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International News (601)
June
South Korea widens capital gains taxes for wealthy stock investors
Written by nuke
photo : reuters
South Korea on Thursday proposed expanding its capital gains taxes to include a larger number of affluent stock investors, in its push to reduce inequality by levying more from the wealthy and less from general share trading. As quoted by Reuters on Thursday (June25) finance minister Hong Nam-ki in a policy meeting starting 2023 stated taxes of up to 25% will be imposed on annual capital gains exceeding 20 million won or $16,627 for retail investors. That would affect about 300,000 people, or the top 5% of all stock investors, in Asia's fourth-largest economy. It would also mark a significant expansion of current rules as capital gains taxes are only applied to large shareholders with stakes exceeding 1% or 1 billion won ($831,373) of listed stocks. Currently, no retail investors of listed shares are subject to capital gains taxes unless they are classified as "large shareholders"//Reuters
June
Panama names new health minister as pandemic intensifies
Written by nuke
photo : sertv
Panama on Wednesday tapped a new health minister to replace Rosario Turner, the public face of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, whose spread has been accelerating in the country in recent weeks. As quoted by Reuters on Thursday (June25) Luis Sucre, who has served as deputy health minister since July of last year, was named the new health minister. President of Panama Laurentino Cortizo during a brief television address stated that the country has a debt to (Turner) that cannot be repaid. Cortizo added a task of this magnitude certainly constitutes a marathon that cannot be victorious without a solid sense of teamwork and without the necessary replacements to ensure the achievement of a strong victory. Cortizo also announced new ministers to lead the ministries of social development as well as housing and land Planning. Panama has registered a total of 28,030 cases of coronavirus and 547 deaths so far//Reuters
June
Australia can confidently respond to new COVID-19 outbreaks
Written by nuke
photo : abc
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday (June 25) that he has confidence the country could move ahead with easing restrictions as it can respond and deal with new coronavirus outbreaks. As quoted by Reuters (June25) there will be outbreaks , the government can't go stop-go-stop-go and it can't flick the light on-and-off-on-and-off-and-on-and-off, Morrison said, referring to restrictions to curb the spread of the virulent disease. So what Morrison is saying is the government is going ahead, it built the protections to deal with outbreaks. Australia reported its first COVID-19 death in more than a month on Wednesday, as concerns about a second wave of infections saw thousands of people queue, sometimes for hours, to be tested for the virus//Reuters
June
Major easing of lockdown in England with pubs and restaurants opening
Written by nuke
photo : bbcnews
From the 4th July in England the 2-metre social distancing rule should still be observed where possible. But where it's not people are advised to keep a distance of 1 metre from others, while using other forms of protection such as face masks. People in England will be able to go out and socialize in pubs and restaurants as well as staying in hotels and at campsites. Barbers and hairdressers will reopen and outdoor gyms, playgrounds, and theme parks will also be open again. In the Commons on Tuesday, PM Johnson said announcing the biggest easing of lockdown yet, he said two households in England will be able to meet indoors and stay overnight - with social distancing.
"Thanks to our progress we can now go further and safely eased the lockdown in England. At every stage caution will remain our watch word. Our principal is to trust British public to use their common sense in a full knowledge of the risk, remembering that the more we open up the more vigilant we will need to be" Prime minister said.
Other venues reopening in England include cinemas, museums and galleries. But some places will still remain closed, including nightclubs, indoor gyms, and swimming pools. It means that thousands of businesses across England have just 11 days to get ready to open again. And there will be strict new rules in place to protect customers. The chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty stressed PM Johnson's plan was not "risk-free".
"The advise to use stay at 2 metre if you can stay at 2 metres remains. And the the one metre is one metre plus mitigation which bring it into line in other areas that’s why people must take it seriously. Personally I’m not comfortable with it, this is the balance of risk it’s like many things in medicine you don’t go for the operation unless you have to, it’s a balance of risk" professor whitty said.
The 2m social-distancing rule will be replaced with a "one-metre plus" rule, meaning people should stay at least 2m apart where possible, but otherwise should remain at least 1m apart while taking steps to reduce the risk of transmission, such as wearing face coverings. The 2m rule will remain in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Following the prime minister's announcement, health leaders called for a "rapid and forward-looking assessment" of how prepared the UK would be for a new outbreak of the virus//NK
June
Putin, on eve of vote that could extend his rule, to review Red Square military parade
Written by nuke
photo : reuters
President Vladimir Putin review a spectacular Red Square military parade on Wednesday on the eve of a nationwide vote that could extend his rule until 2036, a patriotic display critics say is designed to lift his lower than usual ratings. The parade, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union's World War Two victory over the Nazis, was postponed from May 9 because of the novel coronavirus outbreak and critics say it is irresponsible to go ahead with it now. The Kremlin has dismissed that however, saying new daily infections, though still in the thousands, are on the wane, especially in the Russian capital, the original epicentre of the outbreak, and that all safety precautions will be taken. Opening a military cathedral on Monday, Putin said the Soviet wartime victory remained a touchstone for modern Russia, calling it a sacred memory.
"It's always with us and gives us strength, strength to serve our country and moral messages which we do not have the right to resile from and will never do so," said Putin.
The results of a survey released by state pollster VTsIOM on Tuesday showed that 95% of Russians regarded the 1945 Soviet victory as the most important event of the 20th century for Russia. The vote from June 25 until July 1 on constitutional changes, including an amendment that would allow Putin two more six-year terms as president if re-elected. Current constitutional limits bar him from seeking re-election when his mandate ends in 2024. Experts from state pollster VTsIOM have forecast that 67-71% of voters will endorse the changes. Kremlin critics say the vote is a sham they fear will be falsified. Putin's approval rating is 59%, according to Levada, an independent pollster whose research the Kremlin has said it is not inclined to trust. Though high by most countries' standards, it is at its lowest since 1999.
Polls show people's willingness to protest has risen as lower oil prices and a prolonged lockdown have battered the economy, unemployment has risen, and a Kremlin plan to reverse years of falling real wages has been knocked off course. More than 14,000 troops, over 200 armoured vehicles and 75 aircraft will take part in Wednesday's parade, as well as representatives from 13 other countries. Sergei Aleksashenko, an economist who has been critical of Putin, told the Ekho Moskvy radio station on Tuesday that the Russian leader was determined to hold the parade despite the pandemic.
"Vladimir Putin believes that the parade is a reaffirmation of his greatness, the greatness of the country and of our historical memory," said Aleksashenko//Reuters
June
China and India agree to reduce tensions after deadly clash
Written by nuke
photo : Jakartapost
China and India have agreed to reduce tensions a week after clashes on their disputed Himalayan border left 20 Indian troops dead in brutal hand-to-hand fighting. The June 15 battle, reportedly fought with fists, clubs and rocks, was the first time troops have been killed on their border since 1975 and marked a major deterioration in ties between the two Asian giants. Spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian said that after talks between the top regional military commanders on Monday (22/6), both sides agreed to take necessary measures to promote a cooling of the situation. The Press Trust of India reported that the meeting was between Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, commander of the 14 Corps, and Major General Liu Lin, commander of the Tibet Military District. Zhao told a regular news conference, the holding of this meeting shows that both sides want to deal with their disagreement, manage the situation and de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultations//JP
June
photo : reuters
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday (Jun 23) he has called General Election 2020 to "clear the decks" for a fresh mandate for the Government. In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Lee said he has advised President Halimah Yacob to dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ of Election. An election now will give the new Government a fresh five-year mandate to focus on the national agenda and the difficult decisions it will have to make, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister's Office said Madam Halimah has dissolved Parliament, and that Nomination Day will be on Jun 30. Polling Day will be on Jul 10, a Friday, the Elections Department said, adding that Polling Day in any General Election is a public holiday. Before deciding to proceed with the election, PM Lee said he had to be certain of two things – that voters can vote safely, and political parties can campaign effectively.
"On voters safety the election department will be implementing additional precautions on polling day. We’ve setting up more polling stations then the previous election to reduce crowding. There’ll be safe distancing major practice at the polling stations. Voters will be allocated specific time slot to vote and seniors will be given priority to vote before others. On effective campaigning the election department has also make an arrangement and issues guide lines. Candidates can still go house to house campaigning in person provided the observed the safe distancing precautions. Unfortunately physical election rallies will not be possible but we will make up with more opportunities for candidates to speak directly to voters on television and off course online for example via live streaming" Prim Minister said.
During the election period, the Government will continue to govern, said Mr Lee, adding that the Cabinet remains in charge even after Parliament is dissolved and the public service will continue to function, as in every General Election. The ministerial task force leading Singapore’s response to COVID-19 will also continue its work, and businesses, workers and families will receive help and support.
"During the election period, the Government will continue to govern. The Cabinet remain in charge even after Parliament is dissolved, and the public service will continue to function normally. This is saw in every general election but I particularly emphasize this now because of the vital importance of ongoing operations against covid-19, sustaining the economy and protecting jobs. Therefore over the next view weeks you can expect the ministerial task force still to lead our response to covid-19" He explain.
PM Lee added that this General Election will be like no other that Singaporeans have experienced – not only because of the special arrangements to deal with COVID-19 but the gravity of the situation and the issues at stake. The government that will be elect will have critical decisions to make. These decisions will impact the lives and livelihoods, and shape Singapore for many years to come, far beyond the five-year term of the next government//NK
June
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia bars international pilgrims for Hajj
Written by nuke
photo : bbc
Saudi Arabia has banned international visitors from making the Islamic pilgrimage, or Hajj, this year in a bid to control coronavirus. As quoted by BBC.com (22/6) an announcement on state media said only a very limited number of people currently living in the kingdom may take part. An estimated two million people would otherwise have visited Mecca and Medina this summer for the annual gathering. There had been fears the Hajj might be cancelled altogether. In normal times the pilgrimage is one of the most significant moments in the Muslim religious calendar. But only citizens from countries around the world who are already resident in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to attend this year//BBC
June
New York Reopens, Other States Spike and Global Cases Hit 'Grim Record'
Written by nuke
photo : reuters
New York City entered Phase 2 of reopening on Monday while at least 12 other states saw record COVID-19 spikes - and the World Health Organization reported a record number of new daily cases. In the U.S., New York City - once the epicenter of the global outbreak - officially entered Phase Two of its reopening, the last part of the state to do so. After 100 days in lockdown, many New Yorkers went to salons to get their first haircuts in months, shopped at re-opened retail stores and dined at outdoor cafés. But while new cases in New York and neighboring New Jersey are at record lows - with 1-2 percent of tests coming back positive - a dozen states in the South and Southwest have reported record increases in new cases. They include Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, together home to about one-third of the U.S. population. As quoted from Reuters, Texas Governor. Greg Abbott said Monday (23/06) the state is averaging more than 3,500 new cases a day, with a positivity rate at almost 9 percent.
"COVID-19 is spreading at an unacceptable rate in Texas and it must be corralled.” the Governor said.
He also said he had no plans however to shut the economy down again. Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and South Carolina are also among at least a dozen states that have seen record spikes in COVID-19, many due to transmission among young people. More than 120,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the U.S.//REUTERS/VOI/AHM
June
photo : reuters
Health authorities in South Korea said for the first time on Monday it is in the midst of a "second wave" of novel coronavirus infections around Seoul. After months of warnings, South Korea says that a 'second wave' of coronavirus has hit the country. And it's been driven by small outbreaks that came during a holiday period in May. Authorities previously said the first wave had never really ended. Now, they say, the holidays seem to have changed that. Jeong Eun-Kyeong is director of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the forecast that the virus infection would decline in summer turned to be wrong.
"Our forecast that coronavirus infection would decline in summer turned out to be wrong. As long as people are having close contact with others, we believe that infections will continue" Jeong said.
South Korea reported a peak of more than 900 cases in a day at the end of February. But an intensive tracking and testing campaign - lauded by global health officials - lowered the numbers to single digits by late April. Just as soon as the country announced it would ease restrictions in early May new cases spiked. That was driven in part by people who visited nightclubs and bars in Seoul over the May holiday weekend. As of midnight Sunday, South Korea reported 17 new cases. It marks the first time in nearly a month that daily cases had dropped below 20//Reuters/VOI/AHM