ANONYMOUS - OUR VOICE

US, Japan Covid Aid Aims To Counter China Influence In Indo-Pacific: Taiwan

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="US, Japan Covid Aid Aims To Counter China Influence In Indo-Pacific: Taiwan" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-08/0hfj07kg_taiwan-flag_625x300_28_August_20.jpg" title="US, Japan Covid Aid Aims To Counter China Influence In Indo-Pacific: Taiwan" /></div>
China which considers Taiwan its own territory (Representational)
</div>
Taipei:
The United States and Japan COVID-19 vaccine support to Taiwan is intended as a countermeasure to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan News reported, citing a political scientist.
As Taiwan faces a spike in COVID-19 cases, US and Japan have stepped forward and provided vaccines against the infection to the island. The move has irked China which considers Taiwan its own territory.
Japan's donation of over 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan last week was followed by a visit by three American senators who announced that the US has pledged 750,000 vaccines to the country as part of its program to distribute unused vaccines worldwide.
While the relief was interpreted by some as reciprocating Taiwan's assistance to the two countries in the past, the moves also demonstrate Washington and Tokyo's determination to check Chinese political manoeuvring aimed at sowing discord in Taiwanese society, said Lin Wen-cheng, distinguished professor at National Sun Yat-sen University's Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies (ICAPS).
ICAPS professor Kuo Yu-jen reckoned that the speedy assistance from the US and Japan suggests the two nations are including Taiwan in their collaborative strategy toward China.
Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades.
Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing. China has threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war.
A US delegation travelled to Taiwan to announce the donation of 750,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses.
Reacting to the visit, the Chinese defence ministry on Tuesday said the trip had seriously damaged the foundation of China-US ties and the stability of the Taiwan Strait, calling it "extremely irresponsible", South China Morning Post had reported.
"If anyone dares to separate Taiwan from mainland China, the People's Liberation Army will hit back and be determined to protect national unity and territorial integrity at all costs," ministry spokesman Wu Qian had said in a statement.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-japan-covid-19-vaccine-support-to-taiwan-intend-to-counter-chinas-growing-influence-in-indo-pacific-2459510">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-japan-covid-19-vaccine-support-to-taiwan-intend-to-counter-chinas-growing-influence-in-indo-pacific-2459510</a>

news world US, Japan Covid Aid Aims To Counter China Influence In Indo-Pacific: Taiwan

China which considers Taiwan its own territory (Representational) Taipei: The United States and Japan COVID-19 vaccine support to Taiwa...

Canada PM Justin Trudeau Calls Killing Of Muslim Family "Terrorist Attack"

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Canada PM Justin Trudeau Calls Killing Of Muslim Family 'Terrorist Attack'" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-12/74dtqims_justin-trudeau-afp_625x300_05_December_20.jpg" title="Canada PM Justin Trudeau Calls Killing Of Muslim Family 'Terrorist Attack'" /></div>
Justin Trudeau said the murder was motivated by hatred (File)
</div>
Toronto:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday labeled the killing of four members of a Muslim family, who were run down by a man driving a pick-up truck, as a "terrorist attack," which he said was carried out with "Islamophobic" intensions.
"This killing was no accident. This was a terrorist attack, motivated by hatred, in the heart of one of our communities," Trudeau said during a speech at the House of Commons.
Those killed, who were struck as they walked together along a sidewalk, represent three generations of the same family, according to a statement issued by their relatives.
The husband and wife, plus their teenage daughter and the man's mother were killed when a black pick-up truck mounted the curb and struck them at an intersection in the city of London in Canada's central Ontario province. The driver of the truck was arrested.
The couple's nine-year-old son was hospitalized following the attack but is recovering, the statement said.
"We all hope the little boy can recover from his injuries quickly, even though we know he will live a long time with the sadness, incomprehension and anger caused by this cowardly Islamophobic attack," Mr Trudeau said, briefly switching to French.
The victims have been identified as Madiha Salman, age 44, who had done post-graduate work in the field of civil and environmental engineering at Western University in London, as well as her husband, Salman Afzaal age 46. Their 15-year-old daughter, Yumna Salman, was also killed as well as Afzaal's mother, age 74. The family is of Pakistani origin.
London police said Monday the suspect had deliberately attacked a Muslim family with his pick-up in a premeditated and planned act, motivated by hatred.
The 20-year-old suspect, arrested shortly after the attack, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, while several leaders of the Muslim community have called on the courts to deem the episode a terrorist attack.
Among them is the Muslim Association of Canada, which asked authorities to "prosecute this horrific attack as an act of hate and terrorism."
The suspect, identified as Nathaniel Veltman, who was wearing a vest "like body armor," was arrested at a mall seven kilometers (four miles) from the intersection where the attack happened, said Detective Superintendent Paul Waight.
The episode brought back painful memories of a Quebec City mosque mass shooting in January 2017 that left six dead and a driving rampage in Toronto that killed 10 people in April 2018, among other attacks.
"They were all targeted because of their Muslim faith," Trudeau said, promising to step up the country's fight against far-right racist groups. "This is happening here, in Canada. And it has to stop."
Party leaders in the House of Commons condemned the violence as an act of "Islamophobia," which have multiplied in recent years in the country long known for its tolerance.
"The reality is our Canada is a place of racism of violence, of genocide of indigenous people, and our counties, a place where Muslims aren't safe, they aren't," said Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democrats.
Flower bouquets and toys have been placed at the scene of the attack and a vigil in memory of the victims is set to take place later Tuesday at a mosque, with Trudeau and Singh plus the leader of the conservative opposition, Erin O'Toole, among those who plan to attend.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/canada-pm-justin-trudeau-calls-killing-of-muslim-family-terrorist-attack-2459501">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/canada-pm-justin-trudeau-calls-killing-of-muslim-family-terrorist-attack-2459501</a>

news world Canada PM Justin Trudeau Calls Killing Of Muslim Family "Terrorist Attack"

Justin Trudeau said the murder was motivated by hatred (File) Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday labeled the ki...

US' Washington State Offers Free Marijuana To Encourage Covid Vaccination

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="US' Washington State Offers Free Marijuana To Encourage Covid Vaccination" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-06/vgdaudqs_vaccine-generic-reuters_625x300_01_June_21.jpg" title="US' Washington State Offers Free Marijuana To Encourage Covid Vaccination" /></div>
"Joints for jabs" are being offered in US' Washington state. (Representational)
</div>
Los Angeles, United States:
The US state of Washington is offering "joints for jabs," in the latest innovative bid to get more Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 as inoculation rates continue to slow.
Cannabis dispensaries in the northwestern state -- where recreational marijuana sales were legalized in 2012 -- will be allowed to offer one free, pre-rolled joint to anyone aged 21 or above who gets vaccinated at an in-store clinic.
The move follows a decision last month to allow bars and other liquor licensees to provide one free alcoholic drink to adults in Washington state who receive their jabs within a six-week "window."
Just over half of Washington state adults (54 percent) have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine so far, according to recent health department figures.
But the pace of inoculations has slowed down across much of the country in recent weeks, leading to a flurry of measures to encourage more uptake.
Several states including California and Ohio have operated vaccine "lotteries" offering cash prizes or college scholarships to randomly selected vaccine recipients.
Other inducements have included free sports tickets, airline flights and beers, while an Arizona cannabis dispensary has already experimented with giving free products to those receiving jabs.
Washington state's temporary "joints for jabs" exemption -- which was requested by cannabis retailers, with participation optional for each vendor -- will run until July 12.
President Joe Biden has set a target of getting at least one vaccine shot into the arms of 70 percent of American adults by July 4 -- the nation's Independence Day.
According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the current figure stands at 63.7 percent.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-washington-state-offers-free-marijuana-to-encourage-covid-vaccination-2459499">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-washington-state-offers-free-marijuana-to-encourage-covid-vaccination-2459499</a>

news world US' Washington State Offers Free Marijuana To Encourage Covid Vaccination

"Joints for jabs" are being offered in US' Washington state. (Representational) Los Angeles, United States: The US state ...

Missile Must Have Downed Flight MH17: Judges

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Missile Must Have Downed Flight MH17: Judges" src="https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2015-10/mh-17_650x400_61444754661.jpg" title="Missile Must Have Downed Flight MH17: Judges" /></div>
The jet was travelling from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport to Kuala Lumpur (file)
</div>
Dutch judges said Tuesday that the investigation into the crash of flight MH17 over war-torn Ukraine in 2014 showed that a Russian-made BUK missile must have been responsible.
Judges in the trial of three Russians and a Ukrainian over the disaster which killed all 298 people on board the Malaysia Airlines plane started formally setting out the evidence this week.
Fragments analysed at the scene "correspond to a BUK missile" and the investigation showed that "there are no other possible conclusions", presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis said.
The judges also showed a video showing a plume of white smoke rising to the sky from a field near Pervomaiskyi in eastern Ukraine at the time the Boeing 777 plane came down.
One witness said they had seen a missile "flying for 20 seconds before exploding next to the cockpit of an airliner", the judges said.
The jet was travelling from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in part of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian rebels.
An international investigation previously concluded that a BUK missile that had originally come from the Russian army's 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade based in the city of Kursk was responsible.
Defence lawyers and Russian officials have sought to argue that there were other possibilities including that the plane was shot down by a fighter jet operated by Ukraine.
All four suspects are accused of being key figures among the separatist rebels battling Kiev.
Judges said on Monday the court would this week look at evidence addressing three key questions: whether the plane was shot down by a BUK; the location the missile was fired from; and the role of the four suspects in the crash.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/missile-must-have-downed-flight-mh17-judges-2459498">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/missile-must-have-downed-flight-mh17-judges-2459498</a>

news world Missile Must Have Downed Flight MH17: Judges

The jet was travelling from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport to Kuala Lumpur (file) Dutch judges said Tuesday that the investigation int...

UK Cop Admits Rape, Kidnap Of Missing London Woman

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="UK Cop Admits Rape, Kidnap Of Missing London Woman" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2020-07/dnqlij9_uk-police_625x300_17_July_20.jpg" title="UK Cop Admits Rape, Kidnap Of Missing London Woman" /></div>
A British police officer on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard.
</div>
London, United Kingdom:
A British police officer on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of a woman whose disappearance as she walked home sparked outrage and a national debate about women's safety.
Wayne Couzens, 48, who served in the Metropolitan Police's elite diplomatic protection unit, also accepted responsibility for the killing of Sarah Everard.
But he was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of murder when he appeared at London's Old Bailey court, as medical reports were awaited.
Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, went missing in Clapham, south London, on March 3.
Her disappearance led to vigils and protests and prompted the government to promise enhanced police patrols at night, as well as funding to make the streets safer for women.
Couzens was wearing khaki trousers and a grey sweatshirt as he appeared by video link from Belmarsh high-security prison in southwest London, where he is being held on remand.
He responded "guilty, sir" to the charge of kidnapping Everard "unlawfully and by force or fraud" on March 3 and also pleaded guilty to a second charge of rape between March 2 and 10.
Everard's family sat in the court as Couzens entered his pleas.
Everard had been visiting friends in the Clapham area and was returning to her home in nearby Brixton when she disappeared.
Her body was discovered a week later in woods some 80 kilometres (50 miles) away in Kent, southeast England.
The Metropolitan Police said last week that a post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as "compression of the neck".
The next hearing is due to take place on July 9. A provisional trial date has been set for October.
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sarah-everard-murder-uk-cop-wayne-couzens-admits-rape-kidnap-of-missing-london-woman-2459493">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sarah-everard-murder-uk-cop-wayne-couzens-admits-rape-kidnap-of-missing-london-woman-2459493</a>

news world UK Cop Admits Rape, Kidnap Of Missing London Woman

A British police officer on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard. London, United Kingdom: A British police of...

China To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine To Children As Young As Three

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="China To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine To Children As Young As Three" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-06/vgdaudqs_vaccine-generic-reuters_625x300_01_June_21.jpg" title="China To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine To Children As Young As Three" /></div>
A spokesperson for Sinovac said its vaccine had been approved for use on children. (Representational)
</div>
Beijing, China:
China has approved the emergency use of a Covid-19 vaccine for those as young as three, the drugmaker confirmed Tuesday, making it the first country to offer jabs to young children.
Since the coronavirus first emerged in central China, Beijing has mostly managed to bring the country's outbreak under control, and has administered over 777 million vaccine doses after a sluggish start.
A spokesperson for Sinovac told AFP its vaccine had been approved for use on children.
"In recent days, the Sinovac vaccine was approved for emergency use in three- to 17-year-olds," the spokesperson said.
But he did not confirm when the young children would be able to start receiving the shots, saying the schedule for the rollout will be decided by the National Health Commission "according to China's current epidemic prevention and control needs and vaccine supply".
The company has completed early phase trials of the vaccine in children and adolescents, with results to be published shortly in the Lancet scientific journal, the spokesperson added.
State broadcaster CCTV reported over the weekend that an unnamed official in the State Council's epidemic response task force had said vaccines had been approved for children, and "the safety and effectiveness" had been proven.
A spokesperson for China's other major vaccine, Sinopharm, said that experts had demonstrated the effectiveness of its vaccine in children, but didn't confirm whether it had been approved for use.
Chinese officials have said they are aiming to inoculate 70 percent of the population of 1.41 billion by the end of this year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved both the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines for emergency use in adults aged 18 and older, and both jabs are being administered in several countries around the world.
While the WHO does not currently recommend vaccinating children against coronavirus, the United States, Britain, Singapore and the European Union have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for those as young as 12.
China reported 33 new Covid-19 cases Tuesday, including 19 in southern Guangdong province where authorities have been battling a local outbreak.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-to-offer-covid-19-vaccine-to-children-as-young-as-three-2459041">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-to-offer-covid-19-vaccine-to-children-as-young-as-three-2459041</a>

news world China To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine To Children As Young As Three

A spokesperson for Sinovac said its vaccine had been approved for use on children. (Representational) Beijing, China: China has approve...