Cinmpring kici

Kamis, 16 Juli 2020

Resorts World Sentosa Casino, Mustafa Centre, Tekka Centre among places visited by COVID-19 cases while infectious - CNA

SINGAPORE: Several new locations have been added to the list of places visited by COVID-19 cases in the community during their infectious period, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday (Jul 16).

The new locations include the Resorts World Sentosa Casino on three different occasions, Mustafa Centre and Tekka Centre on two different occasions.

Several shopping malls were also added to the list - New World Centre, Sembawang Shopping Centre and Northpoint City on two different occasions.

The Traffic Police's headquarters was also added to the list.

UPDATED MAP: All the places that COVID-19 community cases visited while they were infectious

The new locations are as follows:

Those identified as close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases would have been notified by MOH, said the ministry.

It added that people who have been at these locations during the specified timings should monitor their health closely for 14 days from their date of visit.

"They should see a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection (such as cough, sore throat and runny nose), as well as fever and loss of taste or smell, and inform the doctor of their exposure history," said MOH.

"There is no need to avoid places where confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been."

The National Environment Agency will also engage the management of affected premises to provide guidance on cleaning and disinfection.

READ: Singapore reports 248 new COVID-19 cases, including 11 in the community

Singapore reported 248 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 47,126.

Eleven of the new cases are community infections, involving two Singaporeans, five work pass holders, two work permit holders and two dependant's pass holders.

There were also four imported cases who had been placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore.

The remaining cases are work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories.

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

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMic2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvY292aWQtMTktY2FzZXMtdmlzaXQtbXVzdGFmYS1jZW50cmUtdGVra2EtY2VudHJlLXJ3cy1jYXNpbm8tMTI5Mzg5NTbSAQA?oc=5

2020-07-16 15:00:15Z
52780928889454

Sea robbery incidents in Singapore Strait double in first half of 2020 - CNA

SINGAPORE: Piracy and armed robbery incidents on ships in the Singapore Strait doubled in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to a maritime information sharing centre on Thursday (Jul 16).

Such incidents in the region as a whole also doubled, said the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre.

In the first half of the year, 16 piracy and armed robbery incidents were reported in the channel, and 51 altogether in Asia.

According to its half-yearly report, the centre said what is "of concern" is the "continued increase of incidents" in the Singapore Strait.

The other incidents occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and South China Sea.

“We had a very big increase of incidents in 2014 and 2015 in Singapore Straits. But that went down drastically in 2016,” said ReCAAP centre's executive director Masafumi Kuroki.

“But since last year, we have seen an increase of incidents.”

READ: Sea robbery incidents in Singapore Strait hit 4-year high

The 2020 incidents took place along the entire length of the Singapore Strait in the eastbound and westbound lanes of the traffic separation scheme, which ensures vessels going in the same direction stay in a specific lane.

Among the 16 incidents, 13 were in the eastbound lane, which is mostly in Indonesian waters.

“There was an increase of successive incidents in the eastbound lane this year. We advise to increase the surveillance and patrol by the littoral states,” said Mr Kuroki.

He also urged Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance information sharing and coordination, and for crews to “exercise utmost vigilance”.

ARREST OF PERPETRATORS IMPORTANT TO DETERRENCE

According to ReCAAP, most of the victim ships in the Singapore Strait were bulk carriers, tankers or tug boats.

“The number of perpetrators (in one incident) is mostly two to six people and the weapons carried by the perpetrators in three instances were knives, but in most cases the weapons were not stated by the report,” said Mr Kuroki.

One of 16 incidents this year involved injured crew and the main items that were stolen were engine spares and scrap metal on barges.

Arrests were made in the Singapore Strait on Mar 16 this year, after the crew sighted the perpetrators in the engine room workshop and detained them.

“The Indonesian Navy arrested three perpetrators for investigation and persecution,” said Mr Kuroki.

The arrest of perpetrators is “very important” to deterrence and a reduction of incidents, Mr Kuroki said, adding that the sharp drop in incidents, from 99 to two between 2015 and 2016, was due to the arrests made by the Indonesian Navy.

Subsequently, there were only 17 incidents from 2016 to 2018.

"NO EVIDENCE" THAT COVID-19 CAUSED INCREASE

Speaking to the media in a virtual briefing, Mr Kuroki said that while it was widely reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused “significant economic hardship” that led to an increase in robbery, ReCAAP cannot ascertain this “causal relationship”.

“For instance, I know that some people say that with economic pressure ... there may be an increase in intent for perpetrators to conduct piracy or sea robbery,” he said.

“Concerning the ships, the less frequent changes of crew and longer hours at sea may increase fatigue of the seafarers that may affect vigilance, but it is difficult to make an assessment on how these factors affect the increase in incidents.”

For the Singapore Strait however, Mr Kuroki was certain that the increase has “no relation” to COVID-19 as cases were already on the rise before the pandemic.

Responding to CNA’s query about the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) restructuring of the Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), Mr Kuroki said while he appreciates these efforts, a greater exchange of information and coordination between Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia is more important.

“The problem is not just Singapore’s ... Criminals are moving from one territorial waters to another,” he added.

The restructuring was first announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen during the Ministry of Defence’s Committee of Supply debate speech in March.

READ: COVID-19 delays new submarines, but delivery of F-35 fighter jets on track: Ng Eng Hen

The MSTF, which works with other SAF task forces, national agencies and international partners, will be restructured to better respond to the increasing maritime security threat in the Singapore Strait, Dr Ng had said.

This includes adding new purpose-built ships and refurbishing existing patrol vessels.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc2VhLXJvYmJlcnktc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXN0cmFpdC1kb3VibGUtMTI5MzgyMjTSAQA?oc=5

2020-07-16 15:22:30Z
CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc2VhLXJvYmJlcnktc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXN0cmFpdC1kb3VibGUtMTI5MzgyMjTSAQA

Sea robbery incidents in Singapore Strait double in first half of 2020 - CNA

Such incidents in the region as a whole also doubled, said the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre.

In the first half of the year, 16 piracy and armed robbery incidents were reported in the channel, and 51 altogether in Asia.

According to its half-yearly report, the centre said what is "of concern" is the "continued increase of incidents" in the Singapore Strait.

The other incidents occurred in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and South China Sea.

“We had a very big increase of incidents in 2014 and 2015 in Singapore Straits. But that went down drastically in 2016,” said ReCAAP centre's executive director Masafumi Kuroki.

“But since last year, we have seen an increase of incidents.”

READ: Sea robbery incidents in Singapore Strait hit 4-year high

Among the 16 incidents, 13 were in the eastbound lane, which is mostly in Indonesian waters.

“There was an increase of successive incidents in the eastbound lane this year. We advise to increase the surveillance and patrol by the littoral states,” said Mr Kuroki.

He also urged Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance information sharing and coordination, and for crews to “exercise utmost vigilance”.

ARREST OF PERPETRATORS IMPORTANT TO DETERRENCE

According to ReCAAP, most of the victim ships in the Singapore Strait were bulk carriers, tankers or tug boats.

One of 16 incidents this year involved injured crew and the main items that were stolen were engine spares and scrap metal on barges.

Arrests were made in the Singapore Strait on Mar 16 this year, after the crew sighted the perpetrators in the engine room workshop and detained them.

“The Indonesian Navy arrested three perpetrators for investigation and persecution,” said Mr Kuroki.

Subsequently, there were only 17 incidents from 2016 to 2018.

"NO EVIDENCE" THAT COVID-19 CAUSED INCREASE

“For instance, I know that some people say that with economic pressure ... there may be an increase in intent for perpetrators to conduct piracy or sea robbery,” he said.

For the Singapore Strait however, Mr Kuroki was certain that the increase has “no relation” to COVID-19 as cases were already on the rise before the pandemic.

“The problem is not just Singapore’s ... Criminals are moving from one territorial waters to another,” he added.

The restructuring was first announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen during the Ministry of Defence’s Committee of Supply debate speech in March.

READ: COVID-19 delays new submarines, but delivery of F-35 fighter jets on track: Ng Eng Hen

This includes adding new purpose-built ships and refurbishing existing patrol vessels.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc2VhLXJvYmJlcnktc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXN0cmFpdC1kb3VibGUtMTI5MzgyMjTSAQA?oc=5

2020-07-16 10:04:03Z
CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc2VhLXJvYmJlcnktc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXN0cmFpdC1kb3VibGUtMTI5MzgyMjTSAQA

Overheated China stocks fall the most in five months after big run-ups - South China Morning Post

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Overheated China stocks fall the most in five months after big run-ups South China Morning Post
China vows payback as US scraps Hong Kong's special status The Straits Times
China vows retaliation against US over Hong Kong sanctions CNA
Defiant Hong Kong youngsters get most votes in weekend primary The New Paper
Beijing's top Hong Kong office slams US sanctions as 'gangster logic and bullying' The Straits Times
View Full coverage on Google News

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNjbXAuY29tL2J1c2luZXNzL21vbmV5L3N0b2NrLXRhbGsvYXJ0aWNsZS8zMDkzMzc5L2hvbmcta29uZy1jaGluYS1zdG9ja3Mtc2xpZGUtZGVzcGl0ZS1kYXRhLXNob3dpbmctcGFjZdIBdWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnNjbXAuY29tL2J1c2luZXNzL21vbmV5L3N0b2NrLXRhbGsvYXJ0aWNsZS8zMDkzMzc5L2hvbmcta29uZy1jaGluYS1zdG9ja3Mtc2xpZGUtZGVzcGl0ZS1kYXRhLXNob3dpbmctcGFjZQ?oc=5

2020-07-16 09:12:46Z
52780920993652

Japan domestic tourism campaign under fire as COVID-19 cases spike in Tokyo - CNA

TOKYO: A Japan government campaign to kickstart domestic tourism after the coronavirus outbreak has come under fire, with officials in Tokyo and the countryside saying it is too soon to boost travel from the capital, hit by a spike in new cases.

A panel of experts was set to meet with Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura to discuss the multi-billion dollar Go To promotion on Thursday (Jul 16), a day after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike publicly queried the campaign's timing and methods.

Scheduled to kick off Jul 22, the campaign will see travellers receive subsidies of as much as 50 per cent in an effort to boost tourism-reliant economies outside of Japan's major population areas.

READ: Japan traces new COVID-19 outbreak linked to Tokyo theatre

Nishimura said he wanted to hear the panel's opinions on containment measures, such as preventing large gatherings and ensuring ventilation in means of transport.

But opposition lawmakers and others have raised concerns that with infections in the capital Tokyo running at their highest level since the outbreak began – currently around 100 to 200 daily – city dwellers could spread the virus through regions that have been relatively lightly hit by COVID-19.

"I don't see why it can't be delayed a bit, or it could be limited to certain regions," said Ryuta Ibaragi, governor of Okayama in the west of the country, which has had just 29 infections out of 23,000 recorded across Japan.

READ: COVID-19: Japan medical workers warn pay reduction jeopardises patient care

Though new cases in the capital have stoked alarm, Japan has not seen the kind of explosive spread that has killed tens of thousands in other countries.

Tokyo itself raised the city's coronavirus alert to its highest level on Thursday.

"Based on the current situation with infections, I really want them to think again about the timing and method for implementing" the campaign, Governor Koike said. "I want to convey this to the national government."

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

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2NvdmlkLTE5LWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWphcGFuLXRva3lvLWRvbWVzdGljLXRvdXJpc20tbmV3LWNhc2VzLTEyOTM3MDEy0gEA?oc=5

2020-07-16 02:49:56Z
52780924316853

Rabu, 15 Juli 2020

Beijing's top Hong Kong office slams US sanctions as 'gangster logic and bullying' - CNA

HONG KONG: China's top representative office in Hong Kong condemned what it called gross interference by the United States in the Asian financial hub, labelling President Donald Trump's move to end the city's special status as "gangster logic and bullying".

In a strongly worded statement released late on Wednesday (Jul 15), the Hong Kong Liaison Office said the sanctions would not have a substantial impact on the special administrative region and rather damage the United States' own interests.

"Unreasonable meddling and shameless threats by the United States are typical gangster logic and bullying behaviour," the statement said.

"No external force can block China's determination and confidence to maintain national sovereignty and security for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability."

The security law imposed by Beijing punishes what China broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Critics of the law fear it will crush the wide-ranging freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, while supporters say it will bring stability to the city after a year of sometimes violent anti-government protests.

READ: Hong Kong academics fear for freedom under new security law

The Chinese government said it had a sovereign duty and legitimate right to maintain national security in Hong Kong and end the "chaos" caused by often violent protests last year.

In response to the law, Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to end preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong.

China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday Beijing will impose retaliatory sanctions against US individuals and entities in response to a US law targeting banks which deal with Chinese officials who implement Hong Kong's security law.

The Hong Kong government in a statement late on Wednesday said it fully supported the central government in adopting countermeasures against the United States.

"It is hypocritical for the US to introduce measures to attack China by creating issues in (Hong Kong) under the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy out of its own political considerations."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1iZWlqaW5nLWNoaW5hLXVzLXNhbmN0aW9ucy1idWxseWluZy0xMjkzNjk1NNIBAA?oc=5

2020-07-16 02:28:43Z
52780920993652

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out sanctions on Chinese officials, says National Security Council - CNA

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has not ruled out additional sanctions on top Chinese officials as a result of actions he took on Tuesday (Jul 14) to punish China for its handling of Hong Kong, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which Trump signed on Tuesday, allows him to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on Chinese officials and financial institutions involved in the imposition of China's new national security law in Hong Kong.

Bloomberg News reported that Trump had ruled out additional sanctions on top Chinese officials for now to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing.

But National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot noted Trump last week issued sanctions against Chinese Communist Party officials for their treatment of minority Uighur Muslims.

"In no way has he taken anything off the table with respect to further sanctions of party officials for actions in Hong Kong or on other issues. Any suggestion otherwise by anonymous sources is flat out wrong," Ullyot said.

READ: Trump says he is 'not interested' in trade talks with China

White House discussions are ongoing about potential targets for sanctions and no final decisions have been made, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Among names being pushed by some China hawks is Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, who has backed Beijing’s implementation of the security law, the source said.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration was considering a sweeping ban on travel to the United States by members of the Chinese Communist Party, citing people familiar with the proposal.

READ: China vows retaliation against US over Hong Kong sanctions

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the legislation Trump signed and an executive order ending Hong Kong's special status under US law were justified.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping made a choice to violate the Chinese Communist Party’s promises to Hong Kong that were made in UN-registered treaty. He didn’t have to do that and he made that choice,” Pompeo told reporters. “We have to deal with China as it is, not as we wish it to be.“

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy93b3JsZC91cy1jaGluYS1zYW5jdGlvbnMtdHJ1bXAtaG9uZy1rb25nLXRyYXZlbC1iYW4tMTI5MzYxMjLSAQA?oc=5

2020-07-16 00:56:15Z
52780920993652