Yellen says US would be 'responsible for Ukraine's defeat' if aid fails in Congress - CNA

MEXICO CITY: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday (Dec 5) that the United States would be "responsible for Ukraine's defeat" if Congress fails to approve the Biden administration's latest multi-billion-dollar funding request for the war-torn country.

Yellen told reporters on a trip to Mexico City that the funding - particularly for Ukraine's general government budget support - was "utterly essential" and a pre-condition to keep International Monetary Fund support flowing to Ukraine.

"I've talked to members of Congress, my colleagues have. I think they understand this, that this is a dire situation and we can hold ourselves responsible for Ukraine's defeat if we don't manage to get this funding to Ukraine that's needed, and I'm including direct budget support here because that's utterly essential," Yellen said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff said that postponement of the US aid created a "big risk" that Ukraine would lose its nearly two-year-old war against Russia's invasion.

Zelenskyy later cancelled plans to address Congress to appeal directly for US aid as Congress wrangled over Republican demands to tie the aid to a revamp of US immigration and border policies. US lawmakers have been debating a supplemental spending package of over US$100 billion that would include aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as border funding.

Yellen said the US funding for Ukraine was also essential for US allies in Europe that were providing more generous aid to help Ukraine prevail in its struggle against Russian aggression.

"Ukraine is just running out of money," Yellen said. "They’re spending more than every penny they're taking in, in tax revenue, on military salaries and defence, and they wouldn’t have any schools or hospital or first responders if not for the money we’re sending to them to support them."

The US aid to Russia has come with "very strong controls to guard against any misuse of the funds, any corruption," Yellen said, adding that the government budget support was being channelled through the World Bank, which has strong anti-corruption safeguards to ensure the money goes to intended uses.

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2023-12-06 04:43:44Z
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Tourists on gondola fall into Venice waters after ignoring warning to stay still - AsiaOne

Several Asian tourists in Venice found themselves in troubled waters after their gondola overturned and capsized along the Rio de la Verona River on Sunday (Dec 3) afternoon.

As the boat neared a low-height bridge, the gondolier had informed passengers to stay seated to maintain a low centre of gravity while passing through, reported 8world.

Despite the gondolier's shouts for them to obey his instructions, however, the tourists paid no heed to his warnings and continued moving about in the vessel to take photographs, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

The unbalanced boat then turned turtle, throwing everyone on board into the water.

Videos of the incident circulating online showed five tourists clinging to the overturned gondola and another vessel as the gondolier worked to rescue the frightened passengers. 

According to ANSA, the group comprised six tourists, with the gondolier managing to bring one of them to shore before diving back in to rescue the others.

[embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@ienaridens69/video/7308401469579939104[/embed]

One panicked woman can be heard screaming in fear and attempting to climb onto the nearby gondola, as other Chinese-speaking passengers tried to calm her down.

The tourists were eventually rescued and no injuries were reported, ANSA stated.

ALSO READ: Holiday tragedy: 1 tourist dies, others injured after 10m-high glass bridge in Indonesia's forest park gives way

lim.kewei@asiaone.com

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2023-12-06 04:41:10Z
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US senators square off at Ukraine briefing after Zelenskyy pulls out - CNA

Congress is more divided over backing for Ukraine than it has been at any time during the nearly two-year conflict, with the country fast exhausting the military aid provided by the United States so far.

Senate Republicans are making their support for extra Ukraine funding contingent on President Joe Biden's Democrats accepting reforms of the asylum system and tightened border security - measures the Democrats have already rejected.

"Republicans are just walking out of the briefing because the people there are not willing to actually discuss what it takes to get a deal done," Romney said.

"EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID"

Schumer was quoted by Fox News as saying the briefing had been "immediately hijacked" by Republicans choosing to make a speech on border security rather than asking questions about Ukraine.

One member was "screaming" an admonishment at briefers about not having visited the border, Schumer reportedly said.

The Democrat has teed up a vote Wednesday on clearing the first procedural hurdle for addressing Biden's US$106 billion aid request for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

But it needs 60 votes in the 100-member Senate, and the 49-strong Republican minority looks likely to defeat the package as it leaves out their immigration reforms.

"The number one most immediate threat to our national security is an open border," Kansas Republican Roger Marshall said outside the briefing room.

"Look, everything has been said about Ukraine that can be said. And what's not being said is what's so critical here."

Even if the two sides manage to hammer out a deal in the Senate, it will be a much tougher sell for the Republican-led House, where conservatives have been more sceptical about funding Ukraine, and just as keen to leverage the issue to secure border reforms.

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed publicly for the first time in a letter to the White House on Tuesday that his party will not pass Ukraine aid unless Congress enacts "transformative change to our nation's border security laws".

But Democrats reacted angrily to what they see as an attempt by Republicans to leverage the conflict to secure domestic priorities.

"I have lots of domestic issues I care about too. I'm not holding Ukraine hostage to the resolution of health care or gun violence," Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut told reporters.

"They made a choice to put Ukraine funding in jeopardy and they will all have to live with that choice when Vladimir Putin marches into Kyiv and through into Europe."

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the situation in Ukraine is indeed dire.

"We can hold ourselves responsible for Ukraine's defeat if we don't manage to get this funding to Ukraine," she said Tuesday as she began a three-day trip to Mexico.

"Ukraine is just running out of money," Yellen said.

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2023-12-06 01:34:32Z
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Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia not required to fill in digital arrival card - CNA

Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia are exempt from filling in the country’s digital arrival card, which will be made compulsory for most other foreigners intending to visit the country from Jan 1. 

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) will not be required for those who travel to the country frequently, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Tuesday (Dec 5). 

"This is also to ensure there is no congestion at our international entry points,” he told members of the media at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Besides Singaporeans, the following categories of travellers are also not required to complete the MDAC: Malaysia long-term pass holders, those with Brunei common identification certificates and Brunei Malaysia Frequent Traveller Facility, holders of Thai border passes and Indonesian Cross-Border passes.

The announcement on Tuesday comes days after the country’s Immigration Department said on Facebook that the digital arrival card would be compulsory for all foreign nationals.

This sparked discussion among some travellers, with confusion over whether this would be required of all arrivals, including those driving from Singapore. Some also said it was unclear whether this was compulsory for entry via both manual immigration counters and e-gates. 

At the time, the department’s official website only specified exemptions for permanent residents, Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) holders, and those “transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance”.

A grace period is currently in effect until Dec 31.

"They can still fill out the digital card once they get here because some visitors only knew about this implementation upon arrival, so flexibility is given,” said Saifuddin. 

From Jan 1, travellers who are required to fill in the form must do so two to three days before arrival, he added. 

"Filling this MDAC is important to ensure that security control is not compromised even though we relax the conditions for the entry of tourists," the minister said. 

The MDAC is one of Malaysia's five initiatives to improve the services of its Immigration Department. It is in line with the implementation of its visa liberalisation plan, which exempts tourists from China and India from Dec 1 from visas for 30 days.

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2023-12-05 11:01:00Z
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Singaporeans exempt from Malaysia digital arrival card that applies to foreigners from Jan 1 - The Straits Times

SEPANG, Malaysia – Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia will not be required to fill up the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which will be compulsory from Jan 1 for foreign travellers.

“All Singaporean citizens will be exempted (from filling up the digital card),” Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told a news conference at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Dec 5.

Explaining the move, he said some Singaporeans enter Malaysia on an almost daily basis, and therefore “it is more realistic for us to exempt them”.

Other travellers exempted include diplomatic passport holders, Malaysian permanent residents, Brunei General Certificate of Identity holders, and Thailand Border Pass holders. 

Filling up the card is voluntary for now, but incoming travellers are encouraged to do so.

The formal implementation of the MDAC was initially scheduled to start on Dec 8, but foreign travellers have now been given a grace period of almost one month.

Malaysia’s two border crossings with Singapore are among the busiest in the world, with some 135 million transits via the crossing each year, a figure that is expected to increase to 150 million in 2026, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin.

The exemption for Singaporeans applies at all entry points, and not just at the southern entry points in Johor, he added.

On social media and chat groups, many travellers reported mixed messages from Malaysian immigration officers about the MDAC.

There was confusion over whether those driving into Malaysia from Singapore via the two land checkpoints across the Straits of Johor will be required to fill up the MDAC.

“I was advised by JB customs to fill up the MDAC. He (an immigration officer) said Dec 7 is compulsory to do so even if you are driving in,” said a driver on a Telegram chat group.

“And he advised not to do it last minute, just in case their system could not capture the data immediately.”

Another person said his friend was “forced” by an immigration officer at the Causeway to fill up the form, causing a queue for 10 minutes as a result.

“I understand not every officer is imposing it yet, but to be safe and to avoid any possible risks of causing delays, please do so before going into Johor,” said the unnamed person.

Some drivers said they had been able to enter Malaysia without filling up the MDAC.

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2023-12-05 09:40:00Z
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China-made C919 passenger jet to make first flight outside mainland - CNA

HONG KONG: China's first domestically produced large passenger jet will conduct a flyby over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour next week as part of the aircraft's first showcase outside the mainland.

The C919 made its maiden commercial flight in May and is key to Beijing's decades-long ambitions to compete with Western rivals in the air and cut down China's reliance on foreign technology.

The jet, manufactured by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), also will be displayed at the Hong Kong International Airport from Dec 12 to Dec 17, city leader John Lee announced on Tuesday (Dec 5).

"On Dec 16, the C919 will conduct a flyby above the Victoria Harbour. The public can together witness the first time the C919 soars above Hong Kong," Lee said in his weekly meeting with reporters.

Beijing "chose Hong Kong to be the first city for the C919 to visit outside the mainland", he added.

COMAC's smaller, older ARJ21 jet will also be exhibited in Hong Kong during the six-day period.

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2023-12-05 07:09:54Z
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Singapore DPM Lawrence Wong to visit China from Dec 5 to 8, co-chair top-level bilateral meeting - CNA

BEIJING: Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Dec 5) began a four-day official visit to China where he is set to co-chair an annual apex bilateral meeting for the first time.

During his trip, Mr Wong will also call on Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and visit the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, which marks its 15th anniversary this year, said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement on Tuesday.

Bilateral ties between Singapore and China were upgraded after a meeting in March between Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Mr Wong last visited China in May. He met Premier Li then and took over as co-chair of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) – the highest-level annual forum between the two nations – from Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

The JCBC reviews the substantive collaboration between Singapore and China and charts the direction of cooperation.

Mr Wong will co-chair the 19th JCBC meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Tianjin on Dec 7.

At the last JCBC meeting in November 2022, Singapore and China signed 19 agreements – the most in recent years – that covered areas like e-commerce, tourism exchanges, green development and green finance.

Mr Wong and Vice Premier Ding will also co-chair the 24th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council (JSC), the 15th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City JSC, and the 7th China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Cooperation JSC.

These JSCs review the progress of and discuss further cooperation on the three flagship government-to-government projects.

On top of that, Mr Wong will have a bilateral meeting with Vice Premier Ding.

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2023-12-05 04:00:23Z
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