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February
Saudi Arabia Blocks Iran from Islamic Grouping's Meeting: Tehran
Written by nuke
Saudi Arabia has barred an Iranian delegation from an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah on Monday where U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan will be discussed, the Iranian foreign ministry said.
Saudi authorities have not issued visas for the Iranian participants, ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.
“The government of Saudi Arabia has prevented the participation of the Iranian delegation in the meeting to examine the ‘deal of the century’ plan at the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” Mousavi said, the Fars news agency reported.
Mousavi said Iran has filed a complaint with the OIC and accused Saudi Arabia of misusing its position as the host for the organization’s headquarters. There was no immediate comment from Saudi officials.
Iranian officials have condemned Trump’s plan for resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine as a non-starter after it was officially announced last week. The Palestinian leadership has rejected the plan, saying it heavily favours Israel and will deny them a viable independent state.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in a proxy war as they vie for influence across the Middle East. They support opposite sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. (TEMPO)
February
First Major Chinese Airline Suspends Flights Between Mainland China and The US
Written by Ani HasanahChina Eastern Airlines has become the first major Chinese carrier to suspend flights to and from the United States, as the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has infected thousands of people and prompted several countries to advise their citizens not to travel to mainland China.
The carrier is canceling flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles and New York from February 2 through February 10, citing "the recent public health incident," according to a notice circulated to travel agents and seen by CNN Business.China Eastern did not respond to a request for comment.
The country's two other major carriers, Air China and China Southern, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.China Eastern is also canceling flights from Shanghai to San Francisco on February 6 and February 9, to Chicago on February 8 and to Honolulu from February 3 until March 27, according to the notice.
Several flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver that originate in Chengdu or Kunming with layovers in Nanjing or Qingdao have also been canceled this week."In the days to come, China Eastern will pay close attention to the epidemic, and may further adjust the arrangements of flights," the notice said.
Major international airlines including Air Canada, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa and Qatar have also suspended all flights to mainland China until the end of February or longer.
February
Japan Plans Fourth Evacuation Flight from Wuhan
Written by Ani HasanahThe Japanese government plans to send a fourth evacuation flight to Wuhan to collect about 140 people still in the city and nearby areas, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday.
Since the first evacuation flight arrived in Tokyo’s Haneda airport Wednesday, 565 Japanese citizens have returned to the country. The Japanese Embassy in China notified the remaining Japanese citizens of the evacuation plan by email Saturday, adding that Tokyo is still negotiating with Beijing to allow spouses with Chinese citizenship to join the fourth evacuation flight.
“We are putting in maximum efforts to make these speedy evacuations possible,” the Japanese Embassy said.
In Japan, coronavirus has infected a total of 20 people, with three returnees testing positive over the weekend. Among the confirmed cases is a man aged in his 30s who was diagnosed as a disease carrier without symptoms. (CNN)
February
President Trump's National Security Adviser Says "there's no reason for Americans to panic" Over the Coronavirus
Written by Ani HasanahNational security adviser Robert O'Brien on Sunday said at this time "there's no reason for Americans to panic" about the Wuhan coronavirus, saying the threat is "low risk" in the United States.
"Right now, there's no reason for Americans to panic. This is something that is a low risk, we think, in the US," he said during an interview on CBS' "Face The Nation," adding that the virus is a "top priority" for President Donald Trump and the administration is "taking steps to keep Americans safe."
There are more than 16,000 confirmed cases of the virus globally, and more than 350 people have died since the outbreak in December. All but one of the deaths have been in mainland China. Eight cases have been confirmed in the US.
In comparison, the 2019-2020 flu season is projected to be one of the worst in a decade, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The flu virus has infected 19 million Americans across the country and killed at least 10,000 people this season alone.
The White House on Thursday announced a coronavirus task force that "will lead the Administration's efforts to monitor, contain, and mitigate the spread of the virus." It is lead by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and includes members from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Homeland Security and others. (CNN)
February
There Are Now 11 Confirmed Cases of The Coronavirus in The US
Written by Ani HasanahHealth officials Sunday announced three more cases of the coronavirus in California, bringing the state's total to sixand the country's total to 11 cases.
Late Sunday, a San Benito County official said a man who had recently traveled back from Wuhan, China, and his wife were confirmed to have the virus and isolating themselves in their home.
The man arrived at San Francisco International Airport on January 24 and was screened and found to be healthy and asymptomatic, Dr. Martin Fenstersheib, interim health officer for the county, said in a news conference.
The next day, the man developed symptoms including a cough and low-grade fever, Fenstersheib said. A few days later, his wife began showing symptoms as well.
As far as I'm concerned there is, at the present time, absolutely no risk to the community in San Benito from coronavirus from these confirmed cases,"
The couple has stayed at home since the man's arrival, Fenstersheib said.
Also Sunday, officials confirmed a woman who recently traveled from Wuhan to Santa Clara County also was found to have the virus. She's the second case in the county -- though officials said the cases are unrelated. There are two other confirmed cases in Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concernearlier this week. A number of countries -- including the US -- began evacuating their nationals on flights from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in China where the virus was first detected.
The US also issued a level 4 travel advisorywarning residents not to travel to China, adding that most commercial air carriers have reduced or suspended flights to and from the country.
So far, at least 360 people have died and more than 17,000 have been infected in China while there's been more than 170 confirmed cases across more than 20 countries. The San Benito couple's diagnosis is the second person-to-person transmission of the virus.
In Chicago, a woman in her 60s was diagnosed after she returned from Wuhan on January 13. She is in the hospital and doing "quite well," her doctors said.
Last week, the CDC confirmed she had transmitted the virus to her husband, who had not traveled to China. He was in close contact with his wife during a long period of time when she was symptomatic, the Illinois Department of Public Health said.
A student at the Boston campus of the University of Massachusetts was the eight confirmed case. There have been two more confirmed cases of the coronavirus: one in Arizona -- which officials described as an "adult member" of the Arizona State University community -- and one in Washington state -- a man in his 30s who sought treatment after returning from Wuhan.
On Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared the coronavirus a public health emergency in the US but stressed the risk remains low and "we are working to keep this risk low."
"All agencies are working aggressively to monitor this continuously evolving situation and to keep the public informed," he said.
As part of that work, Azar announced that any US citizen who has been in Hubei Province in the past two weeks "will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine," he said.
A second evacuation flight from mainland China is set to carry more US citizens out of Wuhan, a US official with knowledge of the matter told CNN. There is still not a definitive time for the plane's arrival in Wuhan.
The first chartered plane arrived in a Southern California air base last week carrying about 200 US citizens -- including diplomats and their families.
The CDC ordered a federal a 14-day quarantine for those passengers -- the first such order in more than half a century. (CNN)
February
Chinese Stocks are Having Their Worst Day in Years as the Coronavirus Outbreak Escalates
Written by Ani HasanahThe plunge puts Shanghai on pace for its worst day since August 2015's "Black Monday," when global markets were rattled by China slowdown fears. Shenzhen, meanwhile, hasn't recorded a single-day percentage drop this bad since 2007.
China's currency also fell. The onshore yuan sank 1.5%, dropping below seven yuan to one US dollar in its first day back from the holiday break. The yuan also weakened below the seven mark offshore, where it moves more freely and has been trading since last week.
While global markets have had several days to weigh the rapid spread of the coronavirus, this is the first chance that mainland China has had to react in more than a week. Before the holiday, the number of cases numbered roughly 800 — now, there are more than 17,000.
Markets were originally scheduled to reopen last Friday, but the Chinese government extended the holiday as it worked to control the outbreak.
Authorities knew Monday's shock was likely inevitable. The People's Bank of China said Sunday that it would inject $1.2 trillion yuan ($173 billion) into the Chinese markets using the purchase of short-term bonds to shore up banks' ability to lend money. The measure will help maintain "reasonably ample liquidity" in the banking system and keep currency markets stable, the bank said.
The net amount of liquidity being injected into the markets is much lower. According to Reuters calculations using central bank data, more than $1 trillion yuan worth of other short-term bond agreements will mature Monday. That brings the net amount of cash flooding into the markets down to 150 billion yuan ($22 billion).
The central bank will also keep in contact with financial institutions and markets to determine what other policy responses may be necessary, according to Pan Gongsheng, deputy governor of the central bank.
Protecting China's financial markets and economy is a top priority for the government, which is also bracing for a potentially severe hit to first quarter economic growth. Some economists have said that China's growth rate could drop two percentage points this quarter — a decline that could mean $62 billion in lost growth.
Along with Monday's liquidity kick, top financial and economic regulators have announced dozens of other measures to stabilize China.
For example, the National Development and Reform Commission — the country's top economic planning agency — said Monday the government would "go to all lengths" to make sure that people have what they need to live, including food and other necessities. It also encouraged companies "that are key to control and prevent the virus" or are "of vital importance to the national economy" to resume production as soon as they can.
And the People's Bank of China said Saturday that it would provide money at low interest rates to commercial banks so that those banks could offer cheap loans to companies that make clinical masks, coronavirus testing kits and other types of medical supplies. The central government will also subsidize those special loans.
The country's stock exchange regulators have also said they would allow companies to delay 2019 annual reports and 2020 quarterly earnings reports if they are affected by the disruption.
Markets elsewhere in Asia opened lower Monday, too — though their losses were not nearly as dramatic as in China.
In Japan, where 20 cases of the virus have been confirmed, the Nikkei 225 (N225) fell 1%. In South Korea, which has 15 confirmed cases, the benchmark Kospi (KOSPI) fell 0.5%.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI), meanwhile, is about flat, moving between small gains and losses. The index lost more than 6% last week after investors returned from the Lunar New Year holiday. Unlike in mainland China, Hong Kong markets reopened last Wednesday.
In the United States, stock futures were actually higher overnight. Dow (INDU), S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) futures were all at least 0.6% higher during Asian trading hours.
US markets haven't been immune from fears over the coronavirus, though. Last Friday, the Dow fell 600 points, capping a turbulent week for stocks. (CNN)
January
Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest
Written by Ani Hasanah
January
Nicaragua: Six Indigenous People Reportedly Killed in Attack
Written by Ani HasanahArmed men have attacked an indigenous community in Nicaragua, killing at least six people and kidnapping another 10, rights groups say.
Police confirmed two deaths and said they were investigating. The reason for the difference in the toll is unclear.
The attack on the Mayagna group took place in a protected nature reserve in the north of the country.
The Bosawás Biosphere Reserve has been the focus of land disputes between indigenous groups and new settlers.
A Mayagna leader last year accused the government of doing nothing while his community was gradually "exterminated".
The men reportedly attacked the Mayagna commune deep inside the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, the second-largest rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon.
Mayagna lawyer Larry Salomon told the Reuters news agency that the raiders were part of a group of non-indigenous "settlers" in the area.
"This is a land conflict. They want our lands for cattle farming and to destroy our forests," he added.
Environmental group the Rio Foundation called the attack a "massacre".
Tensions have been rising in recent years between Nicaragua's indigenous communities and newcomers who move to the region in search of fertile land, timber and gold. There have been reports of armed groups seizing indigenous land.
Gustavo Lino, the highest-ranking Mayagna leader, said last year: "They're exterminating us little by little and the state is doing nothing."
The 30,000-strong Mayagna make up around 0.5% of Nicaragua's population. (BBC)
January
Trump Impeachment: All Eyes on Moderate Republicans in Witnesses Battle
Written by Ani HasanahIf four moderate Republicans decide to vote with Democrats, it is likely the trial will hear from the former National Security Adviser, John Bolton.
Senior Republicans had pushed for a speedy trial with no witnesses or new evidence presented to senators.
But reports that Mr Bolton may have damning testimony shifted the calculus.
Senators sat in session on Thursday for a second day of questions to Democratic impeachment managers and Trump defence lawyers. The senators are expected to vote on witnesses on Friday.
Why are the four so important?
The four moderate Republicans - Senators Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Lamar Alexander - have all indicated they remain undecided on how to vote.
All four would be required to vote with a unanimous Democratic block in order to achieve the necessary Senate majority.
Senator Alexander appeared poised on Thursday to announce his decision, telling the Washington Post that he would make his mind up after the final questions in the Senate chamber.
According to Huffington Post reporter Ryan Reilly, Mr Alexander had a Senate page deliver a note to Senator Mitch McConnell - the most senior Republican in the Senate, who has led the charge for a speedy acquittal of President Trump.
"McConnell let it sit on his lap for a couple minutes, then read it and stuffed it in his suit jacket pocket. McConnell's face is tough to read. But he didn't look in Alexander's direction," Mr Reilly wrote on Twitter.
If Democrats lose the vote, and no witnesses are called, the president could be acquitted of the impeachment charges as soon as Friday. A two-thirds majority in the Senate is required to remove him from office, and Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
If all four Republicans decide to vote with Democrats, the trial will go on into next week. The president would remain highly likely to be acquitted.
Why is Bolton so important?
A bombshell report in the New York Times earlier this week said that Mr Bolton had written in his upcoming book that the president told him directly that military aid was being withheld from Ukraine in exchange for dirt on a Democratic political rival - the key impeachment charge against the president.
The report reinvigorated Democrats' attempts to call new witnesses to the trial, and simultaneously energised Republican efforts to push the process through without anyone being called.
If the reports about Mr Bolton were true, and he testified to that effect, he would be the first witness in the process to directly link the president to an alleged quid pro quo with Ukraine and an abuse of presidential power.
Mr Trump's lawyer expanded their defence in the Senate earlier this week to suggest that anything a president does in service of his own re-election, believing that to be in the public interest, cannot be impeachable. The tactic shocked Republicans and Democrats alike.
How did the White House react?
The White House pushed back against the publication of Mr Bolton's book, citing security concerns. The National Security Council alleged that the book had "top secret" details that must be removed, a claim Mr Bolton rejects.
Mr Bolton's lawyer Charles Cooper responded to the NSC letter last week by saying the book contained nothing classified top secret.
"We do not believe that any of that information could reasonably be considered classified," Mr Cooper wrote in an email to the White House on 24 January, the Washington Post reported.
Mr Cooper also said he had asked for an expedited review of a chapter about Ukraine, adding that Mr Bolton was "preparing" for the possibility he could be called to testify in the trial. (BBC)
January
Australia Coronavirus: Evacuees Criticise Christmas Island Quarantine Plan
Written by Ani HasanahAustralia has defended its plan to send citizens evacuated from the coronavirus outbreak in China to an immigration detention centre on a remote island.
The evacuees - overwhelmingly Chinese Australians - would be quarantined on Christmas Island for two weeks.
Some waiting in Wuhan, China, have questioned whether "white Australians" would be treated differently. Doctors have also criticised the plan.
But the government said it was the best solution in the short term.
"I can't clear out a hospital in Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane," Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told reporters on Thursday.
"I don't have a facility otherwise that we can quickly accommodate for what might be many hundreds of people, and Christmas Island is purpose-built for exactly this scenario."
The small Australian territory, about 2,600km (1,616 miles) from the mainland, has held thousands of asylum seekers since 2003. Conditions there have previously been criticised by the UN and human rights groups.
Many potential evacuees say they are conflicted over whether they will take up the offer. Officials have told them they will need to pay A$1,000 ($673; £512) for the flight, and agree to go to Christmas Island in order to be repatriated.
They may have to be flown to the mainland first before being transported to Christmas Island for quarantine, Mr Dutton said.
More than 600 Australians have registered for help after China effectively locked down Wuhan and surrounding areas in Hubei province. Canberra has said it will prioritise vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young families.
'Not being taken to our own country'
Many have expressed gratitude for the government's help, but also raised concerns about the plan and contrasted it with evacuations carried out by other nations.
The US and Japan repatriated hundreds of citizens to major cities this week.
Sydney man Daniel Ou Yang told the BBC: "Just if we go by the fact of comparing country to country, we're not even being landed in our own country."
He raised concerns about the level of medical care on the island, adding: "Are we getting this kind of treatment because we're not Caucasian Australian? Because we're Chinese Australian?"
On Friday, the government said it would send "significant" medical equipment and 24 medical staff to the island to create "a deployable hospital". It did not immediately respond to questions about alleged discrimination.
Canberra has said the plan follows the advice of medical professionals. However, the Australian Medical Association has argued people would be better quarantined on the mainland.
"We feel that the repatriation to Christmas Island - to a place previously the focus of populations under enormous mental and physical trauma and anguish - is not a really appropriate solution," the association's president, Tony Bartone, told Australia's Nine Network.
More than 140 children are among those stuck in the region, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
One Sydney woman identified as Ms Liu told the broadcaster: "We are not prisoners, how could they treat us in a detention centre rather than a proper medical facility?"
Wenbo Yu, whose wife and two children are in Wuhan, said he would prefer his loved ones to stay where they are.
"Compared to Wuhan, we believe Christmas Island is even more unpredictable," he told the ABC.
Former Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane said: "Yes, this is complex, but Australian citizens deserve better from their government."
Christmas Island's detention centre was closed in 2018 but re-opened the following year. It currently only houses a family of four Sri Lankan asylum seekers who are fighting deportation.
There have been nine confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia. Two people have recovered and been released from hospital, authorities said on Thursday.
In total, more than 9,000 people have been infected globally, and 213 people in China have died. (BBC)
