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Selasa, 28 April 2020

COVID-19: Singapore will look after Chinese migrant workers, FM Balakrishnan tells Wang Yi - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore will look after the well-being of Chinese migrant workers in the country, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reassured his counterpart in China, Mr Wang Yi, during a phone call on Tuesday (Apr 28).

This includes providing the workers with the necessary medical care and treatment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Wang “expressed appreciation for the mutual support and effective collaboration between Singapore and China amid the COVID-19 outbreak”, MFA added.

Both ministers had ongoing discussions on how to gradually resume economic activity and exchanges, and spoke about how safe international travel could be reintroduced in the “near future”.

READ: Singapore reports 528 new cases of COVID-19, taking total to 14,951

READ: COVID-19: 'Not true' Singapore has reduced testing among migrant workers, says Gan Kim Yong

Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to maintain supply chain connectivity, especially for medical supplies and food, and the importance of continuing to enhance regional and international cooperation.

Migrant worker dormitories in Singapore have been especially hard-hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with large groups of foreign workers testing positive for the virus.

Over the course of the outbreak, many migrant worker dormitories have also been gazetted as isolation areas to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Last week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had also expressed a similar sentiment to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Tuesday, Singapore reported 528 new COVID-19 cases as of noon, with a vast majority of the new cases being work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in an earlier update.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-04-28 14:37:34Z
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Malaysia's deputy health minister fined RM1,000 for breaching coronavirus restriction rules - The Straits Times

GERIK (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia's Deputy Health Minister Noor Azmi Ghazali and Perak executive council member Razman Zakaria have pleaded guilty to breaching the movement control order (MCO).

The duo was jointly charged with 13 others at the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (April 28), after they were all pictured having a meal at a tahfiz in Lenggong on April 18.

Magistrate Norhidayati Mohammad Nasroh ordered the accused to pay a RM1,000 (S$325) fine in default of one month's jail if they failed to pay the fine.

The men were charged under rule 6(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.

According to the charge sheet, the accused were found at an infected area for social purposes.

Noor Azmi and Razman were visiting the Lenggong Health Clinic to check on preparations of the Hulu Perak district health office to control the Covid-19 outbreak before visiting the tahfiz at Kampung Luat Lenggong to perform azhar prayers, then sitting down to have a meal.

The photos were uploaded on Noor Azmi's Facebook page, but were later deleted after drawing heavy criticism.

Lawyer Nor Zahari Ismail represented all 15 accused while Deputy Public Prosecutor Azhar Mokhtar and Mohamad Amri Alfikri Mohamad Dasuki prosecuted.

When asked to comment, Noor Azmi promised to do better.

"I would like to humbly offer my sincere apologies and thank those who have supported me.

"I will obey the law and the jurisdiction of this country. I will perform better to provide only the best health for Malaysians," he told reporters before leaving together with Razman.

Only four members of the media were allowed to enter the courtroom to maintain social distancing rules.

Kim Jong Un may be trying to avoid coronavirus, says South Korea - CNA

SEOUL: Kim Jong Un may have missed a key holiday on Apr 15 because of concerns over the coronavirus, not because he is ill, South Korea's minister for North Korean affairs said on Tuesday (Apr 28).

North Korean leader Kim's absence from public ceremonies on the birth anniversary of his grandfather and founder of the country, Kim Il Sung, was unprecedented, and he has not been seen in public since. That has led to days of speculation over his health.

South Korean officials emphasise they have detected no unusual movements in North Korea and have cautioned against reports that Kim may be ill.

READ: North Korean leader absence from anniversary event fuels speculation over health

North Korea has said it has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus, but given the fact that the country has taken stringent steps to head off an outbreak, Kim's absence from the ceremonies is not particularly unusual, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who oversees North Korea engagement, told lawmakers.

"It is true that he had never missed the anniversary for Kim Il Sung’s birthday since he took power, but many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been cancelled because of coronavirus concerns," Kim Yeon-chul said at a parliamentary hearing.

He said there were at least two instances since mid-January where Kim Jong Un was out of sight for nearly 20 days. "I don’t think that’s particularly unusual given the current (coronavirus) situation."

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he has a good idea how Kim Jong Un is doing and hopes he is fine, but would not elaborate.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was aware of reports on Kim's health and he was was paying close attention to developments.

READ: Heir unapparent: If North Korea faces succession, who might replace Kim Jong Un?

North Korea had cancelled some large events, and imposed a border lockdown and quarantine measures in an effort to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus.

But if Kim Jong Un is hiding out due to fears surrounding COVID-19, it would "puncture a hole in the state media narrative of how this crisis has been perfectly managed", said Chad O'Carroll, CEO of Korea Risk Group, which monitors North Korea.

"If he is merely trying to avoid infection, it should theoretically be very easy to release photos or videos of a healthy-looking Kim," he said.

SIGNS OF LIFE

An authoritative source familiar with US intelligence reporting said on Monday it was entirely possible Kim had disappeared from public view to avoid exposure to COVID-19 and the sighting of his presidential train in the coastal resort area of Wonsan did suggest he may be there or have been there recently.

But the source said that since there was no authoritative backing for such a conclusion, US agencies were also still considering the possibility Kim might be ill, even seriously.

Special train station servicing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's Wonsan complex is seen in a satellite image

Washington-based North Korea monitoring project, 38 North, said on Saturday that satellite images from last week showed a special train that was probably Kim's at Wonsan, lending weight to reports he had been spending time in the resort area.

While North Korean state media have not reported on Kim Jong Un's whereabouts since he presided over a meeting on Apr 11, they have carried near-daily reports of him sending letters and diplomatic messages suggests he is still carrying out his duties as leader.

That suggests that he is still carrying out his duties, Unification minister Kim said, although some experts say they are not necessarily conclusive.

"I agree with the South Korean government's assessment that there is no reason to think Kim Jong Un is not performing his duties," said Rachel Minyoung Lee, a former North Korea open source intelligence analyst for the US government. "That said, I would not read too much into letters signed by Kim Jong Un. I would guess that most of them are not written by him anyway."

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2020-04-28 07:00:37Z
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Senin, 27 April 2020

Malaysian deputy health minister, Perak executive councillor fined RM1,000 for violating movement control order - CNA

GERIK, Perak: Malaysia’s Deputy Health Minister I Noor Azmi Ghazali and a state executive councillor from Perak pleaded guilty to breaching the movement control order (MCO) at a magistrate’s court on Tuesday (Apr 28).

Noor Azmi, a member of parliament for Bagan Serai, and Razman Zakaria, who is the chairman of Perak state education, human resource development, non-governmental organisation and civil society committee, were fined RM1,000 (US$228), according to Malaysian media.

They were charged for violating the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, which provide for a maximum fine of RM1,000 or a jail term not more than six months, or both.

The duo were photographed sharing a meal with a group of people at a tahfiz (religious school) in Lenggong, Perak on Apr 18, following the deputy minister’s official visit to the local health clinic.

The photos, uploaded on Noor Azmi’s Facebook page and later deleted, drew brickbats for violating the MCO, which bars public gatherings as well as domestic and international travels.

Enforced since Mar 18 and extended for three times until May 12, the MCO aims at breaking the infection chain to stop the spread of COVID-19.

READ: Malaysia reports 40 new COVID-19 cases, one death

The deputy health minister has earlier apologised for the incident.

“I also appreciate the great sacrifices made by the frontliners such as the police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Health personnel and other government agencies involved in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you for your service and sacrifices," he said.

A police investigation was conducted and the deputy minister’s statement was recorded at the Putrajaya district police headquarters on Apr 20.

Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has on Apr 23 called on all leaders to fully comply with the MCO.

“His Majesty also called on those at the leadership level to show good example to the people by being in full compliance with the MCO,” Comptroller of the Perak Royal Household, Colonel (Retired) Abd Rahim Mohamad Nor, said in a statement.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-04-28 03:32:25Z
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Burgers, fries and coffee: New Zealanders rush for fast food as COVID-19 lockdown eases - CNA

WELLINGTON: New Zealanders queued for burgers, fries and coffee takeaway on Tuesday (Apr 28) after they were freed from a month-long lockdown, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern credited with eliminating domestic transmission of the coronavirus.

Around 400,000 people returned to work after Ardern shifted the country's alert level down a notch, loosening some of the tough movement restrictions that shut down businesses for weeks.

"It’s hard to explain how good this tastes," Christopher Bishop, a lawmaker, said on Twitter after posting a picture with a take away coffee cup.

READ: 'We have won that battle': New Zealand PM on COVID-19 transmission

Long queues of cars snaked up to McDonald's outlets in Auckland and Wellington from the early hours as people sought a fast food fix.

"We got quarter pounders, Big Macs, drinks ... I've still got two cheeseburgers left but I can't finish them," Tai Perez, who arrived at a McDonald's outlet in Auckland at 4am, was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.

New Zealand's 5 million residents were subjected to one of the strictest lockdowns in the world in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with Ardern shutting down much of the country from Mar 26.

Ardern said those measures had paid off. New Zealand has reported just 1,122 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 19 deaths, one of the lowest tallies in the world.

"We can say with confidence that we do not have community transmission in New Zealand. The trick now is to maintain that," Ardern told Radio New Zealand on Tuesday.

READ: 'Just another patient': New Zealand nurse tells of treating British PM for virus

There was growing debate among officials and academics about the terminology that should be used for New Zealand's status in relation to the coronavirus spread, with some saying "elimination" would not allow for recurrent small numbers of cases. They point to the fact that the country reported five new cases and one death yesterday.

"When I talk about elimination it does not mean zero cases, it means zero tolerance for cases," Ardern said. "The idea of COVID being completely gone, that is eradication - so there are important differences there."

New Zealand is maintaining several social distancing policies despite the step down in the alert level with malls pubs, hairdressers and other public shopping areas to stay shut for at least another two weeks.

READ: Commentary: Jacinda Ardern, the leader our troubled times need

Siouxsie Wiles, a microbiologist and associate professor at the University of Auckland, was among those warning the virus could return if lockdown measures were eased too quickly.

"If we turn our backs for a minute, we’ll be on the path to a serious outbreak once again. And we’ve seen this happen overseas," Wiles wrote in a column on the online news site The Spinoff.

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2020-04-28 01:15:52Z
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Trump faults China for COVID-19 spread, says US investigating - CNA

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Monday (Apr 27) that China could have stopped the coronavirus before it swept the globe and said his administration was conducting "serious investigations" into what happened.

"We're doing very serious investigations ... We are not happy with China," Trump said at a White House news conference.

"There are a lot of ways you can hold them accountable.

"We believe it could have been stopped at the source. It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world."

Trump's criticism was the latest from his administration to target China's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, which began late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has grown into a global pandemic.

The US president said he may seek damages from China. Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany US$165 billion in reparations because of economic damage done by the virus.

READ: US states ease COVID-19 curbs, plot economic path forward

Asked if the US would consider doing the same, the US president said "we can do something much easier than that".

"Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things," he said. "We are talking about a lot more money than Germany's talking about."

"We haven't determined the final amount yet," Trump said. "It's very substantial.

"This is worldwide damage," he said. "This is damage to the US, but this is damage to the world."

Last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US "strongly believed" Beijing failed to report the outbreak in a timely manner and covered up how dangerous the respiratory illness caused by the virus was.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Twitter on Monday Pompeo should "stop playing the political game. Better save energy on saving lives".

The coronavirus outbreak has killed more than 207,000 people around the world, including more than 55,000 in the United States, according to a Reuters tally.

Earlier on Monday, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro accused China of sending low-quality and even counterfeit coronavirus antibody testing kits to the United States and of "profiteering" from the pandemic.

Navarro, an outspoken critic of Beijing whom Trump has appointed to work on supply-line issues relating to the health crisis, said more testing both for the virus and antibodies was vital to getting Americans currently in lockdown back to work.

READ: White House trade adviser Navarro lashes out at China over 'fake' COVID-19 test kits

SCHOOLS REOPENING, ELECTION GOING AHEAD

Trump said on Monday he expects to see a "lot" of US schools reopen after being shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Many (state governors) are thinking about their school system," Trump said at the briefing.

"Not a long way to go in the school system right now, for this season, for this year, but I think you'll see a lot of schools open up. Even if it's for a very short period of time, I think it would be a good thing."

"Young people seem to do very well," he added in an apparent reference to studies showing that children do not get as sick from the virus as older people.

"So I know that there are some governors that aren't necessarily ready to open up their states, but they may be ready to open up their school systems," Trump said.

"That's their choice, but the word is safety," he said. "Rapid - but safety."

READ: US House committee launches probe over Trump's blocking of WHO funds

He also dismissed allegations by his opponent Joe Biden that he would try to delay the November election as the United States struggles to quell the outbreak.

"I never even thought of changing the date of the election. Why would I do that?" Trump told reporters at the White House.

The president cannot by law unilaterally change the date of the election, which is due on Nov 3.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-04-28 00:11:22Z
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'I hope he's fine': Trump says he knows how North Korea's Kim Jong Un is doing - The Straits Times

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump said on Monday (April 27) he knows how Kim Jong Un is doing and hopes he is fine, after days of speculation over the North Korean leader's health.

Mr Kim’s whereabouts and whether he had a heart procedure have been a subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.

Daily NK, a Seoul-based website, reported last week that Mr Kim was recovering after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure on April 12, citing one unnamed source in North Korea. Reuters has not been able to confirm the report.

A special train possibly belonging to Mr Kim was spotted last week at the North Korean resort town of Wonsan, according to satellite images reviewed by 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring project.

"I can't tell you exactly," Mr Trump said when asked about Mr Kim's condition at a White House news conference.

"Yes, I do have a very good idea, but I can't talk about it now. I just wish him well."

"I hope he's fine. I do know how he's doing relatively speaking. We will see - you'll probably be hearing in the not too distant future," Mr Trump said.

Rumours and speculation over Mr Kim's health began after he did not appear in public at a key state holiday on April 15. He has since remained out of sight.

South Korean officials have emphasised they have detected no unusual movements in North Korea and caution against reports that Mr Kim may be ill or is being isolated because of coronavirus concerns.

At a closed-door forum on Sunday, South Korea's Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who oversees North Korea engagement, said Seoul had the intelligence capabilities to say with confidence there were no indications of anything unusual.

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2020-04-27 23:57:49Z
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Selasa, 28 April 2020

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Senin, 27 April 2020