Covid Cases in China: Beijing Faces Omicron, Delta Threat Ahead of Olympics - Bloomberg

China’s highly guarded capital is seeing signs of further coronavirus spread, with new cases of both the omicron and delta variants found less than three weeks before the Winter Olympic Games.

Beijing’s first omicron patient has passed the virus to at least two close contacts, according to the health commission. Separately, a person in a different part of the capital tested preliminary positive for delta, city spokesperson Xu Hejian said at a briefing on Tuesday.

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2022-01-18 10:40:27Z
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China orders overseas mail disinfection over Omicron fears - CNA

BEIJING: China's postal service has ordered workers to disinfect international deliveries and urged the public to reduce orders from overseas after authorities claimed that mail could be the source of recent COVID-19 outbreaks.

China, where the virus first emerged in late 2019, has stuck to a strict policy of targeting zero COVID-19 cases even as the rest of the world has reopened.

But the country is now battling multiple small outbreaks, including one in Beijing as the capital prepares to host the Winter Olympics.

In recent days, Chinese officials have suggested that some people could have been infected by packages from abroad, including a woman in Beijing whom authorities said had no contact with other infected people but tested positive for a variant similar to those found in North America.

China Post on Monday published a statement ordering workers to disinfect the outer packaging of all international mail "as soon as possible" and requiring employees handling foreign letters and packages to receive booster vaccine shots.

The postal service also asked the public to reduce purchases and deliveries from "countries and regions with a high overseas epidemic risk" and said that domestic mail should be handled in different areas to prevent cross-contamination.

The coronavirus is spread through small liquid particles exhaled by infected people.

Both the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have said that the risk of being infected from contaminated surfaces - known as fomite transmission - is low and becomes less likely as time passes.

The CDC has said that there is a 99 per cent reduction in virus traces left on most surfaces within three days.

But China is not willing to take any risks, even more so ahead of next month's Winter Olympics.

The country uses strict local lockdowns, mass testing and people tracing health apps to stamp out infections as soon as cases are detected.

Millions have been confined to their homes in multiple cities in recent weeks after cases of both the Delta and Omicron coronavirus variants flared.

Recent infections have been detected in areas that receive a high volume of international goods, including in the eastern port city of Tianjin and the southern manufacturing region of Guangdong.

China reported 127 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

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2022-01-18 03:15:00Z
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Hong Kong watchdog shell-shocked no crustacean in lobster meatballs - CNA

HONG KONG: It may look like lobster and taste like lobster, but Hong Kong's consumer watchdog is warning hungry hotpot fanatics that the shellfish-tasting meatballs do not, in fact, come from under the sea.

Meatballs are ubiquitous in food-obsessed Hong Kong - offered up on skewers by lunchtime food vendors and also a popular menu item in hotpot and barbeque restaurants.

But anyone with a hankering for lobster meatballs might get a little crabby with Monday's (Jan 17) press release from Hong Kong's Consumer Council, which said it conducted DNA tests on a variety of meatballs for the first time.

"All 10 samples of lobster balls were not detected with crustacean DNA, including a sample which listed lobster in the ingredients list," it said.

Only two samples tested had indicated they were not made from real lobster, calling their products "lobster-flavoured meatballs" and "imitation lobster balls".

The shell-shocking discovery still holds some mystery - specifically what exactly the so-called "lobster balls" contained, said Nora Tam Fung-yee, the chairwoman of the council's research and testing committee.

"We found some other ingredients ... that might be other seafood or even meat-type ingredients," she told the South China Morning Post.

"But our tests focused on lobster-related DNA so we only know that lobster balls to not contain crustacean DNA."

The Consumer Council also found that out of 20 beef and beef tendon balls tested, only seven were found to contain 100 per cent cow DNA - the rest had pig and chicken detected in parts of it.

"(Eight) samples even had a lower proportion of cow DNA as compared with pig and chicken DNA," it said, warning consumers with dietary or religious food restrictions to "pay extra heed".

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2022-01-17 13:20:00Z
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Djokovic 'extremely disappointed' with cancellation of visa - CNA

Djokovic had appealed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to cancel his visa on the grounds that he was a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amid Australia's worst COVID-19 outbreak.

"I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this," the 34-year-old said in a statement after the court dismissed his case.

"I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister's decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open.

"I respect the Court's ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country."

Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, was granted a medical exemption to compete at the Melbourne Park major, a tournament he has won nine times including the last three editions.

The defending Australian Open champion flew into Melbourne on Jan 5 hoping to win the title for a 10th time, in the process becoming the first men's player in the history of the game to grab 21 Grand Slam titles.

In an 11-day battle over his lack of a COVID-19 vaccine that captured global attention, the tennis ace had his visa cancelled at Melbourne airport, reinstated on a procedural issue and then cancelled again by the government.

He spent his first few nights in Australia at a notorious Melbourne detention centre, walked free to practice on the Australian Open's courts for several days after he won back his visa, and then was returned into detention.

Rafa Nadal, who is tied with Djokovic on 20 major titles, said "too many questions" still needed to be answered concerning the Serb's bid to play the tournament, while other leading players lamented how Slam has been overshadowed by the saga.

"I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love," Djokovic said, while also thanking those that supported him.

"I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament."

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2022-01-16 08:14:24Z
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Concerns mount for Tonga after tsunami triggered by underwater volcano - CNA

WELLINGTON: Pacific nations and humanitarian groups struggled to establish communications with Tonga on Sunday (Jan 16) after a tsunami triggered by a massive volcanic eruption cut telephone and Internet connections, raising concerns for the tiny island nation.

An underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders on the shores of Tonga as well as several South Pacific islands, where footage on social media showed waves crashing into coastal homes.

Internet and phone lines went down at about 6.40pm local time (1.40pm, Singapore time) on Saturday, leaving the 105,000 residents on the islands virtually uncontactable.

"The images of the volcanic eruption in close proximity to Tonga are hugely concerning," Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, located about 2,383km from Tonga, said in a statement on Instagram.

"Communication as a result of the eruption has been difficult, but our defence force team and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working as we speak to establish what's needed and how we can help," she said.

The New Zealand foreign ministry said there were no reports of injuries or deaths as yet but communications were limited.

Ardern will address the media at 3pm New Zealand time (10am, Singapore time) to give an update on the situation.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Pacific Office in Suva, Fiji said it was monitoring the situation and had no updates on damages or casualties.

Tongan churches in New Zealand organised prayers for their families back home.

"We pray God will help our country at this sad moment. We hope everybody is safe," Maikeli Atiola, the secretary of the Wesleyan Church of Tonga in Auckland said, Radio New Zealand reported.

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2022-01-16 02:16:45Z
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Indonesian student's selfies fetch US$1 million in NFT sales - The Straits Times

SEMARANG (AFP, THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - An Indonesian college student has become an Internet sensation after trade in the digital rights to his selfies fetched more than US$1 million (S$1.3 million) on a platform for non-fungible tokens (NFT).

Mr Sultan Gustaf Al Ghozali, who studies computer science at a university in the central city of Semarang, has taken a picture of himself sitting in front of his computer almost every day for the last five years.

He intended to use the collection of nearly 1,000 selfies to create a timelapse video for his graduation day.

But after learning about blockchain technology, the 22-year-old decided to upload the photos to NFT trading platform OpenSea under the title “Ghozali Everyday”.

“I was thinking it might be funny if one of the collectors collected my face,” Mr Ghozali told reporters at his university’s campus on Thursday (Jan 13).

“I never thought anybody would want to buy the selfies, which is why I only priced them at $3,” he said.

But on Friday, one selfie was available for 0.247 of the cryptocurrency ether (S$1,086) after demand shot up.

NFTs have transformed digital items ranging from illustrations to memes into virtual collectors’ items that cannot be duplicated.

Mr Ghozali started to upload his selfies in late December, but it was not until a celebrity chef snapped some up last week and promoted Mr Ghozali on his social media account that sales took off.

In the next few days more than 400 people bought ownership of his expressionless photos.

As of Friday afternoon, Mr Ghozali’s collection had reached a total trade volume of 317 ether, equivalent to more than US$1 million.

“To be honest I still haven’t got the courage to tell my parents, they would be wondering where I got the money from,” Mr Ghozali laughed.

On his Twitter account, where he has more than 16,000 followers, the student often offers updates on his OpenSea statistics.

“Today (I) sold more than 230+ (selfies) and until now I don’t understand why you want to buy #NFT photos of me !!! but i thank you guys for 5 years of effort paid off,” he tweeted on Tuesday.

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2022-01-15 08:45:00Z
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Reaction to Australian government cancelling Djokovic visa again - CNA

MELBOURNE : Following are reactions to Australia cancelling Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday on the grounds that the world tennis number one, who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, may pose a health risk.

The move effectively ends his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Jan. 17-30 Australian Open.

AUSTRALIAN PM SCOTT MORRISON

"I note the Minister for Immigration's decision in relation to Mr Novak Djokovic's visa.

"I understand that following careful consideration, action has been taken by the Minister to cancel Mr Djokovic's visa held on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

"This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian but we have stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods."

FORMER AUSTRALIAN PM KEVIN RUDD

"What a surprise! Morrison's govt cancels Djokovic's visa to win the weekend media cycle - showing us all how hairy chested he is. Why on earth did they issue the visa in the first place? One big political distraction from empty shelves & the national shortage of boosters & RATs."

THREE-TIMES GRAND SLAM CHAMPION ANDY MURRAY

"It's unfortunate that it's ended up in this sort of situation, and who knows? I don't know what route he goes down, if he can appeal that and, you know, how long that takes, and can he still be out practicing whilst that process is going on or still competing in the tournament?

"Just want it to get resolved. I think it would be good for everyone if that was the case. It just seems like it's dragged on for quite a long time now, and yeah, not great for the tennis, not great for the Australian Open, not great for Novak."

OPPOSITION LABOUR LEADER ANTHONY ALBANESE

"(Scott Morrison) has been using this Novak Djokovic saga as a distraction from the shortages in our supermarkets, the shortages in our chemists, the shortages of workers, the uncertainty that people have had over kids' boosters and the return to school and all the rest of it.

"But what we have from a government is day after day after day not making a decision where it is now almost 60 days since his visa was granted."

SEVEN-TIMES GRAND SLAM CHAMPION JUSTINE HENIN

"I think it's the best thing he doesn't play at the moment.

"When something is so complicated, I don't say that Djokovic doesn't have to fight, because he thought it was the right thing to do, but I think now it's been proved that so many Australian people don't want him to play.

"So maybe it's better for everyone, for tennis, for the tournament, and maybe for him, that he doesn't play the tournament."

DARREN CAHILL, COACH AND FORMER PLAYER

"Fault lies everywhere here. It's been a mess. Novak, TA, Vic Gov, Federal Gov. It should've been a hard rule entering this country considering what the folks have been thru. Get vaccinated and come play the AO, or if not maybe see you in 23'. No wiggle room."

FORMER SERBIAN TENNIS PLAYER JANKO TIPSAREVIC

"Toxic Shame on each and everyone involved in this process..."

LOU RICCIARDI, FAN AT MELBOURNE PARK TOLD REUTERS

"I do agree with what the government has done. Rules are rules. If you break the rules there are a lot of consequences.

"It's unfortunate for the Open but ... the Open is bigger than just one man. The other players have got to just put up with what's happened and hope there's no distractions.

"I feel the government did the right thing to keep us healthy and safe."

(Compiled by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra, William Maclean, Catherine Evans)

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2022-01-14 09:19:52Z
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