Today's News 14 August 2021 (Saturday) - Philippine Navy
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Transcript of Today's News 14 August 2021 (Saturday) - Philippine Navy
Today’s News 14 August 2021 (Saturday)
A. NAVY NEWS/COVID NEWS/PHOTOS
Title Writer Newspaper Page
NIL NIL NIL NIL
B. NATIONAL HEADLINES
Title Writer Newspaper Page
1 11 NCR areas under COVID Alert Level 4 P Star 1
2 Probe of unpaid health sector benefits pushed
PDI A1
C. NATIONAL SECURITY
Title Writer Newspaper Page
3 Sinos at Masinloc? DND chief disagrees PDI A1
D. INDO-PACIFIC
Title Writer Newspaper Page
NIL NIL NIL NIL
E. AFP RELATED
Title Writer Newspaper Page
4 AFP chief slams NPA for ‘cold-blooded murder’ of army peace officer in Capiz.
M Bulletin 5
5 Gold hunters Pinoy pugs want Olympic glory D Tribune 8
F. CPP-NPA-NDF-LCM
Title Writer Newspaper Page
6 PNP ready vs Terror Groups D Tribune 3
7 NPA hit for brutal slay of Army peace officer Tempo
G. MNLF/MILF/BIFF/ASG
Title Writer Newspaper Page
NIL NIL NIL NIL
H. EDITORIAL-OPINION-COMMENTARY-SPECIAL
Title Writer Newspaper Page
8 Wrong leader at the wrong time PDI A8
9 Urgent calls, reminders on int’l humanitarian law
P Star 7
I. ONLINE NEWS
Title Link
NATIONAL NEWS
10 5.8-magnitude quake rocks Batangas — Phivolcs
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/14/5-7-magnitude-quake-rocks-batangas-phivolcs/
11 NAMRIA seeks safe open spaces for the 'Big One'
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150374
12 Climate wake-up call https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/14/clim
ate-wake-up-call/
13
Business bucks ECQ extension, fears health-livelihood crisis may worsen
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/362344/business-bucks-ecq-extension-fears-health-livelihood-crisis-may-worsen.html
14 DTI chief: No ECQ extension talks yet https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/dti-
chief-no-ecq-extension-talks-yet/
15
Private schools to pursue online learning in face of Delta threat
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/private-schools-to-pursue-online-learning-in-face-of-delta-threat/
16
DOE urged: Ensure power supply during Malampaya shutdown
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/799191/doe-urged-ensure-power-supply-during-malampaya-shutdown/story/
17
Rainy in Eastern Visayas due to LPA, fair weather in the rest of PH — Pagasa
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473506/rainy-in-eastern-visayas-due-to-lpa-fair-weather-in-the-rest-of-ph-pagasa
NAVY NEWS
18
Lorenzana denies presence of Chinese research ship at Scarborough Shoal
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/799240/lorenzana-denies-presence-of-chinese-research-ship-at-scarborough-shoal/story/
AFP RELATED
19
Army, NPA clash in Isabela: 4 troopers hurt, rebel guns seized
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/13/army-npa-clash-in-isabela-4-troopers-hurt-rebel-guns-seized/
20
Esperon backs calls for cancellation of registration of Gabriela partylist
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/esperon-backs-calls-for-cancellation-of-registration-of-gabriela-partylist/
21 Groups admonish Makabayan Bloc to drop politicking
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150416
22 JTF-NCR, partners give 12K hot meals to NCR residents
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150315
23 AFP chief slams NPA for 'cold-blooded murder' of Army peace officer in Capiz
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/afp-chief-slams-npa-over-killing-of-army-peace-officer-in-capiz/
24
Eleazar: Security forces doubling effort to prevent local terror groups
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/13/latest-stories/eleazar-security-forces-doubling-effort-to-prevent-local-terror-groups/1810859
INDO-PACIFIC NEWS
25
ILO report - PHL workers suffered largest work-hour losses in SEA in pandemic
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/phl-workers-suffered-largest-work-hour-losses-in-sea-in-pandemic-ilo-report/
26 Communist China Continues Illegal Actions in the South China Sea
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17619/china-illegal-actions-south-china-sea
27
Quad meet explores collaboration in supply chains, critical tech & counter-terror
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/quad-meet-explores-collaboration-in-supply-chains-critical-tech-counter-terror/articleshow/85280120.cms
28
Top US, South Korean trade officials discuss supply chain resiliency -USTR
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/top-us-south-korean-trade-officials-discuss-supply-chain-resiliency-ustr-2109836
29
Democracy summit invitation to Taiwan ‘risks crisis in China-US ties’
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3144998/biden-democracy-summit-invitation-taiwan-risks-crisis-china-us
30 China firmly rejects U.S. approval of Taiwan related bill: spokesperson
http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0813/c90000-9883634.html
31
China's new US envoy stresses importance of Taiwan in first high-level meeting
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-new-ambassador-us-taiwan-diplomacy-2110371
32
China's fury at Lithuania over Taiwan, warns country to 'pay the price for its evil deed'
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/chinas-fury-at-lithuania-over-taiwan-warns-country-to-pay-the-price-for-its-evil-deed/OLJBKOG6ZALVMJIHRC24LKFAFM/
33 China preparing to recognize Taliban if Kabul falls (
https://asiapost.live/china-preparing-to-recognize-taliban-if-kabul-falls-report/
34
China should pressure Taliban in two ways, Afghanistan’s envoy says
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3144974/china-should-pressure-taliban-2-ways-afghanistans-envoy-says
35
Opposed to 'any force' using terrorism to seek 'geopolitical gains': China on Pakistan's bus blast probe
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/opposed-to-any-force-using-terrorism-to-seek-geopolitical-gains-china-on-pakistans-bus-blast-probe/articleshow/85294781.cms
36
China rejects need for further WHO coronavirus origins probe
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/china-rejects-need-for-further-who-coronavirus-origins-probe/
37
Xi Jinping’s new rules reshape China’s Communist Party decision-making
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3144798/xi-jinpings-new-rules-reshape-chinas-communist-party-decision
38 Shanghai Bans English Exams Amid Calls For Less English Teaching
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/exams-08122021132625.html
39
Two Chinese activists sentenced to 15 months’ jail for archiving censored internet material
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3144913/two-chinese-activists-sentenced-15-months-jail-archiving
40
Researchers Spot Deep Fake Profile Photos Linked to Pro-China Twitter Accounts
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/fake-08122021090719.html
41
First Hong Kong election under revamped system to be largely uncontested
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hong-kong-election-patriots-uncontested-2110831
42 Hong Kong’s Liberties Are Dying but Business Lives On
https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/12/hong-kong-liberties-business-hub/
43
Hongkongers think twice as Malaysia changes rules for wealthy migrants
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3144929/hongkongers-think-twice-malaysia-changes-migration-rules-amid
44 China not ASEAN’s top investor, but fears over its influence persist: study
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144996/china-not-
southeast-asias-top-investor-fears-over-its-economic
45
The Quest for Strategic Balance and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Conundrum
https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/the-quest-for-strategic-balance-and-south-koreas-indo-pacific-conundrum/
46 Thai protesters spar with police in march on PM Prayut's residence
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-bangkok-protests-police-prayut-2111146
47 More Than 80 Civilians Killed by Myanmar Forces in Sagaing Township
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/killed-08122021182107.html
48
Malaysian PM Muhyiddin seeks bipartisan support for upcoming confidence motion in parliament
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-muhyiddin-confidence-motion-bipartisan-general-election-2111121
49
Opposition accuse Malaysian leader of ‘corruption’ after unity plea
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144991/malaysias-political-crisis-facing-no-confidence-vote-defeat
50
Malaysia’s political crisis: calls to replace PM Muhyiddin with Anwar as no-confidence vote looms
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144916/malaysias-political-crisis-calls-replace-pm-muhyiddin-anwar-no
51 Australia faces a contested region https://www.9dashline.com/article/australia-
faces-a-contested-region
52
Australia chides China over journalist’s yearlong detention
https://www.news10.com/news/international/australia-chides-china-over-journalists-yearlong-detention/
53
Pakistan's foreign minister blames Afghanistan and India for suicide attack on Chinese workers
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/12/asia/china-pakistan-india-afghanistan-intl-hnk/index.html
54
Mango diplomacy is more than low-hanging fruit in South Asian politics
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/mango-diplomacy-more-low-hanging-fruit-south-asian-politics
55 Kandahar’s fall signals America’s stark failure in Afghanistan
https://asiapost.live/kandahars-fall-signals-americas-stark-failure-in-afghanistan/
56
Twelve nations decide not to recognise any Afghan government imposed by force
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/twelve-nations-decide-not-to-recognise-any-afghan-government-imposed-by-force/articleshow/85297836.cms
DEFENSE NEWS
57 Lorenzana: Chinese research ship didn’t enter EEZ
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/13/lorenzana-chinese-research-ship-didnt-enter-eez/
58
Facebook, Amazon seek US approval for undersea cable after China Mobile’s exit
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3145025/facebook-amazon-seek-us-approval-undersea-cable
59
DHS warns of newly active al Qaeda ahead of 9/11 anniversary
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/13/dhs-warns-newly-active-al-qaeda-ahead-911-annivers/
60
Biden Should Provide Afghans Support to Stop Taliban from Conquering Kabul
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/mcconnell-biden-should-provide-afghans-support-to-stop-taliban-from-conquering-kabul/
61
US to reduce Kabul embassy to core staff, add 3,000 troops to help
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-reduce-kabul-embassy-core-staff-add-3000-troops-help-2109406
62
First U.S. troops arrive in Afghanistan to aid evacuation as Taliban advance
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/13/first-us-troops-arrive-afghanistan-aid-evacuation-/
63
U.S. Embassy staff in Afghanistan destroy computers as Taliban nears Kabul
https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2021/8/13/22623313/afghanistan-taliban-taking-over-capitals-kabul-us-troops-will-deploy
64
U.S. Pacific air exercises bolster lethality, resilience, partnership
https://ipdefenseforum.com/2021/08/u-s-pacific-air-exercises-bolster-lethality-resilience-partnership/
65 There will always be one problem with the US Air Force's B-2 bomber fleet
https://www.businessinsider.com/size-of-us-air-force-b2-bomber-fleet-is-problem-2021-8
66
How the U.S. military plans to replace the iconic Humvee on future frontlines
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/13/how-the-us-military-plans-to-replace-the-iconic-humvee.html
67
US Office of Naval Research Starting New Project To Detect Magnetic Influence Mines
https://www.defensedaily.com/onr-starting-new-project-to-detect-magnetic-influence-mines/navy-usmc/
68
US Marine Corps to fire ship-sinking missile in Pacific as ‘demonstration of force
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/08/13/corps-to-fire-ship-sinking-missile-in-pacific-as-demonstration-of-force/
69
US Strategic Command Boss Encourages People To Keep Looking For More Chinese Missile Silos
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/41974/strategic-command-boss-wants-more-open-source-intel-sleuthing-on-chinas-nuclear-expansion
70
China, Russia pose strategic challenges for U.S., admiral says
https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/china-russia-pose-strategic-challenges-for-us-admiral-says
71
China building third missile field for hundreds of new ICBMs
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/12/china-engaged-breathtaking-nuclear-breakout-us-str/
72 China at UN: U.S. the biggest threat to peace, stability in South China Sea
http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0813/c90000-9883628.html
73
How Xi looks to the Communist Party to plug cybersecurity gaps
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3144958/how-xi-jinping-looks-communist-party-plug-cybersecurity-gaps
74 Newly revised regulations on Chinese naval vessels come into force
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2021-08/12/content_10074915.htm
75
New sea trials for the second Type 075 LHD of Chinese Navy
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/august/10563-new-sea-trials-for-the-second-type-075-lhd-of-chinese-navy.html
76 PLA Navy sends teams to IAG 2021 in Russia
https://asiapost.live/pla-navy-sends-teams-to-iag-2021-in-russia/
77
China, Russia joint drills conclude with live-fire anti-terrorism operation featuring J-20
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1231427.shtml
78
China-Russia military drill makes room for combined force against US
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3145010/china-russia-military-drill-makes-room-combined-force-against
79
British submarines patrolled the East China Sea, China preparing to hunt
https://defenceview.in/british-submarines-patrolled-the-east-china-sea-china-preparing-to-hunt/
80
Long-Range Conventional Precision Strike: Taiwan’s Post-Nuclear Deterrent
https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/long-range-conventional-precision-strike-taiwans-post-nuclear-deterrent/
81
Japan to revise 5-year defence plan ahead of schedule, eyeing China (
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3145022/japan-revise-5-year-defence-plan-ahead-schedule-eyeing-china
82
South Korea Navy Launches First 3000-ton Class Daewoo-made Submarine
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30223/South_Korea_Launches_First_3000_ton_Class_Daewoo_made_Submarine
83
South Korea’s new sub brings North Korean, Chinese bases within range
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144978/south-koreas-new-submarine-brings-north-korean-chinese-bases
84
South Korea's Moon orders investigation into navy sexual harassment claims
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/south-korea-navy-sexual-abuse-investigation-2110561
85
4 dead as Malaysian serviceman opens fire at air force base in Sarawak
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-air-force-servicemen-shot-dead-sarawak-2110531
86
Are local companies being shut out of US defence construction in Australia’s north?
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/are-local-companies-being-shut-out-of-us-defence-construction-in-australias-north/
87 India’s First Homemade Aircraft Carrier Passes Its First Big Test
https://defenceview.in/indias-first-homemade-aircraft-carrier-passes-its-first-big-test/
88
Lays keel for the first Indian Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/august/10562-lays-keel-for-the-first-indian-anti-submarine-warfare-shallow-water-craft.html
89 India’s LCA Tejas Mk-1A to take first flight by March 2022
https://defenceview.in/indias-lca-tejas-mk-1a-to-take-first-flight-by-march-2022/
90
Russian defence minister praises cooperation with China at joint wargames
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/russian-defence-minister-praises-cooperation-with-china-at-joint-wargames/articleshow/85300183.cms
91 Russia Developing New Heavy Combat Drone
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/08/13/russia-new-combat-drone/
92 Kabul Seeks Combat Helicopters from Russia
https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30224/Kabul_Seeks_Combat_Helicopters_from_Russia
93
Taliban captures key city of Kandahar, as it pushes towards Afghanistan's capital
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/13/asia/afghanistan-kandahar-falls-taliban-intl-hnk/index.html
94
Taliban captures hundreds of US military vehicles, drones to keep taking over Afghanistan
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/08/pics-videos-taliban-captures-hundreds-of-us-
military-vehicles-drones-to-keep-taking-over-afghanistan/
95 Afghanistan Is a Failure of Military Intelligence—and Common Sense
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/08/13/afghanistan-failure-intelligence-common-sense/
96
Cybercrime is Dangerous, But a New UN Treaty Could Be Worse for Rights
https://www.justsecurity.org/77756/cybercrime-is-dangerous-but-a-new-un-treaty-could-be-worse-for-rights/
97 How I Failed My Afghan Comrades https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/08/ho
w-i-failed-my-afghan-comrades/184494/
98
Foreign-sponsored Disinformation Campaigns
https://defense.info/featured-story/2021/08/foreign-sponsored-disinformation-campaigns/
99
Climate Change and Defence: Are we ready for its impact?
https://wavellroom.com/2021/08/13/climate-change-and-defence-are-we-ready-for-its-impact/
100 What Does National Security Mean in a +2 Celsius World
https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/what-does-national-security-mean-in-a-2-celsius-world/
COVID NEWS
101 Cases of Delta variant rising outside NCR
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473414/delta-cases-rising-outside-ncr
102
Hospitals near full capacity’ https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/362346/-hospitals-near-full-capacity-.html
103 DOH reiterates COVID-19 booster shots not yet recommended (
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/doh-reiterates-covid-19-booster-shots-not-yet-recommended/
104
At least half a million doses of Astra, Sputnik Covid vaccines land at Naia
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/at-least-half-a-million-doses-of-astra-sputnik-covid-vaccines-land-at-naia/
105
Philippine medical workers under strain as COVID-19 cases jump
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-medical-workers-strain-covid-19-cases-rise-delta-variant-2111231
106
Covid Lab-Leak Revelation: WHO Expert Says China Pressure Led To His Team's 'Extremely Unlikely' Finding
https://www.ibtimes.com/covid-lab-leak-revelation-who-expert-says-china-pressure-led-his-teams-extremely-3273155
107
US: Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for those with weak immune systems
https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-283298fb55b0556dbd9e45a62b782095
108
Olympics now ended, Japan races to vaccinate as virus surges
https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-sports-lifestyle-japan-coronavirus-pandemic-8b48db716e4c0cdd132822a19ef7b112
109
What you need to know about the coronavirus right now
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-you-need-know-about-coronavirus-right-now-2021-03-02/
110
Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across the World
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world-map/?srnd=coronavirus
111 Covid map: Where are cases the highest?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105
112
Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/?srnd=premium-asia
J. OPINION/EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY
Title Link
113 Virtual checkups: The doctor will see you now…online
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/14/virtual-checkups-the-doctor-will-see-you-nowonline/
114 Cyberhackers sabotaging Manila's vaccination program
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/14/opinion/columns/cyberhackers-sabotaging-manilas-vaccination-program/1810897
115 11.8 percent GDP growth—what it mean
https://opinion.inquirer.net/143079/11-8-percent-gdp-growth-what-it-means
116 Urgent calls, reminders on int’l humanitarian law
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/08/14/2119826/urgent-calls-reminders-intl-humanitarian-law
117 Malampaya battle rages https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/14/malampaya-battle-rages/
118 Blitz https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/08/14/2119831/blitz
119 Amid US-China brinkmanship, have relations reached the point of no return?
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3144683/amid-us-china-brinkmanship-have-relations-reached-point-no-return
5.8-magnitude quake rocks Batangas — Phivolcs
Published August 14, 2021, 1:11 AM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a moderately strong earthquake measuring 5.8-magnitude on the Richter scale jolted Batangas on Friday evening, Aug. 13.
Phivolcs said it was an aftershock of the 6.6-magnitude earthquake last July 24.
The origin of the 5.8-magnitude quake was traced 18 kilometers (km) southwest of Calatagan, Batangas at around 11:08 p.m. It was initially measured as a 5.7-magnitude earthquake.
Phivolcs said it was “moderately strong” at Intensity IV in Calatagan, Batangas; Puerto Galera and Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Lipa City, Lemery and Taal, Batangas; Biñan, Laguna; and Looc and Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.
Moreover, it was “weak” at Intensity III in Pasig City, Parañaque City; Manila City; Quezon City; Caloocan City; Mandaluyong City; Valenzuela City; Abra de Ilog, Oriental Mindoro; Obando, Bulacan; Batangas City; and Tanza, Cavite.
It was recorded as a “slight shaking” at Intensity II in Meycauayan City and Malolos City, Bulacan; Makati City; Pasay City; Pateros; and San Jose, San Pascual, Bauan, Agoncillo, San Luis and Talisay, while it was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity I in Malabon City.
Phivolcs said aftershocks and damage to structures are less likely to occur.
The 6.6-magnitude mainshock that occurred on July 24 was caused by the movement along the Manila Trench–an earthquake generator located offshore west of Luzon Island, roughly parallel to the Philippine archipelago in the north but veers very close to land at the southern tip of Occidental Mindoro.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/14/5-7-magnitude-quake-rocks-batangas-phivolcs/
NAMRIA seeks safe open spaces for
the 'Big One'
By Catherine Teves August 13, 2021, 5:43 pm
MANILA – Work is underway to identify in Metro Manila's neighboring areas the safe open spaces (SOSs) where people can run to and assemble when the "Big One" strikes.
The “Big One” is a worst-case scenario of an earthquake from the West Valley Fault, a 100-kilometer fault that runs through six cities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. A tsunami is also foreseen in the scenario set by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA) already identified and mapped SOSs in Metro Manila and began to do the same for neighboring areas as the West Valley Fault (WVF) runs through six cities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. A tsunami is also foreseen in the scenario set by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
NAMRIA supervising remote sensing technologist Josephine Ferrer said the agency is already collecting the latest available high-resolution images of the neighboring areas to be used in identifying potential SOSs there.
"We'll base our interpretation of open spaces on those images," she said.
She said concerned local government units (LGUs) will verify if the identified open spaces still exist.
NAMRIA is supposed to be undertaking an ocular inspection of potential SOSs but came up with such work arrangement instead due to health risks and mobility restrictions arising from continuing onslaught of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, she noted.
She said Phivolcs will still help NAMRIA identify SOSs in Metro Manila's neighboring areas.
SOS is a vacant land at least 200 square meters in size, free from earthquake-related hazards and located outside a radius 1.5 times the height of adjacent or surrounding buildings, she said.
Aside from being an assembly area when earthquakes strike, she said SOSs may also serve as temporary shelter, rescue and medical stations, food and water depots, as well as other emergency services.
Phivolcs' assessment about WVF is raising the urgency for identifying and mapping the SOSs as WVF is already ripe for movement.
Data shows WVF already moved four times in the past 1,400 years, Phivolcs noted.
Phivolcs said such indicates WVF moves at an approximately 400-year interval, the last being around 1645.
Ferrer said NAMRIA already introduced its SOS mapping project to LGUs of Metro Manila's neighboring Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal provinces in Region IV-A (Calabarzon) and Bulacan province in Region III (Central Luzon).
"Those LGUs are willing to cooperate with us on the project," she said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150374
PHL groups on IPCC report on climate
change: Scale up mitigation efforts, and
act now!
BYJONATHAN L. MAYUGA
AUGUST 14, 2021
The latest report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continues to draw reactions from Philippine-based nongovernment organizations days after its release.
Citing the record-breaking climate change-triggered extreme weather events that threaten the global community, they say the report paints the grim scenario of the future is compelling enough to scale up mitigation efforts, bearing in mind the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and its lack of capacity to recover quickly from their disastrous impacts.
Power for People Coalition convener Gerry Arances: “Science is clear
that our reckless dependence on fossil fuels is to blame for it, and this
report invalidates any remaining excuse to keep using dirty energy if
we wish to avert even more unthinkable consequences.”
The Climate Change Commission (CCC), the lead policy-making body tasked to supervise government programs and ensure mainstreaming of climate change in national, local and sectoral development plans, said the IPCC report “should serve as a wake-up call not only for the Philippines, but also for all countries and world leaders to take decisive action on increasing warming temperatures to protect the planet and future generations from such previously unimaginable scenarios.”
The CCC believes that the substantial and consistent reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse-gas emissions, such as methane, indeed have the capacity to influence the future direction of climate.
“While improvements in air quality would be immediate, global temperature stabilization might take 20 to 30 years,” the CCC pointed out.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/14/climate-wake-up-call/
Business bucks ECQ extension, fears health-
livelihood crisis may worsen posted August 14, 2021 at 01:10 am by Othel V. Campos and Vito Barcelo, Francisco Tuyay
Businesses oppose an extension of the two-week lockdown in Metro Manila, which is supposed
to end on August 20.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the biggest business group in the
country, said a lockdown is not the only option to stop COVID-19 spread and may even
aggravate the health and livelihood crisis as it has in other countries.
“COVID-19 pandemic is a pharmaceutical problem while a lockdown is a militaristic solution.
Our economy is disfigured after many protracted lockdowns, yet the spread of COVID
continues,” said PCCI acting president Edgardo G. Lacson Friday, in reaction to talk of a five-
week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
He added that the Philippine economy has fallen into its deepest recession since 1947 largely
due to the prolonged and harsh lockdown response.
“Mere mention of lockdown stokes greater fear than the infection from COVID-19. Another five-
week lockdown could be the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back. It will wipe out the temporary economic gains we earned in between lockdowns and could stop the momentum of
business from moving forward,” he said.
PCCI hopes the planned five-week lockdown is just an overreaction to the rising cases fueled by
the Delta variant of COVID-19. Lacson said that the more prudent response should be ramping
up the vaccination program to achieve herd immunity and continuing to enforce health protocols
as a necessary measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the
Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said there has been no discussion yet of a
five-week ECQ extension at any IATF meeting.
He noted this news is not true but has been circulated online.
“As mentioned, If numbers improve until next week, we should go to a modified ECQ and
granular lockdowns. We’re watching the data closely, as long as (there’s) no threat of an uncontrollable surge of Delta (variant),” he added.
A week into the lockdown however, new cases are still rising, hitting four-month highs above
14,000 a day.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the IATF to downgrade the
classification of Laguna, Iloilo City and Cagayan de Oro City from Enhanced Community
Quarantine (ECQ) to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) beginning Aug. 16
until Aug. 31, 2021, Malacanang said.
The National Capital Region (NCR) remains under ECQ until August 20, 2021.
Bataan, on the other hand, is under ECQ until Aug. 22, 2021, Palace spokesman Harry Roque
said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it was too early to discuss a possible extension of the
two-week lockdown.
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/362344/business-bucks-ecq-extension-fears-health-
livelihood-crisis-may-worsen.html
DTI chief: No ECQ extension talks yet BYTYRONE JASPER C. PIAD
AUGUST 13, 2021
DTI chief Ramon Lopez
The Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has not yet discussed a possible extension of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Friday.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez the speculations of a five-week ECQ amid the threat of Covid-19 Delta variant, saying the government is still monitoring the current situation.
“Watching data closely,” he told the reporters. Earlier, the government placed Metro Manila under ECQ for the third time from August 6 to 20.
“If numbers improve until next week, we should go [modified] ECQ and granular lockdown,” Lopez added.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), in a news statement, expressed its opposition to the reported five-week ECQ given that it will further curtail economic recovery.
“Mere mention of lockdown strokes greater fear than the infection from Covid-19,” PCCI Acting President Edgardo G. Lacson said. “It [five-week lockdown] will wipe out the temporary economic gains we earned in between lockdowns and could stop momentum of business from moving forward.”
Lacson stressed that ramping up the vaccination program is the much-needed response in order to curb the spread of infection.
“Covid-19 pandemic is a pharmaceutical problem, while lockdown is a militaristic solution. Our economy is disfigured after many protracted lockdowns, yet the spread of Covid continues,” he said.
While businesses are against the hard lockdown due to economic repercussions, Lacson previously said the sector would comply to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 infection.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/dti-chief-no-ecq-extension-talks-yet/
Private schools to pursue online
learning in face of Delta threat BYBUSINESSMIRROR
AUGUST 13, 2021
1 MINUTE READ
The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) has assured that private schools are committed to continue with online learning to keep both students and teachers safe as the country battles the spread of the Delta variant.
COCOPEA Chairman Dr. Anthony Tamayo said online learning has been their main teaching method during the pandemic as they adapt to a “better normal.”
“COCOPEA member-schools are resolved to continue with online learning for this school year. The presidents of the associations that comprise COCOPEA agree that the safety of our students and stakeholders at this time of the pandemic is our paramount concern.”
At present, COCOPEA member-schools are devoting their resources to online learning including teacher training and upgrading of their IT infrastructures. “Online learning allows us to keep both our students and teachers safe while accomplishing our mission of delivering quality education.”
Reports have said that the Delta variant of Covid-19 has spread to nearly all regions of the country with Metro Manila having the highest case count. The spread is occurring just as private schools are opening the new school year this month and September.
“We are also committed to follow health and safety protocols in the workplace as outlined by the concerned government agencies like the
IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases], Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education. We have been strictly enforcing these protocols since the pandemic began. We continue to be cautious and practice vigilance especially now with the spread of the Delta variant,” COCOPEA added.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/private-schools-to-pursue-online-learning-in-face-of-delta-
threat/
Rainy in Eastern Visayas due to LPA, fair weather in the rest of PH — Pagasa
By: John Eric Mendoza - @inquirerdotnet
INQUIRER.net / 07:32 AM August 14, 2021
MANILA, Philippines — Eastern Visayas will experience rainy weather on
Saturday due to a low pressure area (LPA), the state weather service said. ADVERTISEMENT
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (Pagasa) said the LPA is 550 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes. “Sa ngayon po, sa pinapakita ng mga models, hindi naman po ito magde-develop
into a tropical depression pero magdadala naman ng makulimlim na panahon sa
Eastern Visayas, may pag-ulan at pagkidlat pagkulog,” said Pagasa weather
specialist Ezra Bulquerin.
(Based on our models, it is not expected to develop into a tropical depression but
it will bring rains and thunderstorms to Eastern Visayas.)
Metro Manila and the rest of the country are expected to have fair weather, with
possible isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. Region's EMs
Meanwhile, no gale warning was raised in any of the country’s sea waters as the
rest of the country is expected to have a slight to moderate sea condition with 0.6
to 2.5 meters of waves.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473506/rainy-in-eastern-visayas-due-to-lpa-fair-weather-in-the-rest-of-
ph-pagasa
Lorenzana denies presence of Chinese research
ship at Scarborough Shoal
By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News
Published August 13, 2021 4:53pm
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday dismissed reports of a Chinese ship allegedly spotted near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
In a statement, Lorenzana said the Chinese Research Vessel Hai Da Hao has not been spotted near the area, citing a report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “Contrary to some published reports regarding the Chinese Research Vessel Hai Da Hao, the AFP Northern Luzon Command has reported that the said vessel has not been spotted near Bajo de Masinloc as alleged,” he said. Based on the verification of the one-year historical track of CRV Hai Da Hao, he said the vessel did not pass through nor did it enter the area of responsibility of Naval Forces Northern Luzon. “In addition, CRV Hai Da Hao is currently monitored at 30 nautical miles south of Huidong Xian, Huizhou Shi, China,” he added. On Thursday, Lorenzana said they are verifying reports of the alleged presence of the Chinese research ship spotted near the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines previously protested China's continued presence and deployment of vessels in Philippine waters.
In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s legal basis for its expansive claim before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. The Philippines won the case in a landmark award in 2016 after the tribunal invalidated Beijing’s assertions.
China has since rejected the ruling, saying its claims have a historical basis and are “indisputable.” — DVM, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/799240/lorenzana-denies-presence-of-chinese-
research-ship-at-scarborough-shoal/story/
Army, NPA clash in Isabela: 4 troopers hurt, rebel guns
seized
Published 3 days ago on August 13, 2021 07:32 PM By John Roson
Four soldiers were injured and several high-powered firearms were seized when government forces clashed with the New People’s Army in Ilagan City, Isabela, Friday morning, the military said.
Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, Army 5th Infantry Division public affairs officer, said the clash erupted in Brgy. Capellan around 7:30 a.m. and lasted for at least 30 minutes.
Members of the 95th Infantry Battalion encountered more than 10 rebels under the Sentro De Gravidad of Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley, he said.
Earlier, the 95th IB received information on the presence of rebels reportedly conducting extortion activities in the area.
While troops were verifying the report, more than 10 rebels opened fire on them, triggering the gunbattle, Dulawan said.
Assets from the Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 2 were called in and provided close air support to the engaged soldiers, until the rebels withdrew, he said.
Four enlisted personnel of the 95th IB were slightly wounded, and have since been extricated.
Some NPA members are believed to have been killed or wounded, as soldiers found bloodstains and firearms at the rebels’ position, Dulawan said.
Items found in the area include an M16 rifle, two shotguns, three short magazines for M16 rifles, 58 rounds of ammunition, and the rebels’ personal belongings.
Pursuit operations against the surviving rebels are still ongoing, Dulawan said. (John Roson)
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/13/army-npa-clash-in-isabela-4-troopers-hurt-rebel-guns-
seized/
Esperon backs calls for cancellation of registration of Gabriela partylist
Published August 13, 2021, 4:16 PM by Martin Sadongdong
National Security Council (NSC) Director General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. disclosed Friday, Aug. 13, that he has supported the cancellation of the election registration of Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP), a progressive group that advocates for women’s issues in the Congress.
Esperon said he appeared before the 2nd Division of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) via virtual teleconference on Thursday to support a petition calling for the cancellation of the registration of GWP; General Assemly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action, Inc. (GABRIELA, Inc.); and General Assembly of Women and Reforms (GAWR) in the partylist system.
GWP or simply Gabriela is a political party that advocates for women’s issues in the Congress. It said that it is separate, although allied, with GABRIELA Inc., which is a non-government organization (NGO) that seeks to address social issues affecting women. Meanwhile, the GAWR is another feminist group.
The petition was filed by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the country’s primary anti-communist insurgency group, where Esperon serves as its co-chairman.
He said the petition was filed based on the ground that GABRIELA allegedly has been receiving multi-million peso worth of foreign funding from at least two non-government organizations (NGOs) based in Belgium and United Kingdom.
Although it was the GABRIELA Inc. that supposedly accepted the fundings, Esperon flagged GWP, GABRIELA Inc., and GAWR’s alleged ploy in using its names “interchangeably,” implying that the funds being obtained by the NGO — supposedly for community development programs and women empowerment initiatives — may have also been used in the previous elections.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/esperon-backs-calls-for-cancellation-of-registration-of-gabriela-
partylist/
Groups admonish Makabayan Bloc to
drop politicking
By Marita Moaje August 13, 2021, 8:34 pm
NO TO REDS SUPPORTERS. Members of League of Parents of the Philippines and Liga Independencia Pilipinas stage a rally in front of the Commission on Elections main office in Manila on July 2021. The groups called on the poll body to bar the Kabataan party-list from the May 2022 elections as it is a known supporter of communist terrorist groups. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Makabayan Bloc of the House of Representatives should stop politicking and instead help the government find solutions, especially with the problems caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP) and the Liga Independencia Pilipinas Inc. (LIPI) urged the party-list groups Bayan Muna, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Kabataan, Gabriela, and Anakpawis to be part of the solution.
“Please stop your politicking and craving for political power. Help the nation in regaining its stability in Congress. Instead of thinking of things that would further jeopardize the nation, help us in giving solutions,” the statement read.
LPP and LIPI said it is clear the Makabayan Bloc is merely riding on and using the popularity of President Rodrigo Duterte to gain media mileage and get the public’s attention.
The bloc should also stop raising the issue on political dynasty as Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has not even filed her candidacy for any position in the 2022 polls.
In the event that the younger Duterte seeks the presidency, she will be elected, not appointed so dynasty is out of the question.
They added the President's focus is on the country's survival, not the 2022 elections.
The party-list groups, according to LPP and LIPI, should respect the electoral process as they garnered enough votes “in spite of your agitations towards violence and ouster of the duly mandated government”. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150416
AFP chief slams NPA for 'cold-blooded murder' of Army peace officer in Capiz
Published August 13, 2021, 9:14 AM by Martin Sadongdong
Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), condemned Thursday, Aug. 12, the New People’s Army (NPA) for the brutal execution of a Philippine Army (PA) peace and development officer in Tapaz, Capiz.
Corporal Frederic Villasis, 33, of the 12th Infantry Battalion, and team leader of the Army’s Community Support Program (CSP) unit in Capiz, was shot dead by suspected NPA rebels while his hands were tied last Wednesday, Aug. 11, in Sitio Owa, Barangay Lahug.
The killing happened a day before the celebration of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day on Thursday.
“The cold-blooded murder of Corporal Frederic Villasis, who was deployed for Community Support Program in the area, is a clear manifestation of the NPA’s anti-people and anti-development ways that are worthy of the Filipino’s condemnation,” Faustino said.
According to initial police report, Villasis was traveling on a motorcycle en route to the municipal hall when he was waylaid by a group of suspected communist rebels in Sitio Owa.
Villasis, who was acompanied by Brgy. Lahug Councilors Analyn Giganto and Estong Sumaria on a separate motorcycle, was supposed to follow up the development of a water supply project and other development programs in the village when the incident happened, police said.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/afp-chief-slams-npa-over-killing-of-army-peace-officer-in-capiz/
Eleazar: Security forces doubling effort to
prevent local terror groups By Christian Crow Maghanoy
August 13, 2021
200
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar on Friday
said security forces were doubling their efforts to prevent attacks by
local terror groups.
Eleazar was reacting to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea's remarks
that local terror groups were only worsening the effects of the Covid-
19 pandemic through their extortion activities, attacks against
humanitarian missions, and even killings.
"We have been intensifying our presence in communities to deter these
hostile groups from causing trouble. However, there are times that these
groups are able to slip through, such as Communist Party of
the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels who are harassing
humanitarian missions for those affected by pandemics and other
disasters," Eleazar said in a statement in English and Filipino
"Despite this, the PNP continues to suppress them to prevent such
incidents. The PNP is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) partner
in monitoring communities, especially those areas often attacked by
communist rebels," he added.
Eleazar stressed that all concerned police units remain alert for attacks
despite the Covid-19 pandemic and assured the police are always
coordinating with the military to maintain peace and order in
communities.
Security forces are maintaining good relations with the local government
units, residents and other stakeholders because the goal to eradicate
these terror groups will only succeed through a whole-of-nation
approach, Eleazar said.
Meanwhile, the AFP has condemned the brutal murder of an Army
trooper by the communist terrorists in Tapaz, Capiz, a day before the
celebration of International Humanitarian Law Day.
Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, AFP chief of staff, said Cpl. Frederic Villasis of the
Philippine Army's 12th Infantry Battalion was killed in broad daylight on
Wednesday by armed men believed to be NPA rebels.
"The cold-blooded murder of Corporal Frederic Villasis who was
deployed for Community Support Program in the area is a clear
manifestation of the NPA's anti-people and anti-development ways that
are worthy of the Filipino's condemnation," said Faustino in a statement
on Thursday evening.
Faustino said the AFP extends its condolences to the family and loved
ones of Corporal Villasis who left behind a wife and two young children.
He said the AFP would exhaust all available resources to achieve justice
for Villasis and put an end to the decades-old problem of armed conflict
so that the nation may enjoy genuine peace and development.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/13/latest-stories/eleazar-security-forces-doubling-effort-to-
prevent-local-terror-groups/1810859
Communist China Continues Illegal Actions in the South
China Sea
by Judith Bergman August 13, 2021 at 5:00 am
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▪ "The Chinese government's position on the arbitration is clear, 'not accept, not participate, and not recognize'... The 'arbitral award' deemed by China as 'a piece of scrap paper' has long been thrown into the dustbin of history." — Wu Shicun, President of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, Global Times, July 12, 2021.
▪ "China's military recently deployed electronic warning and surveillance aircraft and helicopters on two disputed islands in the South China Sea in what analysts say is a sign that the People's Liberation Army has begun routine air operations from the bases." — The Washington Times, July 13, 2021.
▪ In March, a huge Chinese fishing fleet descended on Whitsun Reef, which lies within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. The Philippine government called on China to cease "militarizing the area".
▪ China also claims sovereignty over -- and has militarized some of -- the Paracel Islands, which it has occupied since 1974, and are also claimed by both Vietnam and Taiwan.
Five years ago, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in a legally binding decision, ruled against Communist China's claims to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. China continues vehemently to reject the ruling in its entirety. In March, a huge Chinese fishing fleet descended on Whitsun Reef, which lies within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. The Philippine government called on China to cease "militarizing the area". Pictured: Whitsun Reef, as seen from space. (Image Source: United States Geological Survey/NASA/Wikimedia
Commons)
It has been five years since the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in a legally binding decision known as the South China Sea Arbitration Case, ruled against Communist China's claims to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
The Philippine government filed the case against China in 2013 after China seized a reef over which both countries claim sovereignty. In addition to ruling against China's claim of historic rights to the South China Sea, the court found that China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by
interfering with its fishing and petroleum exploration, as well as by constructing artificial islands in the Spratly Islands archipelago, which had caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment".
China has constructed artificial islands around seven reefs in the Spratly Islands archipelago. The islands are central to Beijing's apparent ambition to "have absolute control" over the South China Sea, which holds an estimated 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 11 billion barrels of oil in proven and probable reserves, in addition to maritime resources such as fish. Crucially, the South China Sea is also an essential sea route, which sees a third of the world's global shipping pass through it every year. Already in 2018, US Navy Admiral Philip Davidson, then Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, said that China's construction of the artificial islands meant that China is capable of "controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the United States".
On the fifth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's decision, China continues vehemently to reject the ruling in its entirety. According to Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies:
"The Chinese government's position on the arbitration is clear, 'not accept, not participate, and not recognize.' This has come to be widely recognized and accepted by the international community. The 'arbitral award' deemed by China as 'a piece of scrap paper' has long been thrown into the dustbin of history."
China's actions contravening the ruling continue in a number of areas. According to a July 13, 2021 report in The Washington Times:
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17619/china-illegal-actions-south-china-sea
Top US, South Korean trade officials
discuss supply chain resiliency -USTR
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 12, 2021. Pete Marovich/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo 13 Aug 2021 09:19AM (Updated: 13 Aug 2021 09:37AM)
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WASHINGTON :U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo on Thursday discussed supply chain resiliency efforts, tackling climate change, and reform of the World Trade Organization, the USTR said in a statement.
In a virtual meeting, the two officials "agreed on the importance of a strong U.S.-Korea bilateral trade relationship and committed to maintaining an open dialogue moving forward," the statement added.
The two countries pledged to deepen their economic and security ties during White House talks between U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in May.
The United States and South Korea said they would work to increase the supplies of legacy semiconductors for the global automotive industry, and to support semiconductor manufacturing in both countries.
They also agreed to cooperate closely on reforms of the World Trade Organization, and to work together to end all forms of new public financing for overseas unabated coal-fired power plants.
(Reporting by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Lincoln Feast.)
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/top-us-south-korean-trade-officials-discuss-supply-chain-
resiliency-ustr-2109836
Biden democracy summit invitation to Taiwan ‘risks crisis in China-US ties’
• Taipei says it wants to attend the gathering in December, saying it shares values with the United States
• Researcher warns that consequences would be unprecedented
China and the US could face their most serious diplomatic crisis in decades if the White House
invites Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wento a democracy summit in December, mainland Chinese
observers warn.
The White House announced on Wednesday that US President Joe Biden would host dozens of elected world leaders for a virtual “Summit for Democracy”, a move widely seen as an attempt to counter Beijing’s influence.
The foreign ministry in Taipei said on Thursday it aimed to attend the summit, saying Taiwan would strive to defend democracy and human rights with the US and other like-minded countries.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3144998/biden-democracy-summit-invitation-
taiwan-risks-crisis-china-us
China firmly rejects U.S. approval of Taiwan
related bill: spokesperson (Xinhua) 09:13, August 13, 2021
BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday voiced strong dissatisfaction and firm rejection to the U.S. Senate's recent approval of a bill concerning Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a statement by the foreign ministry. On Aug. 6, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to "direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the WHO" by "unanimous consent," with only a few senators present. This bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to describe changes and improvements to the State Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA). Calling the relevant bill a complete political manipulation by a handful of anti-China politicians, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said the bill gravely violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, runs counter to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs. "China deplores and firmly rejects the U.S. Senate's move, and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side," said Hua. She pointed out that according to relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the WHA, the participation of China's Taiwan region in WHO events must be handled following the one-China principle. The spokesperson added that the Chinese central government attaches great importance to the health and well-being of Taiwan compatriots. "Under the precondition of abiding by the one-China principle, we have made appropriate arrangements for the Taiwan region's participation in global health affairs." Hua urged the U.S. Congress to fully recognize the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, obey international law and basic norms governing international relations, refrain from helping the Taiwan region expand so-called "international space" and cease sending any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" forces.
http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0813/c90000-9883634.html
China's new US envoy stresses importance of
Taiwan in first high-level meeting
FILE PHOTO: U.S. and Chinese flags are seen before a meeting between senior defence officials from both countries at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo 13 Aug 2021 05:02PM (Updated: 13 Aug 2021 05:04PM)
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BEIJING: China's newly appointed ambassador in Washington stressed the utmost importance of Taiwan in the Sino-US relationship during his first meeting with a top US official since assuming the job, according to Chinese state media.
Qin Gang, 55, who has earned a reputation for pointed public defences of his country's positions, struck an optimistic tone as he arrived in Washington in late July to take up his post, saying great potential awaited bilateral relations.
Meeting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, Qin said they both had an "in depth, very frank" exchange of views, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday (Aug 13).
"The two sides agreed that Sino-US bilateral relations are very important, and it is necessary to resolve issues through dialogue and communication, manage differences and contradictions, and improve bilateral relations," Xinhua said.
The only issue to be directly mentioned in the report was Chinese-claimed Taiwan, the democratically ruled island that China considers its sovereign territory.
"Qin Gang emphasised that the Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-US relations. He clearly stated China's position to Sherman," Xinhua added, without elaborating.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-new-ambassador-us-taiwan-diplomacy-2110371
China's fury at Lithuania over Taiwan, warns country to
'pay the price for its evil deed' 13 Aug, 2021 11:36 AM3 minutes to read
China has unleashed on the tiny European country of Lithuania over Taiwan.
Beijing-backed newspaper the Global Times on Tuesday labelled the country of just 2.8 million people
"crazy" and "evil" for allowing Taiwanese authorities to open a "representative office" under the name
of "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei".
China has interpreted the move as a diplomatic insult.
The transgression from Lithuania has since spiralled into a full-blown diplomatic crisis.
China has recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and demanded the Lithuanian government recall its
ambassador, Diana Mickeviciene.
The Lithuanian ambassador had just travelled back to Beijing when she was told she would have to
return to Lithuania's capital Vilnius as soon as possible.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/chinas-fury-at-lithuania-over-taiwan-warns-country-to-pay-the-
price-for-its-evil-deed/OLJBKOG6ZALVMJIHRC24LKFAFM/
Exclusive | China should pressure Taliban in 2 ways,
Afghanistan’s envoy says
• Ambassador Javid Ahmad Qaem welcomes China’s contact with the Taliban but says its ‘best bet is the government of Afghanistan’
• He proposes two ways in which China’s relations in the region can be used to influence the situation in its troubled neighbouring country
Afghanistan’s top envoy in China has urged Beijing to step up pressure on the Taliban as the
resurgent group takes more Afghan cities, escalating fears of a civil war.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Javid Ahmad Qaem, Afghanistan’s ambassador to China, said there were two ways in which Beijing should put more pressure on the Taliban to stop
the violence“One, to be very clear to them that the way they want to govern is not going to be accepted, and the way they have continued now on the ground is not going to be accepted,” Qaem said.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3144974/china-should-pressure-taliban-2-ways-
afghanistans-envoy-says
China rejects need for further WHO coronavirus origins probe
Published August 13, 2021, 2:22 PM by Agence-France-Presse
Beijing, China — China on Friday rejected the World Health Organization’s calls for a renewed probe into the origins of COVID-19, saying it supported “scientific” over “political” efforts to find out how the virus started.
Pressure is once more mounting on Beijing to consider a fresh probe into the orgins of a pandemic that has killed more than four million people and paralyzed economies worldwide since it first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
A WHO team of international experts went to Wuhan in January 2021 to produce a first phase report, which was written in conjunction with their Chinese counterparts. It failed to find a conclusive position on how the virus began.
On Thursday the WHO urged China to share raw data from the earliest COVID-19 cases to revive its probe into the origins of the disease.
China hit back, repeating its position that the initial investigation was enough and that c alls for further data were motivated by politics instead of scientific inquiry.
“We oppose political tracing … and abandoning the joint report” issued after the WHO expert team’s Wuhan visit in January, vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu told reporters. “We support scientific tracing.”
That report said the virus jumping from bats to humans via an intermediate animal was the most probable scenario, while a leak from the Wuhan virology labs was “extremely unlikely”.
Ma rejected suggestions of new lines of investigation.
“The conclusions and recommendations of WHO and China joint report were recognized by the international community and the scientific community,” he said.
“Future global traceability work should and can only be further carried out on the basis of this report, rather than starting a new one.”
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/china-rejects-need-for-further-who-coronavirus-origins-probe/
Xi Jinping’s new rules reshape China’s Communist Party decision-making
• Ad hoc policymaking by senior leaders at their annual Beidaihe retreat is being replaced by a more formalised style of governance
• Xi’s lasting legacy is likely to be the systems and procedures he has introduced, with thousands of rules and regulations
On Tuesday, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported that President Xi Jinping had sent a letter to the Global Young Leaders Dialogue to congratulate it on its first forum to promote youth leadership and cooperation.
There was nothing unusual about that – except that it was the first official report about Xi in two weeks. His public absence – along with most of the Communist Party’s top echelon – raised speculation that the secretive
Beidaihe annual retreat for Chinese leaders may have begun.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3144798/xi-jinpings-new-rules-reshape-chinas-
communist-party-decision
Shanghai Bans English Exams Amid Calls For
Less English Teaching The city removes English from year-end exams in primary schools, as prominent voices deplore the
current emphasis on English proficiency.
2021-08-12 By Yitong Wu, Chingman, Gigi Lee
Authorities in Shanghai have canceled primary school English exams in a bid to lighten the burden on children and parents, amid growing calls for English to be de-emphasized in China's state schools.
The Shanghai municipal government education bureau announced last week that primary school students should only have to sit final exams in Chinese and math, while other subjects will be subject to teacher evaluation with no test score.
High school students in the city will sit fewer exams, focusing only on Chinese, math, and English, while science will be assessed in the laboratory, and history and geography tested using open-book examinations.
Schools are also banned from using textbooks published overseas that haven't been reviewed and approved by the the city education bureau's textbook review committee, the government said in a statement.
There are signs that the move may be part of a concerted shift in emphasis on the part of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) away from English amid a trade war with the United States and growing friction with liberal democracies over Beijing's human rights record.
The changes in Shanghai come after Xu Jin, a leader of China's parliamentary advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said publicly that only around one in 10 students actually needed the English they learned.
Peking University professor Yao Yang has also called for English to be removed from the current college entrance exam, or gaokao, as its inclusion disadvantages students from rural areas with less access to teaching and resources.
A Shanghai-based parent who gave only the pseudonym Zhang said she didn't think the ban was a good idea, given the extent of the city's international connections.
"If English is still going to be taught, how do you assess a child's attainment in English?" Zhang said. "There will be ways to do that."
Zhang Qiaofeng, a veteran home educator and graduate of Peking University, said the changes in Shanghai could be rolled out nationwide, if deemed effective.
"Parents in China are keen to see quick results and instant benefits ... so they will pay less attention to English," Zhang said. "In an exam-oriented system, parents just care about test scores."
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/exams-08122021132625.html
Two Chinese activists sentenced to 15 months’ jail for archiving censored internet material
• Chen Mei and Cai Wei were found guilty of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ after archiving 100 articles related to the pandemic
• One of the most popular reports they published was an interview with Ai Fen, a whistle-blower doctor at Wuhan Central Hospital
Cai Wei is one of two men who were detained by police and held in Beijing since April last year after
publishing articles about the coronavirus outbreak in China on GitHub. On Friday, Cai and Chen Mei
were sentenced to 15 months in jail but are expected to be released within days. Photo: Handout
Two Chinese activists were sentenced to 15 months in prison on Friday for archiving censored internet materials during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a family member.
The Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court handed down the jail sentences to 28-year-old Chen Mei and 27-year-old Cai Wei on Friday, said Chen Kun, the brother of Chen Mei.
The two activists, who were officially charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” – a catch-all
offence often used by police to muzzle dissent – pleaded guilty in court
.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3144913/two-chinese-activists-sentenced-15-
months-jail-archiving
Researchers Spot Deep Fake Profile
Photos Linked to Pro-China Twitter
Accounts Pro-China accounts are also re-emerging on Facebook and YouTube, according to the Centre for
Information Resilience.
By Jane Tang
2021-08-12
Researchers in the United Kingdom have discovered a coordinated network of "deep-fake" social media accounts pushing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s views in the guise of ordinary account-holders.
The Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) said it had discovered a network of social media accounts that "distort international perceptions on significant issues, elevate China’s reputation amongst its supporters, and discredit claims critical of the Chinese government."
In a report published on its website, the CIR said pro-China accounts were part of a "coordinated influence operation" on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube that uses a mixture of artificial and repurposed accounts to post CCP propaganda.
"Our research shows evidence of a deliberate effort to distort international perceptions on significant issues - in this case, in favor of China," CIR’s director of investigations Benjamin Strick said.
"There appears to be close overlaps in narratives shared by the network, to those shared by the social media accounts of [Chinese] state representatives and state-linked media," Strick said.
Among the topics targeted are U.S. gun laws, COVID-19, overseas conflicts, and racial discrimination in an apparent bid to counter criticism of China, the report found.
CIR co-founder Ross Burley said the influence operation is similar to networks that have already been taken down by social media platforms in the past.
"It is likely that this operation is a continuation of those past efforts," Burley said. "We urge the platforms mentioned in this report to investigate the network, formally offer attribution and take it down."
The accounts identified in the report used machine-generated images as profile pictures, as well as images that appeared to be of real humans, and anime images as profile photos, Burley said.
"On Facebook and YouTube, many of the accounts also appeared to be repurposed," Burley said. "There was evidence of previous authentic-appearing ownership of the accounts, indicating that at some point there was a change of ownership."
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/fake-08122021090719.html
First Hong Kong election under
revamped system to be largely
uncontested
The Chinese and Hong Kong flags flutter at the office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, China, Jun 3, 2020. (File photo: REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins) 13 Aug 2021 04:54PM (Updated: 13 Aug 2021 04:54PM)
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HONG KONG: Pro-Beijing candidates are running uncontested for most seats in a Hong Kong election committee tasked with choosing the city's leader, with the pro-democracy camp almost absent, government announcements showed on Friday (Aug 13).
The Sep 19 vote for the committee is the first election since China overhauled Hong Kong's electoral system in May to ensure the former British colony is run by "patriots" loyal to Beijing.
After the one-week nomination period ended on Thursday, the government said it had received just 1,056 nominations for the 980 seats open to competition.
A new committee which can disqualify candidates is tasked by law to work closely with Chinese security authorities to vet contenders for the election committee as well as the leadership election in 2022.
The composition of the election committee is the latest blow to the opposition movement which has seen scores of members arrested, jailed or flee Hong Kong since Beijing imposed a national security law on the city last year.
Membership of the committee for 117 community-level district councillors dominated by democrats was scrapped and more than 500 seats designated for Chinese business, political and interest groups were added.
Representation from professional subsectors that traditionally had a bigger pro-democracy presence, including legal, education, social welfare, medical and health services, was diluted by the addition of ex-officio members which reduced the number of elected seats.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hong-kong-election-patriots-uncontested-2110831
Hongkongers think twice as Malaysia changes migration rules amid Covid-19, political instability
• Applicants for the Malaysia My Second Home Scheme (MM2H) must now have a bigger fixed deposit, higher monthly income than before and pay more in processing fees
• Visa agents say the rules are prohibitive and the ongoing political turmoil in the country is also a deterrent for Hong Kong applicants
Malaysia’s decision to significantly raise the income criteria for its migration scheme for wealthy foreigners may lead Hongkongers to look elsewhere, according to visa agents, who said applicants were also wary of the Southeast Asian country’s
political instability.The Malaysia My Second Home Scheme (MM2H) will reopen from October after a hiatus
of one year, but with stricter criteria to ensure the applicants contribute to an economy hard hit by
the Covid-19 pandemic, the home affairs ministry said this week.
All foreigners must now prove they have liquid assets worth 1.5 million ringgit (US$354,000) – up from 350,000 ringgit for those above the age of 50, and 500,000 ringgit for those below the age of 50 – though 500,000 ringgit of the funds can be used for property, health care and school fees.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3144929/hongkongers-think-twice-malaysia-
changes-migration-rules-amid
China not Southeast Asia’s top investor, but fears over its economic influence
persist: study
• Chinese infrastructure projects have drawn criticism in recent years due to the slow pace of delivery and the risk of landing countries heavily into debt
• But Japan, the EU and the US are ahead of China, while Southeast Asian states have meanwhile also been trying to diversify their economies amid the US-China rivalry
A study by researchers in Australia has found inconclusive evidence that China has undue economic influence over Southeast Asian countries, because it is not the region’s dominant investor despite widespread perceptions that it is.
The EU bloc, Japan and the US have remained Southeast Asia’s three largest investors over much of the past twodecades, according to the report published by the Australia National University (ANU), titled Chinese Investment in Southeast Asia from 2005 to 2019.Between 2005 and 2018, the EU ranked
as Southeast Asia
’s top investor in 10 of those years, with the US taking the top spot thrice and Japan once, said research authors Evelyn Goh and Nan Liu from the university’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144996/china-not-southeast-asias-top-investor-
fears-over-its-economic
The Quest for Strategic Balance and
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Conundrum Seoul is walking a fine line, carefully calibrating its
cooperation with U.S. initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. By Wongi Choe
August 13, 2021
Credit: Official White House Photo by Cameron SmithADVERTISEMENT
Given the fact that the Moon Jae-in government in South Korea had never
expressed explicit support for or earnestly cooperated with the U.S. Indo-Pacific
strategy before, the level of agreement reached at the Moon-Biden Summit in
May 2021 was surprisingly high. The U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Leaders’ Joint Statement states that the two countries “share a vision of a region governed by democratic norms, human rights and the rule of law at home and abroad.” In particular, by stating that “the significance of U.S.-ROK relationship extends far beyond the Korean Peninsula,” the two leaders agreed to expand the geographical scope, role, and agenda of the South Korea-U.S. alliance to regional
and global levels
Also, it is quite surprising that the language Washington uses in its Indo-Pacific
narratives was directly applied in the summit documents without any
modifications. It seems that Seoul pledged and acknowledged its commitments to
engage with the U.S. Indo-Pacific initiative. Nevertheless, it is hard to say that the
Moon government has finally made a strategic decision to join the U.S. Indo-
Pacific strategy.
First, it is true that Seoul has taken a step forward with regard to the U.S. Indo-
Pacific initiative, but it did so only within a limited scope that would be tolerable
to China. Regardless of the pledges made at the summit, Seoul keeps holding tight
to its strategic framework of keeping a balance between Washington and Beijing.
For example, while the summit document touches upon most of critical issues in the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific agenda vis-à-vis China, such as human
rights issues, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and so on, Seoul has taken great care by not specifically mentioning “China,” which is quite a contrast to the U.S.-Japan Leaders’ Joint Statement from the Biden-Suga summit last April.
https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/the-quest-for-strategic-balance-and-south-koreas-indo-pacific-
conundrum/
Thai protesters spar with police in march on PM Prayut's residence
A demonstrator uses a racket against a tear gas canister during a protest for the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand on Aug 13, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun) 13 Aug 2021 08:09PM (Updated: 13 Aug 2021 08:20PM)
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BANGKOK: Thai police clashed with demonstrators on Friday (Aug 13) after hundreds defied a ban on gatherings to rally in central Bangkok, where they attempted to march on the prime minister's residence to demand his resignation over the country's COVID-19 crisis.
Police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets from an elevated highway in response to demonstrators who tried to pull down containers that were being used as roadblocks, in a third day of confrontation this week.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-bangkok-protests-police-prayut-2111146
Malaysian PM Muhyiddin seeks bipartisan support for upcoming
confidence motion in parliament
The prime minister also pledged to hold a general election by the end of July next year.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Friday (Aug 13) that he is seeking bipartisan support to pass an upcoming confidence motion in parliament.
In a televised address, Mr Muhyiddin promised that if the confidence motion received two-thirds of support in the House, a constitutional amendment Bill to limit the prime minister’s position to just two terms, as well as an anti-party hopping Bill would be introduced in the parliament.
He also promised to push ahead with parliamentary reform by ensuring more balanced participation in parliamentary select committees by both sides of the political divide. “The number of select committees can also be increased to ensure all MPs play a more effective check-and-balance role through their involvement in these committees.” “As recognition of the check-and-balance role of parliament, 50 per cent of parliamentary select committees will be chaired by government MPs and 50 per cent by opposition MPs,” he said, adding that the government would provide additional personnel support and remuneration for the chairs of all select committees.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-muhyiddin-confidence-motion-bipartisan-general-
election-2111121
Malaysia’s political crisis: calls to replace PM Muhyiddin with Anwar as no-confidence vote
looms
• The Pakatan Harapan alliance urges lawmakers opposed to Prime Minister Muhiyddin to back Anwar Ibrahim as the next prime minister ahead of a September 7 floor test
• With no other MP commanding majority legislative support for now, Muhyiddin reportedly plans to call a snap election if he is defeated in the no-confidence vote Malaysia’s biggest opposition faction has urged rival groups opposing Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin to back Anwar Ibrahimas the country’s next leader instead of allowing the embattled ruling alliance to trigger fresh elections.
The latest call by Pakatan Harapan for anti-Muhyiddin lawmakers to back 74-year-old Anwar – the three-party bloc’s leader – comes amid reports that the prime minister plans to call for a dissolution of parliament if he is defeated in an upcoming vote of no confidence.
The country is currently in the throes of a Covid-19 outbreak that is on a worse trajectory than India’s devastating surge in May.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144916/malaysias-political-crisis-calls-replace-pm-
muhyiddin-anwar-no
Australia chides China over journalist’s yearlong detention
by: ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press
Posted: Aug 13, 2021 / 02:16 AM EDT / Updated: Aug 13, 2021 / 03:30 AM EDT
FILE – In this Aug. 12, 2020, file photo, Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian journalist for CGTN, the English-language channel of China Central Television, attends a public event in Beijing. The Australian government says Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, it remains seriously concerned about the welfare of Chinese-born Australian journalist Cheng Lei on the first anniversary of her detention in China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government said Friday that it remained seriously concerned about the welfare of a Chinese-born Australian journalist a year after she was first detained in China. Foreign Minister Marise Payne used the first anniversary of Cheng Lei’s detention on Aug. 13 to tell China that Australia expected “basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment to be met, in accordance with international norms.” “The Australian government remains seriously concerned about Ms. Cheng’s detention and welfare and has regularly raised these issues at senior levels,” Payne said in a statement. “We are particularly concerned that one year into her detention, there remains a lack of transparency about the reasons for Ms. Cheng’s detention,” she added. In February, China formally arrested the 46-year-old journalist for CGTN, the English-language channel of China Central Television, on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.
The allegations, which could result a penalty of life in prison or even death, are highly unusual for an employee of a media outlet tightly controlled by China’s ruling Communist Party. Cheng’s two children, aged 10 and 12, live with their grandmother in the Australian city of Melbourne.
The National Press Clubs of the United States and Australia as well as the reporter’s former CGTN colleagues and friends have recently written open letters calling for her immediate release.
https://www.news10.com/news/international/australia-chides-china-over-journalists-yearlong-
detention/
Mango diplomacy is more than low-hanging fruit in South Asian politics
MUBASHAR HASAN ZAHID SHAHAB AHMED
Bangladesh has used a national icon to signal a fresh appetite for improved ties with Pakistan – just as China looms.
Recently Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent a local variant of sweet mangoes known as Haribhanga to her counterparts in India and Pakistan. Why mangoes? The mango represents the epitome of Bangladeshi produce, like the French or Italians are proud of their wines, the Germans and the Japanese of their cars, or the Norwegians of their salmon and cloudberries. In recent years, the mango has become a key element of Bangladesh’s public diplomacy globally, a gesture of friendship and goodwill.
Sending mangoes to India was expected. Bangladesh wants to harness a close and warm relationship with its giant neighbour. But sending a bushel of the fruit to Pakistan was perhaps more of a surprise – doubly so when Pakistan sent mangoes in return, to both Bangladesh’s prime minister and president.
The reciprocal exchange of mangoes appears to be a sign that Bangladesh and Pakistan are considering a recalibration of their relationship, 50 years after the traumatic separation of what was then East and West Pakistan in 1971.
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan are among the top ten mango exporting countries. Pakistan prides itself on a different variety of mangoes, which make up a significant proportion of its exports with an estimated annual value of US$127 million. In Bangladesh the mango is a staple food and the country is obsessed with the fruit.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/mango-diplomacy-more-low-hanging-fruit-south-asian-
politics
Lorenzana: Chinese research ship didn’t enter EEZ
Published 3 days ago on August 13, 2021 06:32 PM By John Roson
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday denied reports that Chinese research vessel Hai Da Hao had entered the country’s exclusive economic zone off Zambales.
“Contrary to some published reports… The said vessel has not been spotted near Bajo
de Masinloc as alleged,” Lorenzana said in a statement.
Bajo de Masinloc is the other name for Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, which lies 119 nautical miles off Zambales.
Lorenzana said it was the Armed Forces’ Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) that looked into the foreign vessel’s supposed entry.
“Based on the verification of the one-year historical track of Hai Da Hao, the vessel did not pass through nor did it enter the area of responsibility of Naval Forces Northern Luzon. In addition, Hai Da Hao is currently monitored at 30 nautical miles south of Huidong Xian, Huizhou Shi, China,” he said.
On Wednesday night, Ryan Martinson, assistant professor at the U.S. Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute, reported that the Hai Da Hao was operating just 65 nautical miles off Panatag.
He said the vessel, operated by the China Ocean University, left the Philippines’ EEZ on Thursday night.
Also on Thursday night, Martinson said two other Chinese vessels have been monitored as “operating” within the Philippines’ EEZ.
One of those ships is the Jia Geng, which was spotted in waters west of Palawan, according to photos posted by martinson on Twitter.
The Department of National Defense has yet to react to Martinson’s report on the two foreign ships.
Last December, the NOLCOM reported that it had successfully driven away the Jia Geng, which was monitored to have loitered in waters west of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan in mid-September 2020.
The Philippine Coast Guard also monitored that vessel sailing in waters off Catanduanes in late January, before it took shelter near Bato town and left on February 1.
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/13/lorenzana-chinese-research-ship-didnt-enter-eez/
Facebook, Amazon seek US approval for
undersea cable after China Mobile’s exit
• The tech giants hope to begin commercial operation of the data connection between the Philippines and California by late 2022
• The US has repeatedly expressed concerns about China’s role in handling network traffic and the potential for espionage
Facebook Inc and Amazon.com Inc have asked the US government for approval to operate a new undersea data cable between the Philippines and California after China Mobile agreed to exit the plan, a government agency said Friday.
The two companies told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) they intend to start commercial operation by late 2022 and said the new data connection will provide significant new capacity on routes where capacity demand continues to increase substantially each year.
The companies in a joint filing said the new cable will help to support Facebook applications and provide Amazon and its affiliates with capacity to support Amazon’s cloud services and connect its data centres.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3145025/facebook-amazon-seek-us-
approval-undersea-cable
McConnell: Biden Should Provide Afghans Support to Stop
Taliban from Conquering Kabul
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Following news that the Taliban captured the Afghan cities of Kandahar and Herat on Thursday and that the United States is deploying thousands of troops to evacuate the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement urging President Biden to “immediately commit to providing more support to Afghan forces, starting with close air support beyond August 31st. Without it, al Qaeda and the Taliban may celebrate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning down our Embassy in Kabul.”
Here’s the full McConnell statement: “Afghanistan is careening toward a massive, predictable, and preventable disaster. And the Administration’s surreal efforts to defend President Biden’s reckless policy are frankly humiliating. “The Biden Administration has reduced U.S. officials to pleading with Islamic extremists to spare our Embassy as they prepare to overrun Kabul. Absurdly, naively, our government is arguing that bloodshed might hurt the Taliban’s international reputation, as if radical terrorists are anxious about their P.R. “The Taliban doesn’t believe in a political settlement. They want military victory and bloody retribution. President Biden and his team have a proud superpower trying to fight atrocities and war crimes with plaintive tweets. “Unless President Biden adjusts course quickly, the Taliban is on track to secure a significant military victory. The latest news of a further drawdown at our Embassy and a hasty deployment of military forces seem like preparations for the fall of Kabul. President Biden’s decisions have us hurtling toward an even worse sequel to the humiliating fall of Saigon in 1975. “Here’s what should happen now. President Biden should immediately commit to providing more support to Afghan forces, starting with close air support beyond August 31st. Without it, al Qaeda and the Taliban may celebrate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning down our Embassy in Kabul. “If we let the Taliban dominate Afghanistan and al Qaeda return, it will resonate throughout the global jihadist movement. It will replay what happened when the last Democratic president let ISIS claim much of Iraq and Syria for a caliphate and a wave of global terrorism was unleashed.
“President Biden’s strategy has turned an imperfect but stable situation into a major embarrassment and a global emergency in a matter of weeks. President Biden is finding that the quickest way to end a war is to lose it. The costs and ramifications will echo across the world.”
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/mcconnell-biden-should-provide-afghans-support-to-stop-
taliban-from-conquering-kabul/
US to reduce Kabul embassy to core
staff, add 3,000 troops to help
WASHINGTON: The United States will reduce staff at the embassy in Kabul to a "core diplomatic presence" and send about 3,000 troops temporarily to the airport to assist as the Taliban made rapid gains in Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday (Aug 12).
The news of the embassy drawdown, first reported by Reuters, is one of the most significant signs of concern in President Joe Biden's administration about the security situation and the failure of the Afghan government to protect key cities.
"We've been evaluating the security situation every day to determine how best to keep those serving at the embassy safe," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
"Accordingly we are further reducing our civilian footprints in Kabul in light of the evolving security situation," Price said.
"We expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks," he said, adding that the embassy was not closed.
The Pentagon said that it would send about 3,000 additional US troops temporarily to Afghanistan to help secure the drawdown of personnel.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-reduce-kabul-embassy-core-staff-add-3000-troops-help-
2109406
U.S. Embassy staff in Afghanistan
destroy computers as Taliban nears
Kabul
The United States is deploying thousands of combat troops to Afghanistan to help secure the withdrawal of embassy staff in Kabul
Afghanistan is falling to the Taliban, again.
Nearly 20 years since a U.S.-led coalition invaded the country — in pursuit of terrorist networks and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden — the Taliban’s decadeslong resistance seems to be prevailing.
RELATED
President Biden said the war in Afghanistan is coming to an end. Here’s what veterans say
This week, the Taliban captured the cities of Kandahar and Herat — the country’s second and third largest municipalities, The New York Times reported. On Friday, the Taliban had overrun the Helmand Province capital of Laskar Gah.
• They are now in control of more than half of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals, according to the Times. Kabul, the nation’s capital, is not yet under Taliban siege, but government forces
are in combat with Taliban fighters about 50 miles from the city, The Associated Press reported.
• American military officials believe the Taliban could sweep the rest of the country in a matter of a few months, and Kabul in the next 30 days, according to the AP.
RELATED
American troops leave Bagram Airfield as 20-year Afghanistan war slowly comes to an end
On Friday, National Public Radio reported that U.S. Embassy staff in Kabul had been told to destroy desktop computers and sensitive documents before evacuating.
• American government negotiators with the Taliban, led by envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, were trying to seek assurance from the Taliban the embassy would not be attacked if the insurgent group overtook Kabul, according to The New York Times.
https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2021/8/13/22623313/afghanistan-taliban-taking-over-capitals-
kabul-us-troops-will-deploy
There will always be one problem with the US Air Force's B-2
bomber fleet
A US Air Force B-2 takes off at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, August 17,
2016. U.S. Air Force/Tech Sgt Richard P. Ebensberger
• The B-2 is the US's most advanced heavy bombers and likley the most advanced bomber ever in operational service.
• The B-2 arrived at the end of the Cold War, however, and the end of that conflict raised questions about the need for more B-2s.
• As a result, the B-2 fleet remains small, which limits how it can be used even as demand for stealth aircraft increases.
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Strategic bombers have long formed an important part of the US nuclear triad, and the United States Air Force has over the years operated a number of different models of heavy bombers.
The most advanced of these — and likely the most advanced bomber ever to have flown in operational service — is the B-2 Spirit bomber, which remains in service with the Air Force today.
A B-2 stealth bomber refueling. Staff Sgt. Jordan Castelan/US Air Force
Designed with low-observable technology, the B-2 is the world's first long-range heavy stealth bomber and was developed in response to continued improvements in Soviet air defense capabilities.
The B-2's introduction, however, coincided with the end of the Cold War, and as a result, questions were asked about the continued need for such an expensive and stealthy heavy bomber in the absence of the Soviet threat.
https://www.businessinsider.com/size-of-us-air-force-b2-bomber-fleet-is-problem-2021-8
Strategic Command Boss Encourages People
To Keep Looking For More Chinese Missile
Silos
So far, the Pentagon has been happy to rely on non-government experts to
publicly underscore its predictions about growing Chinese nuclear might. BY THOMAS NEWDICK
The commander of U.S. Strategic Command has said he wants open-source intelligence communities to continue to look for new Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile silos, recent evidence for which has been provided to the public exclusively from non-governmental sources, rather than the Pentagon. This also seems to underscore assessments the U.S. military community has made in recent years about the fast-paced expansion and modernization of Chinese strategic nuclear forces, but for which it has provided limited evidence of itself. At the same time, this position points to the fact that open-source intelligence (OSINT) is in many ways changing the way that national governments go about this kind of work. Speaking at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium (SMD) in Huntsville, Alabama, today, the STRATCOM boss, Admiral Charles “Chas” A. Richard, made direct reference to the non-military OSINT experts who have, in recent months, discovered what they consider to be multiple new Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fields, in two different locations in the northwest of that country, that are large and appear to point to a considerable expansion of China's nuclear arsenal.
“I usually have to pay someone to do that,” Richard observed, suggesting that those same independent OSINT analysts, and others, should continue to search for other Chinese silos, too. “If you enjoy looking at commercial satellite imagery or stuff in China, can I suggest you keep looking?” the admiral said, strongly suggesting that there are more silos yet to be found. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/41974/strategic-command-boss-wants-more-open-source-
intel-sleuthing-on-chinas-nuclear-expansion
China, Russia pose strategic challenges for U.S., admiral says
Navy Seaman Landon Blackwell monitors surface contacts from the combat information center aboard Arleigh Burke-class
guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain in the East China Sea. Photo credit U.S. Navy/Petty Officer 3rd Class Arthur
Rosen
By DOD News
August 13, 20219:23 pm
The U.S. is now navigating through uncharted waters with the possibility of
strategic deterrence failing under rapidly growing threats from China and
Russia, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said.
Navy Adm. Charles A. Richard described those threats and provided solutions
through integrated deterrence in all domains, both conventional as well as
nuclear, across the services and in tandem with allies and partners when he
spoke today at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville,
Alabama.
Threats From China
"We are witnessing a strategic breakout by China. The explosive growth and
modernization of its nuclear and conventional forces can only be what I
describe as breathtaking. And frankly, that word breathtaking may not be
enough," he said.
China is rapidly improving its strategic nuclear capability and capacity,
Richard said. It's growing and enhancing its missile force, including multiple
independently targetable reentry vehicles. These include intermediate range
ballistic missiles, mobile ICBMs and submarine-launched nuclear ballistic
missiles.
RELATED
DoD: U.S. will continue to operate in South China Sea to ensure prosperity for all
Beijing is also pursuing advanced weapons such as hypersonics, he said.
"Because of these challenges our current terrestrial- and space-based sensor
architecture may not be sufficient to detect and track these hypersonic
missiles," he said.
In 2019, China tested more ballistic missiles than the rest of the world
combined, he noted.
Beijing is also developing a modern nuclear command and control capability
and is modernizing its conventional forces to include ships, submarines and
aircraft, he added.
"They have the largest Navy in the world and they have the third largest air
force in the world," he said.
Threats From Russia
Russia continues to use a wide range of capabilities that are below the
threshold of conflict, such as cyber and state-sponsored coercion of nations,
seeking to solidify great power status, Richard said.
Russia is pursuing modernization of its conventional and strategic forces, he
said. Nuclear weapons remain a foundational aspect of Russia's strategy and
they have recapitalized over 80% of their strategic nuclear forces, including
expanded warhead delivery capacity.
https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/china-russia-pose-strategic-challenges-for-us-admiral-
says
U.S. the biggest threat to peace, stability in
South China Sea By Zhong Sheng (People's Daily) 09:01, August 13, 2021
The U.S. is the biggest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea, and it is not qualified to make irresponsible remarks on the issue of the South China Sea, said Charge d'Affaires of Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations.
He made the remarks immediately after a U.S. representative groundlessly accused China of coercion and bullying other countries in the South China Sea and made hypes about the so-called South China Sea Arbitration at a Security Council meeting on maritime security held on Aug. 9. It was not the first time for the U.S. to make a conflict on the issue of the South China Sea to undermine regional peace and stability. The so-called South China Sea Arbitration was nothing but a political farce directed by Washington, and valuing it so much, the U.S. would only once again prove such fact. China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea have been formed in the course of a long history. They are supported by abundant historical and legal basis, and conform to relevant international law and practices. The South China Sea Arbitration violated the principle of state consent and the arbitral tribunal exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of law. The arbitration has major fallacies in fact-finding and application of law and violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international law. The award of the Arbitration is illegal and null. China does not accept or participate in the Arbitration, nor does it accept or recognize the award. China's sovereignty and rights and interests over the South China Sea are not affected at all by the arbitration and China does not accept any claim or act based on it. The so-called coercion and bullying practices by China on the South China Sea are sheer nonsense. In recent years, China and countries concerned have effectively managed differences through dialogue and consultation and continuously promoted practical cooperation. China and ASEAN countries
fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and actively promote consultations on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" with major progress. The South China Sea is one of the busiest sea lanes in the world and the lifeline of China's maritime trade. Some 30 percent of global trade in goods and each year about 100,000 merchant vessels transit through the South China Sea. With the joint efforts of countries in the region including China, passage through the South China Sea has always been smooth and safe, and not a single vessel has ever reported that its navigation is hindered or safety threatened in the South China Sea. Facts have repeatedly proved that China and relevant countries are totally capable of properly managing differences, building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, and safeguarding peace, stability, and long-term security of the region. http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0813/c90000-9883628.html
How Xi Jinping looks to the Communist Party
to plug cybersecurity gaps
• Party document stipulates that officials should be punished for failing to effectively respond to cyberattacks
• Xi has long shown concern about China’s vulnerabilities,
• For some, Beijing’s tensions with Washington on the technology front might be a new trend of the past year, but according to a recently released Communist Party document, Beijing was alert to specific cybersecurity concerns back in 2017.The document, which required all party officials to adhere to
President
Xi Jinping’s remarks on cybersecurity, stipulated that officials should be punished for failing to
effectively respond to cyberattacks and data leakage that could be politically damaging to the
party.
The regulation, effective since 2017 but only made public last month, listed six specific examples of cybersecurity failures that should see officials punished, the first being cyberattacks that allowed the spread of negative political messages.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3144958/how-xi-jinping-looks-communist-party-
plug-cybersecurity-gaps
Newly revised regulations on Chinese naval vessels
come into force
BEIJING, Aug.12 -- With the approval of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC),
the trial version of the newly revised regulations on naval vessels has formally come
into effect since July 1, 2021. The regulations have systematically adjusted and re-
standardized the provisions on combat readiness, training, management, and support of
naval vessels.
Since the implementation, the main battleships such as aircraft carriers, 10,000-ton
guided-missile destroyers, nuclear-powered submarines, and amphibious assault ships,
have been unified in codename. The regulations and requirements for flag adornment
and conversion have also been fully elaborated on the occasion of berthing, sailing,
anchoring, and major festivals, etc. Besides, there have been explicit requirements in
terms of carrier-based aircraft and amphibious equipment, vessels performing overseas
missions, and mobile phone networks used by service members.
The newly revised regulations made optimizations on 11 different aspects, including
adjusting and optimizing the organization and deployment of vessels, highlighting the
actual combat-oriented military training, expanding the connotation of the safety
management, and clarifying the vessel etiquette procedures.
The regulations, a set of comprehensive management regulations for Chinese naval
vessels, have undergone four revisions since it was first issued in 1973, with the latest
revision made in 2002.
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2021-08/12/content_10074915.htm
New sea trials for the second Type 075 LHD of
Chinese Navy Naval News August 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry
POSTED ON FRIDAY, 13 AUGUST 2021 12:19
According to a tweet posted by Louis Cheung on 6 August 2021, some photos revealed new sea trials of the second Type 075 landing helicopter carrier, launched by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding on 22 April 2020.
The Type 075 landing helicopter dock (Yushen-class landing helicopter assault) is a class of Chinese amphibious assault ship under construction by the Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding
company for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The Type 075 helicopter dock is a new generation of amphibious assault vessel and far larger than similar ships previously constructed for the PLA Navy. The Type 075 would give the Chinese navy the ability to launch various types of helicopters to attack naval vessels, enemy ground forces or submarines. The vessels will also be able to deploy landing craft and troops, plus house command and control operations.
The Type 075 has a full-length flight deck for helicopter operations and features a floodable well deck from which to disembark hovercraft and armored amphibious assault vehicles.
The LHD will have a displacement of 36,000 tons, a capacity of 30 helicopters, diesel engine with the 9,000 kW 16PC2-6B and four CIWS including two HHQ-10 and two H/PJ-11.
The H/PJ11 is a later and more capable development of the H/PJ12. The mount is of a similar design as its 7-barrel predecessor, but it is bigger since it houses a larger gun and more ammunition.
https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/august/10563-
new-sea-trials-for-the-second-type-075-lhd-of-chinese-navy.html
China, Russia joint drills conclude with live-fire anti-
terrorism operation featuring J-20
By Liu Xuanzun
and Guo YuandanPublished: Aug 13, 2021 09:48 PM
China and Russia on Friday wrapped up the five-day Zapad/Interaction-2021 joint strategic exercises in Northwest China with the live-fire phase featuring some of the most advanced weapons in the world and strong, saturation firepower that analysts said would be overwhelming to any enemy. The drills displayed not only on a strategic level, but also on tactical and technical levels that China and Russia are no allies but better than allies, and are capable of jointly tackling regional security issues including terrorism as well as global challenges brought up by countries like the US, Chinese experts said. Kicking off the live-fire drills and mimicking an anti-terrorism operation, four J-20 stealth fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force spearheaded an air raid on hostile frontline command centers and air defense observation outposts, followed up by another round of attacks by two JH-7 fighter bombers, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Friday. Artillery forces on the ground then simultaneously shot volleys that accurately rained down on targets and kept them in their tracks, and that was when attack helicopters and transport helicopters carrying special operations troops closed in at low altitude and joined the multidimensional, multidirectional attack. In an innovative tactic that was used for the first time, fully-loaded Y-20 large transport aircraft airdropped heavy equipment including airborne assault vehicles while also hosting airborne troops parachuting simultaneously from three hatch doors, greatly increasing the effectiveness of airborne combat. A joint warplane group featuring China's H-6 bombers, J-11 and J-16 fighter jets as well as Russia's Su-30SM fighter jets continued air strikes, while air defense forces used different types of missiles and artillery to accurately intercept hostile drone swarms.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1231427.shtml
British submarines patrolled the East China Sea,
China preparing to hunt
The British Royal Navy’s Vanguard nuclear submarine recently appeared in South
Korean ports. According to reports from South Korean media, the Royal Navy will use
South Korean ports to supply supplies and also conduct coronavirus detection.
The British Royal Navy’s nuclear attack submarine passed through the Strait of Malacca
on July 25 and entered the South China Sea to perform a “free navigation” military mission, and then began a battle cruise in the East China Sea. The British Royal Navy
Vanguard nuclear submarine is part of the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier strike
group. The British aircraft carrier is currently docked at the Naval Base in Guam. Since
August 6, there has been no follow-up action on the British aircraft carrier.
The British aircraft carrier changed its scheduled itinerary and came to Guam to dock in
the United States. After the British aircraft carrier strike group ended its operations in
the South China Sea, it would go to Japan for visits, but it suddenly appeared at the US
military base in Guam. The British Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier also entered the South China Sea on July 25 in a high-profile manner, but now it is quite
calm. The rest of the escorting ships have dispersed, including the vigilante nuclear
submarine, which has conducted a single-handed battle cruise in the East China Sea.
And arrived at Busan Port, South Korea on August 11 for stop and rest work.
Vanguard class nuclear submarine
From July 25 to August 11, the British Royal Navy attack nuclear submarine has been
dormant under the water. The Royal Navy has not announced the specific itinerary of
the British submarine, but the appearance of the British submarine in the Port of Busan
in South Korea means that The British submarine entered the East China Sea and the
Yellow Sea.
While the Chinese media believes that if the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine dared to cross the red line, the consequences would be four words: burial on the bottom of the
sea. When British submarines performed missions in the Asia-Pacific region, the
People’s Liberation Army’s Air Submersible-200 made a public appearance. During this
period, the Air Submersible-200 conducted a drill to drop depth charges. This is a
warning to the Royal Navy. Now the People’s Liberation Army Many theaters are equipped with air-submarine-200 anti-submarine patrol aircraft.
https://defenceview.in/british-submarines-patrolled-the-east-china-sea-china-preparing-to-hunt/
Japan to revise 5-year defence plan ahead of
schedule, eyeing China
• The Medium Term Defence Programme could be updated within the year, as Japan seeks to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness in surrounding waters
• The revision would seek to fulfil Suga’s promise to Biden to bolster Japan’s defence capabilities to maintain security in the Indo-Pacific region
Japan plans to revise its Medium Term Defence Programme earlier than originally scheduled as it
looks to boost spending to counter China’s growing assertiveness in surrounding waters and prepare for contingencies in the Taiwan Strait, government sources said Friday.
The programme, which covers the five years through fiscal 2023, could be updated within the year, with Prime Minister
Yoshihide Suga
and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi having agreed earlier this month that some changes are
necessary, the sources said.
Discussions between officials including at the Defence Ministry and the National Security Secretariat are already under way, with budget issues set to be reviewed by the Finance Ministry.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3145022/japan-revise-5-year-defence-plan-ahead-
schedule-eyeing-china
South Korea’s new submarine brings North Korean, Chinese bases within
range
• The South Korean navy has commissioned its first domestically built submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles, putting it among a select group of countries
• The new sub – named the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho after a freedom fighter – gives navy the capability to hit sites in North Korea and (theoretically) missile bases in China
The commissioning ceremony for the South Korean Navy's Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine takes
place at a dock on the southern island of Geoje. Photo: Handout
The South Korean navy has commissioned its first domestically built submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles in a development that will boost its ability to hunt North Korean boats and mount “surgical strikes” against Pyongyang. The development of the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho makes
South Korea one of just eight countries to have produced an indigenous submarine with ballistic-
missile firing capabilities and a capacity of 3,000 tonnes or more.
It is the first of three 3,000-ton-class Changbogo-III Batch-I submarines that South Korea plans to build by 2023 with its own technologies as part of a 3.09 trillion won (US$2.7 billion) project launched in 2007. The country hopes to boost defence exports in future by selling similar submarines to other countries.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144978/south-koreas-new-submarine-brings-north-
korean-chinese-bases
4 dead as Malaysian serviceman opens fire at air force base in Sarawak
A Malaysian serviceman shot dead three fellow air force personnel at a military base in Sarawak state on Aug 13, 2021 before killing himself, police say. (Photo: Bernama) 13 Aug 2021 02:15PM (Updated: 13 Aug 2021 04:12PM)
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KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian serviceman shot dead three fellow air force personnel at a military base at Kota Samarahan on Friday (Aug 13) before killing himself, police said, a rare case of gun violence in the Southeast Asian nation.
He opened fire at around 7.30am at a guard post at the air force base in Sarawak state, on the Malaysian part of Borneo island, they said.
Two men died at the scene while the third managed to drive to a health clinic after being shot, but succumbed to his injuries. After shooting his colleagues, the serviceman turned the gun on himself.
All of them were on duty at the time of the incident.
Police have identified the four air force personnel who died as Corporal Ho Swee Boon from Lundu, Cpl Mohamad Ehsan Sehamat from Asajaya; Cpl Sharif Mohd Siddiq Al-Attas Wan Sabli from Kuching and aircraftman Luk Nesly anak Nabau from Sibu.
Samarahan police chief Sudirman Kram said an initial investigation found that the suspect had gone on a rampage and entered the guard station at the Handau Squadron 330 camp and took the firearms that were there.
There were several other air force personnel at the guard station at that time, he said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-air-force-servicemen-shot-dead-sarawak-2110531
India’s First Homemade Aircraft Carrier Passes Its First Big Test
While it wasn’t quite the world tour that the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently
undertaking, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced this week that the country’s first indigenous aircraft
carrier (IAC), INS Vikrant, has successfully completed her first sea voyage. The five-day sea trials began on August 4
when the carrier left port from Kochi, with the system parameters confirmed as “satisfactory.”
The MoD said that the newly commissioned carrier’s hull, main propulsion, power generation and distribution (PGD)
as well auxiliary equipment were tested during the five-day deployment.
“Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ successfully accomplished its maiden sea voyage today. Trials progressed
as planned and system parameters proved satisfactory,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said
in a statement to the Business Standard. “Trials, which were reviewed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer
Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command on the last day, have progressed as planned and system
parameters have been proved satisfactory.”
The warship will continue to undergo a series of sea trials to prove all equipment and systems are in proper working
order before the ship is officially handed over to the Indian Navy next year. Delivery of Vikrant is currently targeted to
coincide with the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.
Made in India – Atmanirbhar Bharat
Vikrant will be the Indian Navy’s second operational carrier, and will join INS Vikramaditya, which is a modified Kiev-
class carrier – and the current flagship of the Indian Navy. Vikramaditya entered service with the Indian Navy in 2013,
but was originally built as Baku and commissioned into the Soviet Navy in 1987, and later serving as Admiral
Gorshkov in the Russian Navy before being decommissioned in 1996.
The new 40,000-tonne carrier is notable for being the first domestically built capital warship. She was designed by the
Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and was constructed at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CLS), a private
sector shipyard run by the Ministry of Shipping.
https://defenceview.in/indias-first-homemade-aircraft-carrier-passes-its-first-big-test/
Russia Developing New Heavy Combat Drone:
Sources
The Russian Ministry of Defense is working on new heavy attack drone systems,
according to a report by Izvestia, citing sources from the military.
According to the report, these new attack drone systems will utilize ultra-long-
range strategic cruise missiles, such as the X-101. The combat drones themselves
are expected to be larger than the S-70 Okhotnik and should be developed by
2040.
In addition to unmanned guided weapons, the new systems will include the
development of unguided aircraft missiles.
The Altius and Okhotnik long-range attack drones are also expected to receive
Kh-35U and Kh-59MK2 missiles, both unguided systems.
Russia Preparing For Drone Warfare Russia is committed to upgrading the skillsets of commanders in charge of drone
warfare. According to reports, the country will begin providing specialized drone
warfare training to its military officers starting next year.
These future training sessions will reportedly be handled by the MoD.
Russian military expert Viktor Murakhovsky said that the need for specialized
training, including in drone warfare, is crucial, as the force still only has a
handful of trained personnel.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/08/13/russia-new-combat-drone/
The Taliban now control half of
Afghanistan's provincial capitals By Clarissa Ward, Brad Lendon and Rob Picheta, CNN Updated 1957 GMT (0357 HKT) August 13, 2021
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN)The Taliban have seized Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city, and a number of other provincial capitals, as the insurgent group accelerates its rapid advance towards the capital Kabul.
Afghan Member of Parliament Gul Ahmad Kamin told CNN on Friday that Kandahar had
been taken. The city, which lies in the south of the country, has been besieged by the
Taliban for weeks, and many observers consider its fall as the beginning of the end for the
country's US-backed government.
Later on Friday the militants took charge of a handful of other cities. According to CNN
analysis they now control 17 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals, all of which have been
captured in the last week.
The group has made territorial gains in the north of the country, which has traditionally been
an anti-Taliban stronghold. And it now controls towns and territories within 100 kilometers
(62 miles) of Kabul, including the capital of Logar province, which also fell on Friday.
In a statement Friday, the Taliban said they had taken control of the governor's office, police
headquarters, as well as other key operational centers throughout the city of Kandahar.
"Hundreds of weapons, vehicles and ammunition were seized," the Taliban statement said.
Kamin said he and many others had made their way to a military base close to the city's
international airport and were awaiting a flight out. "Many (government) soldiers
surrendered and the rest fled," Kamin said.
Kamin had earlier told CNN that Taliban fighters had been able to break through the city's
frontline and were engaging in sporadic confrontation with government forces.
Kandahar, which lies on the junction of three major highways, is of particular strategic
importance and was formerly a major hub for US military operations. Its seizure marks the
most significant gain yet for the Taliban.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/13/asia/afghanistan-kandahar-falls-taliban-intl-hnk/index.html
Afghanistan Is a Failure of Military Intelligence—and Common Sense
On July 8, President Joe Biden thought it was necessary to defend his decision
to withdraw from Afghanistan once again. The president had announced
America’s retreat from its longest war less than three months earlier.
Whether President Biden knew or not, the Afghan government was teetering as
he spoke in mid-July. He placed the onus squarely on the shoulders of
Afghanistan’s security forces.
“Together, with our NATO Allies and partners, we have trained and equipped
… nearly 300,000 current serving members of the military—of the Afghan
National Security Force, and many beyond that who are no longer serving,”
President Biden said. “Add to that, hundreds of thousands more Afghan
National Defense and Security Forces [ANDSF] trained over the last two
decades.”
The president went all-in on the ANDSF, arguing that America’s partners had
the capacity and capability to defend their country, which America was leaving
behind. “We provided our Afghan partners with all the tools—let me
emphasize: all the tools, training, and equipment of any modern military,” the
president elaborated. “We provided advanced weaponry. And we’re going to
continue to provide funding and equipment. And we’ll ensure they have the
capacity to maintain their air force.”
A reporter asked: “Is a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan now inevitable?”
President Biden pressed his case, saying the Afghans have “300,000 well-
equipped” troops, who are “as well-equipped as any army in the world,” with an
air force the Taliban lacked. And they were going up “against something like
75,000 Taliban.”
“It is not inevitable,” the president said.
On paper, President Biden may have appeared correct. The Afghans should
have enjoyed a numerical and technical advantage. That was the analysis Gen.
Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave Biden. Later in
July, even as the insurgency was racking up wins, Milley claimed that the
Afghans “have the capacity to sufficiently fight and defend their country.”
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/08/13/afghanistan-failure-intelligence-common-sense/
How I Failed My Afghan Comrades
Military officers like me thought we were building a capable Afghan security force. What did we get wrong?
Plenty.
MIKE JASON, THE ATLANTIC |
AUGUST 13, 2021
Watching the rapid deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan—the Taliban have captured a third of the country’s provincial capitals in the weeks since the U.S. military pulled its troops out—has evoked a feeling of déjà vu for me.
In 2005, I was an adviser to an Iraqi infantry battalion conducting counterinsurgency operations in and around Baghdad, one of the most violent parts of Iraq during one of the most violent periods in that conflict. It was difficult to have any hope at the time. I returned to Iraq in 2009, this time in Mosul, where my unit advised and supported two Iraqi-army divisions, one Iraqi-federal-police division, and thousands of local police officers. This time, I sensed more progress: Leaving Iraq in 2010, I felt we had done a great job, turning a corner and building a capable and competent security force. A year later, I found myself in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, recruiting and training Afghan police units and commandos. After nine months there, I again rotated home thinking we had done some good.
I would be proved wrong on both counts. In 2014, by then stationed at the Pentagon, I watched in dismay as the Iraqi divisions I’d helped train collapsed in a matter of days when faced with the Islamic State. Today, as the Taliban seizes terrain across Afghanistan, including in what was my area of operations, I cannot help but stop and reflect on my role. What did my colleagues and I get wrong? Plenty.
From the very beginning, nearly two decades ago, the American military’s effort to advise and mentor Iraqi and Afghan forces was treated like a pickup game—informal, ad hoc, and absent of strategy. We patched together small teams of soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen, taught them some basic survival skills, and gave them an hour-long lesson in the local language before placing them with foreign units. We described them variously as MiTTs, BiTTs, SPTTs, AfPak Hands, OMLT, PRTs, VSO, AAB, SFAB, IAG, MNSTC-I, SFAATs—each new term a chapter in a book without a plot.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/08/how-i-failed-my-afghan-comrades/184494/
Climate Change and Defence: Are we ready for its
impact?
When reflecting on climate change from the perspective of those who compose defence
policy there are two approaches to take.
The first approach addresses the question of the impact that military operations, equipment
and facilities may be having on the production of greenhouse emissions, and what can be
done to minimise them and contribute to efforts to contain climate change. There have
already been some steps taken in this direction. In March, the Ministry of Defence released
an important document setting out “the ambition, the principles and the methods needed
for UK Defence to meet the challenge of climate change.” It demonstrates tangible and
practical reflections on energy use by Defence, as well as how the estates owned by
Defence can be managed in a more environmentally conscious manner.
But the MoD’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach also makes it clear that
if you are only thinking about the implications of climate change for Defence from this first
angle, and see it as a boutique issue driven by the latest social and political trends, then you
are risking developing a giant blind-spot that will have substantial implications for defence
planning and operations for decades to come.
Climate change is real, and it is happening. Temperatures are rising. Geographies are being
altered with expanding deserts and melting ice. Habitats are being affected by more
frequent and larger fires, floods, storms. All of these have tremendous social, economic and
political effects as well as geopolitical and global implications and pose direct questions for
Defence at tactical, operational and strategic levels. Allow me to point to some of these:
Are we going to see new conflicts and security risks triggered by climate change?
There is still not much hard data for arguments that climate change is causing new conflicts. It is
plausible to assume, however, that hardening physical conditions will play a part in social
unrest, political discontent and localised tensions, all of which may lead to an increased
likelihood of violence in ungoverned spaces or weaker states. One can already see this
manifested in the tensions between pastoral nomads and resident locals across the middle
belt of Nigeria and the wider SAHEL region. As increasingly harsh conditions minimise
economic opportunities and damage the habitability of an area, and as poorer states fail to
provide the fundamental services to counteract these effects, it is reasonable to assume
that we will see more unrest and mass movements of people, with all of the tensions and
frictions that emerge from that. We will also see more political pressure, and more assertive
postures, taken over fundamental resources like water.
These pressures are likely to amplify
the stakes over projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Damn over the Nile, for
example. Countries holding upstream water resources will seek to translate that increasingly
precious and sought-after resource into competitive advantage. At the opposite extreme,
the opening of possibilities of new northern trade routes and new resource exploration
opportunities will galvanise geopolitical and geo-economic competition further. We already
see signs of that in posturing over the Arctic. In other words, climate change will be a catalyst for, if not
an accelerator or exaggerator of, the ongoing local and global tensionsthat are already in place.
https://wavellroom.com/2021/08/13/climate-change-and-defence-are-we-ready-for-its-impact/
What Does National Security Mean in
a +2 Celsius World?
The new U.N. climate report confirms that
significantly higher global temperatures are now a
near-term certainty. National security planning needs
to take a warmer, less stable world into account. This week, the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released
its latest summary report. As expected, the report is not exactly suffused with
optimism. It finds that the Earth is now virtually guaranteed to warm at least 1.5
degrees Celsius over the preindustrial baseline in the coming decades, even if a
massive global effort succeeds in reducing emissions over the next few decades.
By itself, that will create more extreme weather events, and it may also
precipitate other unpredictable but severe systemic collapses, like the shutdown
of the Gulf Stream.
At this point, a significantly altered global climate is not a theoretical
impossibility (though certainly if meaningful action is taken in the next few years
it might limit the extremity of the change). The IPCC report is only confirming
what has become painfully obvious from observing current events. The last few
months have seen numerous, simultaneous extreme weather
events: catastrophic flooding in China and Germany, overwhelming heat waves in
normally temperate Western Canada, record-setting drought and wildfires in the
American West, and more.
In short, the environment upon which virtually all human activity depends is
undergoing severe and potentially irreversible change. It is changing the world
that we will live in, and the world that national security policies must be made
for. Any strategy that does not at least recognize this truth is useless.
In a previous column, I explored the challenges and contradictions of adapting
the U.S. military for climate change. This is a different and more strategic question: How should a country’s leadership think about continuing to secure its national interest while the ground shifts under its feet?
The short answer is that it will be much harder world to plan and prepare for.
The climate is an intensely complex system, and though we know in broad terms
what types of impacts to expect from 1.5 C or more of warming, we do not know
many of the specifics of timing and localization; nor is it possible to predict the
complex interactions of climate with agriculture, trade, patterns of migration,
and other crucial human systems.
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There are two basic models for thinking about how a radically hotter world will
change geopolitics. The first is fundamentally Hobbesian. As rising waters and
extreme weather simultaneously push populations out of critically endangered
areas and create access to new trade routes or resources, whatever limitations
that states have accepted on their behavior since World War II could largely be
abandoned. The wave of nationalism that has seen such an upsurge over the last
decade will be accelerated by the perception that the correct exercise of national
power on a warming planet is to secure the biggest possible piece of a shrinking
pie for the nation. That mindset leads almost axiomatically to violent struggle.
https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/what-does-national-security-mean-in-a-2-celsius-world/
Cases of Delta variant rising outside NCR Local transmission feared but still has to be validated, says DOH exec in Central Visayas
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:06 AM August 14, 2021
Ambulances carrying patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19 queue at the
Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City so they can be attended to by physicians at the
emergency room. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The number of cases of the more transmittable Delta variant of COVID-19 outside
the National Capital Region (NCR) was on the rise, records from the different
health offices in the provinces showed.
All the provinces in Calabarzon, which adjoin NCR, now have Delta variant cases
totaling 111 as of Friday, the Department of Health (DOH) in the region said.
Cavite has the most number of cases at 41, followed by Laguna (35), Batangas
(14), Rizal (14) and Quezon (seven), the DOH said.
Until Friday, Quezon was the lone province in the region that had no Delta variant
case.
At least 23 Delta variant cases of COVID-19 were also confirmed in the Cagayan
Valley region and Ilocos Norte province following the release of genome samples from the University of the Philippines’ Philippine Genome Center and National Institute of Health, authorities said on Thursday.
On Friday, Oriental Mindoro province also confirmed the presence of two Delta
variant cases while the Bicol Region has two, one each in Albay and Camarines Sur
provinces.
Cagayan de Oro City, the economic hub of Northern Mindanao, has so far recorded
23 Delta variant cases, while Tagum City, the capital of Davao del Norte, detected
one case of the variant, according to authorities.
Davao City has recorded five Delta variant cases as of Friday. Of the five, only one
had traveled abroad while the rest were local exposures, which means the virus is
already in the communities, local health officials said.
The Visayas has counted 89 Delta variant infections as of Friday, with Western
Visayas (Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras and Negros Occidental) having the most
cases at 42; followed by Central Visayas (Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and
Siquijor, and the independent cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue) with 36;
and Eastern Visayas (Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and
Northern Samar) with 11 cases.
According to DOH Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas, there might already be
a local transmission of the Delta variant in Cebu but health officials need to
validate it first.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473414/delta-cases-rising-outside-ncr
‘Hospitals near full capacity’ DOH puts 11 areas under highest alert as infections
spread
posted August 14, 2021 at 01:30 am by Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja
All areas in Metro Manila are now classified as either high-risk or critical risk for COVID-19, the
Department of Health said Friday as the disease continued to spread and hospital beds filled
up, and the country hit a four-month high in both the number of new infections and active cases.
The Department of Health (DOH) put under Alert Level 4 the cities of Las Piñas, Malabon,
Makati, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, San Juan, Quezon City, Taguig, and Valenzuela and the
municipality of Pateros.
Under Alert Level 3 were Caloocan, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Manila, Pasay and Parañaque.
Navotas and Pateros were classified as a critical risk in terms of two-week virus growth rate at
352.25 percent and 266.35 percent, respectively.
Hospitals in both cities are also 100 percent full according to the DOH.
Intensive care units in nine Metro Manila areas are over 70 percent full.
Quezon City still has the most number of active COVID-19 cases at 4,453, followed by the City
of Manila with 3,081, and Makati City with 2,012 patients.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the National Capital Region (NCR)
continued to post a rise in its two-week growth rate and a high-risk average daily attack rate
(ADAR).
Alert Level 4 means an area has been classified as moderate- to critical-risk and has a health
care utilization rate higher than 70 percent.
NCR is under enhanced community quarantine – the strictest among quarantine classification –
for two weeks, from Aug. 6 to 20. Under ECQ, only essential trips and services are allowed.
The government placed the NCR under ECQ in light of the threat posed by the more infectious
Delta coronavirus variant.
Other areas under Alert Level 4 are: the Cordillera Administrative Region: Apayao, Baguio City,
Benguet; Region 1: Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte; Region 2: Cagayan, Quirino; Region 3: Angeles
City, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Olongapo City, Zambales; Region 4A: Batangas, Cavite,
Laguna, Quezon, Lucena City, Rizal; Region 5: Naga City, Masbate; Region 6: Aklan, Antique,
Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City; Region 7: Bohol, Cebu, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Siquijor; Region
8: Ormoc City, Tacloban City; Region 10: Bukidnon, Cagayan De Oro City, Camiguin, Lanao
Del Norte, Misamis Oriental; Region 12: Cotabato (North Cotabato), General Santos City, South
Cotabato; and Caraga: Agusan del Sur.
The Philippines averaged 10,459 new cases per day from August 6 to 12, a jump from its
average of 7,987 in the week before, with “a new peak [in infections] set weekly,” said Vergeire.
The Philippines is still classified as a high-risk area for COVID-19 after logging a two-week case
growth rate of 60 percent, ADAR of 8.37 cases per 100,000 population, a health care utilization
rate of 58.81 percent, and an ICU occupancy rate of 68.08 percent.
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/362346/-hospitals-near-full-capacity-.html
DOH reiterates COVID-19 booster shots not yet recommended
Published August 13, 2021, 5:35 PM by Analou de Vera
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The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated its stand that the use of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine booster shots is not yet officially recommended at this point.
“Unang-una, kaya hindi pa mairekomenda ang booster doses, aside from equity of course as a major consideration, is its safety (First of all, booster doses cannot be recommended yet—aside from equity of course as a major consideration, is its safety),” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday, August 13.
“Hindi pa kumpleto ang ating mga datos ukol diyan o mga ebidensya na meron tayo sa ating mga eksperto, kaya hindi pa iyan nirerecommend ng ating gobyerno (We don’t have complete data or evidence from our experts with regards to that, so our government has not recommended that yet),” she added.
Vergeire made this reiteration amid reports that a fully immunized man was vaccinated again using another brand of vaccine.
“We are trying to get the details of this. We saw this in the social media paltform…Kinakausap po natin yung vaccination center (we are now coordinating with the vaccination center),” said the DOH spokesperson.
Vergeire, meanwhile, said that there is no legal sanction for those who are doing this supposed “double vaccination.”
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“Wala naman talaga tayong legal na parang (We don’t have any legal) sanction for these individuals who are receiving this double vaccines or aside from (being) fully vaccinated already,” said Vergeire.
However, Vergeire stressed the importance of equal distribution of vaccines.
“It is more of moral and ethical. Kung ano man po ang binakuna sa inyo, meron pong mga taong hindi nabakunahan dahil sa inyo (Whatever (extra) vaccine you got, there are people who have not been vaccinated because of you),” she said.
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“Kung tayo po ay fully vaccinated na ng isang bakuna, huwag muna pumunta sa direksyon na nagpapalagay uli ng panibagong bakuna (If we are already fully vaccinated, let’s not go on that direction of considering to take another vaccine),” she added.
“Kailangan muna mabakunahan yung mga taong hindi pa nabibigyan ng bakuna para pare-pareho tayong may proteksyon (We need to give vaccines to those who are still unvaccinated so that we can have equal protection),” she furthered.
Meanwhile, Vergeire urged people who got fully vaccinated twice to immediately report if they experience any adverse effects.
“Kahit na kayo ay lumabag doon sa pamantayan at patakaran ng gobyerno, kami ay may obligasyon pa rin na imonitor kayo (Even if you violate our standards and government policies, we still have an obligation to monitor you),” said Vergeire.
“Kung saka-sakali na kayo ay magkaka reaksyon dito sa ating nagbakuna ng doble, kayo ay agad-agad tumawag doon sa ating vaccine site na pinagbakunahan niyo o malapit na facilties for health, maari kayong magpakonsulta (If you happen to have a reaction because of double vaccination, immediately call the vaccination site where you were inoculated or call nearby health facilities for consultation),” she added.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/doh-reiterates-covid-19-booster-shots-not-yet-recommended/
Philippine medical workers under strain as
COVID-19 cases jump
A policeman inspects passengers on the first day of a two-week lockdown in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Aug 6, 2021. (Photo" Reuters/Eloisa Lopez) 13 Aug 2021 08:29PM (Updated: 13 Aug 2021 08:29PM)
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MANILA: The Philippines reported on Friday (Aug 13) its second-largest daily increase in COVID-19 infections, providing more evidence of how the virulent Delta variant may be spreading and ramping up pressure on the country's already stretched healthcare system.
Hundreds of hospitals in the country are nearing full capacity, with some facilities reporting they have run out of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients, leaving health care workers, who are forced to work longer hours, exhausted.
"Usually the nurse to patient ratio in wards is one to five, but we are handling up to 12 patients," said Maria Caridad delos Reyes, a staff nurse at the Philippine General Hospital, whose eight-hour shift now sometimes extend to 16 hours.
"We're supposed to have a break time, but because we are extremely busy, we miss our meals, especially now that we are attending to moderate to severe COVID-19 patients," Delos Reyes told Reuters.
The health ministry recorded 13,177 new coronavirus infections on Friday, the highest since a record daily tally of 15,310 on April 2, bringing total cases to 1.71 million, the second highest in Southeast Asia next to Indonesia.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-medical-workers-strain-covid-19-cases-rise-delta-
variant-2111231
Covid Lab-Leak Revelation: WHO Expert Says China
Pressure Led To His Team's 'Extremely Unlikely' Finding
By Meera Suresh
08/13/21 AT 9:39 AM
KEY POINTS
• The team included the theory as it was part of the whole issue about virus origin
• The Chinese agreed to discuss it only if the team did not recommend more studies
• The WHO reported it was “extremely unlikely” that a lab leak caused the pandemic
AWHO food safety and animal diseases expert, who led
the investigation into the origins of the novel coronavirus,
has claimed that the March report that the Wuhan lab leak
theory was "extremely unlikely" was influenced by Chinese
officials in the team.
In a new documentary, The Virus Mystery, aired Thursday
night on Danish television, Peter Ben Embarek said the
Chinese researchers in the group were against connecting
the origins of the pandemic to the Wuhan Institute of
Virology, reported Washington Post.
"In the beginning, they didn’t want anything about the lab [in the report], because it was impossible, so there was no
need to waste time on that," Ben Embarek said. “We
insisted on including it, because it was part of the whole
issue about where the virus originated.”
It was two days before the end of the mission that the
group finally decided to include the lab-leak theory in the
report. Ben Embarek said his Chinese counterpart agreed
to discuss the theory in the report "on the condition we
didn’t recommend any specific studies to further that
hypothesis."
On whether the report’s use of the phrase "extremely unlikely" was required by the Chinese researchers, Ben
Embarek said, "it was the category we chose to put it in at
the end, yes." He added that the words indicated that the
theory was not likely, but not impossible.
The documentary shows Ben Embarek arriving in China
and inspecting the stalls at the Huanan seafood market
in Wuhan.
https://www.ibtimes.com/covid-lab-leak-revelation-who-expert-says-china-pressure-led-his-teams-
extremely-3273155
Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for those with weak immune systems By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONEAugust 13, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators say transplant recipients and others with severely weakened immune systems can get an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to better protect them as the delta variant continues to surge.
The late-night announcement Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration applies to several million Americans who are especially vulnerable because of organ transplants, certain cancers or other disorders. Several other countries, including France and Israel, have similar recommendations.
It’s harder for vaccines to rev up an immune system suppressed by certain medications and diseases, so those patients don’t always get the same protection as otherwise healthy people — and small studies suggest for at least some, an extra dose may be the solution.
“Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, the FDA’s acting commissioner, said in a statement.
The FDA determined that transplant recipients and others with a similar level of compromised immunity can receive a third dose of the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna at least 28 days after getting their second shot. The FDA made no mention of immune-compromised patients who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The announcement comes as the extra-contagious delta version of the coronavirus surges through much of the country, pushing new cases, hospitalizations and deaths to heights not seen since last winter.
Importantly, the FDA’s decision only applies to this high-risk group, estimated to be no more than 3% of U.S. adults. It’s not an opening for booster doses for the general population.
Instead, health authorities consider the extra dose part of the initial prescription for the immune-compromised. For example, France since April has encouraged that such patients get a third dose four weeks after their regular second shot. Israel and Germany also recently began recommending a third dose of two-dose vaccines.
https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-
283298fb55b0556dbd9e45a62b782095
What you need to know about
the coronavirus right now
Reuters
Passengers wearing protective face masks walk across a train platform at the quiet Central Station in the city centre during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Sydney, Australia, August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Aug 16 (Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:
Sydney records deadliest day of COVID-19 pandemic
Australia's biggest city of Sydney recorded its deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, while residents in Melbourne face a nightly curfew and a further two weeks of lockdown amid a surge in infections.
With only 26% of people above 16 years of age fully vaccinated, Australia is vulnerable to the highly infectious Delta variant that has steadily spread across the country. While Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Darwin - which begun its curbs on Monday - are all in lockdown, cases have proved stubbornly difficult to suppress. read more
Japan to extend "state of emergency" lockdown through mid-Sept -report
The Japanese government is set to extend its "state of emergency" soft lockdown in regions including Tokyo to the middle of September as well as adding several other regions, the Sankei Shimbun daily reported on Monday.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-you-need-know-about-
coronavirus-right-now-2021-03-02/
Mapping the Coronavirus
Outbreak Across the World Updated: August 16, 2021, 3:21 PM GMT+8
•
Brazil 2,706 96,833 N/A N/A
U.K. 2,006 96,232 3,494.1 2.5
U.S. 1,882 111,058 1,511.3 2.8
France 1,667 95,713 N/A 6.0
Russia 1,181 45,873 1,172.8 8.1
Germany 1,144 47,667 849.9 8.0
India 329 24,570 369.8 0.5
Japan 123 9,129 147.9 13.1
Mainland China 3 68 N/A 4.3
Testing data as of August 13, 2021, 4:35 PM GMT+8
Sources: OECD for number of hospital beds (2016 for the U.S., 2017 for other countries),
government agencies and the COVID Tracking Project via Our World in Data for testing data
(various recent dates) (reported in the past 45 days) and the U.S. Census Bureau for population
figures (2019).
The world is bracing for a new wave of Covid-19 infections, as the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 205 million people and killed more than 4.3 million globally since late January 2020. Efforts many countries took to stamp out the pneumonia-like illness led to entire nations enforcing lockdowns, widespread halts of international travel, mass layoffs and battered financial markets. Recent attempts to revive social life and financial activities have resulted in another surge in cases and
hospitalizations, though new drugs and improved care may help more people who get seriously ill survive.
01002003004005001 yrDays since 100 confirmed cases1001,00010,000100,0001,000,00010,000,00030,000,000CasesMainland ChinaSouth KoreaJapanFranceSingaporeSpainU.K.Hong KongU.S.AustraliaBrazilIndiaRussiaTaiwanNew Zealand
Note: JHU CSSE reporting began on January 22, 2020, when mainland China had already surpassed 500 cases.
Source: Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering
207,211,078
Confirmed cases worldwide
4,362,285
Deaths worldwide
Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of August 16, 2021, 3:21 PM GMT+8 1–99 100–999 1,000–9,999 10,000–99,999 100,000–999,999 1,000,000–9,999,999 10 million or more
Where deaths have
occurred Deaths Cases
U.S. 621,635 36,678,865
Brazil 569,058 20,364,099
India 431,642 32,225,513
Mexico 248,380 3,101,266
Peru 197,393 2,133,812
Russia 167,595 6,511,431
U.K. 131,269 6,297,157
Italy 128,432 4,440,669
Colombia 123,459 4,867,761
Indonesia 117,588 3,854,354
France 112,705 6,471,262
Where deaths have
occurred Deaths Cases
Argentina 109,041 5,084,635
Iran 97,828 4,425,821
Germany 91,878 3,828,278
Spain 82,470 4,693,540
Show more Note: Totals for Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the U.K., and the U.S. include overseas
territories and other dependencies. Cases and deaths for cruise ships have been separated in
accordance with JHU CSSE data.
The epicenter of the pandemic has continued to shift throughout the year, from China, then Europe, then the U.S., and now to developing countries like Brazil. Cases globally surpassed 10 million in late June, but ever since infections have been multiplying faster. The U.S. and India have the most infections, accounting for more than a third of all cases combined.
Global Cases Added Per Day
New cases: 388,014
Jan 21, 2020
Aug 15, 2021
U.S. New cases: 38,482
Jan 21, 2020
Aug 15, 2021
Iran 36,736
India 32,937
U.K. 26,484
Russia 21,010
Brazil 13,957
Germany 3,732
Mainland China 51
France -50,665
Note: On February 14, 2020, Hubei officials changed their diagnostic criteria, resulting in a spike in reported cases.
Countries took drastic measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 on their homefront—with varying degrees of success. More than 140 governments placed blanket bans on incoming travelers, closed schools and restricted gatherings and public events,
according to data compiled by Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and Bloomberg reporting.
As countries loosen lockdowns in an effort to reboot their economies, many have seen a resurgence of infections. The number of new daily cases in the U.S. rose to record highs after some states relaxed social distancing requirements. Even places that successfully contained infections earlier in the year, like China and South Korea, have seen cases bubble back up. Theories that warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere would bring relief appear to be unfounded.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world-map/?srnd=coronavirus
Covid map: Coronavirus cases, deaths, vaccinations by
country
By The Visual and Data Journalism Team BBC News
Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 200 million
confirmed cases and 4.3 million deaths across nearly 200 countries.
The US, India and Brazil have seen the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by Russia, France, the UK and Turkey. Very few places have been left untouched. 205,431,038cases4,334,874deaths
36,100,000
Circles show number of confirmed coronavirus cases per country.
Source: Johns Hopkins University, national public health agencies Figures last updated 13 August 2021, 10:06 BST
In the table below, countries can be reordered by deaths, death rate and total cases. In the coloured bars on the right-hand side, countries in which cases have risen to more than 10,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date.
data in detail
Scroll table to see more data
*Deaths per 100,000 people
Filter:
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
US 616,258 188.4 36,137,057 JAN 2020
AUG 2021
Brazil 566,896 270.6 20,285,067
India 430,254 31.8 32,117,826
Mexico 246,811 195.6 3,045,571
Peru 197,209 616.5 2,130,018
Russia 165,201 113.4 6,447,229
UK 130,701 194.7 6,179,506
Italy 128,334 211.7 4,420,429
Colombia 123,097 247.9 4,856,595
Indonesia 113,664 42.5 3,774,155
France 112,468 173.1 6,398,983
Argentina 108,569 244.7 5,066,253
Iran 96,215 117.6 4,320,266
Germany 91,860 110.5 3,814,335
Spain 82,407 176.5 4,677,883
South Africa 76,247 131.9 2,568,511
Poland 75,291 198.5 2,884,780
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Ukraine 56,065 126.7 2,351,426
Turkey 52,703 64.0 6,018,455
Chile 36,243 193.5 1,626,595
Romania 34,334 176.0 1,086,109
Ecuador 31,870 186.5 493,767
Czech Republic 30,372 284.8 1,675,868
Hungary 30,037 309.4 810,212
Philippines 29,539 27.7 1,700,363
Canada 26,647 71.9 1,455,141
Belgium 25,285 220.2 1,147,855
Pakistan 24,266 11.4 1,089,913
Bangladesh 23,613 14.6 1,396,868
Tunisia 21,310 184.3 618,124
Iraq 19,466 50.6 1,751,176
Bulgaria 18,321 259.8 431,292
Bolivia 18,109 159.5 480,229
Netherlands 17,911 105.0 1,896,405
Portugal 17,525 170.9 995,949
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Egypt 16,604 16.9 285,061
Paraguay 15,383 221.1 456,291
Japan 15,371 12.1 1,091,170
Sweden 14,658 147.0 1,109,112
Greece 13,126 124.7 528,474
Myanmar 12,667 23.6 344,730
Slovakia 12,544 230.0 393,302
Malaysia 11,691 37.1 1,342,215
Guatemala 10,960 63.5 403,348
Switzerland 10,922 128.1 733,275
Kazakhstan 10,791 58.9 737,220
Austria 10,753 120.9 665,885
Morocco 10,711 29.7 731,084
Nepal 10,212 36.3 725,769
Jordan 10,173 102.1 780,542
Bosnia and
Herzegovina 9,698 291.8 206,835
Saudi Arabia 8,311 24.7 531,935
Honduras 8,310 86.7 312,192
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Croatia 8,278 199.2 366,049
Lebanon 7,962 116.1 578,367
Serbia 7,152 102.4 729,150
Afghanistan 6,988 18.8 151,563
Thailand 6,942 10.0 839,771
Panama 6,932 166.0 445,651
Israel 6,611 78.9 927,016
Moldova 6,298 155.4 261,524
Georgia 6,279 156.9 466,326
Uruguay 5,996 173.8 382,997
Sri Lanka 5,620 26.5 345,118
North Macedonia 5,527 265.3 159,908
Costa Rica 5,199 104.0 426,474
Azerbaijan 5,109 51.3 359,732
Ireland 5,059 105.0 318,937
China 4,848 0.3 106,348
Vietnam 4,813 5.0 246,568
Algeria 4,695 11.1 185,042
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Armenia 4,669 158.2 233,400
Ethiopia 4,452 4.1 287,184
Lithuania 4,440 158.5 288,747
Slovenia 4,433 213.3 260,867
Kenya 4,273 8.3 217,276
Zimbabwe 4,047 28.0 118,754
Dominican Republic 3,975 37.4 345,325
Oman 3,974 82.3 299,642
Libya 3,835 57.4 276,739
Venezuela 3,764 13.0 316,449
Cuba 3,757 33.1 491,904
Palestinian Territories 3,621 74.5 319,223
Belarus 3,572 37.8 457,422
Zambia 3,512 20.2 201,770
Namibia 3,244 132.5 121,817
Uganda 2,832 6.6 96,224
Sudan 2,803 6.7 37,532
El Salvador 2,769 43.1 90,129
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Latvia 2,561 132.8 139,814
Denmark 2,555 44.4 327,972
Albania 2,460 85.3 134,761
Kyrgyzstan 2,433 38.6 171,238
Kuwait 2,380 57.5 405,442
Kosovo 2,276 123.3 112,653
Nigeria 2,200 1.1 180,661
South Korea 2,144 4.2 220,182
United Arab Emirates 1,992 20.7 698,166
Botswana 1,973 87.5 136,758
Syria 1,930 11.4 26,205
Malawi 1,919 10.6 57,273
Mozambique 1,671 5.7 136,566
Cambodia 1,654 10.2 84,262
Montenegro 1,640 261.2 105,002
Senegal 1,554 9.8 69,576
Yemen 1,395 4.9 7,233
Bahrain 1,384 88.2 270,590
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Cameroon 1,338 5.3 82,454
Estonia 1,279 96.7 136,228
Jamaica 1,268 43.2 56,165
Trinidad and Tobago 1,159 83.4 41,207
Angola 1,070 3.5 44,174
DR Congo 1,050 1.2 52,432
Finland 997 18.1 115,305
Uzbekistan 964 3.0 141,158
Madagascar 950 3.6 42,795
Australia 949 3.8 38,165
Rwanda 930 7.6 78,303
Eswatini 905 79.6 34,585
Ghana 899 3.0 109,428
Mongolia 871 27.5 179,889
Somalia 870 5.8 16,195
Luxembourg 827 136.9 74,545
Taiwan 817 3.4 15,820
Norway 807 15.1 142,895
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Suriname 672 116.7 26,318
Mauritania 627 14.2 29,307
Qatar 601 21.6 228,543
Haiti 576 5.2 20,507
Guyana 569 73.0 23,244
Mali 534 2.8 14,669
Cyprus 454 52.5 107,887
Malta 429 97.7 35,091
Lesotho 391 18.5 13,862
Ivory Coast 354 1.4 51,926
Fiji 345 39.0 38,812
Belize 344 89.8 14,738
Bahamas 311 80.6 16,141
Réunion 298 33.8 43,835
Cape Verde 298 54.8 34,235
Guadeloupe 291 72.8 26,771
Guinea 271 2.2 27,507
Gambia 251 11.0 8,920
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Maldives 222 43.0 78,815
Nicaragua 197 3.0 10,251
French Guiana 196 69.3 31,439
Niger 196 0.9 5,716
Papua New Guinea 192 2.2 17,806
Martinique 184 49.0 27,883
French Polynesia 184 66.3 27,036
Congo 179 3.4 13,356
Mayotte 175 67.4 19,546
Chad 174 1.1 4,981
Burkina Faso 170 0.9 13,635
Gabon 165 7.8 25,529
Togo 163 2.1 17,434
Djibouti 156 16.3 11,672
Liberia 148 3.1 5,459
Comoros 147 17.7 4,035
Curaçao 132 81.1 14,396
Andorra 129 167.5 14,908
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Tajikistan 123 1.4 15,862
Equatorial Guinea 123 9.4 8,951
Sierra Leone 121 1.6 6,332
South Sudan 120 1.1 11,143
Aruba 115 108.6 12,929
Benin 113 1.0 9,065
Seychelles 98 100.9 18,895
Central African
Republic 98 2.1 11,195
Saint Lucia 95 52.2 6,112
Gibraltar 95 281.8 5,187
Channel Islands 92 54.0 9,815
San Marino 90 266.4 5,194
Guinea-Bissau 84 4.5 4,986
Liechtenstein 59 155.6 3,127
Tanzania 50 0.1 1,367
Barbados 48 16.7 4,509
Singapore 43 0.7 66,012
Antigua and Barbuda 43 44.7 1,372
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Saint Martin 39 104.7 3,128
Burundi 38 0.3 9,408
British Virgin Islands 37 124.2 2,552
Sao Tome and Principe 37 17.5 2,480
Eritrea 36 1.0 6,597
Isle of Man 36 42.8 5,787
Monaco 33 85.3 3,040
Bermuda 33 52.6 2,663
Iceland 30 8.9 9,246
Timor-Leste 29 2.3 11,870
New Zealand 26 0.5 2,915
Mauritius 21 1.7 5,349
Turks and Caicos
Islands 19 50.4 2,546
Diamond Princess
cruise ship 13 712
St Vincent and the
Grenadines 12 10.9 2,307
Laos 9 0.1 9,363
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Bhutan 3 0.4 2,553
Saint Kitts and Nevis 3 5.7 630
Brunei 3 0.7 543
Saint Barthelemy 2 20.4 1,336
Faroe Islands 2 4.1 987
Cayman Islands 2 3.1 651
MS Zaandam cruise
ship 2 9
Grenada 1 0.9 180
Montserrat 1 20.0 22
Vanuatu 1 0.3 4
Dominica 0 0.0 412
Greenland 0 0.0 221
New Caledonia 0 0.0 134
Anguilla 0 0.0 127
Falkland Islands 0 0.0 66
Saint Pierre and
Miquelon 0 0.0 30
Vatican 0 0.0 27
Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases
New Cases
0
10
100
1k
10k
**
Solomon Islands 0 0.0 20
Marshall Islands 0 0.0 4
Samoa 0 0.0 3
Kiribati 0 0.0 2
Micronesia 0 0.0 1
Palau 0 0.0 0
Show moreNote: The map, table and animated bar chart in this page use a different source for figures
for France and the UK from that used by Johns Hopkins University. US figures do not include Puerto
Rico, Guam or the US Virgin Islands.
Confirmed cases have been rising steeply since the middle of last year, but the true extent of the first outbreak in 2020 is unclear because testing was not then widely available. The 100 millionth Covid case was recorded at the end of January - about a year after the first officially diagnosed case of the virus.
Deaths have also been rising, however official figures may not fully reflect the true number in many countries. Data on excess deaths, a measure of how many more people are dying than would be expected based on the previous few years, may give a better indication of the actual numbers in many cases.
Who has vaccinated the most? Of the 197 countries and territories administering vaccines and publishing rollout data, 67 are high-income nations, 103 are middle-income and 26 low-income.
The map below, using figures collated by Our World in Data - a collaboration between Oxford University and an educational charity - shows the total number of doses given per 100 people, mostly first doses. Click or tap the map
Reset
Total doses per 100 people
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10
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table:
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
World 58.9 4,592,757,732
China 126.2 1,827,228,297
India 37.9 523,671,019
US 105.6 353,205,544
Brazil 74.2 157,673,092
Japan 84.7 107,081,571
Germany 115.0 96,346,292
UK 130.5 87,184,438
Turkey 96.6 81,436,011
Indonesia 28.9 79,054,211
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
France 116.5 78,742,767
Mexico 57.2 73,771,750
Italy 120.6 72,920,991
Russia 47.0 68,643,798
Spain 128.2 59,927,147
Canada 135.1 50,988,809
Pakistan 18.4 40,664,110
Argentina 79.1 35,762,492
Poland 93.0 35,189,762
Saudi Arabia 89.4 31,108,168
Colombia 60.2 30,639,657
South Korea 56.4 28,909,812
Morocco 73.0 26,952,946
Chile 137.5 26,285,490
Philippines 23.8 26,127,502
Malaysia 79.9 25,863,563
Thailand 31.9 22,288,819
Netherlands 123.0 21,074,075
Bangladesh 12.0 19,785,800
United Arab Emirates 174.8 17,288,318
Iran 19.3 16,213,714
Cambodia 93.3 15,598,293
Belgium 133.1 15,422,315
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Peru 46.0 15,169,927
Australia 56.8 14,476,323
Sri Lanka 64.3 13,765,238
Ecuador 75.7 13,351,482
Portugal 129.6 13,216,662
Vietnam 12.4 12,098,821
Israel 138.1 11,950,419
Sweden 112.1 11,323,130
Cuba 96.4 10,919,750
Greece 104.6 10,906,296
Czech Republic 101.2 10,833,001
Dominican Republic 97.3 10,554,023
Kazakhstan 55.9 10,503,374
Hungary 108.5 10,481,449
Austria 111.9 10,080,677
Romania 49.6 9,545,104
Taiwan 39.6 9,433,236
Switzerland 106.2 9,192,861
South Africa 15.5 9,185,756
Singapore 142.4 8,332,030
Uzbekistan 24.8 8,300,000
Denmark 136.7 7,918,713
Nepal 25.8 7,515,766
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Ukraine 16.0 7,008,448
Ireland 126.3 6,237,335
Finland 109.2 6,050,053
Norway 107.6 5,833,330
Egypt 5.6 5,750,549
Jordan 55.7 5,684,478
Serbia 82.4 5,609,331
Azerbaijan 55.3 5,607,591
Uruguay 142.8 4,960,796
El Salvador 76.3 4,950,992
Bolivia 41.8 4,879,099
Slovakia 80.2 4,376,694
Mongolia 128.7 4,217,855
Algeria 9.5 4,146,091
Qatar 140.2 4,038,555
Venezuela 14.1 4,000,000
Nigeria 1.9 3,967,013
Costa Rica 71.5 3,643,509
Myanmar 6.4 3,500,000
Tunisia 28.7 3,392,636
Panama 74.6 3,217,064
Croatia 76.7 3,148,900
Zimbabwe 20.3 3,017,341
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Guatemala 16.0 2,867,290
Lithuania 105.0 2,859,159
Honduras 27.5 2,725,871
Oman 52.0 2,656,658
Laos 35.4 2,574,278
Belarus 26.9 2,541,745
Bahrain 141.0 2,398,427
Kuwait 55.6 2,375,455
New Zealand 47.6 2,293,301
Ethiopia 2.0 2,291,339
Paraguay 31.0 2,214,138
Lebanon 31.7 2,165,637
Bulgaria 30.6 2,126,824
Iraq 5.2 2,102,550
Kenya 3.6 1,922,085
Afghanistan 4.6 1,809,517
Slovenia 86.0 1,786,842
Angola 5.2 1,695,588
Tajikistan 17.5 1,671,475
Latvia 74.7 1,408,097
Mozambique 4.4 1,386,326
Senegal 8.1 1,360,095
Mauritius 102.0 1,297,090
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Albania 44.5 1,280,239
Ghana 4.1 1,271,393
Ivory Coast 4.5 1,194,760
Estonia 89.7 1,190,099
Uganda 2.5 1,155,265
Moldova 27.6 1,111,680
Palestinian Territories 20.5 1,045,439
Cyprus 116.7 1,036,664
Bhutan 130.9 1,010,129
North Macedonia 47.2 982,645
Guinea 7.1 938,537
Nicaragua 13.9 919,275
Bosnia and Herzegovina 26.7 875,123
Rwanda 6.6 854,194
Sudan 1.9 823,881
Kyrgyzstan 12.4 805,952
Malta 176.8 780,770
Libya 11.1 764,233
Luxembourg 117.9 738,057
Georgia 17.9 715,919
Fiji 77.1 690,888
Trinidad and Tobago 49.2 687,944
Malawi 3.6 683,097
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Maldives 117.3 633,914
Zambia 2.8 514,455
Kosovo 26.1 504,817
Iceland 139.8 477,205
Togo 5.7 474,776
Timor-Leste 33.7 443,729
Niger 1.8 425,483
Guyana 52.9 416,087
Botswana 16.0 376,360
Jamaica 12.5 369,960
Cameroon 1.4 368,280
Syria 2.0 355,000
Montenegro 56.3 353,648
Equatorial Guinea 22.4 314,289
Yemen 1.0 311,483
Somalia 1.8 279,869
Suriname 45.5 266,669
Mali 1.3 259,719
Congo 4.6 255,988
Mauritania 5.2 242,626
Namibia 9.3 235,057
Sierra Leone 2.8 225,380
Cape Verde 36.8 204,780
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Belize 51.0 202,797
Madagascar 0.7 197,001
Armenia 6.6 194,902
Brunei 43.4 189,927
Comoros 21.7 188,875
Barbados 63.9 183,493
Eswatini 15.6 181,290
Jersey 142.6 144,126
Seychelles 143.8 141,435
Isle of Man 147.7 125,593
Gabon 5.4 120,627
Bahamas 28.1 110,443
Tanzania 0.2 105,745
Samoa 50.7 100,610
Papua New Guinea 1.1 100,409
Cayman Islands 150.7 99,065
Guernsey 143.7 96,382
Liberia 1.9 95,423
Central African Republic 2.0 95,282
DR Congo 0.096 86,244
Bermuda 133.2 82,976
Andorra 106.6 82,349
Gibraltar 233.1 78,535
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
Lesotho 3.4 72,948
Benin 0.6 70,323
Antigua and Barbuda 71.5 70,019
Faroe Islands 140.0 68,395
Greenland 116.8 66,285
Saint Lucia 32.2 59,051
South Sudan 0.5 56,989
Solomon Islands 8.2 56,621
Djibouti 5.4 53,064
Tonga 45.0 47,553
Turks and Caicos Islands 122.1 47,263
San Marino 135.7 46,057
Monaco 112.3 44,060
Sao Tome and Principe 20.1 43,978
Saint Kitts and Nevis 82.7 43,966
Gambia 1.8 43,557
Turkmenistan 0.7 41,993
Chad 0.2 40,649
Dominica 56.3 40,553
Liechtenstein 105.9 40,392
Grenada 34.5 38,872
Burkina Faso 0.2 38,405
Guinea-Bissau 1.5 30,471
Location Doses per 100 people Total doses
British Virgin Islands 95.2 28,777
St Vincent and the Grenadines 23.3 25,796
Vanuatu 7.8 23,995
Cook Islands 116.8 20,509
Anguilla 123.0 18,457
Haiti 0.1 15,454
Nauru 136.5 14,784
Kiribati 0 13,970
Saint Helena 130.0 7,892
Tuvalu 40.5 4,772
Falkland Islands 126.5 4,407
Montserrat 56.6 2,828
Niue 148.7 2,406
Tokelau 70.6 953
Pitcairn 176.6 83
British Indian Ocean Territory 0 0
Burundi 0 0
Eritrea 0 0
North Korea 0 0
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 0
Vatican 0 0
Show more
This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country. Total vaccinations refers to the number of doses given, not the number of
people vaccinated. It is possible to have more than 100 doses per 100 population as some vaccines require two doses per person.
Source: Our World in Data, ONS, gov.uk dashboardOverall, China and India have administered the highest number of doses, with more than 1.8 billion and 500 million respectively. The US ranks third, with more than 350 million.
But when breaking the figures down by doses per 100 people in countries with a population of at least one million, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Singapore top the list.
Most countries are prioritising the over-60s, health workers and people who are clinically vulnerable. Some countries have secured more vaccine doses than their populations need, while other lower-income countries are relying on a global plan known as Covax, which is seeking to ensure everyone in the world has access to a vaccine.
• How fast is vaccination progress around the world?
Where are cases still high? The number of daily cases is rising again in several regions. Asia Asia, which was the centre of the initial outbreak that spread from Wuhan in China in early 2020, has seen another recent rise in cases. That has been driven by a spike in infections in several countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. In India, where the number of new daily cases has fallen recently, the official death toll is 430,000 and it has recorded 32 million cases - second only to the US.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105
More Than 4.71 Billion Shots
Given: Covid-19 Tracker In the U.S., 356 million doses have been administered
Updated: August 16, 2021, 7:18 AM GMT+8
The biggest vaccination campaign in history is underway. More than 4.71 billion doses have been administered across 183 countries, according to data collected by Bloomberg. The latest rate was roughly 38.2 million doses a day.
In the U.S., 356 million doses have been given so far. In the last week, an average of 722,251 doses per day were administered.
World Map of Vaccinations
More than 4.71 billion doses have been administered—enough to fully vaccinate 30.7% of the
global population
• no data05153060%of population covered Note: “Population covered” divides the doses administered for each vaccine type by the number of doses required for full vaccination. Data gathered from government agencies, public
statements, Bloomberg interviews and the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins
University.
Enough doses have now been administered to fully vaccinate 30.7% of the global population—but the distribution has been lopsided. Countries and regions with the highest incomes are getting vaccinated more than 20 times faster than those with the lowest.
Note: Vaccine access calculations account for the number of doses needed for full protection;
some vaccines require a two-dose regimen while others require just a single dose. Countries and
regions are ordered by GDP per capita (PPP).
When will life return to normal?
While the best vaccines are highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death, it takes a coordinated campaign to stop a pandemic. Infectious-disease experts say that vaccinating 70% to 85% of the U.S. population would enable a return to normalcy.
On a global scale, that’s a daunting level of vaccination. At the current pace of 38.2 million a day, the goal of high levels of global immunity remains a long way off. Manufacturing capacity, however, is steadily increasing, and new vaccines by additional manufacturers are coming to market.
The Path to Immunity Around the World
Globally, the latest vaccination rate is 38,249,275 doses per day, on average. At this pace, it
will take another 6 months to cover 75% of the population.
Note: Immunity calculations take into account the number of doses required and the current
rate of administration for each vaccine type. The “daily rate estimate” is a seven-day trailing
average; interpolation is used for jurisdictions with infrequent updates. *Coverage may exceed
100% in some places, as shots may be administered to non-residents. Data are from
Bloomberg’s Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker.
‘Pandemic of the Unvaccinated’ Israel was first to show that vaccines were bending the curve of Covid infections. The country led the world in early vaccinations, and by February more than 84% of people ages 70 and older had received two doses. Covid cases declined rapidly, and a similar pattern of vaccination and recovery repeated across dozens of other countries.
This progress is under threat. New strains, led by the highly transmissible delta variant, have caused renewed outbreaks. It’s now a life-and-death contest between vaccine and virus. Unvaccinated people are more at risk than ever, leading U.S. health officials to dub it a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”
Even among those who are vaccinated, the delta variant may lead to mild cases, and those who get sick are able to spread the disease to others, according to the latest data. The vaccines remain effective at preventing hospitalization and death.
Vaccinations vs. Cases
Vaccines have helped reduce case numbers in the places where they’ve been deployed most widely. Currently, 26 places have administered enough shots to cover at least 60% of the
population. Show more
Note: Population coverage accounts for the number of doses required for each vaccine
administered. The daily rate is a 7-day average; for places that don’t report daily, the last-known
average rate is used.
U.S. Vaccinations: State by State
Roughly half of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated, and states are flush with supply. The vaccination campaign, however, has slowed. Once the envy of the world for its swift rollout, the U.S. has since been overtaken by dozens of countries. There are still wide gaps between the most and least vaccinated counties in the U.S., leaving many communities vulnerable to continued outbreaks.
Distribution in the U.S. is directed by the federal government. Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine, as well as Moderna’s shot both require two doses taken several weeks apart.
J&J’s inoculation requires just a single dose. Additional booster shots may be used to enhance protections over time.
So far, 198 million Americans have received at least one dose of a vaccine—76.8% of the adult population. At least 168 million people have completed a vaccination regimen. The U.S. is sending some of its excess supply to other hard-hit regions of the world.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/?srnd=premium-asia
Virtual checkups: The doctor will see
you now…online BYED UY
AUGUST 14, 2021
“DO you sleep on your side? That side where you have the rashes on your face?” Doc Claire asked me.
It was at that moment I realized why I’ve been sneezing just before bedtime, and why I would have these flare-ups the more our bedsheets and blankets smell nice.
“It’s the fabric conditioner!” I almost screamed. Or, in our case, our extreme overuse of fabcon.
I’ve had these problems even before the pandemic. Rashes would suddenly appear on my face and on my eyelids. I thought it was because I’ve had too much chicken or tuna, or maybe if I was too stressed. My skin would also flare up every time I commute, so it could also be pollution.
But there were times when I just couldn’t sleep because the flare-ups were so itchy—and just as I was about to raise my hand to my face, Doc Claire called out: “No don’t scratch it!” already anticipating what I was about to do.
“You better get yourself a stress ball,” she suggested.
I had my very first “teledermatology” appointment or “virtual checkup” last Saturday. Dr. Claire Habito was in Laguna while I was in Quezon City, but thanks to Zoom and fast PLDT Fibr, I was finally able to consult with a dermatologist about my problem. The rashes had been
getting bothersome, and as much as I wanted to have them checked-up, going to the hospital and the probability of taking home the virus wasn’t worth the risk.
My online checkup was done via Zoom, which coincidentally was also how I met Doc Claire. It was also during a Zoom event and she was recommended by my good friend Erica Brenz.
B.C. (or Before Covid), Doc Claire’s clinics were at the Los Baños Doctors Hospital and Asian Hospital. She has a special interest in supportive oncodermatology, an emerging field that deals
with skin, hair and nail side effects from cancer treatment. This led her to write the book Staying Beautiful and Hopeful: A Cancer Patient’s Skin Care Guide, and eventually create Skin Care for Hope, a new local skin-care brand that offers mild, safe and moisturizing skin-care products that are dermatologist-approved and specially formulated for sensitive skin.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/14/virtual-checkups-the-doctor-will-see-you-nowonline/
Cyberhackers sabotaging Manila's
vaccination program By Al Vitangcol 3rd
August 14, 2021
300
IT was reported on August 6 that the city of Manila's online portal for
Covid-19 vaccine registration had been "hacked" by unknown
individuals (or maybe even groups) by flooding their server with
millions of requests for registration.
Part of the report released by the information technology security
experts of Manila stated that it was "a very unusual scenario/occurrence,
especially as seen above, it's clearly bot-triggered. Based on our
experience, we highly suspect that whoever is doing this has a troll farm
generating machinery. We were able to locate and identify IP addresses
(below are the lists) where it was being generated and we've [sic] found
out that they are using ASN's [sic] via PLDT line."
The listed IP addresses are 203.160.161.54, 119.95.184.16,
136.158.59.61, 110.54.195.193 and 110.54.161.157.
Calls for investigation
Immediately after the announcement of the "hacking incident," calls for
an investigation arose. Others even suggested a "political backdrop"
behind the cyberattacks.
The following day, Renato Reyes Jr. of Bayan Muna posted this on his
Facebook account: "Marapat na imbestigahan ng NBI ang ginawang cyber
attack sa vaccination site ng Manila LGU lalo na't napakahalaga ng
pagbabakuna ngayon. Ang cyberattack ay naglalayong pabagsakin ang
site sa pamamagitan ng napakalaking volume ng mga page requests. Ang
atake sa vaccination site sa panahon ng pandemya ay isang napakalalang
krimen. Pwede nitong pagkaitan ng pagkakataon na makapag-rehistro
ang mga nais magpabakuna. Pwede nitong gawing magulo ang sistema
ng pagbabakuna. Hindi ito makakatulong (The NBI should investigate the
cyberattack on the vaccination site of Manila LGU considering that
vaccination is very important now. The main goal of the cyberattack is to
bring down the site by making huge volumes of page requests. The attack
on the vaccination site in these times of the pandemic is a grave crime.
This can deny the applicants the opportunity to register for vaccination.
This can even make the vaccination system confusing. It does not help in
any way)."
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/14/opinion/columns/cyberhackers-sabotaging-manilas-
vaccination-program/1810897
11.8 percent GDP growth—what it means By: Solita Collas-Monsod - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:06 AM August 14, 2021
Is the 11.8 percent growth of GDP in the second quarter of 2021 an indication that the Duterte
administration has managed the COVID-19 situation really well, and has achieved the correct balance between lives and livelihood? Because that’s what Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua would have us believe.
The late Paeng Salas, arguably responsible for Marcos breaking the tradition that no Philippine
president ever got reelected, would have called that “management by illusion,” referring to the way Marcos managed the country after he became dictator.
If you may remember, Reader, I have adverted to the GDP growth rate for the second quarter a couple
of times in my columns. And it definitely had to be large and positive. Was I prescient? Not at all. It would happen, as night follows day, courtesy of the “base effect.”
What is that? To illustrate. That 11.8 percent GDP growth rate was computed, as is any growth rate,
by subtracting from the GDP this period the GDP of last period, and then dividing by the GDP last
period—g or growth rate of GDP = (GDPt – GDPt-1) / GDPt-1)—multiplied by 100 to give you the
percentage.
The growth rate for the second quarter last year was particularly low because that GDP, instead of increasing, decreased by 17 percent. So the base became lower. Now comes this year’s second-
quarter GDP. Subtract from it a much lower number, and then divide the difference by the base. And
you get a very large growth rate. That’s the base effect. Which Secretary Chua essentially pooh-
poohed, in practically the first sentence of his presentation, just so he could sell his version of why the large growth rate is due to the administration’s efficiency and competence.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/143079/11-8-percent-gdp-growth-what-it-means
Urgent calls, reminders on int’l humanitarian law
AT GROUND LEVEL - Satur C. Ocampo (The Philippine Star ) - August 14, 2021 - 12:00am
It wasn’t surprising that President Duterte didn’t say a word about international humanitarian law on Aug. 12, the date observed worldwide as International Humanitarian Law Day, or IHL Day.
Malacañang left it to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to issue a brief message, echoing the President’s recurring rant: that “terrorists” have been hampering government’s efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic (widely criticized as inadequate). However, he said, the administration has adhered to IHL’s constant reminder on the government’s obligation “to protect our people at all times.”
IHL Day commemorates the signing of the four Geneva Conventions on Aug. 12, 1949, five years after the end of World War II. The Conventions embody a set of rules (constituting IHL) intended to limit the harsh effects of armed conflicts, protect civilians and persons who are no longer participating in hostilities (including the wounded and the sick) and restrict the means and methods of warfare.
They capped a historic protracted effort that began in 1864. As of last count, 196 countries have ratified the Conventions, including their two Protocols, adopted in 1977: Protocol I pertains to wars between or among nations; Protocol II concerns internal armed conflicts – such as the 50-year ongoing war in the Philippines.
As expected, the human rights alliance Karapatan, which has been documenting human rights violations related to the armed conflict, described as “pure hypocrisy” the Duterte government’s stance on IHL Day. The group accused the government of committing “some of the worst violations” of IHL, citing the following: targeting civilians, especially activists and human rights defenders, in its counterinsurgency campaign through killings, arbitrary arrests and red-tagging; forcibly displacing communities and “mercilessly killing sick and wounded combatants who are considered hors de combat and desecrating their bodies.”
As proof of the last accusation, Karapatan referred to the separate instances when the military “paraded on social media” the photos of the bloodied corpses of Rona Jane Manalo, Andrea Rosal and Juvilyn Cullamat and “cruelly making their families suffer” by refusing to immediately turn over to them their remains.
Also, Karapatan pointed to the killings, during night-time police-military operations, of NDFP peace consultants Julius Giron, Agaton Topacio, Eugenia Magpantay and Reynaldo Bocala, and NDFP Mindanao spokesperson Alvin Luque. “The narrative that these elderly, sickly and unarmed consultants engaged in a shootout [“nanlaban”] is simply unbelievable… These killings were clearly cold-blooded murders and violations of the rights of persons under IHL,” the group said.
On Aug. 11, in a solidarity statement with Karapatan, 11 human rights formations, civil society organizations and partners abroad called out the Duterte government to account for some 40 cases of extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders (HRDs), carried out in an 18-month period – from January 2020 to June 2021.
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/08/14/2119826/urgent-calls-reminders-intl-humanitarian-law
Malampaya battle rages PNOC-EC waived its right mainly due to its failure to secure banking support for the full amount.
Published 3 days ago on August 14, 2021 12:40 AM By TDT @tribunephl
At the time when the two oil giants Chevron and Pilipinas Shell were seeking to bail out from the Malampaya natural gas field, a lobby group that seems to mimic objectives voiced out by a legislator was moving in the background.
Natural gas, despite projections about Malampaya’s depletion by 2027, at least, will remain a lucrative project, mainly because of the power plants that it supplies that generate electricity for about 30 percent of the Luzon market.
In transactions worth more than $1 billion when completed, Udenna Corporation of Davao City businessman Dennis Uy gained majority 90 percent control of Malampaya by buying out at first Chevron, then Shell Petroleum Exploration (SPEX), which is the operator of the project.
State-owned Philippine National Oil Corporation-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) has the right of first refusal on the purchase of the SPEX shares as a 10 percent stake holder, which was not exercised since the government did not have enough time to secure the huge financing needed.
In the deal with SPEX, Udenna will shell out $380 million up front with additional payments of up to $80 million between 2022 and 2024.
PNOC-EC waived its right mainly due to its failure to secure banking support for the full amount.
A group representing an energy consortium then offered to raise the money that PNOC-EC needed that will place control to the government company.
Later on, the unnamed group will seek to assume the full advanced amount through a privatization process.
A source said the Department of Energy turned down the proposal when it was presented, due to the underhanded manner of the deal.
Curiously, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has been issuing statements that reflected what the lobbyists wanted as the legislator said the SPEX sale to Udenna was a “lost opportunity” for government.
“You’re already there. You’re part of the operational entity so it’s a good opportunity for PNOC-EC to really become a true oil and gas company, not just a paper holding company,” Gatchalian said.
He also pounded on the lack of technical capability of Udenna to run the massive project despite the assurance of the Udenna group that it will retain the full complement from SPEX, made up mostly of Filipinos who have been running the natural gas facility.
Now, Gatchalian is seeking government to refuse an extension of Service Contract 38 that covers Malampaya to pave the way for another bidding on the exploration and development of the offshore site.
“If ever government decides to get another operator, it has to bid it out because that’s the only way for us to get the best price and the best operator possible and for us to get the best option. So, my view here is that, after 2024, if government does decide to look for a new operator… or keep the existing operator, they have to bid it out,” Gatchalian said during a Management Association of Philippines online forum.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee panel, said once the contract expires, the project will “revert” to the government, and the public will, in turn, be entitled to the earnings from the gas field. In Gatchalian’s rationale, another bid is proper for an asset which already has a short lifespan unless further investments are made to search for more natural gas reserves.
Likely, pressure is being exerted to marginalize the project in favor of new developments that will use more of imported gas from the United States or Australia.
Either way, with the country veering away from dirty fuel, natural gas, imported or drawn from domestic sources, is a lucrative business and the current conflict on Malampaya reflects it.
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/14/malampaya-battle-rages/
Blitz
FIRST PERSON - Alex Magno (The Philippine Star ) - August 14, 2021 - 12:00am
The news breaking yesterday was that Taliban insurgents have rolled into Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second largest city. Kandahar is where the Taliban movement was born. It is also where Afghanistan’s international airport sits.
The news stokes images of Saigon hours before it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City and as Americans evacuated chaotically from the roof of their embassy. The world was treated to grainy images of North Vietnamese tanks rolling into the hapless city and helicopters being pushed off the sides of US Navy ships to accommodate more evacuees.
No one expected the Viet Cong to move so swiftly and so precisely. For years, thanks to American media, they were pictured as a ragtag band regularly decimated by US firepower. More bombs were dropped on the so-called Ho Chi Minh trail than were delivered all throughout the Second World War.
But here they were during that fateful day in 1975, marching triumphantly into Saigon. Their clandestine networks of supporters burst into the open and established effective control of the population.
We seem to be seeing a reenactment of this in Afghanistan the past few days.
The Taliban took over provincial capitals almost once a day. Cities were falling like dominos before the militant advance.
Among the latest to fall under Taliban control was the city of Ghazni that sits on the road from Kandahar to Kabul. That opens a highway for the Taliban to move swiftly from their southern strongholds and besiege the capital.
As this is being written, the Taliban controls over a third of provincial capitals along with about 200 districts. International security experts anticipate all of Afghanistan could fall under Taliban control in 60 days.
It could be less than that. The militants have apparently planned well for a blitz as soon as the US withdraws its troops. That blitz is now in progress.
When regimes collapse, they do so rapidly.
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/08/14/2119831/blitz
Amid US-China brinkmanship, have relations
reached the point of no return?
• There are three areas where unilateral action could trigger war – Taiwan, the East China Sea and South China Sea
• The danger in the South China Sea is that the red lines are ambiguous, leaving the US and China stuck in a circle of geopolitical and military gamesmanship When Julius Caesar’s army defied Roman senate orders and crossed the Rubicon river, it kicked off a
civil war. Some say
US-China relations have crossed their Rubicon and the two countries will spiral inexorably towards
kinetic conflict.
War may not be inevitable but it is increasingly likely. China and United States are on a collision course driven by competing ideologies, ambitions and visions of international order. Compromise and coexistence would require China to abandon some core interests or the US to accommodate some of them. Neither seems inclined to do so.
Both claim to not want conflict yet cannot agree on how to avoid it. They are stuck in a circle of geopolitical and military gamesmanship centring on the
South China Sea – with critical security implications for the region and beyond.
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3144683/amid-us-china-brinkmanship-have-
relations-reached-point-no-return