Saturday, 5 December 2020
OSLO, DEC 2020 - According to a new study from the Norwegian Corona Monitor, six out of ten Norwegians want to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
A total of 12% are against taking the vaccine when it arrives, while every fourth Norwegian is unsure.
The data was revealed in a survey from Opinion, where 8,500 Norwegians have been asked if they would take a vaccine against the coronavirus when it arrives.
The proportion of those who do not want to get vaccinated has fallen by 4% since November, while the proportion of those in favor increased by 3%.
Safety first
“The fact that an approved vaccine is only weeks away makes Norwegians more willing to take it. But the ‘alpha and omega’ is that it is safe,” senior adviser Nora Clausen at Opinion noted.
The first vaccine approval may come around New Year. Thus, it will be available in Norway shortly after.
“1.2 million Norwegians can get the vaccine in the first period, i.e., around 70% of everyone in the risk group and personnel who work with vulnerable groups,” Minister of Health Bent Høie (H) said at the government’s press conference on Friday.
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COURTESY NORWAY TODAY
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- The Covax programme led by WHO is pooling funds from wealthier countries to distribute vaccines to poorer ones.
Luxury brand Gucci, owned by French group Kering, will give at least $500,000 to UNICEF to help supply and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable people around the world, it said on Friday.
In addition to the $500,000 donation, Gucci said it would match money raised for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) by up to $100,000, and invited its followers to donate through the platform gucci.benevity.org/community between Dec. 5 and 26.
The U.N. agency is raising funds for COVAX, a programme, led by the World Health Organization and the GAVI vaccine group, to pool funds from wealthier countries and non-profit organisations to buy and distribute vaccines to poorer countries. COVAX has so far raised $2 billion.
Gucci’s cash will fund activities such as the supply of test kits to curb community transmission, cold chain equipment to keep doses of vaccines effective and the transport of vaccines.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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Friday, 4 December 2020
Kuwait's foreign minister said on Friday that progress had been made towards ending a Gulf row that has seen Saudi Arabia and its allies boycott Qatar for over three years while his Qatari counterpart voiced optimism a resolution could be reached.
The United States and Kuwait have worked to end the dispute after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in mid-2017. Washington says it wants a united Gulf front against Iran.
“Fruitful discussion has taken place recently in which all sides expressed their keenness for Gulf and Arab unity and stability, and to reach a final agreement that realises lasting solidarity,” Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah said in a statement read out on Kuwait TV.
He also lauded recent efforts by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, who held talks in Doha on Wednesday following a visit to Saudi Arabia.
A Gulf source familiar with the matter told Reuters it was significant that all parties had agreed to move forward with discussions.
Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in a Twitter post welcomed the Kuwaiti statement as “an imperative step” towards resolving the rift.
He had said earlier on Friday that there has been movement but that he could not predict whether a breakthrough was imminent or would fully resolve the matter.
“We are hopeful that things will move in the right direction right now. We cannot predict whether it will be imminent or resolve the issue in one day”, he told the “Mediterranean Dialogues” online conference, speaking by videolink.
'Significant process'
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said a resolution to a bitter dispute with Qatar seemed “within reach” after Kuwait announced progress towards ending a row that Washington says hampers a united Gulf front against Iran.
“We have made significant progress in the last few days thanks to the continuing efforts of Kuwait but also thanks to strong support from [US] President [Donald] Trump,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told a Rome conference via videolink.
“We hope this progress can lead to a final agreement which looks within reach and I can say I am somewhat optimistic that we are close to finalising an agreement between all the nations in the dispute.”
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed understandings in the Gulf, after Kuwait's foreign minister said progress was made towards ending a three-year row that has seen Saudi Arabia and its allies boycott Qatar.
“We welcome understandings in the Persian Gulf announced by Kuwait,” tweeted Zarif, whose country has good ties with Qatar. “We hope reconciliation contributes to stability and political and economic development for all peoples of our region.”
The other four nations accuse Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar, which hosts the region's largest US military base, denies the charges and says the boycott aims to undermine its sovereignty.
Washington has been pushing the countries to reopen Gulf airspace for Qatari aircraft as a first step to ending the crisis, diplomats and sources have said.
Asked if a resolution would be bilateral or include all the Gulf states, the Qatari minister said it should be “holistic” and based on mutual respect.
“No country is in a position to impose any demands on another country, whether from Qatar or from the quartet [...] Each country should decide its foreign policy,” he added.
The four countries had set out 13 demands for Qatar, from closing Al Jazeera television and shuttering a Turkish base to cutting links to the Muslim Brotherhood and downgrading ties with Iran, which shares a giant gas field with Qatar.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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KARACHI, DEC 4 – The great project of CPEC will not only change the destiny of Pakistan but will also make China and Pakistan economic tigers in the world. The special interest, diligence, and love of the Chinese government, investors, and businessmen for strengthening Pakistan, economically will never be forgotten by the businessmen and people of Pakistan.
FPCCI will continue to play its role in the special interest of Chinese investors in Pakistan, strengthening relations and friendship with Pakistani businessmen and increasing trade volume between the two countries.
FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar expressed his views while talking to a delegation of a Chinese company who came to meet him at the FPCCI Capital Office Islamabad. FPCCI Capital Office Coordinator Mirza Abdul Rehman, former Vice President Qurban Ali and General Body Member Zain Ali and others were also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, Zukai, chief executive of Chinese company Kai Jing and Mawin Jun, said while thanking FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar and others, that to protect the people of both the countries from the Corona pandemic, our company in collaboration with Pakistani companies has created a modern kit for quick and accurate diagnosis of Corona which gives 95% result in 55 minutes. With it, we will also test within Chinese and Pakistani partner companies operating in Pakistan.
Pakistan is the top priority of Chinese traders. Pakistani businessmen and institutions also provide full support to Chinese businessmen. We never feel like we are in another country but we feel Pakistan our home.
Mian Anjum Nisar, President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry while speaking to the Chinese delegation on the occasion said that we are happy that the same love is felt by the Chinese people and businessmen for Pakistan as the love, people and businessmen of Pakistan have for China. He also appreciated the initiative of COVID-19’s advanced testing kit. He said that the businessmen of both countries are playing a vital role in strengthening trade and diplomatic relations.
Mian Anjum Nisar, President FPCCI further said, The CPEC project is a great blessing that will not only change the destiny of Pakistan but will also benefit other neighboring countries including China.
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Wellington, DEC 4 - The Pakistan cricket team have had their exemption to train during managed isolation in Christchurch withdrawn due to several members of the squad testing positive for the novel coronavirus, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said on Friday.
Eight members of the 53-strong Pakistan squad have tested positive for the virus since arriving in New Zealand.
“I have very carefully considered this situation,” Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said in a statement. “At this time, I continue to have ongoing concerns about the risk of cross-infection within the squad.
“There have been a number of active cases identified among the team. Public health considerations will continue to be foremost in our response to COVID-19, whether this involves individuals or teams.
“We appreciate the challenges that this decision will have for the touring team.”
Under the exemption the squad would have been allowed to train in small groups from the fourth day of their mandatory 14-day isolation until they were released next week.
The initial positive tests that were discovered upon their arrival, however, prompted Bloomfield to temporarily suspend the exemption until the Health Ministry completes an investigation.
The squad were also warned for breaching bio-security regulations last week.
Pakistan were scheduled to have a four-day game starting on Dec. 10 against New Zealand ‘A’ upon their release from isolation, but opted instead to play a series of intra-squad matches, New Zealand Cricket said on Thursday.
The tourists are due to play three Twenty20 internationals and two tests from Dec. 18, while a Pakistan ‘A’ tour will also be held concurrently.
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A yellow fever outbreak in Nigeria has killed 172 people so far, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Friday. The outbreak poses an extra challenge to the country’s health system as Africa’s most populous nation deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, several concurrent disease outbreaks and a humanitarian crisis in the northeast, the WHO said.
Nigeria has been battling successive yellow fever outbreaks since 2017. This latest outbreak was detected in November, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.
“As of November 24, the outbreak has been reported in five states in Nigeria: Delta, Enugu, Bauchi, Benue and Ebonyi,” he said.
“A total of 530 suspected cases have been reported, including 48 that have been confirmed by lab testing.
“A total of 172 deaths have been reported out of those 530 suspected cases.”
He said sample testing was ongoing through national reference laboratories.
The spokesman said Nigerian national and state authorities were focused on the Covid-19 pandemic response, limiting the human resources required to conduct investigations and response activities for the yellow fever outbreaks.
Capacity has been increased in certain hospitals to help manage patients who develop yellow fever symptoms and complications.
Currently, 16 of Nigeria’s 36 states and the federal capital territory have completed vaccination campaigns.
Six more are expected to do so in the first quarter of 2021, with a further six set to do so by the end of next year, bringing the total to 28, the WHO said.
The percentage of people immunised against yellow fever remains low in many parts of Africa, even though the vaccine is nearly 100 per cent effective and relatively cheap.
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, which is largely transmitted in urban settings by mosquitoes.
Nigeria, like the rest of Africa, has so far been spared the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic but authorities are wary of a fresh wave.
So far, more than 68,300 cases of Covid-19 have been registered, and 1,179 deaths.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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ISLAMABAD, DEC 4 – Pakistan categorically rejected incorrect and misleading assertions made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding the legal proceedings currently taking place in the case of Indian Naval Commander Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav.
It is evident that by casting aspersions on the Indian High Commission’s own legal Counsel, the Indian government is looking for an escape from the legal proceedings in Commander Jadhav case.
The Government of India is reminded that in pursuance of the judgment of International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pakistan had invited the Indian High Commission to meet with Commander Jadhav and appoint a lawyer on his behalf so that proceedings to review and reconsider Commander Jadhav’s conviction could commence. However, during the course of diplomatic exchanges, the Indian High Commission refused to instruct a lawyer itself, as in their view this would amount to a waiver of India’s sovereign immunity. Resultantly, the government of Pakistan was constrained to initiate proceedings for appointment of a state counsel for Commander Jadhav.
During the course of the proceedings, to show the discrepancy in the Indian position,the Attorney-General for Pakistan cited the case of Mr. Muhammad Ismail, an Indian national currently in custody in Pakistan, where the Indian High Commission had instructed Mr. Noon as its lawyer.
Contrary to the false statement by the MEA, no attempt was made to link the cases of Commander Jadhav with another Indian prisoner Ismail. The two cases are and remain entirely distinct. Reference to the case of Mr. Ismail was only for purpose of showing the discrepancy and inconsistency in the Indian position.
It is reiterated that in line with the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pakistan has already provided consular access to the Indian High Commission twice and has taken all necessary steps for effective review and reconsideration in the case.The offer of a third consular access is still there.
The Indian side is once again urged to desist from the use of its usual diversionary and dilatory tactics and instead take practical steps so that legal proceedings could be duly concluded and full effect could be given to the judgment of ICJ.
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There will be no lockdown after this weekend’s parliamentary elections, prime minister Ludovic Orban told television station Romania TV, explaining that the economy can’t afford it.
“I guarantee [you] 100% there will be no lockdown. Romania can’t afford it; we can’t afford it from the point of view of the economy, from the point of view of the upcoming period. It will not happen. So, if anyone claims this, I say it is folly; it is actually a campaign lie meant to weaken the support for the [National Liberal Party] PNL. The president also said it very clearly: this is not on the table. Shutting down the economic activity is out of the question,” Orban said.
He also said that, over the past few days, the number of people recovering from Covid-19 exceeded that of the infected ones.
“For the past seven-eight days, we have seen a downward trend, and, what is more, in the past five days out of seven, the number of those recovering exceeded that of those infected. It is true that fewer tests were carried out because of the public holidays, and not all testing centers were open, but the testing activity restarts today under normal conditions, depending on the testing requests,” the PM said.
Romania reported 4,916 coronavirus cases on December 2 and a share of positive tests of 31.3%. Less than 17,000 daily tests were carried out between November 29 and December 2, when Romanians had a long, ‘bridge’ weekend because of two public holidays: St. Andrew on November 30 and the National Day on December 1. Fewer tests are usually carried out over the weekends as well.
The authorities introduced additional restrictions starting November 9. Schools and kindergartens are closed throughout the country and masks are mandatory in all public spaces, indoor and outdoor. People’s movement is restricted during the night (23:00 to 5:00) with some exceptions, while shops and large stores close at 21:00.
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ROMANIA-INSIDER
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ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday termed the Pakistan Citizen Portal as the “first step on the journey to people’s empowerment”.
While addressing a ceremony on the second anniversary of the portal, which was launched in 2018 with the aim to “timely address the problems of the people and get their feedback”, the premier said that three million people had used it to register their complaints and each ministry and government department had been given a breakdown of their performance.
The premier said that in the Western countries, citizens were empowered and expected the government to serve them since they pay taxes. In democratic societies, Prime Minister Imran said, those in government had no choice but to listen to the masses because they need votes.
“In Pakistan too, there is some change because of elections. [But] our government [should] listen to the masses and work for them and should not feel that it’s doing them a favour, because its the duty to serve the people,” he said.
He noted that municipal services were not being provided in the country which reflected that the local government system was not functioning properly.
The premier said that the government was introducing a new local bodies system, adding that a “revolution will come after the local bodies elections”. The new local government system will be implemented at a village level, where people will be able to elect their representatives who will directly receive funds every year.
“It would be the best way to solve their municipal and problems [on a] local government level, like pollution, waste management, sewerage etc. Across the world, these issues are resolved by the local government,” he told participants of the ceremony.
In major cities like Karachi and Lahore, elections will be held and a city government will be formed that will take care of issues being faced by the residents, including water, sanitation, waste management etc.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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ISLAMABAD: On December 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has announced to award the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2020 to Ms. Wada Akiko, President of Rumbur Development Welfare & Conservation Society in recognition of her significant contribution towards the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan. Ms. Wada is a Japanese national and resides in the KP province of Pakistan.
Every year, the Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas. The Commendations also aim to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for the activities of the recipients.
Ms. Wada Akiko, President of Rumbur Development Welfare and Conservation Society, has worked selflessly and with full dedication for the welfare of Kalasha people in the KP province, and has been cooperating with the local people to improve their living environment and to preserve their traditional culture for more than 30 years.
She also contributed to the development of hygienic facilities to live and the provision of education opportunity for children, and also cooperated in the energy supply improvement project in Rumbur financed by the Japanese Government.
This year, the Commendations will be awarded to 172 individuals and 65 groups (20 individuals and 11 groups reside in Japan, and 152 individuals and 54 groups reside overseas).
Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, congratulated Ms. Wada upon her nomination for the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for FY2020. “Heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Wada.
This prestigious Commendation is the acknowledgement of her efforts and dedication towards the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan,” said the Ambassador. He also deeply appreciated the services rendered by Ms. Wada for the welfare and betterment of the Kalasha people in the KP province.
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COURTESY DNA NEWS
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OSLO – In a new report, PST states that Russia and China are spying on the Norwegian oil sector. At the same time, Russia believes PST is engaged in “primitive propaganda.”
“Russian, Chinese, and other countries’ intelligence services gather information about the Norwegian petroleum sector,” the Police Security Service (PST) stated in a report dated November 5, which was published on the agency’s website on Thursday.
Newspaper Dagens Næringsliv was the first to report on the information.
“NTNU and Sintef could be targets”
PST believes that, in addition to the Norwegian authorities, targets include public and private companies, technology environments at universities, and research institutes.
Sintef and NTNU are mentioned as examples of research environments that could be intelligence targets.
PST also points out that parts of petroleum technology “have a multi-use potential in military purposes, and part of the petroleum technology can also be used in the development of renewable energy.”
The security agency also believes that people who work or have a connection to the petroleum sector, and people who work with oil and gas policy, are exposed to potential recruitment from foreign countries’ intelligence sources.
In August, a Norwegian citizen employed by DNV GL was arrested for revealing state secrets to Russia.
“Primitive propaganda”
“There is nothing new in PST statements about “Russian threats” to the petroleum sector. It is only general speculation.
“The special service has been engaged in primitive propaganda for several years, intimidating Norway’s population, looking for enemies where they do not exist,” the Russian embassy wrote in a statement to Dagens Næringsliv (DN).
They believe that Norway should think about facilitating more cooperation “instead of demonizing Russia.”
The Chinese embassy has not responded to the newspaper’s inquiry.
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