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Japan PM apologizes over lawmakers' hostess bar visits amid virus emergency

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2021, with a transparent acrylic screen set in front of him to prevent coronavirus infection. (Photo by=Kyodo) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga apologized Wednesday in parliament after executives of the ruling coalition were reported to have visited hostess bars in Tokyo's posh Ginza district late at night, defying a state of emergency that urges people to avoid unnecessary outings, especially in the evening. Kyodo reported that Jun Matsumoto, acting chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Diet Affairs Committee, and Kiyohiko Toyama, acting secretary-general of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Suga's LDP, both admitted to visiting such bars last week. The news comes when the government is considering extending the state of emergency, which includes asking restaurants and bars to shorten their opening hours, by about a month from its current scheduled end Feb. 7. "As we have asked the people to refrain from going out, I am extremely sorry," Suga said at the House of Councillors' Budget Committee. According to a report published online by the weekly magazine Shukan Shincho, Matsumoto on Jan. 18 left a restaurant before 9 p.m. and went to two hostess bars in Ginza until around 11:20 p.m. Another weekly magazine, Shukan Bunshun, reported Toyama made a visit to a hostess bar in Ginza late Friday evening.

Japanese police rule out theft in incident with ruby worth $29 million

Police investigators exit a building where a rough ruby worth approximately 3 billion yen was reported to have been snatched in Tokyo's Ginza district on Jan. 27, 2021. (Photo by=Kyodo) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Police have ruled out theft in an incident involving a rough ruby worth approximately 3 billion yen ($29 million) that was originally reported stolen Wednesday in central Tokyo during negotiations for a sale. Kyodo said the incident in the capital's glitzy Ginza district was believed instead to be the result of a disagreement between the female owner of the ruby and the man who had been consigned to sell it. According to local police, the woman left the ruby in the possession of the man around a year ago but is believed to have requested its return after he failed to sell it. She left with the ruby after meeting with him on Wednesday, they said. The police are currently questioning both parties to confirm the details. The ruby was originally believed to have been snatched after the man called police around noon and said two men had fled the scene with the gemstone.

More than 22 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in China

People stand at a vaccination site after receiving a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, during a government-organized visit, following the COVID-19 outbreak, in Shanghai, China on Jan 19, 2021. (File photo by=Reuters/Aly Song) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] China has administered about 22.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, a health official said on Wednesday (Jan 27), as the country steps up its campaign ahead of next month's Chinese New Year holidays and the accompanying flurry of travel. Reuters said the world's most populous nation has widened its targeted inoculation scheme since mid-December to include more priority groups facing a higher risk of virus exposure, in a bid to prevent any outbreaks in winter and spring. "Overall, the work is progressing in a smooth and orderly manner," Zeng Yixin, vice director of the National Health Commission, told a news conference, referring to the vaccination effort. China aims to vaccinate 50 million people before the Chinese New Year in February, state media Global Times said this month. The nationwide vaccine scheme now prioritizes essential groups such as workers in medical, transport, and food services, employees, and students going abroad. The elderly and others will have to wait. However, the Chaoyang district in the capital, Beijing, has started giving vaccines to citizens outside essential groups.

Philippine province cancels award for China Communications' US$10 billion airport project

The Sangley Point International Airport project.( Photo from SCMP/ Handout) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A Philippine province cancelled its award of a US$10 billion airport deal south of the capital, among the biggest projects involving a Chinese firm under President Rodrigo Duterte who has pursued warmer ties with Beijing since taking office in 2016 according to Reuters. China Communications Construction Co (CCCC) and Philippines company MacroAsia Corp won the auction in 2019 to partner with the Cavite provincial government to upgrade the Sangley airport."The notice of selection and award for the Sangley Point International Airport Project issued on 12 February 2020 was canceled," MacroAsia told the stock exchange on Wednesday. Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla told Reuters the consortium's documentation was "deficient in three or four items"."We saw it as a sign they were not fully committed to the project," Remulla said. The Cavite government would start new negotiations for a private sector partner to pursue the airport project, he said in a Facebook post. In December 2019, the CCCC-MacroAsia consortium were the sole bidders for a US$10 billion airport just outside the capital, one of two big projects that aim to take the pressure off the four terminals of Manila's notoriously packed international airport. China's CCCC was not immediately available for comment

Myanmar health workers receive first COVID-19 vaccinations

Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi looks on as health workers receive a vaccine for the Covid-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Naypyidaw on January 27, 2021. (Photo by=AFP) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Health workers in Myanmar on Wednesday (Jan 27) became the first people in the Southeast Asian country to be vaccinated against COVID-19, five days after the first vaccines were delivered from India. According to AP, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s leader, announced last week that front-line health workers would get priority for inoculations with the vaccine developed by Oxford University and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. India, which manufactures the vaccine under license, donated 1.5 million doses to Myanmar, enough to inoculate 750,000 people. On Wednesday, Suu Kyi observed vaccinations at a hospital in the capital, Naypyitaw, and told reporters that the inoculation campaign must proceed carefully because the government does not have all the supplies it needs. She said people would be monitored for side effects and be issued certificates that they have been vaccinated. Suu Kyi, 75, is expected to be vaccinated Thursday. About 100 personnel were being vaccinated Wednesday at the Ayeyarwaddy COVID-19 Treatment Center in Yangon, the country's biggest city. It was set up last September with 1,000 beds to house coronavirus patients, and later also became a testing center. Myanmar health authorities on Tuesday announced 411 new coronavirus cases, bringing the confirmed total to 138,368. The death toll increased by 13 to 3,082.

Climate change: Biggest global poll supports 'global emergency'

Overall, younger people were more likely to agree with the view that rising temperatures were an emergency, with nearly 70% in favour. (Photo by=Nurphoto) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Despite the pandemic, almost two thirds of people around the world now view climate change as a global emergency. BBC said that's the key finding from the largest opinion poll yet conducted on tackling global warming. More than a million people in 50 countries took part in the survey, with almost half the participants aged between 14 and 18. Conserving forests and land emerged as the most popular solution for tackling the issue. The poll, called the "People's Climate Vote", has been organised by the United Nations Development Programme in conjunction with Oxford University. The organisers distributed poll questions through adverts in mobile gaming apps across 50 countries, between October and December last year. Around 1.22 million people of all genders, ages, and educational backgrounds took part, but with significant numbers of younger people. Some 550,000 people aged 14-18 took part. Across all countries, 64% of participants saw climate change as an emergency, requiring urgent responses from countries. The margin of error was +/- 2%.In the UK and Italy, 81% agreed with the question, while this dropped to 50% among those responding from Moldova. Overall, younger people were more likely to agree with the view that rising temperatures were an emergency, with nearly 70% in favour.

Coronavirus: AstraZeneca-EU row escalates over vaccine shortage

The EU has started to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, although AstraZeneca is yet to be approved. (Photo by=Getty Images) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The EU is urging pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to publish their vaccine contract, amid an escalating row over delivery shortfalls, BBC reported. The EU is unhappy with the explanation over the production delays, but a confidentiality clause binds it from releasing the deal's details. In an interview, the company's CEO said the contract compelled it to make its "best effort", rather than obliging it to meet a set deadline. The two sides are set to meet later. Earlier on Wednesday, an EU official said that AstraZeneca had pulled out of the meeting, but the company has since insisted it will attend. The EU signed a deal with AstraZeneca in August for 300 million doses, with an option for 100 million more, but the company has reported production delays at two plants, one in the Netherlands and one in Belgium. Meanwhile, Pfizer/BioNTech, which has an even bigger vaccine-production deal with the EU, is also experiencing delays. French drugmaker Sanofi has announced that it will help produce 125 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab by the end of the year. The company will allow Germany-based BioNTech to use its facilities in Frankfurt from July, Sanofi said in a statement, having delayed the development of its own vaccine.

Joe Biden: The team he hopes can fix the US economy

President Joe Biden has vowed to heal America's economy from the pandemic with a large dose of economic stimulus. (Photo by=Reuters) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] President Joe Biden has vowed to heal America's economy from the pandemic with a large dose of economic stimulus - including immediate relief and investments in green jobs, infrastructure and more according to BBC. He's called on a team of Ivy League trained economists and lawyers, well-versed in the ways of Washington, to turn his vision into reality. Many worked under former President Barack Obama on the response to the 2007-8 financial crisis, a hit from which it took the US a decade to emerge. First on the list is the 74-year-old economist Janet Yellen who trained at Brown and Yale universities and taught at the University of California's Berkeley campus is the first woman to lead the Treasury Department in its 231-year-old history. Next is Brian Deese, 44, who will be the youngest to serve as head of the National Economic Council. The Yale-trained lawyer Neera Tanden, the 50-year-old would be the first woman of color and the first South Asian American to lead the office of management and budget. Princeton economist Cecilia Rouse will chair the Council of Economic Advisors, made her name working on issues of inequality and its intersection with race, gender, education, and other issues. Katherine Tai will become America's top trade negotiator, leading an office that she previously served as an attorney working on US complaints about Chinese trade.

'Crazy and evil': Bill Gates surprised by pandemic conspiracies

People with a banner showing Bill Gates and words 'Go to Prison' take part in the 'End the Pandemic' march in the center of Warsaw, Poland, 12 September 2020. (Photo by=Leszek Szymanski) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates says he has been taken aback by the volume of “crazy” and “evil” conspiracy theories about him spreading on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, but said on Wednesday he would like to explore what is behind them. In an interview with Reuters, Gates said the millions of online posts and “crazy conspiracy theories” about him and about top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci had likely taken hold in part because of the combination of a frightening viral pandemic and the rise of social media. “Nobody would have predicted that I and Dr. Fauci would be so prominent in these really evil theories,” Gates said. Since the pandemic began a year ago, millions of conspiracies have spread over the Internet, fuelling misinformation about the coronavirus, its origins, and the motives of those working to fight it. They include claims that Fauci and Gates created the pandemic to try and control people, that they want to profit from the virus’ spread, and that they want to use vaccines to insert trackable microchips into people. Meanwhile, Gates, a billionaire who stepped down as chairman of Microsoft Corp in 2014, has through his philanthropic Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation committed at least $1.75 billion to the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden raises election meddling with Putin in first phone call

US President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Photo by= Getty Images) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] US President Joe Biden has warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin about election meddling in their first call as counterparts, the White House says. BBC said, the conversation also included a discussion about the ongoing opposition protests in Russia. A Kremlin statement didn’t refer to any points of friction, saying the call was "businesslike and frank". Both sides reportedly agreed to extend the countries' last remaining nuclear deal during the call. "President Biden made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies," the White House said in a statement, referencing the main talking points of Tuesday afternoon's call but listing no further details. Former US President Donald Trump sometimes undercut his own administration's tough posture on Russia and was accused by some of being too deferential to Mr. Putin. The US said that the two presidents also discussed the massive SolarWinds cyber-attack, which has been blamed on Moscow; reports that the Kremlin placed bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan; and the poisoning of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny. The leaders also discussed the New Start treaty, an Obama-era accord that limits the amounts of warheads, missiles, and launchers in the two countries' nuclear arsenals.

Indian court rules that groping without removing clothes is not sexual assault

The Bombay High Court in Mumbai, February 2015. (Photo by=Ramnikal Modi/Shutterstock) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] An Indian court ruled that groping a child through their clothing doesn’t constitute sexual assault, drawing outrage across the country and frustrating campaigners battling to address widespread sexual abuse against women and children, CCN reported. Last week, Bombay High Court judge Pushpa Ganediwala found that a 39-year-old man wasn’t guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl as he hadn’t removed her clothes, meaning there’s no skin-on-skin contact. He was found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to three years in prison in a lower court, but then appealed to the High Court. Justice Ganediwala acquitted the accused of sexual assault but convicted him on the lesser charge of molestation and sentenced him to one year in prison. Indians took to social media after the Bombay High Court decision was released to question the logic of the court decision, which sets a new precedent. Other high courts and lower courts around the country will now need to follow the Bombay High Court's decision. The National Commission for Women said it planned to mount a legal challenge to the judgment, which it said will have a "cascading effect on various provisions involving safety and security of women." Sexual assault is a huge issue in India, where sex crimes are often brutal and widespread but are often poorly dealt with under the country's justice system.

UN rights chief seeks sanctions against Sri Lanka generals for alleged war crimes

Sri Lankan government forces crushed separatist guerrillas in a military campaign that ended in May 2009. (Photo by=AFP) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The United Nations human rights chief has called for an International Criminal Court investigation into Sri Lanka's Tamil separatist conflict, and sanctions on military officials accused of war crimes, according to a report obtained by AFP. Michelle Bachelet accused Sri Lanka of reneging on promises to ensure justice for thousands of civilians killed in the final stages of the 37-year separatist war that ended a decade ago. "Domestic initiatives for accountability and reconciliation have repeatedly failed to produce results, more deeply entrenching impunity, and exacerbating victims' distrust in the system," she said in the report obtained ahead of its official release. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reversed some advances made under previous administrations in protecting human rights, the report said. Surveillance of rights activists and dissidents has increased and a climate of self-censorship has emerged, it added. Rajapaksa won a 2019 presidential election on a nationalist agenda which included a promise that troops who crushed Tamil rebels wouldn't be prosecuted. UN reports have accused Sri Lankan troops of shelling hospitals and indiscriminate aerial bombardments, executing surrendering rebels and causing the disappearance of thousands of minority Tamils. Around 100,000 people were killed in the war and allegations were made that 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the final onslaught.

Indonesian volcano unleashes river of lava in new eruption

A hot cloud of volcanic materials run down the slope of Mount Merapi during an eruption in Sleman, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Photo by=AP/Slamet Riyadi) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Indonesia’s most active volcano erupted on Wednesday (Jan 27) with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 1,500m down its slopes. AP reported that it’s Mount Merapi’s longest lava flow since authorities raised the volatile volcano's danger level in November, said Hanik Humaida, the head of Yogyakarta’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center. The alert level was being maintained for now at the second-highest level, she said, and people should stay out of the existing 5km danger zone around the crater as the local administrations in Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces closely monitor the situation. The 2,968m volcano is on the densely populated island of Java and near the ancient city of Yogyakarta. It is the most active of dozens of Indonesian volcanoes and has repeatedly erupted with lava and gas clouds recently. Merapi's last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people. Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the ocean.

美 바이든, 코로나 백신 하루 100만명 접종 목표 제시

조 바이든 미국 대통령(페이스북 캡처). [더이슈미디어연구소DB] [더이슈미디어] 미국 내 코로나 확진자 현황이 26일(현지시간) 기준 하루 15만2244명을 넘어서고, 누적 확진자는 2586만1597명으로 늘어나고 있는 가운데, 조 바이든 미국 대통령이 백신 접종 하루 목표치를 최소 100만명을 제시하고 공격적인 방역 태세에 나섰다. 바이든 대통령은 “하루 150만 명에게 (코로나 백신을) 접종할 수 있도록 하는 게 희망”이라며 25일(현지시간) 백악관 기자회견을 통해 밝혔다. 당초 하루 100만 명씩, 취임 100일 동안 1억 명에게 접종하겠다고 했던 당초 목표치에서 크게 증가했다. 일일 100만 명은 최소 목표치로 잡고, 그 이상을 접종을 이어가겠다고 바이든 대통령은 설명했다. 바이든 대통령은 그만큼 백신의 공급이 원활하지 않을 것이라면서 “지금까지 국가 차원으로 진행한 (백신)보급 측면의 어떤 물량도 능가하는 도전이 될 것”이라면서 “하지만 우리는 해낼 수 있을 거로 생각한다”고 덧붙였다. 이어 "이를 통해 접종이 원활하게 이뤄지면 올여름에는 집단 면역(herd immunity)으로 향하는 길에 도달할 것으로 확신한다”고 덧붙여 강조했다. ‘집단 면역’이란 특정 사회 집단의 대다수가 면역을 가진 상태를 말한다. 그 안에서 더 이상 바이러스 전파가 어려워지고, 궁극적으로 중단되는 상황을 가리키는 상황이다. 미국의 경우, 성인 약 2억900만 명의 70~80%가 백신 접종을 마친 시점을 집단 면역의 기준이 될 것으로 전문가들은 판단하고 있다. 이에 바이든 행정부는 백신 공급을 확대하기 위해, 연방 정부 시설과 물자를 각 지역에 적극적으로 지원하는 중이라고, 바이든 대통령은 말했다. 예를 들어, 연방 재난관리청(FEMA)이 웨스트버지니아주 백신 공급 지원에 나서도록, 지난 주말 지시했다고 이날(25일) 기자회견에서 밝혔다. 또 백신 보급과 관련해, 전국 100곳에 재난관리청 관련 시설을 세우겠다고 약속도 밝혔다. theissumedia@gmail.com

‘China owes us an explanation': PH Senators flag Beijing law allowing coast guard to fire on foreign ships

A Philippine coast guard ship sails past a Chinese coast guard ship during a joint search and rescue exercise between Philippine and US coastguards near Scarborough or Panatag Shoal. (Photo from AFP/Ted Aljibe) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA — Breaking with messaging from the Palace and the country's top diplomat, Sen. Richard Gordon on Tuesday said China must justify to the Philippines a new law allowing its coast guard to fire on ships in disputed waters according to PhilStar. "Our fisheries have been taken from us, our people have been deprived of their livelihood, and I think China owes us an explanation [on] what its true intentions are," he said during a plenary session at the Senate on Tuesday. "This is something that we must not let pass...when another country claims the oceans surrounding us, even threatens to demolish our fishing boats or the fishing boats of any country that somehow get into that [sea]." Draft wording of China's Coast Guard Law empowers it to use "all necessary means" to counteract threats from foreign vessels, per a report from Reuters. The law, which was passed last week and takes effect on February 1, also allows members of the Chinese coast guard to destroy structures built by foreign countries on reefs claimed by Beijing and to board and inspect foreign vessels in waters claimed by China. Gordon said the law is "a serious cause for concern" and "a shot in the bow of all the claimants in the [disputed] territories." Sen. Francis Tolentino similarly called the move alarming.

'I'm only Human’: PH Contact tracing czar admits lapses in party he attended with wife

Contact tracing czar and Baguio Mayor Benjie Magalong (Left) with his wife (Right) and KC Concepcion (Center). (Photo from PEP) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the country’s contact tracing czar, admitted that there were lapses in the observance of health protocols at a party organized by social media personality Tim Yap, which he attended with his wife recently. According to PH Inquirer, the party, held at The Manor at Camp John Hay, was attended by several guests who appeared to have disobeyed health protocols like physical distancing and wearing masks, as seen on videos shared on social media. In an interview, Magalong was asked if he thought that there were violations of the minimum health requirements to avert the transmission of COVID-19 during the gathering, in which he answered in the affirmative. "There is. Even my wife violated it because she removed her mask due to the picture-taking… A photographer was roaming to take photos, but maybe because of excitement, some removed their masks for pictures. But I always wore mine. It just so happened that we’re only human and sometimes, when we’re so engaged in a particular activity that is fun, we forget to comply." he said. Magalong recognized that there are moments where people forget to comply with health protocols, especially when there are events as such. The Department of Tourism in the Cordillera Administrative Region said it is investigating the party held in Baguio City.

Duterte: No corruption in pricing of vaccines

President Duterte was referring to claims by critics that their vigilance prevented corruption in the procurement of COVID vaccines. (Photo from Presidential photo/Toto Lozano) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA — President Duterte has insisted there’s no corruption in the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines as he accused his critics of muddling the issue and challenged them to explain their remark, PhilStar reported. Duterte was referring to claims by critics that their vigilance prevented corruption in the procurement of COVID vaccines. He said the procurement process has yet to be completed and would be reviewed by his office and the Department of Finance. “The decision of vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on what shots would be procured isn’t the ‘sum total’ of the procurement process,” the President said during a public address. “I take exception to the statement that they were able to prevent corruption or an overpriced because of their vigilance. No, far from it actually. You are just muddling the issue. It’s still a long way to go and it has to pass through (Finance Secretary Carlos) Dominguez and you know how Dominguez is. Let’s see if it would pass through,” Duterte said. “And finally, it will also pass through me, I will take a look and ask around if it is really a reasonable pricing for us,” he added. Chinese drug maker Sinovac is set to supply the Philippines with 25 million doses of vaccine, 50,000 of which are expected to be delivered next month.

트럼프 탄핵안 상정..美법조계, '탁핵 불가'

2020년 11월 15일 워싱턴DC에서 열린 대규모 집회. (출처-트럼프 트위터) [더이슈미디어] 도널드 트럼프 미국 전 대통령 탄핵 소추 결의안이 (현지시간) 25일에 상정되면서 논란이 되고 있는 가운데, 정작 전임 대통령의 탄핵은 불가하다는 유권해석과 함께 공화당의 움직임도 이를 반대하는 쪽으로 기우는 모습이다. 도널드 트럼프 전 대통령의 ‘내란 선동’ 혐의를 규정한 하원의 탄핵 소추 결의안이 25일 상원에 제출됐다. 하원을 대표하는 소추위원 아홉 명이 이날 저녁, 해당 문서를 전달했다. “트럼프 전 대통령이 미합중국과 정부 기관(의사당)에 중대한 위해를 가했다”는 내용이 포함된 탄핵안 전문을, 소추위원단 대표 의원이 이날 상원 본회의장에서 이를 낭독했다. 이에 따라 트럼프 전 대통령에 대한 두 번째 탄핵 심판을 앞두게 됐다. 탄핵 심판이 형사 재판과 같은 형식으로 진행된다. 소추위원들이 ‘검사’ 역할을 맡고, 트럼프 전 대통령이 ‘피고’가 괴고, 상원의원들은 ‘배심원’ 역활을 각각 하게 된다. 또한 모든 심리 과정을 지켜본 뒤, 탄핵안을 인용할지 여부를 투표하게 된다. 이날 재판장으로는 상원의원 최고참인 민주당 소속 패트릭 레이 상원의원이 맡는다. 존 로버츠 대법원장이 재판장 직무를 수행했던, 지난해 첫 번째 탄핵 심판과 달라진 점이다. 재판장이 바뀌는 것은 헌법과 관련 법령에 따라 달라진 것이다. ‘대통령에 대한 탄핵은 대법원장이 맡는다’고 규정돼 있다. 따라서 트럼프 전 대통령은 이제 현직이 아니기 때문에, 로버츠 대법원장이 나서지 않는다는 해석이다. (출처-트럼프 트위터) 다만 전직 대통령에 대한 탄핵 심판을 진행하는데 명확한 선례가 없기 때문에, 공정성 시비가 일고 있다. 공화당의 한 의원은 “어떻게 상원의원 한 명(레히 의원)이 재판장도 하고, (동시에) 배심원도 할 수 있는 거냐”라며 트위터에 비난 섞인 글을 올렸다. 상원은 26일 의원들이 배심원 선서를 했고, 피고인 트럼프 전 대통령에 대한 소환장도 이날 발부됐다. 본격적인 심리 절차는 2주 연기하기로 앞서 양당이 합의함에 따라 다음 달 8일 사전 브리핑 이후 재판은 9 일 시작될 예정이다. 바이든 대통령의 입장은 상원으로 탄핵안 송부가 이뤄진 것을 긍정적으로 평가했다. 탄핵 심판은 반드시 “열려야 할 일”이라고 25일 CNN에서 입장을 밝혔다. 이어 “열리지 않으면 악영향이 더 클 것”이라고 덧붙여 강조했다. 2020년 11월 15일 워싱턴DC에서 열린 대규모 집회. (출처-트럼프 트위터) 하지만 트럼프 탄핵과 관련해 헌법학자들은 최종 인용이 어려울 것으로 보고 있다. 그 이유로 미국 내 헌법학자들은 현재 직무 중인 대통령을 탄핵할 수는 있어도, 퇴임한 대통령은 탄핵할 수 없다고 해석하고 있기 때문이다. 또 공화당 내부에서도 탄핵안에 점점 부정적인 기류가 형성되고 있기 때문이다. 공화당 내부에서는 “우리 체제에서 처벌받는 방식 중 하나가 선거 패배”라고, 존 코닌 상원의원이 트위터에서 밝혔다. 또 지난 대선을 통해, 트럼프 대통령에 대한 정치적 평가가 이미 이뤄졌다는 내용이다. 아울러, 론 존슨 의원은 민주당이 “성난 승리자가 탄핵을 억지로 밀어붙이는 것이라고 비난했다. 미국 내부 국민들의 여론은 탄핵 찬성 의견이 과반에 이르는 설문 결과가 나왔다. 몬머스 대학교가 지난 (현지시간) 25일 공개한 관련 조사에 따르면, 응답자 52%가 트럼프 대통령의 탄핵에 찬성해야 한다고 답했다. 반면, 반대 의견은 44%에 머물렀다. 지난해 초 진행된 트럼프 대통령의 첫 번째 탄핵 심판 당시에는 49%였던 찬성 의견이 이번에 더 높아진 결과다. 당시에 반대 의견도 48%에 이르러, 찬반이 엇비슷했었다. (출처-트럼프 트위터) 트럼프 전 대통령이 받는 ‘내란 선동’ 혐의는 지난 6일 발생한 연방 의사당을 습격한 사건에서 시작된다. 당시 의사당에서는, 바이든 민주당 후보가 승리한 지난해 대선 결과를 인증하는 상·하원 합동회의가 진행 중이었다. 같은 시각, 트럼프 당시 대통령은 백악관 앞에서 열린 지지자 집회에 나와 연설에서 “죽어라 싸우지 않으면 나라를 잃을 것”이라면서, 의사당을 향한 행진을 독려했다. 이에 시위대 일부가 의사당 내부에 난입해, 회의가 한동안 중단되는 사태가 발생했다. 이 과정에서 다섯 명이 목숨을 잃었다. 이 사태를 트럼프 당시 대통령이 선동했다고 보고, 민주당이 다수를 차지한 하원에서 지난 13일 탄핵소추 결의안을 채택했다. theissumedia@gmail.com

Biden tells CNN Trump's impeachment trial 'has to happen'

President Joe Biden said Donald Trump’s impeachment trial “has to happen”.( Photo by= Kevin Dietsch/EPA) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] President Joe Biden on Monday offered his most extensive comments since taking office on former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, telling CNN, "I think it has to happen." Biden made the comment during a brief one-on-one interview with CNN in the halls of the West Wing. He acknowledged the effect it could have on his legislative agenda and Cabinet nominees but said there would be "a worse effect if it didn't happen." Biden told CNN he believed the outcome would be different if Trump had six months left in his term, but said he doesn't think 17 Republican senators will vote to convict Trump. "The Senate has changed since I was there, but it hasn't changed that much," Biden said. CNN previously reported that Biden and his team were initially cold on starting his administration -- which Biden pledged would "turn the page" on Trump -- with a focus on the former President. The contours of Trump's Senate trial are starting to take shape as the ceremonial elements get underway, with the Senate's longest-serving Democrat expected to preside over the trial and Democrats still weighing whether to pursue witnesses during proceedings that could take up a chunk of February.

Japan 2020 laptop shipments hit record high on teleworking

A customer looks at a laptop computer at the Bic Camera Akiba electronics store in Tokyo in 2017. On Thursday an industry association reported that sales of personal computers jumped 37 percent in 2019.(Photo by=Bloomberg) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Shipments of laptop computers in Japan increase 25.1 percent in 2020 and will hit a record high due to increased teleworking amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and the government's policy to supply computers to each elementary and junior high school student, an industry body said Tuesday. Kyodo said that the laptop shipments reached 8.9 million units, but fell 0.2 percent by value to 679.7 billion yen ($6.6 billion) from a year earlier, partly because demand concentrated on low-priced laptops to secure units in a limited budget to distribute them to schools, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association said. The Japanese government has promoted the use of information technology in education since before the spread of the coronavirus, although Japan is behind in IT education efforts compared with other developed countries. The pandemic sped up the schedule of the personal computer distribution, and most municipalities will complete handing out computers or tablets to every student in their schools by the end of March. In regards to demand related to teleworking, the purchase of PCs for working from home further increased since the government called for less commuting as the country declared its first state of emergency for urban areas such as Tokyo in April and expanded it to other parts of the country later in the month and May.

Japan urges Moscow to release opposition leader, protestors

"Regarding the poisoning incident with Mr. Navalny, Japan calls on Russia to ensure transparency and bring the perpetrators to justice," Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said. (Photo by=Kim Kyung-Hoon/ REUTERS) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged Moscow on Tuesday to release Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and peaceful protestors from detention, joining the United States and the European Union in expressing concerns over the crackdown according to Kyodo. "The Japanese government is closely watching (the situation) with concern. We want to request the release of Mr. Navalny and those who have been detained arbitrarily while engaging in peaceful demonstrations," Motegi told a press conference. Navalny, which is a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was detained by police on Jan. 17 soon after he arrived in Moscow from Germany, where he had been recuperating for five months after a nerve-agent attack he blamed on Russian authorities. Thousands of people demonstrating across Russia against the detention of Navalny were detained on Saturday. "Regarding the poisoning incident with Mr. Navalny, Japan calls on Russia to ensure transparency and bring the perpetrators to justice," Motegi said. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is "very concerned" about the arrest of Navalny at a press conference on Monday, while the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, condemned the arrest of Navalny and demanded his immediate release in a call with Putin on Jan. 22.

China, New Zealand ink trade deal as Beijing calls for reduced global barriers

China's Premier Li Keqiang and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on April 1, 2019.(Photo from straitstimes Website) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] China and New Zealand signed a deal that upgrades their existing free trade pact on Tuesday (Jan 26), giving exports from the Pacific nation greater access to the world's second-largest economy. Reuters reported that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed the signing of an expanded trade deal with China, noting its significance amid the pandemic. The agreement comes as Beijing seeks to establish itself as a strong advocate of multilateralism following a bruising trade war with the United States and as the coronavirus keeps international borders closed. "China remains one of our most important trade partners ... For this to take place during the global economic crisis bought about by COVID-19 makes it particularly important," Ardern said at a news conference. The agreement expands an existing trade deal with China and ensures it remains fit for purpose for another decade, New Zealand trade minister Damien O'Connor said in a statement. Under the new deal, tariffs for many of New Zealand's mostly commodities-based exports, which include dairy, timber, and seafood, will be either removed or cut. Compliance costs will also be reduced. China is now New Zealand's largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade of over NZ$32 billion (US$21.58 billion).

China mine rescue: Nine found dead during rescue in Shandong province

A communication line was established and food and medicine were lowered down through a narrow shaft. The miners received porridge and nutritional liquids, and a few days before their rescue requested a traditional meal of sausages. (Photo by=BBC) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Nine Chinese miners have been found dead a day after 11 of their colleagues were rescued after two weeks trapped in a gold mine in Shandong province CNN said. The Yantai city mayor confirmed the deaths, state broadcaster CCTV said. One miner remains missing. Another died last week after falling into a coma. The miners became trapped in the Hushan mine when the entrance to the tunnel collapsed after a blast on 10 January. There was joy on Sunday after the 11 were brought to the surface. "Along with one miner who died on Thursday, the bodies of the nine deceased miners were all lifted out of the mine", Yantai Mayor Chen Fei told a briefing on Monday. The nine dead miners were believed to have been in the "Sixth Central Section" of the mine, but details of how they were located are not yet known. Additionally, Rescue efforts had been expected to take weeks but took a "big step forwards" on Sunday morning when "a huge obstacle blocking the well suddenly fell to the bottom of the shaft," lead rescue worker Du Bingjian told the state-run Global Times. Mining accidents are not uncommon in China, where the industrial safety regulations can be poorly enforced.

North Korean paper calls for drawing up 'realistic' economic plans

North Koreans parade with the North Korean flag in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, to show their loyalty to the Workers' Party. (File photo by AP) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] North Korea's official newspaper called Tuesday for putting together thorough and workable plans to carry out a five-year economic development goal unveiled during a recent party meeting, urging its people to break away from the practice of setting far-fetched objectives. Yonhap said at the eighth congress of the ruling Workers' Party earlier this month, the North put forward the new economic development plan focusing on self-reliance in the face of the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and global sanctions on its regime. During the meeting, leader Kim Jong-un criticized officials for drafting economic goals without factoring in realistic conditions in its five-year economic plan and being "engrossed in subjective desires." "In drafting plans for the people's economy in all sectors, it is imperative to do so in a manner that thoroughly reflects public consensus, not just the opinions of a few people," the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling party, said in an editorial. "We must strictly do away with the phenomenon of being caught up with our subjective desires and coming up with far-fetched or moderate plans," it added. The paper then stressed the importance of drawing up "scientific and realistic goals and tasks" to make actual achievements and called for innovative plans by "breaking away from the old-fashioned and outdated perspective of the past."

North Korea state media criticize Japan's defense chief for remarks over military parade

Newly appointed Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi speaks at a news conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on September 16, 2020. (Photo by= AFP-JIJI) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] North Korea's state news agency on Tuesday harshly criticizes Japan's defense chief for his remarks over a military parade held in Pyongyang, saying Tokyo is just making a fuss and inciting hostility toward its country. North Korea conducted a massive military parade in central Pyongyang in mid-January, showing off a new submarine-launched ballistic missile and other state-of-the-art weaponry. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said that Tokyo is working to collect and analyze information linked to weapons unveiled during the parade. "Recently, Japan's Minister of Defense Kishi said that Japan is doing its best to collect and analyze information about the north's military moves," the Korean Central News Agency said. "This is nothing but a scream let out by those in fear of the DPRK's matchless military muscle developing at a world-startling speed." "Japan, which has resorted to vicious moves against the DPRK, spying on it all the year round with satellites and various other intelligence means, is again making a fuss, inciting hostility toward the DPRK. Clear is its ulterior motive," KCNA added. North Korea has sensitively reacted to attempts from the outside to watch for signs of a military parade. Earlier, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, harshly criticized South Korea's military for closely tracking signs related to such a parade.

Military to improve security system along eastern border after defection case

Squad along the barbed-wire fence of South Korean GP inside of the DMZ. (Photo by= Park Jongwoo / Steidl) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] The military will take further options to strengthen the security system in the inter-Korean border’s eastern section this year after a recent unhindered border crossing case by a North Korean, officials said Tuesday, Yonhap reported. In November last year, the North Korean civilian crossed the border in the town of Goseong into the South undeterred in a suspected defection attempt. The malfunction of sensors installed at the fences and other loopholes in the military's scientific security system was blamed for the security breach. "We've taken steps to fix problems in the border surveillance system since the incident occurred, and will continue to take necessary measures," a military official said. The planned measures include the installation of additional surveillance cameras and replacing decrepit sensor parts, which will cost around 5 billion won (US$4.5 million), the official added. "We are to open a bid next month to select companies, and plan to complete the work within this year," another official said. When the man climbed over the fences, the sensors installed failed to sound the alarm. He was found around 1.5 kilometers south of the fences after around 14 hours.

U.S. President Joe Biden lifts transgender military ban

President Biden on Jan. 25 signed an executive order lifting the ban on transgender people serving openly in the U.S. military. (Photo by=The Washington Post) [Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to repeal a Trump-era ban on most transgender Americans joining the military on Monday alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CNN reported. "This is reinstating a position that the previous commanders and, as well as the secretaries, have supported. And what I'm doing is enabling all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform," Biden said, speaking from the Oval Office just before signing the executive order. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that cases in which transgender service members were discharged from the military because of their gender identity would be reexamined."President Biden believes gender identity should not be a bar to military service and that America's strength is found in its diversity," Psaki said. "America is stronger around the world when it is inclusive." President Donald Trump's ban has been rebuked by the Democrat-led House of Representatives and condemned by LGBTQ activists as discriminatory. Austin voiced his support for overturning the ban in his Senate confirmation hearing last week. Meanwhile, Biden had a meeting late Monday morning with Austin, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, according to the White House. Later on Monday, Harris ceremonially swore in Austin as Defense secretary in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.