Friday, April 1, 2022

New covi strain XE, N95 masks ineffective, Under quarantine in trains

 Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

News on disease control, CCP, U.S., Ukraine, Russia

News (1)

CCP virus mutates again, new strain XE found in UK

Reporter : Li Jinfeng / Editor: Li Quan / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/04/01/a103388913.html

Image : Video Screenshot


Since the end of 2019, the CCP virus (covi; originally Wuhan virus, scientific name SARS-CoV-2) spread from mainland China to the world, and it has undergone many variants. According to the latest news, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that a new mutant strain, named XE, is a recombinant variant of two sub-strains of the covi variant Omicron.

The official website of the British government announced on 25 March 2022 that some recombinant mutant strains were found in the UK by the UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA).

News (2)

New recombinants XD, XE and XF detected

According to the news, the new recombinants are XF, XE and XD. Among them, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta variant (Covi72) and Omicron variant (Covi29) BA.1, and XE is a recombinant of Covi29 BA.1 and BA.2.

Recombinant variants occur when a person is infected with two or more variants at the same time, the report said.

Thirty-eight cases of XF have been identified in the UK; no XD has been identified but 49 cases of XD have been reported in global databases, mostly in France.

News (3)

XE first detected on 19 January 2022 in the UK, its transmission rate is 9.8% higher than BA.2

There have been 637 cases of XE in the UK, with the earliest detection date of 19 January 2022.

Experts say that XE's early growth rate is not significantly different from BA.2, but from the latest data as of March 16, XE's growth rate/spread rate is 9.8% higher than BA.2 but there is no evidence that XE is more severe in terms of disease severity, and no other properties of XE have been identified.

Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health and Safety Authority, said that to date, several variants have been identified, and it is not uncommon for variants to have recombinant variants in circulation. Most will die out relatively quickly.

Hopkins said, "This particular recombinant variant, XE, shows variable growth rates but it is uncertain whether it has true growth potential. So far, there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about infectious, conclusions on severity or vaccine effectiveness."

News (4)

WHO: Dangers posed by mixed strains should not be estimated

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that European countries should not underestimate the dangers posed by mixed strains.

Since covi spread from Wuhan, China in 2019, there have been many variants but the most prevalent around the world are Covi72 and Covi29. Other variants such as Deltacron (Delta and Omicron combined), Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.

Covi72 has high viral load, strong transmission ability, fast transmission speed, and higher pathogenicity. Compared to other mutated strains before, Covi29 is more contagious. The strain Covi29 BA.2 strain is even faster than the original Omicron strain BA.1.

News (5)

Canadian experts: Lack of evidence for masks to prevent virus transmission

Reporters : Tang Yun and Annie / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/03/31/a103388670.html

Image : Web Screenshot

A hearing in Alberta, Canada, turned into a forum on whether masks can reduce the spread of covi. Come hear what the expert witnesses have to say.

A chiropractor in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has been charged for failing to comply with a mask order. The chiropractor's lawyer called on 4 expert witnesses.

According to court testimony released, Alberta respiratory specialist Bao Dang believes that masks do not prevent the spread of covi. In his expert testimony last November, he said that the diameter of covi is 0.1 microns but N95 masks can only "block 95% of particles above 0.3 microns."

He cited the conclusion of two academic papers: there is no evidence that doctors wearing masks during surgery help prevent infection; in settings where social distancing and other public health mandates are required, wearing surgical masks did not reduce the rate of covi infection.

Byram Bridle, professor of viral immunology at the University of Guelph, testified in January. He believes that most people touch masks too much with their hands, and therefore increasing the chance of spreading the virus.

News (6)

China's high-speed train conductor infected with the virus, the train stopped midway, and people were quarantined

Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor: Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/04/01/a103388887.html

Image : On 11 January 2011, two high-speed trains were parked at Chongqing Railway Station. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)


A few days ago, a conductor of China's high-speed railway was tested positive. The train was stopped in Loudi City, Hunan Province, and the trip was interrupted. The relevant personnel were isolated on the spot.

According to a CCTV news report, at about 4 pm on 30 March 2022, the epidemic prevention and control headquarters of Loudi City, Hunan Province received a notification from the railway department that Tang, the conductor of the high-speed rail G2190 (from Chengdu East to Shanghai Hongqiao), tested positive for nucleic acid.

The train was asked to immediately interrupt its journey and stop at Loudi South Station, where all close contacts were isolated. In the future, the railway department will go through the procedures for changing or refunding the stranded passengers.

Under the CCP's extreme epidemic prevention measures, Chinese people are full of risks when going out. Similar to the above-mentioned trains that were suddenly stopped on the way, there have been many incidents of passengers being quarantined.

On 28 October 2021, two high-speed trains bound for Beijing were suddenly stopped because the flight attendants were found to be close contacts of confirmed cases, and the entire train was forcibly quarantined on the spot.

According to the news released by the official website of Jinan Health Commission, at 3.20 pm that day, it received a report from the Jinan Railway Department that a crew member on the G14 train was a close contact, and the train was asked to stop at Jinan West Station immediately. , all 212 crew members and passengers were transferred to a centralized isolation point for mandatory isolation.

In the afternoon of the same day, on the G108 high-speed train from Jiaxing to Beijing, a crew member was also found to be a close contact. The train was stopped at Cangzhou West Station in Henan, and all 134 people in the train were quarantined.

The news that the two high-speed trains were quarantined in the middle of the road caused heated discussions on the Internet. Some netizens said: "This epidemic is endless, dare not sit in the car, and the door does not dare to open. When will it be a head!"

Some netizens also sighed, "It's too exaggerated? It's just a close connection, not a diagnosis, and more than 200 people are imprisoned? Just don't go out."

Some netizens complained, "I'm really fed up, maybe someday everyone who is sitting will be arrested and quarantined immediately, alas, when will the epidemic be over?"


News (7)

Pompeo is active or may run in 2024 presidential election

Image : Video Screenshot

According to NBC, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is actively preparing for the 2024 presidential election.

The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) said in a report on Wednesday (30 March 2022) that former Secretary of State Pompeo is actively preparing to participate in the 2024 presidential election. If former President Trump continues to run, he will strive to become Trump's election campaign mate. Pompeo could run for the presidency directly if Trump does not run in the 2024 election.

Trump has said Pompeo was one of the few cabinet members whom he favours, a person familiar with Trump's remarks said. It also hints that Pompeo may have a chance to become a running mate with Trump. Pompeo himself has said many times that he misses every minute of the Trump administration.

After Trump stepped down as president, Pompeo did not stop there but continued to create opportunities for himself to participate in politics. In June 2021, Pompeo announced the creation of the Advocate American Values ​​Political Action Committee (CAVPAC), which has raised more than $4 million to help Republicans regain the majority of seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, state governorships, and control of state legislatures. 



News (8)

All Russian soldiers driven out, Ukraine in control of Chernobyl

Russian troops left the heavily contaminated Chernobyl nuclear site early Friday (1 April 2022) after returning control to the Ukrainians, authorities said, as eastern parts of the country were braced for renewed attacks and Russians blocked another aid mission to the besieged port city of Mariupol.

Ukraine’s state power company, Energoatom, said the pull-out at Chernobyl came after soldiers received “significant doses” of radiation from digging trenches in the forest in the exclusion zone around the closed plant, although there was no independent confirmation of that.

The exchange of control happened amid growing indications the Kremlin is using talk of de-escalation in Ukraine as cover to regroup, resupply its forces and redeploy them for a stepped-up offensive in the eastern part of the country.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed by Ukraine that the Russian forces at the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster had transferred control of it in writing to the Ukrainians.

The last Russian troops left Chernobyl early Friday, the Ukrainian government agency responsible for the exclusion zone said.

Energoatom gave no details on the condition of the soldiers it said were exposed to radiation and did not say how many were affected.

There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin, and the IAEA said it had not been able to confirm the reports of Russian troops receiving high doses.

Russian forces seized the Chernobyl site in the opening stages of the invasion, raising fears that they would cause damage or disruption that could spread radiation.

The workforce at the site oversees the safe storage of spent fuel rods and the concrete-entombed ruins of the reactor that exploded in 1986.

Russian soldiers were evacuated due to radiation infection from Chernobyl nuclear plant

According to foreign media reports, the Russian army began to withdraw from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and the troops were transferred to Belarus. In addition, it was reported that the Russian soldiers may have been contaminated by radiation and were evacuated urgently. Western intelligence found that the morale of the Russian army on the front line was low, and soldiers disobeyed one after another. The staff around Putin also did not tell him the truth of the war for fear of saying the wrong thing.
Image : It was rumoured that Russian soldiers were quickly evacuated from radiation infection, Russian troops began to evacuate Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. Photo / Retrieved from Twitter @nexta_tv
The missile was aimed and launched, the Ukrainian air defense system was tragically destroyed, and the Russian military locked military equipment and continued to bomb.
Even the Ukrainian S-300 surface-to-air missiles were left with only charred fragments.
Chechen leader Kadyrov said, "We will not compromise, if you think Putin will never end, you are wrong!"
The Chechen leader said that the peace talks are useless at all, and he believes that the fight should continue. However, Western intelligence shows that the Russian soldiers who worked hard on the Ukrainian front line are now demoralized and underarmed, and they will not be able to fight for a long time.
CNN anchor Don Lemon reported, "British intelligence chief claims that some Russian soldiers refused to obey orders and even accidentally shot down their own military aircraft."
According to the latest news, some Russian troops, without protective equipment, had symptoms of radiation pollution after passing through the "Red Forest" in the high radiation area, and they have been evacuated urgently. The Russian troops have also begun to evacuate the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
In addition, U.S. intelligence found that Putin may be deceived by his staff. From the actual situation of the war to the impact of international sanctions, no one told him honestly.
Russian opposition leader Kasparov said, "After 22 years in power, how could one of his men dare to tell him bad news and make him angry?"
The Russian opposition believes that intelligence services and defense officials are afraid of losing their lives if they say the wrong thing.
White House Communications Director Bedingfield commented, "I'm not a Kremlin spokesman, so I can't tell you what Putin is thinking, but we have intelligence that Putin feels he has been misled by the Russian military, causing Putin and the military relations between the leaders continued to be tense."
The Slovenian prime minister, who ventured to Kyiv in mid-March to meet Zelenskyy, asserted that Ukraine would win.
Slovenian Prime Minister Jansa said, "After visiting (Zelenskyy), I am 100% sure that Ukraine will win."
He also said that once Ukraine wins the war, the Ukrainian army will be tied with Russia as one of the most powerful armies on the European continent. 

News (9)

Zelenskyy: Russia is focusing on attacking Donbass region

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian withdrawals from the north and centre of the country were just a military tactic to build up forces for new powerful attacks in the south east.

A new round of talks between the countries was scheduled on Friday, five weeks into a conflict that has left thousands dead and driven four  million Ukrainians from the country.

“We know their intentions,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address to the country.

“We know that they are moving away from those areas where we hit them in order to focus on other, very important ones where it may be difficult for us.”

“There will be battles ahead,” he added.

News (10)

Australia to send armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine

Following a plea from Mr Zelenskyy when he addressed the Australian parliament on Thursday, prime minister Scott Morrison said that his country would send mine-resistant armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine.

He said the four-wheel drive “Bushmaster” vehicles, specifically requested by Mr Zelenskyy, would be flown in to Europe but did not say how many would be delivered or when.

“We’re not just sending our prayers, we are sending our guns, we’re sending our munitions, we’re sending our humanitarian aid, we’re sending all of this, our body armour, all of these things and we’re going to be sending our armoured vehicles, our Bushmasters, as well,” Morrison said.

News (11)

Evacuation from Mariupol blocked, food and medical supplies seized by Russian troops

In the encircled strategic port city of Mariupol, Russian forces blocked a convoy of 45 buses attempting to evacuate people after the Russian military agreed to a limited ceasefire.

Only 631 people were able to get out of the city in private cars, according to the Ukrainian government.

Russian forces also seized 14 tons of food and medical supplies in a dozen buses that were trying to make it to Mariupol, deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

The city has been the scene of some of the worst suffering of the war.

Tens of thousands have managed to get out in the past few weeks by way of humanitarian corridors, reducing the population from a pre-war 430,000 to an estimated 100,000 by last week, but other relief efforts have been thwarted by continued Russian attacks.

Early this week, the Russians said they would significantly scale back military operations in areas around Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv to increase trust between the two sides and help negotiations.

News (12)

Irpin and Makariv under attack

However in the Kyiv suburbs, regional governor Oleksandr Palviuk said on social media Thursday that Russian forces shelled Irpin and Makariv and that there were battles around Hostomel.

Mr Pavliuk said there were Ukrainian counterattacks and some Russian withdrawals around the suburb of Brovary to the east.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said intelligence indicates Russia is not scaling back its military operations in Ukraine but is instead trying to regroup, resupply its forces and reinforce its offensive in the Donbass.

“Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions,” Mr Stoltenberg said. At the same time, he said, pressure is being kept up on Kyiv and other cities, and “we can expect additional offensive actions bringing even more suffering”.

The Donbass is the predominantly Russian-speaking industrial region where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

In the past few days, the Kremlin, in a seeming shift in its war aims, said that its “main goal” now is gaining control of the Donbas, which consists of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including Mariupol.

The top rebel leader in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, issued an order to set up a rival city government for Mariupol, according to Russian state news agencies, in a sign of Russian intent to hold and administer the city.

With talks set to resume between Ukraine and Russia via video, there seemed little faith that the two sides would resolve the conflict any time soon.

News (13)

Putin not ready for a ceasefire

Russian president Vladimir Putin said that conditions were not yet “ripe” for a ceasefire and that he was not ready for a meeting with Mr Zelensky until negotiators do more work, Italian prime minister Mario Draghi said after a telephone conversation with the Russian leader.

News (14) to (15) / Reporter : Harriet Alexander / https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10675075/Ukrainian-attack-helicopters-strike-oil-facility-INSIDE-Russia.htm

News (14)

Ukrainian helicopters attack oil facility in Belgorod, Russia

Russia has accused Ukrainian helicopters of attacking an oil facility inside Russia after flying 25 miles undetected past the border, amid claims the Kremlin could stage a 'false flag' attack to justify a further escalation of the war. 

Vyacheslav Gladkov, appointed by Vladimir Putin in 2020, said two of Ukraine's military helicopters struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Belgorod on Friday with S-8 rockets after crossing the border at low altitude.

The resulting blaze injured two workers, Gladkov added, while some areas in the city were being evacuated.  

Video shared on social media appeared to show the attack happening at 5.43am local time, followed by helicopters flying away from the blaze, although analysts have noted Russia uses the same time of helicopters as Ukraine. 

Ukraine's government is yet to confirm the incident but if confirmed, it would be the second time Ukraine has ventured past the border since the invasion in the latest humiliation for Putin in his flailing campaign after the Millerovo airbase was targeted last month. 

The Russian city of 369,000 people is 25 miles from the border with Ukraine, and 50 miles from Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine.  

Earlier in this week, reports initially claimed that Ukraine had attacked Belgorod. It later appeared more likely that the explosion at a weapons storage depot near Belgorod was the result of a human error, and not a Ukrainian airstrike. 

News (15)

Ukrainian troops recapture two strategic villages

The attack could be the latest boost for Volodymyr Zelensky who is striking back against the invading forces, and today recaptured the two strategic villages of Sloboda and Lukashivka on a main supply route between Kyiv and Chernihiv, British intelligence revealed.

News (16) to (25) / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/3/31/n13686004.htm

News (16)

Russia, Ukraine to resume talks, Europe faces Russian gas deadline

Russian gas buyers in Europe faced a deadline to start payments in rubles on Friday, while talks aimed at ending the five-week war will resume even as Ukraine braces for further attacks in the south and east.

Russia and Ukraine will resume peace talks via video conference on Friday, Reuters reported.

Ukrainian authorities hoped to evacuate more residents from the besieged southern port of Mariupol on Friday after Russia agreed to open humanitarian corridors, but several previous deals have failed amid mutual accusations.

Russia will respond to EU sanctions, RIA Novosti quoted a senior foreign ministry official as saying on Friday.

Nikolai Kobrinets told the news agency, "The actions of the EU will not remain unanswered ... Brussels' irresponsible sanctions have negatively affected the daily lives of ordinary Europeans."

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that European energy buyers start paying in rubles starting Friday or existing contracts would be suspended.

European governments rejected Putin's ultimatum. 

News (17)

Australia to supply Australia-made Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it had agreed to airlift Australia-made Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine to help it fight Russian forces.

Zelenskyy specifically asked for the vehicles in a video appeal to Australian lawmakers on Thursday for more aid.

Zelenskyy, speaking to the Australian Parliament on Thursday, called for Australian-made four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Morrison told reporters the vehicles would be flown in by Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft but he did not specify how many Bushmaster vehicles would be sent or when.

"We're not just sending our prayers, we're sending our guns, ammunition, body armor ... humanitarian aid all that stuff, and we're going to deliver our armoured vehicles, Bushmaster," Morrison said.

News (18)

UK and Allies to aid Ukraine with more deadly weapons

Britain and its allies have agreed to provide Ukraine with more lethal (weapon) military aid to help it fend off a Russian invasion, Defence Secretary Wallace said on Thursday.

"As more lethal (weapons) aid is coming into Ukraine today," Wallace told reporters after hosting more than 35 international partners at the 2nd International Defence Donor Conference in Ukraine (IDDCU), "many countries have already New ideas are presented, or more funding is assured."

Aid will include providing air and coastal defense systems, longer-range artillery and counter-gun capabilities, armored vehicles, and broader training and logistical support.

"Today's donor meeting demonstrated the international community's determination to support Ukraine in the face of the illegal and unprovoked incursion by President Putin's Russian forces," Wallace said in a subsequent statement.

"We are stepping up coordination to strengthen this military support and ensure that the Ukrainian armed forces become stronger as they continue to push back Russian forces." 

News (19)

The president of the European Parliament is heading to Kyiv, the first EU leader to visit Ukraine to start the war

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is on her way to Kyiv, the first head of an EU institution to travel to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, CNN reported.

A European Parliament official told CNN that "due to security concerns," no details of the trip or Metzorla's agenda in Ukraine were revealed ahead of the visit.

In a speech on Monday, Mezzola said "it is very important that the European Parliament supports Ukraine's desire to be a candidate for membership".

On Thursday, Metzorla posted a photo of herself and said, "On the way to Kyiv."

News (20)

White House: Commerce will take further action on Russia's defense, space and maritime sectors

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said the Commerce Department would add more Russian and Belarusian entities to the U.S. trade blacklist "in the coming days."

“In the coming days, the Commerce Department will also take further action to weaken Russia’s defense, aerospace and maritime sectors by adding 120 entities from Russia and Belarus to the Entity List, making the There are more than 200 entities in Russia and Belarus," she told reporters on Thursday.

Bedingfield noted that placing these companies or entities on a trade blacklist means they "can no longer acquire cutting-edge technology without a license, and in most, if not all cases, they will be reject".

News (21)

Pentagon: 82nd Airborne Division and USS Truman to stay put

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has decided to deploy the 82nd Airborne Division in Poland, Defense Department spokesman John Kirby announced at a Pentagon news briefing on Thursday. Division) members will be there "for a little longer."

Kirby added that the USS Harry S. Truman strike group in the Mediterranean would also remain in place.

CNN previously reported, citing two U.S. defense officials, that the deployment of these U.S. troops would be extended.

News (22)

US State Department: Has seen reports of Russians detaining Americans in Ukraine

State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a news briefing on Thursday that the State Department "has seen reports of U.S. citizens being singled out for detention by the Russian military in Ukraine, and when evacuated through... ... detained in Russian-occupied territory or when evacuated to Russia or Belarus".

On the Ukrainian side, the Russians detained some Americans and later released them, and on the Russian side, the U.S. has talked about some cases, but doesn't plan to give a number, Price said.

He reiterated that of the three U.S. citizens known to be detained in Russia, one has been granted consular access, but "there has been limited progress with other detained Americans."

Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department reissued a travel advisory for Russia and Ukraine, warning Americans that they could be singled out for detention by Russian officials.

News (23)

U.S. defense official: U.S. extends deployment of aircraft carriers in Mediterranean

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved a plan to ship the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier deployment in the Mediterranean extended through summer as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.

The carrier, which deployed to the Mediterranean from the U.S. east coast in December, is now expected to remain in the region until August, one of the officials said. A typical carrier deployment time is six months. Three naval battleships belonging to the USS Truman Integral Strike Group are also being delayed.

The delay comes as the Pentagon grapples with how to eventually rotate troops sent to Europe due to the Russian invasion. The U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, which is expected to be in Europe, could be the next force in the extended deployment, as their quick-response capabilities are considered critical.

News (24)

Russia blocks entry of top EU leaders in response to EU sanctions

Russia announced on Thursday that it had blocked the EU's "top leadership" from entering the country as a reciprocal move against EU sanctions on Russian citizens and companies.

In a statement, Russia's foreign ministry said it was "substantially expanding the list of representatives of EU member states and institutions that will be denied access to the Russian Federation" "on the basis of the principle of reciprocity".

"These restrictions apply to the EU's top leadership, some European commissioners and heads of EU military institutions, as well as the vast majority of members of the European Parliament who advance anti-Russian policies," the statement said.

Neither the Russian nor English versions of the statement mentioned any individuals.

The Russian foreign ministry said the so-called Russian "blacklist" also includes "high-ranking officials, members of the public and media, including governments and members of parliaments of some EU member states, who are accused of pushing illegal anti-Russian sanctions, inciting Russia-phobia and aggression. The rights and freedoms of Russian speakers are personally responsible".

News (25)

UK: Will not accept Putin's request to pay for Russian gas in rubles

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Britain would not accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's request to pay for Russian gas in rubles.

The spokesman said UK Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng had made it clear that "this is not something the UK would look into".

Putin announced Thursday that under a newly signed decree on gas transactions with "unfriendly countries", trading companies will need to open ruble accounts in Russian banks to make payments.

The spokesman added that the UK will study the impact of the measure on European markets.

The economy ministers of France and Germany also rejected Putin's demands on Thursday, saying they were committed to an existing agreement with Russia to pay for Russian gas supplies only in euros.

News (26)

Ukraine buys anti-tank weapons co-developed by Singapore, Germany and Israel

Ukraine has bought 5,100 anti-tank weapons that were co-developed by Singapore, Germany and Israel.

 

The RGW90 HH Matador weapons were acquired from German maker Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND) at a cost of €25 million (S$37.6 million), according to Deutsche Welle (DW), citing German media. The order will be paid by the Ukrainian government.

 

A total of 2,650 of the weapons have arrived in Ukraine, with the remaining 2,450 to be delivered by end-May, DW added.

 

The Matador was co-developed by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), in partnership with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems of Israel and DND. 

With a calibre of 90mm, the one-metre long portable and disposable Matador weighs about 9kg. It is able to fire up to 500 metres at a muzzle velocity of 250m/s.


Ref: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ukraine-buys-5100-anti-tank-weapons-singapore-germany-israel-112959398.html


News (27)


South Korean civil society calls for closure of CCP propaganda agencies


Reporter : Jin Yan / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/04/01/a103389327.html / Image : Video Screenshot





South Korean civic groups rallied to condemn the CCP media for hindering the South Korean media from speaking out and threatening the people. He also called on the government to shut down CCP propaganda agencies.


On 30 March, the South Korean civic group "China (CCP) Out" held a press conference in front of the Seoul Financial Center, where the People's Daily Online Office is located. Protesters call on the government to shut down the CCP's propaganda agency, People's Daily Online, and expel its chief executive, Zhou Yubo.


The organizer believes that People's Daily is the website of the Communist Party's official newspaper "People's Daily" that promotes the CCP's ideas and policies. Since September 2011, the Korean version has been opened, and then a subsidiary, People's Daily Korea website, has been established in South Korea. So far, People's Daily Online has been able to promote the ideas of the Communist Party in South Korea without restriction.


Jiang Xizhen, representative of CUCI's Bu Weiqing Branch: "Previously, China broadcasted Chinese national TV dramas day and night through five cable TV stations including China TV. Our subway station was swept up by Chinese-made game advertisements."


In 2021, a number of South Korean media companies and self-media reported that Zhou Yubo, director of the People’s Daily Korea branch, a subsidiary of People’s Daily, intends to contact Cui Wenxun, governor of Gangwon Province, and is suspected of exerting influence on many pro-China activities in Gangwon Province. It is suspected that he used the People's Daily Online to carry out the CCP's publicity mission, continuing to penetrate South Korea. Zhou Yubo filed a lawsuit against the media company that exposed the incident, asking companies and individuals to compensate him with 100 million Won (about 8,200 U.S. Dollars).


The high school united Kim Ji-min, who defends the country: "In order to silence the Korean media and citizens, Zhou Yubo used South Korea's judicial system to launch a lawsuit. The CCP is above the legislation, the judiciary, and the administration. Therefore, the CCP, as a country, tramples on human rights. It's as simple as eating. It's ridiculous that a country like this is litigating against Korean citizens and the media according to Korean law."


The organizers also stressed that South Korea should no longer ignore the CCP’s theft, espionage, and infiltration of South Korea. The era of the Korea-US-Japan security economic community will be fully opened.


News (28)


Loud noises occurred in Meishan, Neijiang and other places in Sichuan, the cause is unknown 


Reporter : Li Jinfeng / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/04/01/a103389192.html


At noon on 1 April 2022, two loud bangs occurred in Meishan, Neijiang City and other places in Sichuan Province, and even the windows of citizens' homes were cracked.


On 1 April 2022, the official Weibo account of "Sichuan Observer" reported that at noon that day, most netizens in Manjing Town, Fujia Town, Renshou County, Meishan, Sichuan said they heard two loud bangs.


Some netizens in Neijiang Zizhong and Weiyuan around these places also reported hearing loud noises.


According to reports, the windows of some people's homes were shattered.


There is even a surveillance video showing that a resident of Renshou, Meishan, ran out of the house in fright after hearing the sound.


According to the report, the Renshou County Fire Rescue Brigade responded that after hearing the loud noise, it adjusted the arrangement, but no abnormal conditions such as fire and explosion were found.


The incident sparked heated discussions among netizens, and "#Sichuan many places are suspected of unknown loud noise#" appeared on Weibo's hot search list. As of 6.30 pm, there have been more than 160 million views.


"Meteorite slipping? Earthquake? Hope nothing happened." "I had a video chat with my father just now, and my father was also talking about the location in Tianjia Town, Neijiang City, Sichuan Province." "What kind of sound is this? Fried rocks?"


"How could it be a sonic boom, the house is shaking, how can the sonic boom be so powerful?" "It feels like it should blow up a mountain?" "If it is a sonic boom, the official will definitely come out and say it as soon as possible. It's been so long. No reason has been found, it means no, earthquakes have been frequent recently, and Sichuan is a bit dangerous."


Another netizen revealed: "Chengdu Wenjiang has it every day, it's really suffocating."


As of 6 pm, Sichuan officials had not specified the cause of the loud noise.


News (29)


Jilin government's inaction causes suicides during isolation


Reporters : Yu Ting and Luo Ya / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/03/31/a103388741.html






At present, the epidemic situation is raging in various parts of China. Under the strict control of the CCP, secondary disasters are also constantly occurring. The authorities were silent.


Family member of the deceased: My lover felt unwell since entering the square cabin hospital. I called 120 several times, but 120 did not arrive in time. Today is delayed tomorrow, and tomorrow is delayed the day after tomorrow. As for this Fangcang shelter hospital, there is no temporary one. Doctor, (breathing) I can't even catch my breath.


The deceased was a woman surnamed Zhang, who was isolated in a Chinese Fangcang cabin hospital in Huapichang Town, Changyi District, Jilin City.


Family members of the deceased: Now I want the government to give me a satisfactory answer.


Under the strict control of the authorities, some young people choose to jump off the building to end their lives.


Neighbors nearby: Fallen to death. (cries in the background)


Mr. Xu, a citizen of Jilin: When the epidemic first broke out, I was also very depressed, and I stayed at home all day. We in Shulan also have a child who jumped off the building. He was just a sophomore in high school. Isn't it quarantined at home due to the epidemic? When he was not in a serious class, his mother said a few words, he stubbornly talked to his mother, and then jumped off the building, acquaintances said that this is an excellent child.


There are many cases of suicide like this, and during the verification process, the reporter found that almost all government departments were unanswered, and gott only a few scribbled responses from the two dismissed cadres.


Jian Junfeng, the former secretary of the Chuanying District Committee of Jilin City said, "You don't need to confirm with me, because I am no longer in the unit and I have been dismissed in advance."


Liu Gefeng, former secretary of the Changyi District Party Committee in Jilin City: "It's inconvenient during delivery."


Government agencies did not answer the phone, and the citizen hotline could not get in. The reporter finally got in touch with a district-level CDC officer in Jilin, who pushed the responsibility to the higher-level government.


The CDC officer in a district of Jilin City: You should ask the government what to do, or if you are dealing with the city's disease control, he is our leader, and they give us instructions.


The staff member also revealed that it is a common phenomenon that the relevant government departments cannot be contacted.


CDC of a district in Jilin City: It's like my home is in Changyi District. I call the government and I call to ask how my home is and what's going on there. I can't get through right now, and I have nowhere to go. go find it.


According to Jilin Province, 19 square cabin hospitals have been built, including 8 in Changchun, 10 in Jilin City and 1 in Hunchun. In addition to continuing to rush to build more square cabin hospitals, the authorities have no signs of improving services, but require each isolation point to speed up the clearance of rooms and increase utilization.


News (30)


From "precision prevention and control" to "global silence" political wrestling behind Shanghai's closure


Reporter : Li Lan / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/04/01/a103388826.html / Image : Video Screenshot




The number of infected people in Shanghai continues to surge, with the number of infected people doubling every two or three days. Shanghai has changed from "precise prevention and control" to "global silence" overnight. What kind of political wrestling is behind it? Let's see the analysis report.


In the middle of the night on 30 March 2022, the Shanghai authorities suddenly announced the adoption of "global static management", that is, a complete closure of the city; at the same time, measures such as nucleic acid screening of all staff and comprehensive epidemic investigation were carried out. Li Qiang, secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, stressed that night, " We must resolutely implement the instructions of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, and persist in 'dynamic clearing'". This is less than three days before the government suddenly announced the decision to block Pudong and Puxi in batches in the middle of the night on the 27th.


Associate Professor Goh Muk Luan, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, commented, "China is using the 2020 approach to deal with the situation in 2022 because it has always regarded this as an ideology. The ideology it insists on is that curing covi is a political task, other things are not important. Xi Jinping's own policy is very consistent. He must have one goal, which is to clear it. There is an important time point when he wants to be a third term, that is, it must be until this year, by the end of the year or even to the Two Sessions next year.”


Shanghai suddenly adopted a "one-size-fits-all" closure of the city, which is in contrast to the so-called "precise prevention and control" policy that has been adhered to before, and it also overturned Xi Jinping's reluctance to say at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on the 17th, "Strive to achieve the greatest at the least cost." At that time, Xi Jinping said that he would reduce the impact of epidemic prevention and control measures on the domestic economy and people's lives.


At the same time that Shanghai announced a complete closure of the city, the CCP media reported on Xi Jinping's previous speech on the 31st from "minimum cost" to "adhere to 'dynamic clearing' and not relax."


Tang Jingyuan, a current affairs commentator, said, "Shanghai has always adopted a 'precise prevention and control' model in the past. This model is a soft (and virus) coexistence model that is different from the 'clearing model' in a small-scale controlled state. Once supported by local officials in Shanghai, Shanghai's rapid closure of the city in a very hasty way shows that some kind of change has taken place at the top, and Xi Jinping's 'dynamic reset' has regained the upper hand, even at the cost of Shanghai's economic costs and changes in government orders. He also did not hesitate to pay the political price. This highlights a process of infighting at the top of the CCP. It shows us that the current epidemic prevention model in mainland China has been bound by fierce fighting within the party, and it has completely turned into a tool of political struggle."


Li Qiang, secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, served as Secretary General of the Provincial Party Committee when Xi Jinping was in power in Zhejiang, and was Xi's "big housekeeper"; Li Qiang, currently a member of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is considered to be promoted to politics at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in the second half of this year. A popular candidate for the Standing Committee of the Bureau. Tang Jingyuan believes that the complete closure of Shanghai is a manifestation of Li Qiang's complete obedience to the top in order to climb his career ladder.






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