Taiwan says it convinced China to rein in no-fly zone plan - CNA

"STORMY SEAS"

China said on Wednesday that Tsai was pushing Taiwan to "stormy seas" after she met with McCarthy during an overseas trip which also included stops in Guatemala and Belize.

The trip infuriated Beijing, prompting days of military drills designed to show it could forcefully take control of the democratic island.

"Tsai Ing-wen brought danger to Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen almost completely sided (with) the United States, pushing Taiwan into stormy seas," China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said.

China views Tsai as a separatist and has rebuffed repeated calls from her for talks. Tsai says she wants peace but that her government will defend Taiwan if it is attacked.

Beijing has continued military activities around Taiwan, despite announcing that three days of drills had ended as scheduled on Monday.

Taiwan said earlier on Wednesday that in the previous 24 hours it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and eight navy vessels around Taiwan.

Of those aircraft, 14 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to a ministry-provided map; the line normally serves as an unofficial barrier between the two sides.

China says it does not recognise the existence of the line.

Tsai, who returned to Taiwan a day before the drills began, appeared relaxed as she met Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday, saying her overseas trip had been a success in winning support against an aggressor that was threatening the island's freedom.

"Through this trip we again sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is determined to safeguard freedom and democracy, which won acknowledgment and support from our democratic partners," Tsai said as she met the lawmakers.

"Faced with continued authoritarian expansionism it is even more critical for democracies to actively unite," she added.

OPEN TO CHANGE

Speaking to CNA’s Asia First on Thursday, Mr Allan Behm, director of the International and Security Affairs Program at the Australia Institute, said China’s military activity aims to send a “potent” message.

He said China has been sending “very visible” signals, through its highly choreographed military exercises, amid continued US ambiguity over its Taiwan policy.

“Of course, there is a degree of risk that something can go wrong here because human beings are involved, and so there's human decision making,” he said of a potential escalation.

However, Mr Behm noted that China is open to changing its decisions, as shown in the changes to the no-fly zone rules.

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2023-04-13 05:18:29Z
CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS90YWl3YW4tY29udmluY2VkLWNoaW5hLXJlaW4tbm8tZmx5LXpvbmUtcGxhbi1mbGlnaHRzLTM0MTM0OTHSAQA

Arcturus: What do we know about the new Covid-19 subvariant? - The Straits Times

India has been hit by a new wave of Covid-19 cases, driven by a new subvariant known as “Arcturus”.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is monitoring the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 strain, which is also found in over 20 countries.

Here is what we know about XBB.1.16.

What is Arcturus?

Arcturus is the name given to the new subvariant, known as XBB.1.16. It was first detected in late January and is a recombinant variant from BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75, two descendants of another Omicron variant BA.2.

WHO said the subvariant has one additional mutational mutation in the spike protein, which in lab studies shows increased infectivity, as well as potential increased pathogenicity.

Arcturus is nearly 1.2 times as transmissible as XBB.1.5, according to a study by the University of Tokyo. However, the subvariant is not thought to be any more severe than XBB.1.5, reported British news outlet iNews.

What are the symptoms?

Some symptoms that have been reported include a fever that gradually increases and lasts for one or two days, headaches, body pain, abdominal discomfort and sore throat.

Many of those infected with the subvariant are also reporting conjunctivitis and sticky eyes. 

Which countries have the subvariant?

The subvariant was first detected in late January. It is currently found in more than 20 countries including Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

In Singapore, 28,410 Covid-19 cases were recorded in the last week of March. This is almost double the previous week’s figure of 14,467.

The Ministry of Health told CNA that the current Covid-19 infection wave is driven by a mix of XBB subvariants including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9 and XBB.1.16. However, it added that there is currently no evidence of increased severity in the cases.

What is the situation in India?

On Wednesday, there were 40,215 active Covid-19 cases in India – up by 3,122 cases in just one day, according to the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The new wave of Covid-19 cases has prompted at least two Indian states to reintroduce mask wearing in public places as cases in India surged to its highest weekly number in seven months, reported The Telegraph on Wednesday.

In the northern state of Haryana, face masks are mandatory in public places and schools. In the southern state of Kerala, a popular tourist destination, masks are compulsory for pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

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2023-04-13 06:15:38Z
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France favours 'status quo' on Taiwan, position unchanged: Macron - CNA

PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron said France's position on Taiwan (Apr 12) had not changed and that he favoured the current "status quo" in respect of the island, after he was asked to clarify comments that prompted a backlash in the United States and Europe.

In an interview with news outlet Politico and daily Les Echos, Macron had cautioned against being drawn into a crisis over Taiwan driven by an "American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction".

That brought criticism from some politicians and commentators in Europe and the United States, with former US President Donald Trump accusing him of "kissing ass" to Beijing.

"The French and European position on Taiwan is the same one. We're in favour of the status quo. This policy is constant and hasn't changed," Macron told a news conference during a state visit in the Netherlands.

"It's the One-China policy and a Pacific resolution of the situation. That's what I said in my one-to-one meeting with Xi Jinping, that's what was said everywhere, we haven't changed," he said.

Macron did not mention Taiwan in his public statement to the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last week, an omission that commentators criticised.

The French leader also said he shared a vision of an "open Indo-Pacific region" with US President Joe Biden, even if they each had their own approach on China.

"I can tell you he wants to avoid any escalation in spite of the current tension," Macron said.

Macron added that a French military ship had gone through the Taiwan Strait in recent days despite Chinese military exercises around the island and demonstrated France's robust engagement in the region.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control.

"So no, France does not support provocations, does not engage in fantasy politics and considers the status quo, respect and clarity are the best allies of European strategic autonomy," Macron said.

He said Trump's comments were an example of the escalation sought by some. A French diplomat told reporters earlier that Macron did not want to get drawn into the "tension" strategy of the Republican leadership of the US Congress on Taiwan.

The meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California last week - prior to China's drills - was a "provocation", the diplomat said.

The Dutch Prime Minister, who was hosting Macron for a two-day state visit, said he had a very successful meeting with Macron and did not distance himself from his guest's comments, but reaffirmed his belief in the Western alliance.

"Our strong transatlantic relation is there for very good reasons, the US is an essential partner for our freedom and safety," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

"But at the same time, we agree that an open and strategically autonomous Europe should be capable to develop those relations also with other parts of the world. To be a player, and not the playing field," he added.

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2023-04-12 19:28:00Z
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'This week, no one': Hazardous Thai pollution deters tourists - CNA

CHIANG MAI: Hazardous pollution levels in northern Thailand have left the historic city of Chiang Mai choking under thick smog, with locals worried about the impact on tourism - and their health.

Smoke from forest fires and farmers burning crop stubble has suffocated the tourist city, with global air monitoring platform IQAir ranking it among the most polluted places in the world - above regular hotspots such as Lahore and Delhi.

Residents have petitioned the government to act, with images and videos of the dense haze capturing public attention in the run-up to May's much-anticipated national election.

On Tuesday (Apr 11), daily life in Chiang Mai continued, even as records showed the level of the most dangerous PM2.5 particles - so tiny they can enter the bloodstream - was more than 30 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline, according to IQAir.

"It made me want to cry," said Kanchaya Boontan, 40, who runs CM Siam Travel, a tourism firm.

"This year is bad, normally pollution is not too long but the foreigners have seen the news," she added, adjusting her N95 mask.

Forced to close all four of her shops during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kanchaya was just starting to get back on her feet by working 12-hour shifts.

But last week, the Thai Hotel Association Northern Chapter warned that domestic tourists were cancelling their Songkran New Year holiday reservations due to pollution levels.

"Last week I got one customer only. This week, no one," Boontan said.

A few streets away by the ancient Tha Phae gate, 45-year-old orange juice vendor Aun tried to drum up business.

"It's affecting my life more and more every day, whether it be my health or the decline in the number of tourists," he said.

"Some days you can barely see the roads ahead, and it's not fog but it's smog."

"EVERYONE BREATHES"

The pollution is mainly caused by farmers burning their fields, said Siwatt Pongpiachan, an atmospheric consultant with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.

A shifting global weather pattern and Chiang Mai's topography trapping pollution conspired to "drive PM 2.5 into the perfect storm this year", he said.

This year alone, nearly two million people in Thailand have needed hospital treatment for respiratory conditions caused by air pollution, according to the public health ministry.

Chiang Mai cardiologist Rungsrit Kanjanavanit told AFP that officials are not doing enough to tackle the pollution, worried about its impact on the country's vital tourist economy.

"We should care about our guests' health more - that should be a priority."

The pollution impacts children and the elderly the most, Rungsrit added.

"For every 10 micrograms per mil increase in PM2.5, there is one year less of lifespan. You have to multiply it by the exposure range," he said.

"Everyone breathes, so the effect on the population is very high."

"BRIGHT RED SUN"

"The sun was really bright red because of the smoke in the sky, was quite, quite strange and very hazy," said British tourist Lucy Cooper.

"You couldn't see much further than a few fields away," she said.

The 34-year-old, travelling with her partner and two children, said she was advised not to come.

"It's not ideal. And we can't see a mountain, which is sad."

Chokchai Mongkolcho, visiting from northeastern Roi Et province, said the smog "hides the city's beauty".

"It makes me wonder if I'll ever come back here again if there's still pollution like this."

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2023-04-12 12:03:48Z
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Singaporean among crew on Singapore-registered tanker boarded by 'unidentified persons' off Ivory Coast - CNA

SINGAPORE: A Singapore-registered oil tanker was boarded by "unidentified persons" off Ivory Coast at about 10pm (Singapore time) on Monday (Apr 10), the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said late on Tuesday.

Of the 20 crew members on the Success 9, one is a Singaporean, said MPA. It did not give the nationalities of the remaining crew. The ship was boarded about 300 nautical miles (556km) off the Abidjan Coast.

MPA said it is working with the ship owner, the Monrovia Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and the Information Fusion Centre at the Changi Command and Control Centre to monitor the situation and render necessary assistance.

Hai Soon Group, a Singapore-registered company that owns the tanker, declined immediate comment, saying it awaited further updates.

The tanker has been operating in the West African zone for the past 60 days, Refinitiv ship-tracking data showed.

Its last shipping fixture record showed it was carrying diesel, according to Vortexa data.

An Ivorian security source involved in the matter said a patrol boat had been sent out to rescue the tanker, but was unable to locate it because its beacon had been turned off.

"We think it's an act of piracy because the modus operandi is the same," the source, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters.

"We have sought external help from Spain and from Europe," the source added.

According to the ship tracking website MarineTraffic, the Success 9 was built about 20 years ago and has a length of about 108m and a width of about 17m.

Its boarding comes after a similar incident in the region on Mar 26 in which the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Monjasa Reformer was reportedly boarded by five armed people, according to a report by the Maritime Domain Awareness Trade - Gulf of Guinea, a joint maritime monitoring initiative by France and the United Kingdom.

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2023-04-12 04:22:44Z
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KL barber advertises haircuts 'from RM19' but tourist charged RM120; authorities investigating - The Straits Times

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1. KL barber advertises haircuts 'from RM19' but tourist charged RM120; authorities investigating  The Straits Times
2. Barbershop in Malaysia under investigation after allegedly overcharging tourist for haircut  CNA
3. Probe into tourist's alleged RM120 haircut  The Star Online
4. Ministry investigating foreign tourist paying RM120 for haircut  New Straits Times
5. Clip or gyp: Ministry probing tourist's alleged RM120 haircut  The Star Online
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2023-04-12 01:26:20Z
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Myanmar justifies deadly air strike as international outcry mounts - CNA

INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION

Myanmar's lightly armed opposition fighters have no effective defences against the military's air force.

In October, a military jet attacked a concert, killing at least 50 civilians, singers and members of an ethnic minority insurgent force in Kachin State in the north.

Kyaw Zaw, a spokesman for the NUG, said air force jets dropped bombs on villagers and helicopter gunships then followed up, calling it "another senseless, barbaric, brutal attack by the military".

"We... share the great pain felt by the families affected by this tragedy," NUG said in a statement.

The military denies accusations it has committed atrocities against civilians and says it is fighting "terrorists" determined to destabilise the country.

UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the attack and reiterated "his call for the military to end the campaign of violence against the Myanmar population throughout the country", according to a statement from his spokesperson.

Washington also denounced the "reprehensible" attack.

"We strongly condemn the regime's air strikes and urge the regime to cease the violence," US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet tweeted.

Human Rights Watch Asia division deputy director Phil Robertson said the strike was likely to have a chilling effect across Myanmar society.

"I think this will cause greater fear amongst the people," he told AFP.

"I think in the future, communities will be reluctant to hold a ... mass gathering of any sort, recognising that they could be bombed, they could be attacked."

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2023-04-12 07:00:00Z
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