.
“These basic facts show that there has never been so-called genocide, forced labour, or religious oppression in Xinjiang,” Wang said. “Such inflammatory accusations are fabricated out of ignorance and prejudice, they are simply malicious and politically driven hype and couldn’t be further from the truth.”
The Biden administration has endorsed a last-minute determination by the Trump administration that China has committed genocide in Xinjiang and has said the United States must be prepared to impose costs on China.
Earlier, British foreign secretary Dominic Raab denounced torture, forced labour and sterilisations that he said were taking place against Uighurs on an “industrial scale” in Xinjiang.
Germany’s foreign minister Heiko Maas said that “the arbitrary detention of ethnic minorities like the Uighurs in Xinjiang or China’s crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong” required attention.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, said it expected transparency from China on the issue and called for protecting the rights of Uighurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang.
Wang invited U.N. scrutiny but gave no timetable.
“The door to Xinjiang is always open. People from many countries who have visited Xinjiang have learned the facts and the truth on the ground. China also welcomes the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Xinjiang,” he said, referring to U.N. rights chief Michelle Bachelet, whose office has been negotiating terms of access to the country. (Reuters)
February
Malaysia to start COVID-19 vaccination drive early as first doses arrive
Written by Nur Yasmin
Feb. 22 - Malaysia moved up its COVID-19 inoculation drive by two days as the first batch of vaccines arrived in the Southeast Asian nation on Sunday.
Malaysia aims to vaccinate at least 80% of its 32 million people within a year as it pushes to revive an economy that, slammed by coronavirus-related curbs, recorded its worst slump in over two decades in 2020.
It has imposed more lockdowns this year amid a fresh wave of coronavirus infections. The country has recorded 280,272 cases and 1,051 deaths.
A total of 312,390 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were delivered to Malaysia on Sunday morning, with more expected in coming weeks.
“The second delivery will be made on Feb. 26, and we will continue to receive (Pfizer) deliveries every two weeks until it is completed,” Science Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said in a virtual news conference.
Malaysia has secured 32 million doses from Pfizer and BioNTech.
Vaccine doses from China’s Sinovac Biotech are scheduled to be delivered in bulk on Feb. 27, pending approval from local regulators, Khairy said.
The national vaccine rollout will begin Wednesday, earlier than initially scheduled, with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Health Ministry Director General Noor Hisham Abdullah set to receive the first doses, Khairy said. (Reuters)