Category: Foreign

 

Agency Reporter

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov on Wednesday signed the new Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, the press service of the president said.

The new constitution was adopted in a constitutional referendum held on April 11.

According to official data of the Central Election Commission of the country, 79.3 per cent of 1,322,124 voters, who took part in the referendum, voted for the new constitution.

READ ALSO: 63 people registered to run for presidency in Kyrgyzstan

The new constitution stipulates a transition to a presidential form of government, the establishment of the People’s Kurultai, a political advisory body, and the reduction of parliamentary seats from 120 to 90, among other things. (Xinhua/NAN)

Agency Reporter

A Russian woman was deported from Bali on Wednesday for violating Coronavirus (COVID-19) rules after she had entered a supermarket with her face painted to look like she was wearing a mask.

Leia Se, 26, and her boyfriend, YouTube star Josh Paler Lin, sparked an uproar in April after they posted an Instagram video showing her shopping on the Indonesian resort island with a painted facial mask.

“This action was been taken to serve as a lesson that anyone who visits Indonesia must abide by its rules,’’ Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said, referring to the woman’s expulsion.

In the video, Se and Lin tried to enter the supermarket but were stopped by security guards because she did not wear a mask.

Lin, a prankster who has 3.4 million subscribers on YouTube, then painted a mask on his girlfriend’s face and they were allowed in.

READ ALSO: Russian lady inks Flavour’s face twice on arm

“Did you notice like no one’s actually looking at you?’’ Lin said in the clip, which has since been deleted from his Instagram account.

“I can’t believe it worked!’’ he added.

Bali immigration Chief Jamarulu Manihuruk said Lin was not deported in spite of the role he played in the violation.

“Based on our investigation, only Leia was considered guilty,’’ he said.

Lin and Se apologised for violating Indonesia’s mask rules in a video posted on his Instagram account.

“The intention to make this video was not at all to disrespect or invite everyone to not wear a mask,’’ Lin said.

“I make this video to entertain people because I am a content creator and it is my job to entertain people,’’ he said. (dpa/NAN)

Agency Reporter

 

Chen Si talks with the elderly people at Tianzhushan Nursing Home in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Chen Si, 34, graduated from Harvard University.

Chen Si in 2013 quit her job on Wall Street and came back to her hometown, to start a full-time job as a director of a nursing home.

At first, many people didn’t understand the reason why a young lady like her made such a decision and doubted whether she could take good care of the elderly.

There were nearly 500 elderly people at the nursing home, with an average age of 80 years old.

To get more involved in their lives, Chen Si moved into the nursing home and tried to make friends with the elderly.

Over time, she won their trust and love and established strong bonds with them.

They called her “ACE’’ lady as she works as a psychological consultant, a nutritionist and a nurse at the same time.

She took care of their health, paid attention to their diet and kept them company.

Chen Si also integrated the psychotherapy she learnt at Harvard University into various game activities, held cultural workshops and even set up a fashion model club for elderly people.

In Chen Si’s opinion, the senior care industry, it’s not only about keeping the elderly well-fed and well clothed.

What’s more important was to make the elderly feel valued.

“I never feel regret about my choice. I truly hope that more young people will join me in providing senior care service, contributing forward-looking ideas, professional skills and compassion,’’ said Chen Si. (Xinhua/Yang Qing/NAN)

Agency Reporter

The new Nigeria Visa Policy 2020 (NVP 2020) is worthy of emulation in Africa.

Dr Benson Bana, Tanzanian High Commissioner to Nigeria, said this known on the sidelines of the Tanzania-Nigeria Tourism, Investment and Trade (TN-TIT) forum, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“When I arrived here, I was told that Nigeria is listed among countries allowed to approve Visa.

“The good thing is we were allowed to have a Nigerian revised Visa policy, we looked at it that it was proactive, at least for addressing the imperatives of problems of Nigeria.

“For providing open doors for travellers wanting to come into Nigeria, right from spiritual and medical tourism, I think they have moved from the sixth category to around seventh.

“So what we did was to study the Nigerian Visa policy with our government and that is why we are here.

“Things which are good in Nigeria are transferred to us, so we convinced our government to start what Nigerians have done, in terms of revising the Visa policy and see what works for us.”

He noted that the aim is was to copy what works for Nigeria and fit such into the context of Tanzania.

The envoy disclosed that the Tanzanian government has set up a team to study Nigeria’s visa policy, with a view to revising it in that country.

“Much as we established a case to have a direct Tanzania route to Lagos, I am sure we will win,” Bana said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Feb. 4, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari, officially launched the NVP 2020 as the new guidelines for entry and exit of migrants.

READ ALSO: Reps pass Bill to restrict foreign vessels in Nigeria coastal waters

The NVP 2020 is geared towards the attainment of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and adoption of Security, Economy and Transparency (SET) as the government’s policy thrust on ERGP.

The NVP 2020 enhances the ease of doing business in Nigeria, boosts tourism, addresses current immigration-related challenges, and expands opportunities regarding bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries.

The NVP 2020 expands the classes of visas from six to 79 to accommodate additional travel requirements for expatriates intending to travel to Nigeria.

The NVP 2020 classifies travelers to Nigeria into two broad categories: Visa-Free / Exemption and Visa Mandatory.

NAN reports that Buhari said the NVP 2020 is designed to improve the business environment, attract foreign direct investment and boost tourism without compromising national security.(NAN)

Agency Reporter

 

Scientist said that they have identified 26 Australian butterfly species and subspecies which are at greatest risk of extinction and those species were estimated to be lost within 20 years.

Media reported on Tuesday.

Topping the list is Australian fritillary with a 94 per cent likelihood of extinction in two decades, followed by the gloriously named “pale imperial hairstreak’’, which has a 42 per cent chance of extinction.

Australian fritillary is a striking black and orange butterfly with a delicate lacework of olive and pink on the undersides of its wings, and it was once widespread in swampy areas of the coastal state of Queensland and New South Wales.

Trevor Lambkin, one of the authors of the new study, Butterflies on the Brink that was published in Austral Entomology recently, said concerns were increasing that the Australian fritillary species had already been wiped out.

READ ALSO: Facebook blocks Australian news sites

“I like to be optimistic but every year that goes past without anything showing makes us a little bit more concerned every year,’’ Lambkin said.

The fritillary is one of those butterflies with specific diets, which makes them vulnerable to environmental changes such as vegetation clearing, weed invasions and fires.

It has not been seen since only one being spotted flying near Port Macquarie in NSW in 2015.

“Their habitat has been disrupted incredibly,’’ Lambkin said.

Scientists hope identifying the 26 butterflies will lead to conservation action.

Only 6 of the butterflies identified are currently listed for protection under Australian law.

Associate Prof. Michael Braby, an entomologist from the Australian National University, said most of the species identified as being at risk had little or no management occurring to conserve them, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

“lt is vital that we value and conserve Australia’s invertebrate biodiversity, our ecosystems and ultimately our survival may depend on it,’’ Braby said. (Xinhua/NAN)

Agency Reporter

England could see its one metre social distancing rule scrapped from next month, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

He was visiting a northern England town ahead of a by-election on Thursday when he was asked about how well the nation was doing at combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since restrictions were loosened on April 12.

He told reporters that Britain had just given 50 million coronavirus jabs to people living in the four nations and said it was likely England would be able to further loosen restrictions in the weeks ahead.

“It also looks to me as though from June 21…we have got a good chance of being able to dispense with the one-metre plus from June 21,” he said.

A return to unrestricted trading for British hospitality from June 21 is “critical” and will mean firms can “come off life support”, an industry chief also said.

British media reports echoed Johnson’s comments and said social distancing rules will be ditched next month to allow pubs, restaurants and theatres to open to full capacity for the first time in more than a year following the coronavirus pandemic.

One-way systems, screens and mask-wearing while moving around might remain for hospitality venues but customer numbers will no longer be limited, The Times newspaper said.

Audiences in theatres and cinemas will have to wear face coverings during performances, while there will be strict guidance on ventilation and staggered entry, the newspaper reported.

On Sunday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said “some safeguards” may stay in place when legal restrictions end, such as continued use of masks and physical distancing.

Last month, government scientific advisers said the public should be able to remove face masks over the British summer as vaccines do the heavy lifting in controlling COVID-19 – but they cautioned that masks and possibly other measures may be needed later in the year if cases surge.

Responding to the report in The Times, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, said: “These reports are very welcome if true.

“However, we must wait to see the full detail of plans as any restrictions in venues will continue to impact revenue and business viability.

“A return to unrestricted trading on June 21 is critical and will mean hospitality businesses (can) come off life support and be viable for the first time in almost 16 months.

“We urge the government to confirm reopening dates and these plans at the earliest opportunity, which will boost confidence and allow companies to step up planning and bring staff back.”

A Cabinet Office spokesperson pointed back to the wording of the road map out of lockdown, which states that the British government “will complete a review of social distancing measures and other long-term measures that have been put in place to limit transmission”.

READ ALSO: Boris Johnson woos Biden with defense plan

The review’s findings “will help inform decisions on the timing and
circumstances under which rules on one-meter-plus, face masks and other measures may be lifted”.

It comes as the government announced the limit on the number of mourners who can attend funerals is to be lifted in England.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the legal restriction of a maximum of 30 mourners will be removed as part of the next stage of lockdown easing, expected on May 17.

The capacity will be determined by how many people venues, such as places of worship or funeral homes, can safely accommodate while maintaining social distancing, the department added.

Meanwhile, British MPs in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on coronavirus have urged the Government to “discourage all international leisure travel” amid concerns around the danger of importing new variants to Britain, which they said could “lead to further lockdowns, and inevitably, further loss of life”.

The chief executive of travel firm Thomas Cook, Alan French, said there has been “great progress” in countries such as Portugal and Spain in preparing for the return of holidaymakers and that he expects most popular destinations, particularly in Europe, to be open to travellers.

The ban on foreign holidays is expected to be lifted for people in England from May 17 as part of the next easing of coronavirus restrictions. ((PA Media/dpa/NAN)

Agency Reporter

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Congress to approve a police reform that would address the issue of racially motivated brutality.

Biden said in his speech before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday evening said “let’s get it done next month, by the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death. The country supports this reform. Congress should act.’’

Floyd, an African American resident of Minneapolis, died in police custody last May, however, earlier this month former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder in the Floyd case.

READ ALSO: Biden to stand up for Muslims’ rights

The police reform bears Chauvin’s name and has already been passed by the House of Representatives, but faces an uphill battle in the Senate.

Biden called on Democrats and Republicans to find common ground.

“I know the Republicans have their own ideas and are engaged in productive discussions with Democrats. We need to work together to find a consensus.’’ (Sputnik/NAN)

India had a new record in daily Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) infections with more than 379,000 cases recorded in the past 24 hours, figures from India’s Health Ministry showed on Thursday.

In addition, 3,645 people as a result of the disease, the ministry said.

From May, all adults in India are to be able to get vaccinated.

When people were able to register online from Wednesday, the rush was so great that the servers of the registration website were overloaded at times, Indian media and many Twitter users reported.

Initially, vaccinations are to be available only after online registration.
But vaccines in India are in short supply given the large population of more than 1.3 billion even though India produces vaccines en masse and is known as the pharmacy of the world.

Read Also: ‘UK facing surge in coronavirus infections, difficult variants’

So far, less than 10 per cent of people have received at least one vaccine dose.

The fierce second wave has seen huge religious festivals and election campaign events in recent weeks, as well as a virus variant that is slightly more infectious and resilient to immunity, German virologist Christian Drosten stated.

The total number of infections has risen to more than 18 million in the populous South Asian nation.

In addition, a total of more than 200,000 people have died in connection with COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

According to the World Health Organisation, 38 per cent of the COVID-19 cases reported worldwide earlier were from India. (dpa/NAN)

Agency Reporter

The UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge says the British government finds trading with Nigeria easier than with many other countries around the World.

According to the minister, who is on a working visit to Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the commonality in language as well as the relationship between both countries, make it easier for better trade relations.

Dudderidge pointed out that the relationship between both countries is so close that many Nigerians knew more about happenings in London or in the English Premiership than some Britons.

“The fact that we share a common language and in many ways a common heritage, also there is a significant number of Nigerians in diaspora across the UK, that brings proximity to the relationship.

“It is much easier, to be frank, to trade with Nigeria than many other countries around the World, given our shared history, and the number of people that live both in the UK and in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Okonjo-Iweala will drive global trade, says World Bank

“The number of people that are educated in the UK, that have close bonds, know more about what is going on in London and what is going on in the Premiership perhaps than I do.

“It is a very close relationship, one of trust and there are lots of opportunities, as well in relation to trade.

“That is one of the reasons Ellen Grant is here to make sure any opportunities that Nigeria wants to pursue or where we can help we are able to do so,” he said.

He described Nigeria as a very important partner to the United Kingdom, saying that he was glad to be visiting Nigeria.

Speaking on his visit, he said: “It is good to be visiting Nigeria, but the purpose of this visit is very broad, looking at trade and diplomacy, humanitarian efforts as well as relations between Nigeria and other countries sharing borders with Nigeria in West Africa,” he said. (NAN)

Agency Reporter

The European Commission has started legal action against British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca due to breaches of its COVID-19 vaccine supply contract.

The EU executive branch began the process on Friday because some terms of the contract have not been respected, commission spokesperson Stefan De Keersmaecker said on Monday.

Furthermore, “the company has not been in a position to come up with a reliable strategy to ensure the timely delivery of doses,’’ the spokesperson told reporters in Brussels.

“We want to make sure that there is a speedy delivery of a sufficient number of doses that European citizens are entitled to, and which have been promised on the basis of the contract,’’ he added.

The 27 EU member states support the move, according to De Keersmaecker.

The case is to be heard in Belgian courts.

READ ALSO: FG gets 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca from MTN

After repeatedly revising downward the amount of doses it was expected to deliver, AstraZeneca is now aiming to deliver 70 million doses in the second quarter of the year, according to the EU executive.

This is significantly less than the 180 million the commission says the company was aiming to deliver in that period, with the entire contract covering 300 million doses.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s vaccine tracker, only 31 million doses have been distributed to the European Union and European Economic Area since deliveries began.

The row about delivery shortfalls has been running since January, when AstraZeneca announced production hiccups were affecting their EU supply chain.

Brussels was particularly frustrated that neighbouring Britain’s supply of AstraZeneca shots remained unaffected, inspite of the both purchase contracts dating from August 2020.

The bloc even halted the export of 250,000 of the company’s vaccine doses from Italy to Australia, arguing it must first honour its contractual obligations to the European Union.

As a first step, the EU executive branch launched a dispute resolution process with AstraZeneca in March.(dpa/NAN)