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International News (601)
May
APEC urged to safeguard food security through open trade policies
Written by nuke
Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have been advised, in a new policy brief to adopt an open trade policy to safeguard food security, in the region amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief has been drafted by the APEC Policy Support Unit, according to a press release issued by the unit, which was received here on Thursday. As quoted by Antara, the recent policy brief on export restrictions and food security in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, shows that the variety of movement restrictions implemented across borders have affected the supply of food, especially perishables such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, seafood, and meat.
Carlos Kuriyama, senior analyst with the APEC Policy Support Unit said, some governments have reacted to episodes of panic buying, by implementing export bans or restrictions on certain food products, hoping to secure the availability of food. Kuriyama, who is the author of the policy brief, explained that those measures (bans and restrictions on food trade) could threaten food security and increase food prices, which would be detrimental to citizens, especially the poorest households. The APEC region’s food security environment is in better shape today compared to the global food crisis of 2007–2008//Ant
May
Coronavirus: Spain tightens mask rules for all older than five
Written by nuke
Wearing masks is being made compulsory in Spain both indoors and out in public if social distancing is not possible. As quoted by BBC.com ( 20/5) Only children under six and people with health issues are exempt from the law, which comes into force on Thursday. Many European countries have now made wearing masks a requirement on public transport but the Spanish decree goes further. Spain has seen one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in Europe but is now easing the lockdown gradually. It already requires the wearing of masks on public transport and is now strengthening the rules across the population. Spain has reported almost 28,000 deaths and 232,000 infections since March but the rate of infection has declined. Spain had imposed some of the toughest measures on the continent, including keeping children indoors for six weeks. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed parliament on Wednesday ahead of a vote on extending the state of alert for two more weeks//BBC
May
Europe's Franco-German 'motor' sputters back to life
Written by nuke
President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Angela Merkel have jump-started the Franco-German "motor" at the heart of Europe by jointly pitching a hugely ambitious economic recovery plan, even if it faces a bumpy road ahead. As quoted by AFP.com (20/5) Macron and Merkel, whose relationship has been shadowed by disagreements on several key issues, on Monday put differences aside to propose a 500 billion euro ($546 billion) fund to help mend an economy devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The plan marked a major move for both sides, with Germany seen to have moved round to the French view that more flexibility is needed to ensure all of Europe -- and not just the richer north -- can recover from the crisis. Under their plan, the fund will be financed by borrowing from the market in the name of the EU while the money given out will not have to be paid back//AFP
May
China slams US for 'dangerous' message to Taiwan's leader
Written by nuke
China slammed the United States for its "dangerous" decision to congratulate Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on her Wednesday inauguration, as the self-ruled island became the latest flashpoint between the world's two largest economies. As quoted by AFP.com (20/5) Taiwanese voters handed Tsai a second term with a landslide win in January, a vocal rebuke of China's ongoing campaign to isolate the island. She was sworn in for another four years at a ceremony on Wednesday in which she called on China to live peacefully alongside a self-ruled Taiwan and for a lowering of tensions. But a congratulatory note from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailing Tsai's "courage and wisdom" sparked a rebuke from Beijing, which bristles at any formal recognition of Taipei. China's defence ministry said It is extremely wrong, and it's also very dangerous. Beijing's foreign ministry said it was "extremely indignant" at the message and accused Washington of breaching its diplomatic commitments//AFP
May
Millions batten down as 'super cyclone' Amphan hits Bangladesh, India
Written by nuke
Millions of people battened down Wednesday as the strongest cyclone in decades slammed into Bangladesh and eastern India, killing at least three and leaving a trail of devastation. As quoted by AFP.com (20/5) authorities scrambled to evacuate more than three million people from low-lying areas, but the task was complicated by the need to prevent the spread of coronavirus. As it made landfall, Cyclone Amphan tore through coastal villages, flattening mud houses, blowing off roofs, uprooting trees and laying waste to crop fields. In Bangladesh, officials confirmed three deaths including a five year-old boy and a 75-year-old man, both hit by falling trees, and a cyclone emergency volunteer who drowned. Two other fatalities were reported by Indian media, including an infant crushed when the mud wall of the family's hut collapsed in heavy rain in Odisha state//AFP
May
Brazil sees record virus deaths as pandemic surges in Latin America
Written by nuke
Brazil has seen a record number of coronavirus deaths as the pandemic that has swept across the world begins to hit Latin America with its full force. As quoted by AFP.com (20/5) after Asia, Europe and North America, Latin America has seen coronavirus infections surge in recent days and now accounts for about 580,000 of the world's nearly five million confirmed cases. Brazil has been hardest-hit in the region, rising to the third-highest number of cases in the world, as Peru, Mexico and Chile also see steady increases in infections. Health officials in Brazil reported 1,179 new coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, the first time the daily toll exceeded 1,000, but far-right President Jair Bolsonaro remains bitterly opposed to lockdowns, having described them as unnecessary over a "little flu". With the outbreak in the world's sixth-largest country expected to accelerate until early June, many Brazilians are deeply worried about the next few weeks//AFP
May
ICRC Asking $256Mln in COVID-19 Aid to Conflict Zones, Warns More Needed to Tackle Fallout
Written by nuke
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aims to raise $256 million to support the COVID-19 response in conflict zones across the world, but fears that much more funds will be needed to deal with the ramifications of the pandemic-induced crisis, the public relations adviser for the ICRC Asia-Pacific told Sputnik. Pawel Krzysiek said that the ICRC is appealing for 250 million Swiss francs (USD $256 million) to respond in places of conflict and violence, to support medical facilities and places of detention, curb the spread among and ensure medical access for displaced people and detainees, and to support National Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in their response. According to the official, the appeal has been positively received by governments, and many of them have approached the Red Cross or Red Crescent to offer support. Over 4.8 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide. Of them, nearly 1.8 million have recovered, and more than 318,000 have died, Johns Hopkins University's data shows//sputnik
May
World Health Assembly Unanimously Adopts Resolution on COVID-19 Drugs, Vaccine Access
Written by nuke
The 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) has unanimously voted to adopt the resolution on improving access to test kits for the COVID-19 lung disease, as well as future vaccines and treatments, Keva Bain, the WHA president and the Bahamas' ambassador to Geneva, announced on Tuesday. The resolution put forward by the European Union also aims to launch a review of the experience and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the mechanisms at WHO's disposal, its actions and its contribution to the UN efforts. The evaluation will be followed by recommendations to improve global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacity, including through strengthening, as appropriate, WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme//sputnik
May
The United Kingdom announced a new post-Brexit tariff regime on Tuesday to replace the European Union's external tariff, maintaining a 10% tariff on cars but cutting levies on tens of billions of dollars of supply chain imports. After decades outsourcing its trade policy to the EU, Britain is seeking free trade agreements with countries around the world and aims to have deals in place covering 80% of British trade by 2022. The new tariff regime, in place from January 2021, marks a departure from what some UK officials call an overly complex EU system, setting out Britain's stall as it negotiates trade deals with both the United States and the Brussels-based bloc. Britain said the regime, known as UK Global Tariff, would be simpler and cheaper than the EU's Common External Tariff. It will apply to countries with which it has no agreement and removes all tariffs below 2%. The government said tariffs would be eliminated on a wide range of products, with 60% of trade coming into the UK tariff-free on WTO terms or through existing preferential access. The UK will maintain tariffs on products competing with industries such as agriculture, automotive and fishing, and remove levies on 30 billion pounds ($37 billion) worth of imports entering UK supply chains. According to Thomas Sampson, Associate Professor at the London School of Economics, keeping agricultural protection makes sense as a bargaining chip for EU & US trade negotiations. But means big cost increases for agriculture imports if no UK-EU FTA. The UK will also remove tariffs on products, which support energy efficiency and will introduce a temporary zero tariff on goods being used to fight COVID-19 such as personal protective equipment//JP
May
French asked to go into 'voluntary' quarantine on return home
Written by nuke
French citizens and residents travelling home from outside the European Union will be asked to observe a two-week "voluntary" quarantine, France's foreign minister said Tuesday. The measure will not affect non-EU foreign visitors as the bloc's exterior borders remain closed in a bid to contain the coronavirus epidemic. Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the LCI broadcaster, this will apply only to those returning from beyond the EU. There has been no quarantine for citizens or residents returning to French soil until now. According to Minister Le Drian, the new measure will rely on "individual responsibility. Returning travelers can choose whether to observe the autonomous lockdown at home or another venue//JP