South Korea adopts electronic travel authorisation to stave off infectious disease - CNA

SEOUL: South Korea is implementing for the first time an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system for overseas visitors from September, as the COVID-19 pandemic forces open the way for a policy previously opposed by the country's tourism industry.

The justice ministry said the system will be a long-term way to pre-emptively head off any contagious disease as well as limit the number of undocumented immigrants, which had risen in the years before the pandemic.

Most visa waivers were suspended as the pandemic worsened in April 2020.

When border controls ease, the ETA system will be in place to help prevent the entry of infectious disease to the country by requiring travellers to share their previous two weeks of travel history, Justice Minister Park Beom-kye told Reuters in an interview.

It will also enable a prompt entry ban on a certain country if and when a contagious outbreak occurs, Park said.

"As the procedure allows foreigners wishing to enter South Korea to acquire travel permit electronically in advance, it will serve as an efficient method that can effectively prevent COVID-19 pandemic or other variants and in times when a new type of infectious disease emerges," Park said.

A pilot programme has been in place since May, and the full system will be implemented on Sep 1. South Korea will be the fifth country to adopt an ETA, an automated system used to identify in advance the eligibility of visitors to enter the country without a visa, Park said.

The system will help sharply cut customs and processing times for travellers and make it a lot more convenient, he added. Before travelling, visitors will need to fill out an online application and pay a 10,000 won (US$8.64) fee. An ETA will be valid for two years with multiple entries.

The implementation of ETA also comes amid a spike in the number of undocumented immigrants from countries with visa waivers that jumped to 207,000 in 2019 from 82,000 in 2016, according to the ministry data.

Under the current visa waiver programme, 112 nations were originally eligible for the ETA.

The ETA will initially start with visitors from 49 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Spain.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9zb3V0aC1rb3JlYS1lbGVjdHJvbmljLXRyYXZlbC1hdXRob3Jpc2F0aW9uLTIxMDU4MTbSAQA?oc=5

2021-08-11 08:30:26Z
CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9zb3V0aC1rb3JlYS1lbGVjdHJvbmljLXRyYXZlbC1hdXRob3Jpc2F0aW9uLTIxMDU4MTbSAQA

World's rarest rabbit rescued in Indonesia after it was put up for sale on Facebook - CNA

JAKARTA: A Sumatran striped rabbit, widely considered to be the rarest rabbit in the world, has been rescued by Indonesian wildlife officials after it was spotted by accident on Facebook.

The vulnerable species is known only from a dozen specimens collected in the early 20th century which are now sitting in a Dutch museum. Since then, there have only been occasional sightings in the wild and a handful of camera trap images.

The rabbit is thought to be the rarest species among all lagomorphs (rabbits, hares and pikas). 

They are so rare that when one appeared on Facebook, the conservation community as well as officials from the Kerinci Seblat National Park in the Indonesian island of Sumatra were quick to track down the would-be seller and rescue the priceless animal.

The rabbit was held in safe custody by the time officials met the would-be seller, a farmer who captured the animal opportunistically at the edge of the park next to a river that had just flooded violently. The rabbit had a slight injury to its flank – possibly sustained during the flash flood.

Deborah Martyr, a programme manager from Fauna & Flora International (FFI) who advises the park’s Tiger Protection & Conservation Units, said this unexpected opportunity to eyeball such an elusive species has an enormous scientific significance.

“Very little is known about this animal, other than that it shows a marked preference for mossy hill and submontane forest. The only specimens from Sumatra date back to the Dutch colonial period – and are in the Netherlands, not Indonesia,” she said in a statement issued by FFI.

Martyr said officials from the national park explained to the farmer what he had in his possession. “Once the farmer who caught this rabbit understood its rarity, he was happy to see it returned to the national park,” she said.

The rare rabbit has now been safely released back into the forest by the park rangers, at a site chosen on the basis of existing camera trap data.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS93b3JsZHMtcmFyZXN0LXJhYmJpdC1yZXNjdWVkLWluZG9uZXNpYS1hZnRlci1pdC13YXMtcHV0LXNhbGUtZmFjZWJvb2stMjEwNTI1NtIBAA?oc=5

2021-08-11 03:33:30Z
52781791955029

Crucial day as Malaysian PM Muhyiddin is set to meet King, PN allies - The Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin faces a crucial day on Wednesday (Aug 11), after opponents ramped up pressure this week in a bid to prove to Malaysia's King that the government's majority has evaporated.

Not only will the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president have a pre-Cabinet audience with Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, but he is also due to meet chiefs of his beleaguered Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact in the afternoon after a week where the premier appears to have slipped even further from the target of more than half the 220 members of Parliament, where two seats remain vacant.

The Straits Times reported on Tuesday that letters representing the 105 MPs of the opposition were sent to the palace on Monday, confirming they reject Tan Sri Muhyiddin's leadership.

This added to the 13 Umno statutory declarations that were made public at the same time in an effort to coax the King to request that the Prime Minister resign.

Despite 11 Umno MPs withdrawing from his government last Tuesday, Mr Muhyiddin said the next day that he informed Sultan Abdullah he was convinced he still had a majority based on statutory declarations he possessed, and that the monarch had agreed to the matter being determined in a parliamentary confidence vote next month.

But critics accused him of misleading the King, who had summoned the premier to discuss whether he should resign as constitutionally required when the prime minister loses his parliamentary majority.

Should Sultan Abdullah be satisfied from the declarations he has received that Mr Muhyiddin no longer commands the confidence of the majority of MPs, he can appoint a successor to lead until the next elections which must be held in two years.

According to precedent, the sovereign may do so whether or not the incumbent offers his resignation.

Alternatively, Parliament can be dissolved to pave way for elections in 60 days. Previously, fears of stoking an already raging Covid-19 pandemic as seen after the Sabah polls last year had precluded both the palace and politicians from advocating this option. However, the government has repeatedly insisted all adults will be vaccinated by the end of October, and close to 70 per cent have already received at least one dose.

But given that not all 105 opposition MPs have sent in personally signed declarations disavowing support for Mr Muhyiddin, he could still hang on until the confidence vote is held.

However, there have been growing calls for the parliamentary sitting to be brought forward, and Sultan Abdullah may press the Prime Minister to do so.

On Monday, Umno uploaded two letters sent by party chief Zahid Hamidi to the palace last week, informing Sultan Abdullah that 14 of the party's 38 lawmakers had withdrawn support from the government, along with 13 statutory declarations.

Deputy premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob - who leads a band of Umno MPs refusing to quit government - had insisted last Friday that 31 out of 42 lawmakers from the Umno-led Barisan Nasional remained steadfast behind the coalition's decision early last year to form the Muhyiddin-led government until fresh elections are held.

But the Umno vice-president's claim has been in doubt after at least three MPs named among the 31 insisted they had not taken such a stand.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zZS1hc2lhL2NydWNpYWwtZGF5LWFzLW1hbGF5c2lhbi1wbS1tdWh5aWRkaW4taXMtc2V0LXRvLW1lZXQta2luZy1wbi1hbGxpZXPSAQA?oc=5

2021-08-11 01:16:20Z
CAIiEKr048boR7Ze0PTykLwceOwqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow_7X3CjCh49YCMMa2pwU

Some unvaccinated people not moved by 'pressure' of new Covid-19 rules; those allergic hope for exceptions - TODAYonline

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Some unvaccinated people not moved by 'pressure' of new Covid-19 rules; those allergic hope for exceptions  TODAYonline
2. 53 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Singapore; 13 clusters closed  CNA
3. New Covid-19 cases in Singapore fall for fifth day in a row, with 11 in ICU  The Straits Times
4. New Covid-19 cases in Singapore fall for fifth day in a row  AsiaOne
5. Singapore hits 70% full vaccination as rules start to ease  Yahoo Singapore News
6. View Full coverage on Google News

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMieGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRvZGF5b25saW5lLmNvbS9zaW5nYXBvcmUvc29tZS11bnZhY2NpbmF0ZWQtcGVvcGxlLW5vdC1tb3ZlZC1wcmVzc3VyZS1uZXctY292aWQtMTktcnVsZXMtdGhvc2UtYWxsZXJnaWMtaG9wZdIBAA?oc=5

2021-08-10 15:26:37Z
52781792871219

New Covid-19 cases in Singapore fall for fifth day in a row, with 11 in ICU - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - The total number of daily Covid-19 cases here has fallen for the fifth day in a row.

On Tuesday night (Aug 10), the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 53 local cases, and one imported case.

The last time there were fewer than 53 community cases was on July 15, when there were 42 such cases.

Fifteen of the cases on Tuesday night were unlinked.

The last time there were fewer than 15 unlinked cases was on July 21, with seven such cases.

One new case was added to the cluster at the NKF Dialysis Centre, which now has a total of four cases.

There are also currently 11 patients in critical condition in the intensive care unit, up from 10 the day before.

MOH also announced a total of 32 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation.

Six of these 43 cases are fully vaccinated. Altogether, there are 35 seniors above 60 years old who have fallen very ill, said MOH.

Of this group, 29 are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

As at Aug 9, 8,145,237 doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered under the national vaccination programme, covering 4,373,550 individuals.

Of these, 3,897,650 people have completed the full vaccination regimen, said MOH.

In addition, 131,186 doses of other vaccines recognised in the World Health Organisation's Emergency Use Listing have been administered as of Aug 9, covering 80,459 individuals.

In total, 72 per cent of people here have received two doses of the vaccines, and 81 per cent have received at least one dose.

Overall, the number of new cases in the community has decreased from 799 cases in the week before last to 481 cases in the past week.

The number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased from 238 cases in the week before last to 138 cases in the past week.

A total of 508 cases are currently in hospital.

Read the full MOH press release here.

Related Stories: 

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vc2luZ2Fwb3JlL2hlYWx0aC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1jYXNlcy1pbi1zaW5nYXBvcmUtZmFsbC1mb3Itc2l4dGgtZGF5LWluLWEtcm93LXdpdGgtMTEtaW4taWN10gEA?oc=5

2021-08-10 14:55:08Z
52781791867923

Johor sultan disappointed at politicians jostling for power when people are reeling from COVID-19 - CNA

In his address to the nation on Monday in conjunction with the Islamic new year, Malaysia's king Al Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah urged Malaysians to comply with measures set out in the country's four-phase National Recovery Plan, Malaysia's blueprint to exit from the pandemic.

Sultan Abdullah also called on Malaysians to rise together to strengthen unity, maintain health and adhere to the COVID-19 measures for the sake of the country.

Last Sunday, Mr Muhyiddin announced privileges extended to fully vaccinated individuals, included allowing long-distance married couples to cross district or state borders to meet up, while fully vaccinated parents are also allowed to travel within the country to meet their children who are under 18 years old.

Fully vaccinated Malaysians and permanent residents returning from overseas will be able to serve their quarantine at home. 

The government has also lifted certain COVID-19 curbs for states and federal territories that have already transitioned into the second and third phase of the National Recovery Plan (NPR).

Dine-in, cross-district travel and domestic tourism activities, for instance, would be allowed for fully vaccinated people. Residents in these areas would also be able to enjoy a wider range of non-contact and individual sports and recreational activities, including fishing, equestrian sports, hiking, archery and golf. 

Currently, Perlis, Sarawak and the federal territory of Labuan have transitioned into the NPR's third phase. 

Six other states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Penang and Sabah, are in the second phase, while the rest are still in phase one.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9tYWxheXNpYS1qb2hvci1zdWx0YW4tZGlzYXBwb2ludGVkLXBvbGl0aWNzLWNvdmlkLTE5LTIxMDQwMjbSAQA?oc=5

2021-08-10 11:25:59Z
52781790562199

Hong Kong teachers' union to disband due to 'drastic' political situation - CNA

The union grabbed headlines at the end of July when China's state-run media outlets Xinhua news agency and the People's Daily condemned it as a "poisonous tumour" that must be eliminated.

Hours later, Hong Kong's Education Bureau said it would no longer recognise the opposition-leaning union, which was set up nearly 50 years ago and has around 95,000 members. It employs 200 full-time staff.

The bureau said the union's remarks in recent years were not in line with the education profession, rendering it no different than a political group, and accused it of encouraging students and teachers to take part in "unlawful activities".

Students were on the frontlines of sometimes violent anti-government protests that roiled Hong Kong in 2019, with teachers among some of the thousands arrested.

Hong Kong's security legislation requires the Chinese-ruled city to "promote national security education in schools and universities and through social organisations, the media, the Internet".

The union, which also provides medical and welfare services to members, said it had always promoted the development of the education sector, protected teachers' rights and had not incited students to join demonstrations.

Authorities have denied any erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong - which returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula aimed at preserving its freedoms and role as a financial hub - but say China's national security is a red line.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiVmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS9ob25nLWtvbmctdGVhY2hlcnMtdW5pb24tZGlzYmFuZC1wb2xpdGljcy0yMTAzNzk20gEA?oc=5

2021-08-10 09:45:58Z
52781790766732