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 Probe of unpaid health sector benefits PDI A1 2 pushed

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 AFP -blooded M Bulletin 5 4 chief slams NPA for ‘cold murder’ of army peace officer in Capiz. 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 Urgent P Star 7 9 calls, reminders on int’l humanitarian law

I. ONLINE NEWS Title Link NATIONAL NEWS 5.8-magnitude quake rocks Batangas https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/14/5-7-magnitude- 10 — Phivolcs quake-rocks-batangas-phivolcs/ NAMRIA seeks safe open spaces for the https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150374 11 'Big One' Climate wake-up call https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/14/clim 12 ate-wake-up-call/ Business bucks ECQ extension, fears https://manilastandard.net/news/top- 13 health-livelihood crisis may worsen stories/362344/business-bucks-ecq-extension- fears-health-livelihood-crisis-may-worsen.html DTI chief: No ECQ extension talks yet https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/dti- 14 chief-no-ecq-extension-talks-yet/ Private schools to pursue online learning https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/priv 15 in face of Delta threat ate-schools-to-pursue-online-learning-in-face- of-delta-threat/ DOE urged: Ensure power supply during https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio 16 Malampaya shutdown n/799191/doe-urged-ensure-power-supply- during-malampaya-shutdown/story/ Rainy in Eastern Visayas due to LPA, fair https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473506/rainy-in- 17 weather in the rest of PH — Pagasa eastern-visayas-due-to-lpa-fair-weather-in-the- rest-of-ph-pagasa NAVY NEWS Lorenzana denies presence of Chinese https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio research ship at Scarborough Shoal n/799240/lorenzana-denies-presence-of- 18 chinese-research-ship-at-scarborough- shoal/story/ AFP RELATED Army, NPA clash in Isabela: 4 troopers https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/13/ar 19 hurt, rebel guns seized my-npa-clash-in-isabela-4-troopers-hurt-rebel- guns-seized/ Esperon backs calls for cancellation of https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/esperon-backs- 20 registration of Gabriela partylist calls-for-cancellation-of-registration-of- gabriela-partylist/ Groups admonish Makabayan Bloc to https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150416 21 drop politicking JTF-NCR, partners give 12K hot meals https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150315 22 to NCR residents AFP chief slams NPA for 'cold-blooded https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/afp-chief-slams- 23 murder' of Army peace officer in Capiz npa-over-killing-of-army-peace-officer-in-capiz/ Eleazar: Security forces doubling effort https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/13/latest- 24 to prevent local terror groups stories/eleazar-security-forces-doubling-effort- to-prevent-local-terror-groups/1810859 INDO-PACIFIC NEWS ILO report - PHL workers suffered https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/phl- 25 largest work-hour losses in SEA in workers-suffered-largest-work-hour-losses-in- pandemic sea-in-pandemic-ilo-report/ Communist China Continues Illegal https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17619/china 26 Actions in the South China Sea -illegal-actions-south-china-sea Quad meet explores collaboration in https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def supply chains, critical tech & counter- ence/quad-meet-explores-collaboration-in- 27 terror supply-chains-critical-tech-counter- terror/articleshow/85280120.cms Top US, South Korean trade officials https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/to 28 discuss supply chain resiliency -USTR p-us-south-korean-trade-officials-discuss- supply-chain-resiliency-ustr-2109836 Democracy summit invitation to Taiwan https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/a 29 ‘risks crisis in China-US ties’ rticle/3144998/biden-democracy-summit- invitation-taiwan-risks-crisis-china-us China firmly rejects U.S. approval of http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0813/c90000- 30 Taiwan related bill: spokesperson 9883634.html China's new US envoy stresses https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china- 31 importance of Taiwan in first high-level new-ambassador-us-taiwan-diplomacy- meeting 2110371 China's fury at Lithuania over Taiwan, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/chinas-fury- warns country to 'pay the price for its evil at-lithuania-over-taiwan-warns-country-to-pay- 32 deed' the-price-for-its-evil- deed/OLJBKOG6ZALVMJIHRC24LKFAFM/ China preparing to recognize Taliban if https://asiapost.live/china-preparing-to- 33 Kabul falls ( recognize-taliban-if-kabul-falls-report/ China should pressure Taliban in two https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/a 34 ways, Afghanistan’s envoy says rticle/3144974/china-should-pressure-taliban- 2-ways-afghanistans-envoy-says Opposed to 'any force' using terrorism to https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def seek 'geopolitical gains': China on ence/opposed-to-any-force-using-terrorism-to- 35 Pakistan's bus blast probe seek-geopolitical-gains-china-on-pakistans- bus-blast-probe/articleshow/85294781.cms China rejects need for further WHO https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/china-rejects- 36 coronavirus origins probe need-for-further-who-coronavirus-origins- probe/ Xi Jinping’s new rules reshape China’s https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/artic 37 Communist Party decision-making le/3144798/xi-jinpings-new-rules-reshape- chinas-communist-party-decision Shanghai Bans English Exams Amid https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/exams- 38 Calls For Less English Teaching 08122021132625.html Two Chinese activists sentenced to 15 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/artic 39 months’ jail for archiving censored le/3144913/two-chinese-activists-sentenced- internet material 15-months-jail-archiving Researchers Spot Deep Fake Profile https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/fake- 40 Photos Linked to Pro-China Twitter 08122021090719.html Accounts First Hong Kong election under https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hong- 41 revamped system to be largely kong-election-patriots-uncontested-2110831 uncontested https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/12/hong- 42 Hong Kong’s Liberties Are Dying but Business Lives On kong-liberties-business-hub/ Hongkongers think twice as Malaysia https://www.scmp.com/week- changes rules for wealthy migrants asia/economics/article/3144929/hongkongers- 43 think-twice-malaysia-changes-migration-rules- amid China not ASEAN top investor, but https://www.scmp.com/week- 44 ’s fears over its influence persist: study asia/politics/article/3144996/china-not- southeast-asias-top-investor-fears-over-its- economic The Quest for Strategic Balance and https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/the-quest-for- 45 South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Conundrum strategic-balance-and-south-koreas-indo- pacific-conundrum/ Thai protesters spar with police in march https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailan 46 on PM Prayut's residence d-bangkok-protests-police-prayut-2111146 More Than 80 Civilians Killed by https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/kille 47 Myanmar Forces in Sagaing Township d-08122021182107.html Malaysian PM Muhyiddin seeks https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malays 48 bipartisan support for upcoming ia-muhyiddin-confidence-motion-bipartisan- confidence motion in parliament general-election-2111121 Opposition accuse Malaysian leader of https://www.scmp.com/week- 49 ‘corruption’ after unity plea asia/politics/article/3144991/malaysias- political-crisis-facing-no-confidence-vote-defeat Malaysia’s political crisis: calls to replace https://www.scmp.com/week- PM Muhyiddin with Anwar as no- asia/politics/article/3144916/malaysias- 50 confidence vote looms political-crisis-calls-replace-pm-muhyiddin- anwar-no Australia faces a contested region https://www.9dashline.com/article/australia- 51 faces-a-contested-region Australia chides China over journalist’s https://www.news10.com/news/international/au 52 yearlong detention stralia-chides-china-over-journalists-yearlong- detention/ Pakistan's foreign minister blames https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/12/asia/china- 53 Afghanistan and India for suicide attack pakistan-india-afghanistan-intl-hnk/index.html on Chinese workers Mango diplomacy is more than low- https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the- 54 hanging fruit in South Asian politics interpreter/mango-diplomacy-more-low- hanging-fruit-south-asian-politics https://asiapost.live/kandahars-fall-signals- 55 Kandahar’s fall signals America’s stark failure in Afghanistan americas-stark-failure-in-afghanistan/ Twelve nations decide not to recognise https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def 56 any Afghan government imposed by ence/twelve-nations-decide-not-to-recognise- force any-afghan-government-imposed-by- force/articleshow/85297836.cms DEFENSE NEWS Lorenzana: Chinese research ship https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/13/lore 57 didn’t enter EEZ nzana-chinese-research-ship-didnt-enter-eez/ Facebook, Amazon seek US approval https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united- 58 for undersea cable after China Mobile’s states-canada/article/3145025/facebook- exit amazon-seek-us-approval-undersea-cable DHS warns of newly active al Qaeda https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/a 59 ahead of 9/11 anniversary ug/13/dhs-warns-newly-active-al-qaeda-ahead- 911-annivers/ Biden Should Provide Afghans Support https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/mcconn 60 to Stop Taliban from Conquering Kabul ell-biden-should-provide-afghans-support-to- stop-taliban-from-conquering-kabul/ US to reduce Kabul embassy to core https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us- 61 staff, add 3,000 troops to help reduce-kabul-embassy-core-staff-add-3000- troops-help-2109406 First U.S. troops arrive in Afghanistan to https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/a 62 aid evacuation as Taliban advance ug/13/first-us-troops-arrive-afghanistan-aid- evacuation-/ U.S. Embassy staff in Afghanistan https://www.deseret.com/u-s- 63 destroy computers as Taliban nears world/2021/8/13/22623313/afghanistan-taliban- Kabul taking-over-capitals-kabul-us-troops-will-deploy U.S. Pacific air exercises bolster https://ipdefenseforum.com/2021/08/u-s-pacific- 64 lethality, resilience, partnership air-exercises-bolster-lethality-resilience- partnership/ There will always be one problem with https://www.businessinsider.com/size-of-us-air- 65 the US Air Force's B-2 bomber fleet force-b2-bomber-fleet-is-problem-2021-8 How the U.S. military plans to replace https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/13/how-the-us- 66 the iconic Humvee on future frontlines military-plans-to-replace-the-iconic- humvee.html US Office of Naval Research Starting https://www.defensedaily.com/onr-starting-new- 67 New Project To Detect Magnetic project-to-detect-magnetic-influence- Influence Mines mines/navy-usmc/ US Marine Corps to fire ship-sinking https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your- marine-corps/2021/08/13/corps-to-fire-ship- 68 missile in Pacific as ‘demonstration of force sinking-missile-in-pacific-as-demonstration-of- force/ US Strategic Command Boss https://www.thedrive.com/the-war- Encourages People To Keep Looking zone/41974/strategic-command-boss-wants- 69 For More Chinese Missile Silos more-open-source-intel-sleuthing-on-chinas- nuclear-expansion China, Russia pose strategic https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets/news/c 70 challenges for U.S., admiral says hina-russia-pose-strategic-challenges-for-us- admiral-says China building third missile field for https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/a 71 hundreds of new ICBMs ug/12/china-engaged-breathtaking-nuclear- breakout-us-str/ China at UN: U.S. the biggest threat to http://en.people.cn/n3/2021/0813/c90000- 72 peace, stability in South China Sea 9883628.html How Xi looks to the Communist Party to https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/articl 73 plug cybersecurity gaps e/3144958/how-xi-jinping-looks-communist- party-plug-cybersecurity-gaps Newly revised regulations on Chinese http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2021- 74 naval vessels come into force 08/12/content_10074915.htm New sea trials for the second Type 075 https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/nav LHD of Chinese Navy al-news/naval-news- 75 archive/2021/august/10563-new-sea-trials-for- the-second-type-075-lhd-of-chinese-navy.html PLA Navy sends teams to IAG 2021 in https://asiapost.live/pla-navy-sends-teams-to- 76 Russia iag-2021-in-russia/ China, Russia joint drills conclude with https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/12314 77 live-fire anti-terrorism operation 27.shtml featuring J-20 China-Russia military drill makes room https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/a 78 for combined force against US rticle/3145010/china-russia-military-drill-makes- room-combined-force-against British submarines patrolled the East https://defenceview.in/british-submarines- 79 China Sea, China preparing to hunt patrolled-the-east-china-sea-china-preparing- to-hunt/ Long-Range Conventional Precision https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/long-range- 80 Strike: Taiwan’s Post-Nuclear Deterrent conventional-precision-strike-taiwans-post- nuclear-deterrent/ Japan to revise 5-year defence plan https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east- 81 ahead of schedule, eyeing China ( asia/article/3145022/japan-revise-5-year- defence-plan-ahead-schedule-eyeing-china South Korea Navy Launches First 3000- https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30223/Sout 82 ton Class Daewoo-made Submarine h_Korea_Launches_First_3000_ton_Class_Da ewoo_made_Submarine South Korea’s new sub brings North https://www.scmp.com/week- 83 Korean, Chinese bases within range asia/politics/article/3144978/south-koreas-new- submarine-brings-north-korean-chinese-bases South Korea's Moon orders https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/south- 84 investigation into navy sexual korea-navy-sexual-abuse-investigation- harassment claims 2110561 4 dead as Malaysian serviceman opens https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysi 85 fire at air force base in Sarawak a-air-force-servicemen-shot-dead-sarawak- 2110531 Are local companies being shut out of https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/are-local- 86 US defence construction in Australia’s companies-being-shut-out-of-us-defence- north? construction-in-australias-north/ Indi https://defenceview.in/indias-first-homemade- 87 a’s First Homemade Aircraft Carrier Passes Its First Big Test aircraft-carrier-passes-its-first-big-test/ Lays keel for the first Indian Anti https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/nav Submarine Warfare Shallow Water al-news/naval-news- 88 Craft archive/2021/august/10562-lays-keel-for-the-

first-indian-anti-submarine-warfare-shallow- water-craft.html -1A to take first https://defenceview.in/indias-lca-tejas-mk-1a-to- 89 India’s LCA Tejas Mk flight by March 2022 take-first-flight-by-march-2022/ Russian defence minister praises https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def cooperation with China at joint ence/russian-defence-minister-praises- 90 wargames cooperation-with-china-at-joint- wargames/articleshow/85300183.cms Russia Developing New Heavy Combat https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/08/13/ru 91 Drone ssia-new-combat-drone/ Kabul Seeks Combat Helicopters from https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30224/Kab 92 Russia ul_Seeks_Combat_Helicopters_from_Russia Taliban captures key city of Kandahar, https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/13/asia/afghani 93 as it pushes towards Afghanistan's stan-kandahar-falls-taliban-intl-hnk/index.html capital Taliban captures hundreds of US https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/08/pics- 94 military vehicles, drones to keep taking videos-taliban-captures-hundreds-of-us- over Afghanistan military-vehicles-drones-to-keep-taking-over- afghanistan/ Afghanistan Is a Failure of Military https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/08/13/afghan 95 Intelligence—and Common Sense istan-failure-intelligence-common-sense/ Cybercrime is Dangerous, But a New https://www.justsecurity.org/77756/cybercrime- 96 UN Treaty Could Be Worse for Rights is-dangerous-but-a-new-un-treaty-could-be- worse-for-rights/ How I Failed My Afghan Comrades https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2021/08/ho 97 w-i-failed-my-afghan-comrades/184494/ Foreign-sponsored Disinformation https://defense.info/featured- 98 Campaigns story/2021/08/foreign-sponsored- disinformation-campaigns/ Climate Change and Defence: Are we https://wavellroom.com/2021/08/13/climate- 99 ready for its impact? change-and-defence-are-we-ready-for-its- impact/ What Does National Security Mean in a https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/what-does- 100 +2 Celsius World national-security-mean-in-a-2-celsius-world/ COVID NEWS Cases of Delta variant rising outside https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473414/delta- 101 NCR cases-rising-outside-ncr Hospitals near full capacity’ https://manilastandard.net/news/top- 102 stories/362346/-hospitals-near-full-capacity- .html DOH reiterates COVID-19 booster https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/doh-reiterates- 103 shots not yet recommended ( covid-19-booster-shots-not-yet-recommended/ At least half a million doses of Astra, https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/13/at- 104 Sputnik Covid vaccines land at Naia least-half-a-million-doses-of-astra-sputnik- covid-vaccines-land-at-naia/ Philippine medical workers under strain https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippi 105 as COVID-19 cases jump nes-medical-workers-strain-covid-19-cases- rise-delta-variant-2111231 Covid Lab-Leak Revelation: WHO https://www.ibtimes.com/covid-lab-leak- 106 Expert Says China Pressure Led To His revelation-who-expert-says-china-pressure-led- Team's 'Extremely Unlikely' Finding his-teams-extremely-3273155 US: Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for https://apnews.com/article/science-health- 107 those with weak immune systems coronavirus-pandemic- 283298fb55b0556dbd9e45a62b782095 Olympics now ended, Japan races to https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo- vaccinate as virus surges olympics-sports-lifestyle-japan-coronavirus- 108 pandemic- 8b48db716e4c0cdd132822a19ef7b112 What you need to know about the https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare- 109 coronavirus right now pharmaceuticals/what-you-need-know-about- coronavirus-right-now-2021-03-02/ Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020- 110 Across the World coronavirus-cases-world- map/?srnd=coronavirus Covid map: Where are cases the https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105 111 highest? Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid- 112 vaccine-tracker-global- distribution/?srnd=premium-asia

J. OPINION/EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY Title Link 113 Virtual checkups: The doctor will see you https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/14/virtu now…online al-checkups-the-doctor-will-see-you- nowonline/ 114 Cyberhackers sabotaging Manila's https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/14/opinio vaccination program n/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 https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/08/14/2 humanitarian law 119826/urgent-calls-reminders-intl- humanitarian-law 117 Malampaya battle rages https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/14/ma lampaya-battle-rages/ 118 Blitz https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/08/14/2 119831/blitz 119 Amid US-China brinkmanship, have https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article relations reached the point of no return? /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. 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 “Sa Eastern Visayas, may pag-ulan at pagkidlat said Pagasa weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin. pagkulog,”

(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 sea waters as the rest of the country is expected to have a slight to moderate sea condition with 0.6 country’s 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.

Northern Luzon Command has reported that the said vessel has not been spotted near Bajo de “Contrary to some published reports regarding the Chinese Research Vessel Hai Da Hao, the AFP

BasedMasinloc on asthe alleged,” verification he said. 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.

Huidong Xian,

“In addition, CRV Hai Da Hao is currently monitored at 30 nautical miles south of OnHuizhou Thursday, Shi, China,” Lorenzana he added. 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 challenge Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. d China’s legal basis for its expansive claim before the Permanent assertions. The Philippines won the case in a landmark award in 2016 after the tribunal invalidated Beijing’s China has since rejected the ruling, saying its claims have a historical basis and are — DVM, GMA News https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/799240/lorenzana-denies-presence-“indisputable.” 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

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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) BookmarkShare 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 for , a move widely seen as an attempt to counter Beijing’s influence. “Summit Democracy” 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) BookmarkShare 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 calls 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) BookmarkShare 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.- Statement Republic of Korea (ROK) Leaders’ Joint

states that the two countries “share a vision of a region governed by -ROK relationship extends far democratic norms, human rights and the rule of law at home and abroad.” In particular, by stating that “the significance of U.S. geographical scope, role, and agenda of the South Korea-U.S. alliance to regional beyond the Korean Peninsula,” the two leaders agreed to expand the 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 -Pacific agenda vis-à-vis China, such as human rights issues, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and so on, Seoul has taken great care the Biden administration’s Indo U.S.-Japan from the Biden-Suga summit last April. by not specifically mentioning “China,” which is quite a contrast to the https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/the-quest-for-strategic-balance-and-south-koreas-indo-pacific- conundrum/Leaders’ Joint Statement

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) BookmarkShare 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 -party hopping Bill would be introduced in the parliament. the prime minister’s position to just two terms, as well as an anti 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. more effective check-and-balance role through their involvement in these “The number of select committees can also be increased to ensure all MPs play a committees.” -and-balance role of parliament, 50 per cent of parliamentary select committees will be chaired by government MPs and 50 per cent “As recognition of the check personnel support and remuneration for the chairs of all select committees. by opposition MPs,” he said, adding that the government would provide additional 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

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 allianceMalaysia’s 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. detention on Aug. justice,Foreign procedural Minister Marise fairness Payne and used humane the firsttreatment anniversary to be met, of Cheng in accordance Lei’s with 13 to tell China that Australia expected “basic standards of international norms.” detention and welfa Payne“The Australian said in a statement. government remains seriously concerned about Ms. Cheng’s re and has regularly raised these issues at senior levels,”

“We are particularly concerned that one year into her detention, there remains a lackIn February, of transparency China formally about the arrested reasons the for 46-year-old Ms. Cheng’s journalist detention,” for sheCGTN, added. 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 ruling Communist Party. highly unusual for an employee of a media outlet tightly controlled by China’s

Australian city of Melbourne. Cheng’s two children, aged 10 and 12, live with their grandmother in the The National Press Clubs of the United States and Australia as well as the calling for her immediate release. reporter’s former CGTN colleagues and friends have recently written open letters 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:

humiliating.“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 with Islamic extremists to spare our Embassy as they prepare to overrun Kabul. Absurdly, naively, our government is “The Biden Administration has reduced U.S. officials international to pleading reputation, as if radical terrorists are anxious about their P.R. arguing that bloodshed might hurt the Taliban’s They want military victory and bloody retribution. President Biden and his team have a proud superpower trying to fight atrocities“The Taliban and doesn’t war crimes believe with in plaintivea political tweets. settlement. significant military victory. The latest news of a further drawdown at our Embassy and a hasty“Unless deployment President Bidenof military adjusts forces course seem quickly, like preparations the Taliban isfor on the track fall ofto Kabul.secure Presidenta sequel to the humiliating fall of Saigon in 1975. Biden’s decisions have us hurtling toward an even worse more support to Afghan forces, starting with close air support beyond August 31st. Without it,“Here’s al Qaeda what and should the Taliban happen may now. celebrate President the Biden 20th should anniversary immediately of the September commit to providing 11 attacks by burning down our Embassy in Kabul.

da return, it will resonate throughout the global jihadist movement. It will replay what happened when the last Democratic“If we let the president Taliban dominate let ISIS claim Afghanistan much of andIraq al and Qae Syria for a caliphate and a wave of global terrorism was unleashed. tegy has turned an imperfect but stable situation into a major embarrassment and a global emergency in a matter of weeks. President Biden is finding “Presidentthat the quickest Biden’s way stra to end a war is to lose it. The costs and ramifications will echo across

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/mcconnell-biden-should-provide-afghathe world.” ns-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 decadeslong resistance seems to be prevailing. — — the Taliban’s 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 second and third largest municipalities, The New York Times reported. On Friday, the Taliban had overrun the Helmand Province capital of Laskar— the Gah.country’s

• They are now in control of more than half of Afgh capitals, according to the Times. anistan’s 34 provincial are in combat with Taliban fighters about 50 miles from the city, The Associated PressKabul, reported. the nation’s capital, is not yet under Taliban siege, but government forces

• 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, 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 cybersecurityBeijing’s concerns back in 2017.The document, which required all party officials to adhere to President

Xi 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.Jinping’s

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

The“surgical development strikes” against of the Dosan Pyongyang. 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) BookmarkShare 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.

limate Change (IPCC) released its latest summary report. As expected, the report is not exactly suffused with This week, the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on C 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 national interest while the ground shifts under its feet? question: How should a country’s leadership think about continuing to secure its 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

Institute of Health, authorities said on Thursday. from the University of the Philippines’ Philippine Genome Center and National 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 ADVERTISEMENT 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.”

ADVERTISEMENT “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.

ADVERTISEMENT “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) BookmarkShare 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:

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 9,698 291.8 206,835 Herzegovina

Saudi Arabia 8,311 24.7 531,935

Honduras 8,310 86.7 312,192 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 New Cases

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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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 98 2.1 11,195 Republic

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 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 19 50.4 2,546 Islands

Diamond Princess 13 712 cruise ship

St Vincent and the 12 10.9 2,307 Grenadines

Laos 9 0.1 9,363 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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 2 9 ship

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 0 0.0 30 Miquelon

Vatican 0 0.0 27 New Cases

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Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases **

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

No data 0 10 20 30 40 50+ Scroll table Filter 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 data051530 60%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 betweenwould have lives us and believe. livelihood? Because that’s what Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua

The late Paeng Salas, arguably responsible for Marcos breaking the tradition that no Philippine president ever

Marcos managedgot the reelected, country would after he have became called dictator. that “management by illusion,” referring to the way

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 - quarterincreasing, GDP. decreased Subtract byfrom 17 itpercent. a much So lower the basenumber, became and lower.then d ivideNow thecomes difference this year’s by thesecond base. And you get a very large g - poohed, in practicallyrowth the first rate. sentence That’s theof his base presentat effect. Whichion, just Secretary so he could Chua sell essentially his version pooh 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 civil war. Some say When Julius Caesar’s army defied Roman senate orders and crossed the Rubicon river, it kicked off a 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