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Backlash as US billionaire dismisses Uyghur abuse

In a statement intended to clarify his stance, he said "important issues deserve important discussions". "I believe that human rights matter, whether in China, the United States, or elsewhere," he wrote on Twitter.(Photo by= Reuters) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] Billionaire investor Chamath Palihapitiya is under fire for saying that he - and most Americans - "don't care" about abuses against the Uyghur minority in China. BBC said that Mr Palihapitiya, a part-owner of San Francisco's basketball team, made the comments during a podcast discussion of whether President Joe Biden's action on the issue had helped him politically. The remarks drew social media backlash. Mr Palihapitiya later admitted that his comments "lacked empathy". Many people following the issue were not satisfied. "When people apologize, they deserve a second chance. I don't view this as an apology when Chamath can not even acknowledge how his comment was hurtful to the Uyghur community," human rights lawyer Rayhan Asat wrote on Twitter. "China takes comfort knowing that corporate executives have their back and will continue this genocide." Meanwhile, the US has accused China of genocide in its repression of the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region - a charge that China has repeatedly rejected. Mr Palihapitiya, an early executive at Facebook and now a prominent venture capitalist is co-host of the "All-in" podcast on which he made the remarks. He was responding to his co-host's observation that Mr Biden's stance on the issue had not helped him in the polls.

UK PM Johnson faces plot to trigger leadership challenge

Johnson will address parliament on Wednesday after his Cabinet is expected to approve plans to end the recent restrictions imposed to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at Parliament in London, Britain on Jan 5, 2022. (File photo by= Reuters TV via REUTERS) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Wednesday (Jan 19) fighting to shore up his premiership after a revolt by his own lawmakers who are angry over a series of lockdown parties in Downing Street, Reuters reported. Propelled into the top job to "get Brexit done", Johnson in 2019 won his party's biggest majority in more than 30 years but now faces calls to resign after a series of revelations about gatherings in Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns. Johnson has repeatedly apologized for the gatherings and said that he didn't know about many of the events, though he attended what he said he thought was a work event on May 20, 2020. To trigger a leadership challenge, 54 of the 360 Conservative MPs in parliament must write letters of no confidence to the chairman of the party's 1922 Committee. As many as 20 Conservative lawmakers who won their seats at the last general election in 2019 plan to submit letters of no confidence in Johnson, the Telegraph reported. An analysis by The Times newspaper showed that 58 Conservative lawmakers had criticized the prime minister. The letters are confidential, so the chairman is the only person who knows how many lawmakers have actually written them.

US Capitol riot committee issues subpoena to Rudy Giuliani

On the day of the riot, Mr Giuliani addressed the crowd of Trump supporters outside the White House and called for "trial by combat". Later, as the mob was storming the building, he called senators in a further effort to halt Joe Biden's certification as president. (Photo by= Getty Images) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] The congressional panel investigating last year's US Capitol riot has issued a subpoena to former President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. BBC said that the House of Representatives committee demanded Mr Giuliani and three others hand over documents and sit for depositions on 8 February. Mr Giuliani traveled the US after the 2020 election to promote the baseless claim that Mr Trump had won the vote. The riot on 6 January 2021 was stoked by falsehoods about mass voter fraud. Subpoenas were issued on Tuesday to three other Trump associates. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic lawmaker who is leading the House select committee, said in a statement that all four aides "advanced unsupported theories about election fraud, pushed efforts to overturn the election results, or were in direct contact with the former president about attempts to stop the counting of electoral votes". It’s not clear whether the four of them intend to comply with the committee. If they refuse, they could be held in contempt of Congress and face possible criminal prosecution. The subpoena calls on Mr Giuliani - a longtime ally of Mr Trump - to submit a sworn testimony and provide documents. Meanwhile, the seizure of the phone records is the first time such a legal summons has been issued to a member of the Trump family, the network reported.

Philippines detects 492 more Omicron variant cases

Health workers conduct house-to-house antigen testing for residents of West Rembo in Makati City on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.(Photo by Michael Varcas/ The Star) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA: The Department of Health reported Wednesday the detection of 492 additional cases of the hyper-transmissible Omicron variant, which is driving the fresh surge in COVID-19 infections in the country. Out of the 714 samples sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center last week, 68.9% were found to have the Omicron variant. According to the DOH, 332 of the newly-detected cases were locals and 160 were returning overseas Filipinos, PhilStar reported. Sixty-eight percent or 227 of the local cases were from Metro Manila—the epicenter of the latest surge in infections. Meanwhile, 76 cases were from Calabarzon, 11 from Central Luzon, five from Central Visayas, two cases each from Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and the Cordillera Administrative Region, and one case each from Ilocos region, Mimaropa, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Three cases are still active, two have died, and 467 cases have been tagged as recovered. The agency is still verifying the outcomes of 20 other cases. The development brought the total known Omicron cases in the country to 535. DOH Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday that Omicron is the “predominant [variant] in this time period,” especially in Metro Manila. Health authorities also detected 115 additional Delta variant cases, of which 88 were locals and 27 were returning overseas Filipinos.

Manila given green light to procure generic anti-COVID drug Bexovid, says Mayor

World’s First Generic Anti-Covid Drug Bexovid. (Photo from Facebook/Biocare Lifesciences Inc.) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA: Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced Tuesday that the city government will soon have its own supply of the much anticipated antiviral drug Bexovid, the world’s first generic version of Pfizer’s Paxlovid, which is used for the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19. Updating the public via Facebook Live, Moreno said the city’s application for a compassionate special permit (CSP) has been recently granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing the city government to procure Bexovid, PH Inquirer reported. The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said the antiviral drug will be made available to everyone in need, whether they are Manila residents or not. According to reports, Bexovid may be used for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 from 12 years old and above. It can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 88 to 89 percent when taken within three to five days from the onset of symptoms. Earlier, the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer also said the city of Manila has placed an advanced order of Paxlovid from Pfizer, which was first authorized for use in the United States. Pfizer is expected to apply for the emergency use authorization of its antiviral drug in the Philippines by the last week of January, according to FDA.

Covid: WHO warns pandemic not over amid Europe case records

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the idea that the Omicron variant is a mild illness "is misleading". (Photo by= Getty Images) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning to world leaders that the coronavirus pandemic "is nowhere near over". BBC said that Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned against the assumption that the newly dominant Omicron variant is significantly milder and has eliminated the threat posed by the virus. The intervention comes as some European nations saw record new case numbers. France reported nearly half a million new daily cases on Tuesday. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, more than 100,000 new infections were recorded in Germany within 24 hours on Wednesday. Speaking during a news conference at the WHO's headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Tedros told reporters that the Omicron variant had led to 18 million new infections across the world over the past week. While the variant may prove to be less severe on average, "the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading," he said. He warned global leaders that "with the incredible growth of Omicron globally, new variants are likely to emerge, which is why tracking and assessment remain critical". Meanwhile, the WHO's emergencies director, Dr. Mike Ryan, also warned that Omicron's increased transmissibility is likely to drive a rise in hospitalizations and deaths, especially in nations where fewer people are vaccinated. New coronavirus infections have been growing across Europe as the new Omicron variant takes hold across the continent.

Fanta Bility: US officers charged with fatally shooting girl

An attorney for the Bility family said that Fanta Bility, "was a bright, bright, shining light, the kind of person that made people happy just by looking at her. And to have her gone is just a terrible, terrible tragedy". (Photo by=Bruce L Castro Jr) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] US prosecutors have charged three policemen with an eight-year-old girl's death, dropping a murder case against two teenagers who were initially held. BBC said that the officers opened fire on a vehicle outside a high school football game near Philadelphia on 27 August 2021 after hearing gunshots a block away. The police thought armed suspects were in the car, but it’s Fanta Bility. Prosecutors had argued the tragedy was caused by two teens who fired at each other nearby moments beforehand. The district attorney filed first-degree murder charges against the two young men in November. Prosecutors said the pair - aged 16 and 18 - had "initiated the deadly events" and therefore bore responsibility for Fanta's death. Instead, Sharon Hill police officers Devon Smith, Sean Patrick Dolan, and Brian James Devaney are facing charges of voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the officers had been monitoring the crowd when they heard the gunfire about 140ft (42m) away and turned to see a car heading towards them. The policemen fired 25 bullets, striking four people including Fanta and her 12-year old sister. The girl died in her mother's arms. Lawyers for all three officers released a joint statement maintaining their innocence and saying that they "remain heartbroken for all who have suffered because of this senseless violence".

Bystander inmate shot in PH's Bilibid prison break dies; hunt for 2 fugitives continues

In an interview with CNN Philippines’ "The Source", Chaclag said the escapees shot another inmate when they were fleeing. (Photo from Philstar) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA: A Person Deprived of Liberty wounded in a prison break earlier this week has passed away, Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said Wednesday as he warned the public against the two "armed and dangerous" escapees who are still at large. In an interview with CNN Philippines’ "The Source", Chaclag said the escapees shot another inmate when they were fleeing, PhilStar reported. "We received news that the PDL they shot expired and that [inmate] was supposed to be freed this month," he added, partly in Filipino. Chaclag then warned the public that this is how dangerous the remaining two inmates still at large are. "So the public should be careful, if they see someone suspicious-looking, they should inform the police and the numbers we published," he added. Thee BuCor duty guards were also shot in the incident and were brought to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa for treatment. Authorities are still on the hunt for Candas Ablas and Drakilou Falcon. Ablas is serving a sentence for robbery with homicide and illegal possession of firearms while Falcon was convicted of robbery and homicide. The two other PDLs who escaped, Pacifico Adlawan and Arwin Bio, were killed in a pursuit operation on Monday. Chaclag said they searched through the vicinity of the Bilibid’s Maximum Security Compound, where the inmates were detained..

Foreign visitors to Japan in 2021 fell to record low 245,900 amid pandemic

An international terminal was deserted at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Nov. 30. (File photo by=KYODO) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] TOKYO: Japanese government data showed Wednesday that the number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2021 dropped to 245,900, the lowest since 1964 when comparable data became available, as the country enforced tighter border controls amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kyodo reported. The figure plunged 94.0 percent from 2020, the sharpest fall on record, the Japan Tourism Agency said. Compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent. Monthly arrivals were highest in July at 51,055 due to visitors related to the Tokyo Olympics, held from July 23 to Aug. 8. As the Paralympic Games were held from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, a total of 25,916 travelers entered the country in August. The events were held without spectators to prevent coronavirus infections. Since then, the figure has been on a downward trend, falling to 12,100 in December, down 79.4 percent from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the government has maintained its target of attracting 60 million visitors from abroad in 2030. But Koichi Wada, who heads the agency, told a press conference that he could not predict at the moment whether it is an attainable goal. Quasi-emergency measures include allowing governors to ask restaurants and bars to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol. The move is likely to squeeze domestic tourism further, battered by the pandemic.

Tonga undersea cable needs 'at least' four weeks to repair: NZ

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano before its main eruption on Saturday. (Photo by= Maxar Technologies) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] A key undersea cable that was destroyed in a volcano eruption in Tonga may take at least four weeks to be repaired, said New Zealand's foreign ministry. BBC said that the cable was severed during a volcanic eruption on Saturday, crippling communications and cutting the Pacific island off from the outside world. The eruption also caused a tsunami, which left at least three dead - including a British national. Teams have been working round the clock to get vital supplies to the region. "US cable company SubCom advises it will take at least four weeks for Tonga's cable connection to be repaired," a statement by New Zealand's foreign affairs ministry said on Wednesday. SubCom, a repair contractor for more than 50,000 km (31,070 miles) of cable in the South Pacific, said it was working with telecommunications company Tonga Cable to mobilize a ship for the cable repairs, Reuters reported. Tonga has been unable to establish contact with the rest of the world since Saturday's violent eruption severed the country's only underwater cable in two places. Telecommunications firm Digicel is expected to set up an interim 2G connection today that prioritizes voice and SMS communications, the statement added. The eruption - described by the Tongan government as an "unprecedented disaster" - caused wide swathes of Tonga to be blanketed in thick ash, hampering relief planes from landing and delivering much-needed food and drinking water.

Japan decides to put Tokyo, 12 more areas under COVID quasi-emergency

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government will put Tokyo and 12 other areas under a quasi-state of emergency after the capital reported a record 7,377 new COVID infections. (Photo by=Kyodo) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] TOKYO: As the capital reports a record 7,377 new infections as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads rapidly across Japan, the government decided Wednesday to place Tokyo and 12 other areas under a coronavirus quasi-state of emergency, Kyodo reported. The decision will allow the governors of Tokyo and the dozen other prefectures to ask restaurants and bars to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol. The measure is set to be in place from Friday to Feb. 13. "This has been a fight against an unknown virus, but we hope to overcome this situation by preparing sufficiently without fearing excessively," said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting of the government's COVID-19 task force. Japanese authorities worry hospitals that need to treat patients not admitted due to the virus will be overwhelmed if infections continue to increase. Another concern is a shortage of essential workers like medical staff due to a sharp rise in those designated as close contacts of people who tested positive for COVID-19. The government's subcommittee on the COVID-19 response gave the green light to the planned quasi-emergency stretching over roughly three weeks, a day after Japan's daily count of confirmed infections topped 30,000 for the first time. Japan has never imposed a lockdown during the pandemic.

Xi'an restarts some public transport after coronavirus lockdown

All 13 million residents of Xi'an were placed under lockdown eight days ago. (Photo by=AFP/STR) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] BEIJING: The Chinese megacity of Xi'an has partially resumed public transport, according to official announcements, after millions were confined to their homes for weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak, AFP reported. The easing of transport rules, including the resumption of some inter-city train routes, comes just before the Chinese New Year holiday later this month, traditionally a period of mass travel. Chinese officials have pursued a strict "zero-COVID" approach to containing the virus, with tight border restrictions and targeted lockdowns, a strategy that has come under pressure as multiple clusters have flared across the country ahead of next month's Winter Olympics. Some 13 million Xi'an residents were placed in lockdown in mid-December as cases spiked, but the historic city reported no new local cases on Wednesday for the first time in weeks. Local authorities said public transport had resumed in "low-risk" areas from Tuesday (Jan 18). Trains from Xi'an to popular destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have "basically resumed operations" as well, state broadcaster CCTV said on Wednesday. CCTV added that the number of commuters at the city's train stations - mainly students and migrant workers - was increasing as well. Xi'an's flare-up was China's biggest in months. Wednesday's absence of cases suggests the current outbreak is coming under control.

Senior diplomats of South Korea, U.S. discuss North Korean missiles, regional issues

South Korea is not directly related to the Iran nuclear deal, but it has been exchanging views with the negotiators as Tehran's $7 billion funds are locked in two Korean banks under U.S. sanctions imposed by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo from aninews) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] SEOUL: The foreign ministry announced that senior diplomats of South Korea and the United States had a phone conversation Wednesday to discuss North Korea's recent missile tests and reaffirmed the bilateral alliance's efforts to tackle regional challenges. Seoul's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun and his U.S. counterpart Wendy Sherman talked over the phone after Pyongyang said it test-fired two tactical guided missiles Monday, the fourth show of force this month alone. "The vice-ministers shared their assessments of North Korea's string of missile launches and reaffirmed that they are open to all options to stably manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula and resume talks with the North at an early date," the ministry said in a release. In a separate statement, the State Department said Sherman condemned North Korea's "recent ballistic missile launches, which were in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and discussed continued joint efforts to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." High-level Seoul and Washington diplomats have held back-to-back phone talks following Pyongyang's new weapons tests, including two self-proclaimed hypersonic missiles, amid stalled denuclearization talks. Last week, the Joe Biden administration blacklisted six North Koreans in its first sanctions against the reclusive regime's ballistic missile tests, and is leading a campaign within the U.N. Security Council to extend its own sanctions.

Vietnam detects first Omicron cases in the community: State media

A healthcare worker takes a nasal swab sample from a worker for a COVID-19 test, at Hanoi train station in Hanoi, Vietnam. (File photo by= REUTERS/Nguyen Thinh Tien) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] HANOI: Vietnam has recorded its first cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the community, state media reported on Wednesday (Jan 19), as health authorities urged people to increase their vigilance due to the threat from the variant, Reuters reported. The three positive cases were detected over the weekend in Ho Chi Minh City and confirmed as Omicron late on Tuesday, the Tien Phong Newspaper reported, citing health authorities. The Southeast Asian country had previously detected more than 70 cases of the highly transmissible variant among quarantined people entering Vietnam from overseas. "The community needs to raise their vigilance against Omicron, not gathering at crowded places and getting fully vaccinated," the Ministry of Health said in a statement last week. Overall, Vietnam has recorded more than two million COVID-19 infections and nearly 36,000 deaths. More than 74 per cent of the country's population of 98 million have received at least two vaccine shots, according to the health ministry. Vietnam has also launched a booster vaccination drive, with authorities pledging that all adults should get the additional vaccine shot by the end of March.

Chinese couple trapped on lockdown date get engaged

Young Chinese in smaller cities and rural communities often rely on family and friends to introduce potential matches and can meet their date's family at the same time (Photo by=AFP/File/Philip FONG) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] BEIJING: A Chinese couple who were trapped on a neverending date thanks to a virus lockdown have been relieved to find that love, not COVID-19, is in the air. Zhao Xiaoqing, a 28-year-old woman from northern China's Shaanxi province, thought her date in mid-December with a young man living in a different city would be a one-day affair where she would also get to know his family, AFP said. Young Chinese in smaller cities and rural communities often rely on family and friends to introduce potential matches and can meet their date's family at the same time. But authorities in her date's city of Xianyang suddenly ordered a lockdown due to a spike in virus cases, leaving the woman unable to return home. The man's parents urged the pair to tie the knot after just one week together - but Zhao said she felt it was "too rushed". Zhao said she was "not too interested" when she first saw a photograph of the man - named Zhao Fei - but later thought he looked better in real life. Despite the awkward start, the pair began to develop feelings for each other, and have now decided to get engaged. The story captured the imagination of online audiences. But while some swooned over the relentless march of fate, others warned against rushed decisions.

Pentagon says U.S. takes North Korea's 'improving' missile programs seriously

Kirby noted the U.S. has clearly and repeatedly called the North Korean missile launches a threat to U.S. allies and partners in the region. (Photo from US Embassy Website) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] WASHINGTON: Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Tuesday that the United States takes very seriously the threat posed by North Korea's "improving" missile programs. However, he said the U.S. is still assessing the nature of North Korea's recent missile launches, apparently to learn their exact capabilities. "We will continue to take this threat and this improving program of Pyongyang very, very seriously," he told a press briefing when asked about North's recent missile launches. North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday (Seoul time), marking its fourth missile launch since the start of the new year. "We've assessed them as ballistic missiles, and we're still running the traps on that. So I don't have more detail on that," Kirby said when asked about the nature of the missiles involved in the latest North Korean launch. North Korea fired what it claims to be a newly developed hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 before launching two short-range ballistic missiles on Friday. Kirby noted the U.S. has clearly and repeatedly called the North Korean missile launches a threat to U.S. allies and partners in the region. "We're not devaluing anything. Not at all," he said when asked if the U.S. was downplaying the threat posed by the North Korean missile launches since they didn’t pose an immediate threat to the U.S. homeland.

Japan to halt vaccine-and-test scheme amid Omicron variant spread

People line up to take PCR tests for COVID-19 in Tokyo earlier this month. | (Photo by=KYODO) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] TOKYO: As the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly, sources familiar with the matter said Monday, Japan will halt implementation of a government system combining COVID-19 vaccination and testing in a bid to restart economic activities in the wake of breakthrough infections, Kyodo reported. Restrictions for purposes such as dining are eased under the system that checks whether visitors have been vaccinated twice or have proof of having tested negative for the virus. A spectator attendance limit for large-scale events such as concerts is also eased under the scheme. It would apply even when areas are placed under a full-fledged state of emergency or a quasi-state of emergency, as a way to curb the spread of the virus and normalize economic activities. The government is considering placing Tokyo and 10 prefectures under a COVID quasi-state of emergency and plans to recommend the measure on the package to a government advisory panel on the COVID-19 response as early as Wednesday, according to the sources. Prefectural governors and health experts have been seeking a review of the policy given the transmissibility of the disease. While the government is also considering maintaining the program under certain conditions such as people having booster shots, it has decided to put a halt to the program for the time being, the sources added.

Vietnam SEA Games ‘certainly a go’; PH looks to send 627 athletes

Vietnam receives the SEA Games federation flag during turnover ceremonies of then 2019 Southeast Asian Games. (Photo by Marriane Bermudez) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA:The 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam will go as planned despite the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. The much-delayed biennial meet will be held from May 12 to 25. “It’s certainly a go for the SEA Games in Hanoi in May,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who attended Tuesday’s first chef de mission meeting, during the PSA Forum, PH Inquirer reported. Tolentino said that pre-Games formalities and timelines were presented while soft copies of the Games manual were distributed to the members during the meeting. The Hanoi SEA Games organizers set a February 12 distribution date with the deadline for the submission of accreditation forms scheduled on March 12, as per Tolentino. The submission of entries by names was also set on March 12 while another chefs de mission meeting, which will likely be face-to-face, is on tap on March 18. The POC submitted a 627-athlete entry by numbers for the SEA Games. The Philippines will participate in 39 out of the 40 sports in the upcoming Games. The only event a Filipino won’t be featured in is xiangqi or Chinese chess. Tolentino added that the medical and doping control handbooks are due one month before the May 12 opening ceremony while the Accreditation Center in Hanoi opens on April 25.

Collarwali: Remembering India’s ‘super mum’ tigress

Conservationist Vivek Menon calls her the "face of Pench", crediting her unusual "temperament that allowed so many visitors and photographers to document her and her cubs". (Photo by=VARUN THAKKAR) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] One of India’s most famous tigers, Collarwali died during the weekend aged 16. She played a big role in changing the fortunes of the sanctuary where she lived, Pench Tiger Reserve in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, BBC said. So named because of the radio collar she wore, she gave birth to 29 cubs in eight litters over her lifetime, a "prolific" legacy, according to one expert. She became one of India's best-known tigers after starring in the BBC Wildlife documentary, Spy in the Jungle, which tracked the lives of four tiger cubs over two years. The documentary sparked a surge in visitors to the park, many of whom would ask after Collarwali and her charismatic mother, said Prabir Patil, a naturalist whose association with Pench began in 2004. Collarwali died on Saturday evening due to complications caused by old age. Naturalists, forest officers and wildlife photographers speak fondly of an animal they had watched grow up in the reserve, the same forests that are believed to have inspired Rudyard Kipling's classic, The Jungle Book. She's born in 2005 as T-15 - her mother, known as "badi mata" or "big mother" was also a famous tigress. Her father's name was T-1. India is home to more than 70% of the world's tigers; numbers have been in decline but have now risen to 2,976, according to the most recent government estimate.

China's Xi Jinping defends 'common prosperity' crackdowns

"The common prosperity we desire is not egalitarianism," Mr Xi told delegates. (Photo by= Getty Images) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a rare defense on the world stage of his "common prosperity" policy, which has seen major crackdowns on businesses. His comments came during the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting of government and corporate leaders, BBC reported. China says the policy is aimed at narrowing the widening wealth gap, which could threaten the Communist Party's rule if left unaddressed. Technology, education, and entertainment firms have been hit by the crackdowns. "The common prosperity we desire is not egalitarianism," Mr. Xi told delegates. "We will first make the pie bigger and then divide it properly through reasonable institutional arrangements. As a rising tide lifts all boats, everyone will get a fair share from development, and development gains will benefit all our people in a more substantial and equitable way," he continued. The measures put in place by the common prosperity policies are seen by some as a way to rein in the billionaire owners of some of China's biggest companies to instead give customers and workers more of a say in how firms operate and distribute their earnings. During his address, Mr. Xi moved to ease some of those concerns as he said the country is still open to investment from overseas. Mr. Xi's comments came as he is expected to be appointed for a third term in office later this year.

US court awards Warmbier family US$240,000 seized from North Korea

According to the 2018 ruling, when he finally returned home after 17 months Warmbier had gone blind and deaf, his once straight teeth were misaligned and his eyes bulged out, the ruling said. He died six days later. (File photo by= Reuters/Kyodo) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] SEOUL: A United States court has awarded the family of Otto Warmbier, the American student who died after being jailed by Pyongyang, US$240,000 seized from a North Korean bank, court records showed, AFP reported. The 22-year-old Warmbier, who was detained in North Korea for allegedly removing a propaganda poster from his hotel, died days after being sent back to the United States in a coma in 2017. His parents, Cynthia and Frederick Warmbier, sued North Korea for the alleged torture and murder of their son, with a US judge ordering Pyongyang to pay them US$501 million in 2018. Last week, Judge Lawrence Kahn of the Northern District Court of New York approved the seizure of the funds from North Korea's Korea Kwangson Banking Corporation after they failed to respond to a forfeiture order. Otto Warmbier, an Ohio native who studied at the University of Virginia, traveled to North Korea on a tour in 2016. According to the 2018 ruling, when he finally returned home after 17 months, Warmbier was attached to a feeding tube and was howling with incomprehensible noises. Warmbier had gone blind and deaf, his once straight teeth were misaligned and his eyes bulged out, the ruling said. North Korea at the time blamed his condition on medicine they said he took for botulism.

U.S. condemns North Korean missile launch, reaffirms diplomatic approach

A meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Sept. 23, 2021. (File photo by=AP/JOHN MINCHILLO, POOL) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday condemned North Korea's latest missile launch but reaffirmed its commitment to resolve the issue diplomatically. A spokesperson for the Department of State also urged the North to engage in dialogue. "The United States condemns the DPRK's ballistic missile launches. These launches are in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions and pose a threat to the DPRK's neighbors and the international community," the department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency. "We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and call on them to engage in dialogue. Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," the spokesperson said, using South Korea's official name. The remarks come after North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday (Seoul time), marking its fourth missile launch since the beginning of the year. The U.S. has consistently condemned the missile launches as a violation of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. It has also vowed to push for additional UNSC sanctions against North Korea following its first two missile tests this year, which the North claims to have involved a newly developed hypersonic missile.

Afghanistan twin quakes kill at least 22 in poorest areas

The earthquakes brought down several homes. (Photo by=BAKHTAR NEWS AGENCY) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] At least 22 people have been killed so far after back-to-back earthquakes struck the west of Afghanistan on Monday, officials said. BBC said that according to data from the US Geological Society (USGS), the 4.9 and 5.3 magnitude quakes affected the northwest province of Badghis, where it caused house and building collapses. A spokesman told AFP four children were among those found dead in the rubble. They added that more than 700 houses had been damaged. Earthquakes can cause significant damage in Afghanistan, where many dwellings are not as stable or well-built. The first quake hit in the afternoon, and the second followed about two hours later. Its impact was most felt in the Qadis and Mugr districts. BBC Pashto reported that the Qadis district chief, Mohammad Saleh Purdil, said the quake had knocked down several houses and killed women and children. He and other officials have warned the death toll could increase as rescuers sift through the rubble in the remote region. Badghis in the northwest borders Turkmenistan. It is considered one of Afghanistan's most undeveloped and poorest regions. Meanwhile, impoverished Afghanistan is still struggling with a major debt burden and insufficient supplies, made worse after the Taliban's takeover in August. The USGS captured two earthquakes on Monday, which hit about 50km (31mi) from Qala-e-Naw, the capital of the province.

DOH: COVID-19 spread slowing down, but Philippines remains at critical risk

A passenger sits next to signage of "No Vaccine No Ride" inside a passenger jeepney in Quezon City, suburban Manila on January 17, 2022, as the Philippine government banned unvaccinated people from using public transport amid a record surge in coronavirus cases.(Photo by Jam Sta. Rosa/ AFP) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA: The growth rate of infections is slowing down, but the Philippines remains at critical risk from COVID-19, the Department of Health said. “The growth rate of cases is slowing down, decreasing,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Filipino during a televised briefing. From December 21 to 27, the Philippines had an average of 314 infections. Average daily cases increased by 725% from December 28 to January 3, then surged by 689% from January 4 to 10. During the week of January 11 to 17, average daily cases rose by only 71% with 34,923 infections. Duque also said that the trend of infections has shown signs of plateauing. “But we still don’t know if cases will spike again or continue plateauing. Hopefully, cases will decline.” While the spread of COVID-19 is slowing down, the whole country is still at critical risk. According to Duque, the Philippines posted a 1,805% two-week growth rate. The country’s average daily attack rate also rose to 24.82 per 100,000 individuals. Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos region, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Central Luzon are also deemed at critical risk from COVID-19. The remaining regions are at high risk. Duque added that the country’s healthcare utilization rate is at low risk, with total bed use at 48.33% and intensive care unit utilization at 49.33%.

Hong Kong orders hamster cull after COVID-19 hits pets

"Pet owners should keep a good hygiene practice, including washing hands after touching the animals, handling their food or other items, and avoid kissing the animals," Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department director Leung Siu-fai Leung also told reporters. (Photo by= AFP) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] HONG KONG: Hong Kong ordered a cull of 2,000 hamsters on Tuesday (Jan 18) and warned pet owners not to kiss animals after a new cluster of COVID-19 cases was traced to a pet shop. The outbreak of Delta variant cases in humans linked to the shop worker prompted tests on hundreds of animals, with 11 hamsters showing up positive. That has brought a pet rodent clampdown on Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, which is following the mainland's zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 even as much of the world shifts to living with it. The territory's Health Secretary Sophia Chan stressed at a news conference that there was no evidence domestic animals can pass the disease to humans, but authorities were anyway acting out of caution to ban imports and sales of pet rodents. Hundreds of samples were collected from animals also including rabbits and chinchillas, but only the hamsters have tested positive so far. Leung said about 2,000 hamsters in 34 pet shops and storage facilities would be put down "humanely". Anyone who purchased a hamster after Dec. 22, 2021, should hand them over to authorities for culling and not leave them on the streets, he added. A hotline for COVID-19 inquiries related to hamsters is also being set up.

US airlines warn of impending 5G flight disruption

Phone companies have spent tens of billions of dollars on upgrading their networks to deploy the 5G technology, which brings much faster internet services and greater connectivity. (Photo by= Getty Images) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] The 10 biggest US airlines have warned that the impending switch-on of 5G mobile phone services will cause "major disruption" to flights. BBC said that they said the start of Verizon and AT&T 5G mobile phone services, planned for Wednesday, would cause a "completely avoidable economic calamity". Airlines fear C-band 5G signals will disrupt planes' navigation systems, particularly those used in bad weather. The warning was issued in a letter sent to US aviation authorities. The chief executives of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines were joined by others in saying: "Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies", including vaccine distribution. The BBC has seen the letter outlining their urgent concerns. It was sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as well as the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and the director of the National Economic Council. The airlines want 5G signals to be excluded from "the approximate two miles of airport runways at affected airports as defined by the FAA on 19 January 2022". These concerns were recently highlighted by the two big plane makers, Airbus and Boeing, in a rare joint warning. The FAA added that it had approved "two radio altimeter models that are installed in a wide variety of Boeing and Airbus planes".

U.S. special envoy Kim holds talks on North Korea with South Korean, Japanese counterparts

US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim speaks with his South Korean counterpart during their bilateral meeting at a hotel in Seoul on Monday. (File photo by=AFP) [Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] WASHINGTON: U.S. special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim held talks with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on Monday to discuss North Korea's latest missile launch, the Department of State said. The three-way telephone conversation with South Korea's Noh Kyu-duk and Japan's Takehiro Funakoshi came after North Korea launched what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday (Seoul time). "In his call with Special Representative Noh and Director-General Funakoshi, Special Representative Kim reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as well as its ironclad commitment to the defense of its allies, the ROK and Japan," department spokesperson Ned Price, said in a press release. "Special Representative Kim expressed concern about the DPRK's missile launches, which violated multiple UN Security Council resolutions and were the latest in a series of ballistic missile launches by the DPRK this month," he added. The U.S. said it will push for additional U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea for its latest missile launches. Still, Kim said the U.S. continues to remain open to dialogue with North Korea, according to the state department. North Korea has stayed away from denuclearization negotiations with the U.S. since late 2019. It also remains unresponsive to U.S. overtures.