Last Chinese Emperor's Patek Philippe Watch Sells for $6.2 Million - Bloomberg

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1. Last Chinese Emperor's Patek Philippe Watch Sells for $6.2 Million  Bloomberg
2. Last emperor of China's watch sells for record US$5.1 million in Hong Kong auction  CNA
3. Watch once owned by last emperor of China sells for HK$40 million in Hong Kong  South China Morning Post
4. Here’s China’s Last Emperor’s Watch—Which Sold For $5 Million  Forbes
5. Watch again: Wristwatch owned by last Chinese emperor goes up for auction in Hong Kong  The Independent
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2023-05-23 11:36:09Z
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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific suspends flying duties of crew accused of discrimination - South China Morning Post

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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific suspends flying duties of crew accused of discrimination  South China Morning PostView Full coverage on Google News
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2023-05-23 05:22:14Z
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Thai coalition seals deal, pledges to rewrite Constitution and recognise same-sex marriage - The Straits Times

BANGKOK - Eight political parties that won a majority of seats in Thailand’s May 14 general election signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, pledging to rewrite the Constitution, recognise same-sex marriage, and end military conscription except in times of emergency.

The three goals were among 23 outlined in a deal drawn up after negotiations led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), which won the most seats and the biggest proportion of votes in the election.

In a press conference on Monday, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, whom the coalition plans to support for the position of prime minister, described talks among the parties as “fruitful” and “comprehensive”, but stressed: “Today is only the first step.”

Missing from the document was any mention of the lese majeste law, which the MFP had pledged to amend during its election campaign.

The law penalises each count of insult or defamation against the king, queen, regent or heir apparent with a jail term that can stretch to 15 years. Royalists argue that amending it would affect the standing of the monarchy, but critics allege that the law has been abused for political reasons.

The MOU’s preamble, however, mentioned that the government’s actions must not affect “the inviolable status of the monarch”.

Mr Pita said his own party would continue to push for an amendment of the law.

The other seven parties in the coalition are Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Pue Thai Rumphlang and Plung Sungkom Mai.

Although the coalition wields 313 seats in Thailand’s 500-seat House of Representatives, it cannot guarantee that Mr Pita, its choice for prime minister, will eventually attain that position. This is because 250 senators appointed by Thailand’s former ruling junta will vote alongside the Lower House on the choice of prime minister, requiring any bloc to muster 376 seats to secure premiership.

Asked by reporters what would happen if it could not obtain the 376 votes required, Mr Pita said it was not something that he was worried about at present.

He said the coalition was publicising the MOU for accountability, though he added that it was too early to talk about the allocation of Cabinet positions.

Other goals outlined by the coalition government include reform of the military, police and civil service, as well as introducing regulations on cannabis to rein in the current free-for-all environment.

On Sunday, Mr Pita tweeted a message in English and Burmese, calling on Thailand’s caretaker government and the international community to expedite assistance to those in Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha.

“This is in line with my new foreign policy agenda as PM-elect,” he wrote. ”My policies on Myanmar will engage with all stakeholders, focusing on human security considerations, including humanitarian and economic aspects. These will be implemented with a view to achieving mutual peace and prosperity for Thailand, Myanmar, Asean and beyond.”

Asked to elaborate on his foreign policy on Monday, Mr Pita said his government would ditch quiet diplomacy so that Thailand can assume greater leadership in the international sphere.

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2023-05-22 13:35:00Z
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Thailand's Move Forward party coalition signs MOU after electoral victory - CNA

BANGKOK: Thailand's Move Forward party and its seven political allies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday (May 22) to affirm a mutual agreement to drive 23 agendas once their coalition government is formed.

The MOU - coming on the heels of Move Forward's unexpected win in the May 14 general election - aims to create a basis for the forming of Thailand’s next government, and to determine the common direction of work among the eight member parties.

“It is a compilation of agendas we mutually agreed upon and are ready to bring forth through the governmental and parliamentary mechanisms,” said Move Forward's leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat.

“It also shows the responsibilities shared by the parties that will form a government together.”

Among the key missions are drafting a new constitution, legalising same-sex marriage, placing cannabis back on the banned narcotics list and replacing compulsory enlistment with voluntary recruitment during peacetime.

“All the parties agreed that every mission the government will bring forth must not affect the status of the state under the constitutional monarchy or the inviolable status of the monarch,” said Mr Pita.

The coalition currently comprises Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Liberal Party, Thai Sang Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai and Pue Thai Rumphlang.

Together, they have 313 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.

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2023-05-22 12:35:42Z
2052255030

CNA Explains: How do you know if your COVID-19 vaccinations are 'up to date'? - CNA

SINGAPORE: The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination on Monday (May 22) recommended that those aged 60 and above, and medically vulnerable people who have yet to receive the updated bivalent vaccine booster to do so around one year after their last booster dose. 

The government-appointed committee noted that hospitalised patients were more likely to not be updated with their COVID-19 vaccinations, and had yet to receive a bivalent vaccine booster.

A "substantial number" of patients also had yet to achieve the minimum protection. This comprises three complete mRNA or Novavax doses or four Sinovac-CoronaVac doses - regardless of any past infections.

The expert committee added vaccinations could have potentially prevented hospital admissions. 

As Singapore continues to live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, there have been repeated calls for people to keep up to date with their vaccinations. 

"Please continue to keep your vaccinations up to date, as it reduces the risk of severe illness,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (May 22) when he revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

What is considered up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination and when will you require booster doses? Here's what you need to know.

WHAT IS THE UP-TO-DATE VACCINE STRATEGY?

Singapore transitioned to a new strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations towards the end of 2022, with a focus on keeping up to date with the latest vaccination recommendations rather than tracking the number of vaccine doses taken.

People will generally be considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they achieved the minimum protection. 

There are, however, booster dose recommendations for certain groups of people, including people aged 60 and above.

DO I NEED A BOOSTER SHOT?

Besides achieving minimum protection, the Ministry of Health (MOH) recommends an additional booster shot in 2023, one year after their last booster dose for three groups of people.  

These are people aged 60 and above, those who live in aged care facilities, as well as people aged 12 and above who are medically vulnerable and at risk of severe disease. 

The expert committee said on Monday those aged 60 and above, and medically vulnerable people can start to receive one booster dose of the updated bivalent vaccine from five months after their last booster dose.

MOH had said previously that the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna bivalent vaccines are recommended as the additional booster shot for these groups of people. 

Those who are not medically eligible for the two mRNA vaccines may receive the Novavax vaccine or the Sinovac-CoronaVac jab as an alternative. 

People aged 12 and above who do not fall into the recommended groups above may also receive one booster dose at the same interval if they choose to, said MOH. 

WHY IS THE BOOSTER SHOT RECOMMENDED FOR CERTAIN GROUPS?

The expert committee said on Monday that vaccination is essential to achieve a good level of protection against severe disease. 

Those aged 60 and above are particularly vulnerable as they are "significantly" more likely to require medical care and be admitted to hospital should they fall ill with COVID-19.  

The risks of severe illness from COVID-19, including breathing difficulties and even death, can be as high as around seven in 100 persons among unvaccinated seniors.

Seniors and medically vulnerable people should have minimum protection at the very least and achieve optimal protection by being updated with the bivalent vaccines, the expert committee added.

The bivalent vaccine boosters provide better protection against the Omicron variants circulating both in Singapore and overseas, and the most at-risk groups will get the "greatest benefit" from getting the jab.

The protection the boosters provide will reduce the risk of severe disease, the worsening of underlying medical conditions and hospitalisation, said the expert committee.

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2023-05-22 11:26:55Z
2051104954

China summons Japanese ambassador over actions at G7 - CNA

BEIJING: China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong has summoned the Japanese ambassador to register protests about the "hype around China-related issues" at the Group of Seven (G7) summit over the weekend, a ministry statement late on Sunday (May 21) said.

The heads of the world's leading democracies meeting in the Japanese city of Hiroshima expressed serious concerns about rising tensions in East and South China Seas as well as voicing concerns about the human rights situations in China, including in Tibet and Xinjiang.

Sun said Japan collaborated with the other countries at the G7 summit "in activities and joint declarations ... to smear and attack China, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, violating the basic principles of international law and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan", referring to the China-Japan Joint Statement of 1972.

He said Japan's actions were detrimental to China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and that China is "strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes" them.

"Japan should correct its understanding of China, grasp strategic autonomy, adhere to the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan, and truly promote the stable development of bilateral relations with a constructive attitude," Sun said.

Hideo Tarumi, Japanese ambassador to China, rebutted that it is "natural" for the G7 to refer to issues of common concern as it has done in the past and will continue to do so in the future as long as China does not change its behaviour, according to a readout.

"China should first take positive steps to address those issues of concerns if China demands not to refer to them," Tarumi told Sun, according to the readout.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said during Monday morning briefing that the country's policy toward China has been consistent in that it will insist on matters that are needed and urge responsible behaviour, while taking steps to address concerns and cooperate on common issues.

China on Saturday expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with a communique issued by G7 leaders that took aim at Beijing on issues including the South China Sea, human rights and alleged interference in their democracies.

The bloc issued a statement calling on China "not to conduct interference activities" and expressed concerns about alleged human rights abuses in China, particularly in the far-western regions of Tibet and Xinjiang.

They also said the G7 countries were "gravely concerned" about territorial disputes in the South China Sea, indirectly accusing China of "coercion".

Beijing was also urged by the G7 to use its influence to put pressure on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine.

The Chinese embassy in Britain had earlier asked London to stop slandering and smearing China to avoid further damage to China-UK relations.

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2023-05-22 02:31:00Z
2016045828

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wins new diplomatic, military support from G7 - CNA

RUSSIA SLAMS "PROPAGANDA SHOW"

The White House earlier unveiled a US$375 million package of US aid that includes ammunition for HIMARS rocket launchers, artillery shells, anti-tank guided missiles and thermal imaging systems.

It came after the United States lifted a veto on Ukrainian access to advanced US-made F-16 fighter jets, a significant upgrade from Kyiv's Cold War-era fleet of MiGs and Sukhois.

Beyond the promised supplies, the trip has been a major diplomatic coup for Zelenskyy.

It prompted an angry Moscow to denounce the entire G7 summit as a "propaganda show" that whipped up "hateful anti-Russian and also anti-Chinese messages".

Separately, the foreign ministry in Beijing said it had summoned G7 host Japan's ambassador on Sunday to protest against what it described as efforts to "smear and attack" China at the gathering.

Zelenskyy put his country and Russia's invasion firmly at the top of the agenda and secured firm backing for key elements of his 10-point peace plan, centred on the need for a Russian withdrawal.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the message from Ukraine and its allies was clear: "Russia must withdraw troops."

Any peace plan, he said, "can't simply be linked to a freeze of the conflict".

"Russia should not bet that if it holds out long enough, it will end up weakening support for Ukraine."

The summit also afforded Zelenskyy a rare opportunity to make his case to a handful of nations who have pointedly offered little or no condemnation of Russia's invasion.

Leaders from India, Brazil, Vietnam and Indonesia were among those invited to attend the summit as non-members.

After a one-to-one meeting, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Zelenskyy: "I understand your pain and the pain of Ukrainian citizens very well.

"I can assure you that to resolve this, India and, me personally, will do whatever we can do."

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2023-05-22 00:37:28Z
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