Llama nanobodies and colchicine can fight SARS-CoV-2

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Llama mini-antibodies can fight novel coronavirus

Reporter : Xin Yu / Publisher : Chinese Science News / http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlpaper/2020/12/2020122414363119560437.shtm / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image : Llama (ginton / stock.adobe.com)

 

On 22 December 2020, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published a study in the "Science Reports" that they had isolated a group of mini-antibodies (or nanobodies), that were promising against SARS-CoV-2 (covi, CCP virus, novel coronavirus), from a llama named Cormac. Preliminary results indicate that at least one of these nanobodies, called NIH-CoVnb-112, can prevent covi infection and detect virus particles by grabbing the spike protein of the CCP virus. In addition, Nanobodies perform well in liquid or aerosol form, indicating that they can remain effective after inhalation.

The research was led by neuroscientist Thomas J. Esparza and MD David L. Brody, MD, who worked in the Brain Imaging Laboratory of the National Institute of Neurology and Stroke.

Brody said, "For many years, Esparza and I have been testing how to use nanobodies to improve brain imaging. We hope that these anti-coronavirus nanobodies will be highly effective and versatile in fighting the pandemic."

Nanobodies are a special type of antibodies naturally produced by the immune system of camelid animals. On average, the weight of these protein antibodies is about 1/10 that of most human antibodies. This is because the nanobody isolated in the laboratory is essentially a free-floating form at the end of the heavy chain protein arm, forming a typical Y-shaped human IgG antibody skeleton, thereby recognizing proteins on viruses, bacteria and other antigens. The immune system plays a key role in the defense.

Because nanobodies are more stable, cheaper to produce and easier to engineer than general antibodies, more and more researchers are beginning to use nnobodies for medical research. During the covid pandemic, some researchers have prepared llama nanoantibodies against the spike protein of the CCP virus, which may be effective in preventing covi infection. In this study, the researchers used a slightly different method from other strategies to find nanobodies that have very good effects.

Esparza said, "The novel coronavirus spike protein is very critical. When it binds to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor protein on the surface of certain cells, it opens the door to infection. We have developed a method, The infection can be prevented by covering the teeth of the spike protein attached to the ACE2 receptor with the nanobody."

To this end, the researchers used the purified version of the covi spike protein to immunize Cormac five times in 28 days. After testing hundreds of nanobodies, they found that 13 nanobodies produced by Cormac may be strong candidates.

Initial experiments showed that a candidate antibody called NIH-CoVnb-112 can work well. Test tube studies have shown that the binding force of this nanobody to the ACE2 receptor is 2-10 times that of nanobody produced in other laboratories. Other experiments have shown that NIH nanobodies can directly adhere to the ACE2 receptor binding part of the spike protein.

Then the research team showed that NIH-CoVnB-112 nanobody can effectively prevent covi infection. In order to mimic the novel coronavirus, the researchers genetically modified a harmless "pseudovirus" so that it can use the spike protein to infect cells with human ACE2 receptors. The researchers found that relatively low levels of NIH-CoVnb-112 Nanobody can prevent the pseudovirus from infecting these cells in the petri dish.

It is worth mentioning that the researchers found that when nanobodies are sprayed through a nebulizer or inhaler, they are equally effective in preventing infection. Brody said, "The exciting thing is that, unlike most antibodies, nanobodies can be inhaled by aerosol, covering the lungs and airways." The team has applied for a patent for the NIH-CoVnB-112 nanobody.

"Although we still have a lot of work to do, these results represent new hope." Esparza said, "With the support of NIH, we are conducting in-depth research to test whether these nanobodies can be used as a safe and effective prevention method for covid. We are working hard to find whether they can be used for low-cost and accurate novel coronavirus detection.” 

Related paper information: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79036-0

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Canadian researchers say colchicine has positive effects in covid treatment trials

 

Reporter Yu Ruidong / Publisher : China News Network / http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2021/1/452297.shtm / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The medical research team in Montreal, Canada announced that they have found that colchicine has a positive effect in the covid treatment trial and can become an effective oral drug against SARS-CoV-2 (CCP virus, covi, novel coronavirus).

Colchicine is also known as colchicine and colaxi tablets. It is often used to treat and prevent the symptoms of gout.

Image courtesy (above) : shutterstock

The Montreal Heart Institute announced on 23 January 2020 that the clinical trial of colchicine has provided clinically convincing results. According to the study, this "major scientific discovery" makes colchicine "the world's first oral drug that can be used to treat non-hospitalized patients with covid."

The research team of the Institute conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of nearly 4,488 people infected with the new coronavirus in Canada, the United States, Europe, South America and South Africa. The research team said that the nasopharyngeal nucleic acid test on 4159 patients has verified the efficacy of colchicine. Its research found that colchicine can reduce the number of hospitalizations by 25%, the need for respiratory equipment by 50%, and the number of deaths by 44%.

Research team leader Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the research center of the institute, said that research shows that colchicine can effectively prevent major inflammatory storms and reduce complications caused by the new crown virus.

Spartan, a medical diagnostic equipment company based in Ottawa, announced on 23 January that its rapid and convenient detection kit for the novel coronavirus has been approved by Health Canada. The company's rapid testing equipment was approved in April last year, but was recalled a month later due to doubts about its effectiveness.

As of the evening of 23 January, Canada has reported a total of more than 737,000 confirmed covid cases, with 5,957 new cases in a single day. There are 18,828 deaths and 65,750 active cases.

Canadian Chief Public Health Officer Tan Yongshi said in a statement that the number of new cases per day in the past 10 days is showing a downward trend. She said that although this indicates that community-based epidemic prevention measures may begin to work, it is still too early to ensure a steady decline.

In a long-term care home in Barrie, Ontario, almost all of the nearly 130 residents were infected with the new crown virus, and more than 80 staff were infected. The local health department disclosed that many of them have been confirmed to have been infected with the mutant virus that emerged in the UK. This serious mass violence has resulted in 32 deaths. A teenager working in a long-term care home in the western part of the province also died after contracting the new crown, becoming the youngest local death case.

How did VietJet Air achieve profitability under the pandemic?

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

In 2020, 99% of airlines have suffered a devastating blow, but Vietnam's low-cost airline VietJet AIr has still achieved profitability in 2020. VietJet Air announced its latest financial results on 31 January 2021. It has achieved an after-tax profit of 70 billion VND, equivalent to 3 million U.S. dollars. Let's take a look at how this airline achieved profitability during the pandemic.

VietJet Air said that its ancillary operating income and cargo business are two major tools to offset the decline in air travel revenue, of which ancillary operating income accounts for nearly half of its total revenue.

The cargo business has also contributed to the success of VietJet Air. In fact, the airline's cargo volume increased by 16% year-on-year in 2020. In the last quarter alone, freight revenue increased by 75% compared to the same period in 2019.

Since it does not have its own dedicated cargo aircraft, VietJet Air has joined the wave of passenger conversions of other airlines, using the main cabin of the passenger aircraft to accommodate cargo. Passenger aircraft modification is not the only adjustment measure of VietJet Air. VietJet Air has also signed transit agreements with other airlines to enable it to expand its cargo network to Europe and the United States.

Other initiatives that have contributed to the airline's success include the opening of a special ground handling center at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. The airline stated that this "helps the airline better manage operating costs while improving brand recognition and service quality."

In addition, VietJet Air also cut other operating expenses, reducing fleet operating costs and daily operating costs by 10%. In May last year, the airline also "successfully hedged" jet fuel, saving 25% of its cost compared to market value.

Another factor is that Vietnam has relatively few confirmed covid cases and domestic air travel has not been curbed. VietJet Air has now restored its entire domestic aviation network with more than 47 routes.

Of course, the success of VietJet Air cannot do without government support, including tax incentives, reduced landing/take-off fees, ground handling fees and air control fees.

Despite the government's help, VietJet Air’s performance last year was impressive in all aspects.

Outbreaks in Malaysia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh in the past, Nipah virus may become the next pandemic threat

Reporter : Su Guanmi / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/21/2/2/n12727150.htm / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : The covid pandemic has not slowed down. Experts warned that Nipah virus has the risk of causing the next wave of pandemic. (Wikipedia public domain)

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 Nipah virus has a high fatality rate, experts warn of the next pandemic threat

The global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus, CCP virus, covi) has once again made people realize the terrible virus and the limited medical technology. But apart from covi, there are other deadly viruses, and there is no vaccine, such as Nipah virus. Experts warn that when people devote all their energy to the CCP virus, they must be alert to the possibility of pandemics such as Nipah virus.

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Experts warn everyone should still pay attention to the dangers of other viruses

The Access to Medicine Foundation, a non-profit organization, recently released an independent report stating that although the world's major pharmaceutical companies have stepped up their efforts to respond to the covid pandemic, they are almost unprepared for the next pandemic.

Chief Executive Officer Jayasree K Iyer cited Nipah virus as an example. He pointed out, “Nipah virus is another emerging infectious disease that is of great concern and may break out at any time. The next pandemic may be resistant to a medicinal infectious disease.” Earlier, he also said that if a Nipah virus outbreak occurs in China, there may be a risk of the next pandemic.

Nipah virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is a common infectious disease between humans and animals. It is mainly infected by direct contact with the excrement or body fluids of virus-infected pigs and fruit bats. There have been outbreaks in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh and India in the past.

Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, coughing, dizziness and muscle aches. Symptoms such as atypical pneumonia and acute respiratory distress may also occur. Some cases may become encephalitis, or neurological diseases such as confusion, coma, convulsions and epilepsy may appear. Another 8%-15% of infection cases are mild or have no obvious symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate of Nipah virus infection is as high as 40% to 75%, and about 8% of survivors are likely to relapse several months to several years after infection.

Image : Nipah virus is very similar to the coronavirus. It was originally transmitted by bats. (Shutterstock)

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Similar to novel coronavirus, Nipah virus has potential pandemic risk

So, is Nipah virus really possible to cause a pandemic? "Experts are worried about the pandemic because the virus is constantly mutating," said Zheng Yuanyu, a former chief physician of the Infectious Diseases Department of Taipei Veterans General Hospital and a physician at Shangwen Clinic.

He took the flu as an example, referring to the bird flu virus that used to spread in large numbers between animals and had limited human-to-human transmission. After the virus mutates without warning, it becomes a new type of influenza, which spreads widely among people and is very lethal to humans. The new flu has always been considered the number one enemy, and the probability of mutation in nature is much greater. As a result, this time it was not the flu virus, but the covi mutation, which caused a year-long crisis that has not stopped.

Therefore, epidemiologists worry that since covi mutates into different types of covi, other types of viruses such as Nipah virus may also mutate. Moreover, the Nipah virus is transmitted by bats in a similar way to covi. If a mutation occurs, the fatality rate may decrease, but it is easier to spread and will also cause more harm.

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center spokesperson Zhuang Renxiang said that the virus has been evolving and is only a small step away from causing a pandemic, but this small step will take a long time to accumulate mutations. It is difficult to predict whether a pandemic of Nipah virus may occur in the future.

On the other hand, drug resistance also poses a serious risk. When new viruses or germs appear, the existing antibiotics and drugs may not be able to have sufficient effects. Yell said, “The time for developing alternatives is becoming more and more pressing.”

Fortunately, there is no news of Nipah virus mutation. Zheng Yuanyu reassures that the foundation is just a reminder that people cannot ignore other viruses, put all their energy on the CCP virus, and still leave a certain amount of research and development energy to avoid being caught off guard if an epidemic really occurs in the future.

Nipah virus currently only focuses on supportive treatment, and there is no vaccine yet. Including Nipah virus, the World Health Organization has listed 16 infectious diseases that will cause the greatest public health crisis, including covid, Ebola virus, Zika virus, Trakong virus, enterovirus, SARS, MERS, etc., but only 6 diseases have treatments.

Image above : Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats. (Shutterstock)

If the Nipah virus is pandemic, the prevention method is the same as covid.

Nipah virus spreads from fruit bats, pigs, horses, and goats to humans, cats, and dogs, and there are three ways of transmission:

Human-to-Animal Infection: Most of the cases are infections caused by pig farmers who have direct contact with the mouth and nose secretions, body fluids or tissues of sick pigs. Other infected animals may also use this to spread the virus.

Food transmission: Eating fruits, dates, tree sap, etc. contaminated by fruit bat urine or saliva.

Human-to-human transmission: Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus may occur through contact with the patient's respiratory secretions, saliva, or urine.

Image above : Washing hands frequently, wearing masks, and disinfecting are suitable for preventing Nipah virus. (Shutterstock)

The incubation period of Nipah virus is generally 4 to 14 days, but can be as long as 45 days. The current methods that people use to prevent covi, such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and disinfecting the environment, are also applicable to Nipah virus.

Wear a mask: Block possible contact with respiratory secretions and saliva.

Wash your hands frequently: Especially after touching animals, be sure to wash your hands with soap.

Disinfection: Nipah virus is a mantle virus, which can be killed with 75% alcohol and diluted chlorine bleach.

Food hygiene: Wash fruits or peel them before eating and avoid eating fruits that may be contaminated in endemic areas.

The general public should also avoid contact with fruit bats or pigs in endemic areas. If the profession is a veterinarian, a pig farmer, or a slaughterhouse worker, you must have adequate personal protective equipment, such as protective clothing, boots, gloves, goggles, face masks, etc.

Because dogs and cats may also be infected with Nipah virus, these animals are common beasts. Therefore, if the residents are within the scope of the epidemic area, Zheng Yuanyu suggested that the animals should be stocked separately to avoid being infected with the virus by wandering outside.

Leaking information about Xi Jinping's daughter, 20-year-old man suspected of torture, refused to plead guilty

Reporter : Li Yun / Editor : Zhu Xinrui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2021/02/02/a103045034.html / Direct translation

Image : Niu Tengyu, a maintainer of "Vulgar Wiki", was sentenced to 14 years. (Provided by Niu Tengyu's friend)

24 members of "Vulgar Wiki" were charged with leaking information about Xi Jinping's family and were severely sentenced. Among them, 20-year-old Niu Tengyu, who was sentenced to 14 years and accused of being the principal offender, disclosed in a meeting with a lawyer on February 1 that he had been subjected to inhuman torture. But he insisted not to plead guilty, and he has written an appeal with more than 4,000 words and handed it to his former lawyer.

Beijing lawyers Huang Hanzhong and Bao Longjun have been appointed to appeal for Niu Tengyu. On February 1, Huang Hanzhong met Niu Tengyu at Maoming No. 1 Detention Center for more than two hours. Bao Longjun told Radio Free Asia about the meeting between Huang Hanzhong and Niu Tengyu.

Bao Longjun said that Niu Tengyu is currently in a good state of mind in the detention center. Niu Tengyu revealed that he was subjected to torture to extract a confession during his detention in the two places, especially during the period when he was designated to live in Foshan. The Maonan Internet Police Brigade Captain Yang Guanyao and another case officer instructed the police to inhumane torture Niu Tengyu.

Niu Tengyu said that the police often handcuffed him, hung him up, and beat him for a day. His hand injury was caused at that time. Regarding torture, he wrote thousands of words, describing how he was tortured, how he was forced to confess his guilt and other details.

Bao Longjun criticized that the case-handling procedures were full of illegal and torture, and he and lawyer Huang Hanzhong planned to sue the police involved in the case.

He also revealed that Niu Tengyu has shown great resilience in the face of the trap. He has previously written an appeal petition of more than 4,000 words to his former lawyer. Yang Guanyao, head of the Maonan Internet Police Brigade, became angry and did not allow him to meet with a lawyer during the entire investigation.

Bao Longjun pointed out that Huang Hanzhong had gone to the Criminal Division of Maonan Court to read the files on the afternoon of the 1st, but the court refused on the grounds that the judge handling the case was absent from the unit. He said that he will hand over the case documents with his former lawyer to prepare for the second instance.

The case of Niu Tengyu originated in May 2019. The ID card information of Xi Jinping's daughter Xi Mingze and brother-in-law Deng Jiagui were exposed on the "Red Bank Fund", "China Wiki" and other websites. Subsequently, information including Xi Mingze's personal ID card and early passport photos, aliased as Chu Chen, spread widely on social media such as Twitter.

The Ministry of Public Security of the Communist Party of China specially set up a "1902136" task force for this purpose. On June 14 of the same year, the Ministry of Public Security ordered police designated across the country to arrest dozens of students and minors. After interrogation and checking their computers, it was found that they were released after chatting and quarreling.

However, the police in Maoming, Guangdong were reluctant to release people for their credit. After careful inspection, they found that a minor in Zhanjiang contained member information of "Vulgar Wiki" on his mobile phone. Therefore, "Vulgar Wiki" replaced the actual involved "China Wiki" and "Red Bank Foundation", and the nationwide arrest was again carried out, and a large number of "Vulgar Wiki" members were arrested.

"Vulgar Wiki", "China Wiki" and "Red Bank Foundation" are the three major network platforms called "Vulgar Circle" built and operated by mainland and overseas netizens in 2013.

Niu Tengyu’s mother introduced during the interview that the Maoming police wanted to make meritorious deeds and arrested all its members. Driven by interests, the Maoming police had conscientiously raised the case and declared that they had contributed to the establishment of the Communist Party of China. The 70th anniversary ceremony was reported to the Ministry of Public Security of the Communist Party of China for "a major case of an evil group colluding with anti-China forces was cracked."

Around October of the same year, the "1902136" task force was awarded the first-class collective merit of the Ministry of Public Security, and the related personnel won the first-class, second-class, and third-class merits. The leader of the Maoming City Network Supervision Detachment therefore made the first-class merit.

On November 2, 2020, the Maonan District Court of Maoming City conducted a secret trial of this case and did not allow parents to attend. Before the trial, 21 lawyers were warned by the Bureau of Justice to shut up, saying that the case involved senior leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.

On December 30, the Maonan Court of Maoming City severely sentenced 24 members of "Vulgar Wiki" in the first instance, and 9 of them were minors. Among them, Niu Tengyu, who had only done more than 200 entries on the "Vulgar Wiki," was convicted as the main culprit. He was charged with "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," infringing on personal information, and illegal business crimes. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined 130,000 yuan.

On January 23, 2021, the police transferred the case to the Procuratorate for prosecution. The procuratorate believed that there were too many loopholes in the case, and there were five children who had not pleaded guilty, so they returned the case to investigation and reported to their superiors in writing.

Recently, the parents of 24 young people prepared a collective appeal.

Some prisoners’ parents and people familiar with the matter told Radio Free Asia that the case-handling units, Maonan Internet Police Brigade, Maoming City, Guangdong Province, and Maonan Procuratorate and the court are taking actions to suppress the continued expansion of the incident.

People familiar with the matter said that the case-handling unit and the judicial department threatened some parents that their children would be given a heavier sentence if they file an appeal. Niu Tengyu’s mother also learned from some sources that the Court of Appeal intends to speed up the arraignment process, and she is worried that the second instance will be held in secret, and the expedited trial will maintain the original verdict.

Niu Tengyu’s mother also learned from the prisoner who had been released that Niu Tengyu had suffered extensively during his detention, but he insisted not to plead guilty; he quoted legal provisions to refute prosecutors and judges, and does not rule out that this was also the cause of retaliation.

She said that some children who were released from prison said that Niu Tengyu was a hero in their minds and confronted prosecutors and judges directly, and they were speechless. The laws were laid there one by one, and Niu Tengyu's evidence refuted them with nothing to say. They were obviously making fakes.

Yangon airport closed until end of May 2021, relief flights from Yangon proceeded from 3 February 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

 

The Myanmar Civil Aviation Administration announced to various airlines on 1 February local time that Yangon Airport will be closed until the end of April, and all international and domestic flights will be cancelled during this time. The flight suspension on Burmese passengers is further extended to 31 May 2021 on 2 February.

On 3 February, MCAA allowed relief and cargo flights to depart from Yangon for Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

UPDATES 03/02/2021

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British media: Afraid of angering the CCP, the Biden government debates the nature of Myanmar's "coup"

Reporter : Zheng Gusheng  / Editor: Mei Lan / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2021/02/02/a103045518.html / Direct translation

The Myanmar military suddenly took over power this week and became the focus of the international political situation. British media quoted news as saying that the changes in Myanmar have plunged the White House into "chaos." The Biden administration is debating whether to characterize this as a "coup" because it is worried that it will anger Beijing and be forced to withdraw aid to Myanmar.

The British newspaper Daily Mail on Tuesday (2 February) quoted a source as saying that although Biden threatened to impose sanctions on Myanmar on Monday, the White House is still debating whether to characterize Myanmar's military takeover as a "coup", and The discussion was very "chaotic".

The source said that the White House is worried that the qualitative "coup" will upset the CCP and be forced to withdraw economic aid.

Senior officials of the US State Department told the US media that how to characterize the Myanmar incident is still under evaluation.

According to the US Foreign Aid Act, the authorities must limit aid to the government that launched a military coup to come to power. However, the "Daily Mail" reported that the US government has just lifted sanctions on Myanmar in recent years, and there is almost no direct assistance to the country.

According to the "Constitution" formulated under the leadership of the Myanmar military government in 2008, after the government is transformed, the military is still given the role of "guardian of the constitution" and has the right to forcibly take over the government in an "emergency. Therefore, whether the military's takeover of the government is "unconstitutional" is still inconclusive. Although some Western countries blamed the Myanmar military, they also avoided using the term "coup".

If the United States characterizes the changes in Myanmar as a "coup," it may impose economic sanctions on Myanmar again, which will harm the interests of the CCP in Myanmar.

The CCP and Myanmar have always had close relations, and maintained "good" interactions with the Burmese Aung San Suu Kyi literati government and military. In January 2020, Xi Jinping and Aung San Suu Kyi reached a consensus on the so-called "China-Myanmar community with a shared future." In addition, Myanmar is also an important node of the CCP’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative. The “China-Myanmar Economic Corridor” supported by China’s investment can help the CCP open up a shortcut to the Indian Ocean, which is of great significance to Beijing’s external expansion.

Shortly before the Myanmar military action, the Chinese Communist Party’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar in mid-January and met with Myanmar’s President Win Myint, State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and National Defense Forces Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Lai. When meeting with Min Aung Lai, Wang Yi also stated that China "supports the Myanmar military in playing its due role in the process of national transformation and development."

Some analysts believe that the CCP may have instructed or acquiesced to the Myanmar military to take over the government, because it may be easier for Beijing to deal with a military government than a democratic government. However, some people believe that Beijing may not be happy to see changes in Myanmar, because the political turmoil in Myanmar may endanger the advancement of the “Belt and Road” and damage Chinese investment projects in Myanmar.

On Monday, the Myanmar military suddenly detained Aung San Suu Kyi, Win Myint, members of parliament and provincial governors, and announced that the acting president backed by the military would take over. The military stated that it will hold a new general election and transfer power after one year after the country implements a state of emergency.

The military stated that the reason for taking over the government was that there were as many as 8.6 million election frauds in the previous general elections, so the military must take actions to safeguard the constitution.

News (2)

Wang Yi gives peace of mind to the commander of the Myanmar army? Scholars suspect that the CCP manipulated the Myanmar coup

Reporter : Luo Tingting /  Editor: Deming / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2021/02/03/a103045806.html / Direct translation

 A military coup broke out in Myanmar a few days ago, which has affected global public opinion. On the eve of the coup, the Chinese Communist Party’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar to meet with the pro-Beijing military leader Min Aung Lai and called each other "brothers." Some scholars suspect that the CCP is behind the Burmese coup, and Wang Yi may have given the commander of the Burmese army "reassurance."

On the eve of the coup, Wang Yi meets with Burmese military chief

In the early morning of 1 February, local time, the Myanmar military suddenly launched a coup and detained Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Min. The commander-in-chief of the Myanmar National Defense Forces Min Aung Lai immediately took over the power.

Min Aung Lai stated on the 2nd that the reason the military took over power was because of “fraud” in the elections last November. After the re-election, the military government will transfer power to the winner.

On the same day, the Myanmar military carried out a major cleansing of the Myanmar government. 11 ministers of central government departments were removed and 24 deputy ministers were relieved of their duties.

Independent columnist and current affairs commentator Gobi Dong told The Epoch Times that, in his view, the Myanmar coup was “the CCP is doing things” from beginning to end.

Just three weeks before the Myanmar military seized power, the Chinese Communist Party’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with the military leader Min Aung Lai in the capital of Myanmar. Wang Yi appreciated the "fraternal" friendship between the Myanmar military and the CCP, and said that the CCP supports the Myanmar military to play an "active role."

Hart, the foreign policy spokesperson of the CDU and CDU in the Bundestag, told DW that the CCP might have encouraged the Burmese military to initiate a coup and called on the EU to investigate the coup.

Hart said, “The coup in Myanmar raises a lot of questions. I don’t know if there are any major powers behind the coup. In January this year, the Chinese (Communist) Foreign Minister visited Myanmar and met with representatives of the Burmese military. Perhaps China (community) At that time, the government encouraged the Myanmar military to take over the country’s power. I asked the European Union to conduct detailed investigations into the circumstances behind the entire coup."

According to mainland media reports, when Min Aung Lai met with Wang Yi, he bluntly stated that there was fraud in Myanmar's general election last November and that the military would take action. It is not clear how Wang Yi responded at the time.

However, shortly after Wang Yi visited Myanmar, the Myanmar military launched a military coup. In addition, it is worth mentioning that in the Western countries condemning the Burmese military, the CCP alone not only failed to condemn it, but on the contrary, its attitude was extremely mild.

Avinash Paliwal, a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at the School of Asian and African Studies, University of London, believes that the CCP's acquiescence to the actions of the Myanmar military may have contributed to the coup.

CCP infiltrates the Myanmar military

Some analysts believe that the CCP can manipulate Myanmar’s political situation and provoke civil strife. On the one hand, it can obtain greater benefits from Myanmar; on the other hand, it can also use Myanmar as a threat, just like North Korea, bargaining with the international community.

Gobi Dong pointed out that the Burmese military has been infiltrated very severely by the CCP. Min Aung Lai has interests in the CCP. Many senior military officials are trained in the CCP military academy, just like the police in Hong Kong.

Professor Feng Chongyi, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney and an expert on China issues, also said that the Myanmar military has always had various ties with the CCP. The original Chengdu Military Region sent many officers to serve in the Myanmar army.

Gobi Dong believes that this coup is not just a problem between the Myanmar military and Aung San Suu Kyi, but the CCP used its mercenary (Myanmar military) card to attack Aung San Suu Kyi. "The CCP is the real behind the scenes. Black hand".

He said that although Aung San Suu Kyi has had some economic cooperation with the CCP in recent years, the CCP wants to use Myanmar to open up the passage through the Strait of Malacca. On this key issue, Aung San Suu Kyi insists on protecting the interests of the country of Myanmar, which makes the CCP very annoyed.

Feng Chongyi said that after Aung San Suu Kyi came to power, the relationship with the CCP was very complicated. On the one hand, she wants to get the support of the CCP, but she does not want to be completely controlled by the CCP. Therefore, some projects such as hydropower stations and water conservancy projects under the “Belt and Road” of China and Myanmar have repeated.

A major CCP project in Myanmar is the Kyaukphyu Deepwater Port Project in Rakhine State, costing US$1.3 billion. The port will become Beijing’s gateway to the Indian Ocean. In addition, China and Myanmar have an investment of 8.9 billion US dollars, from Yunnan to Muse Mandalay high-speed rail project. After the project is completed, the CCP will not need to rely entirely on the Strait of Malacca to maintain a smooth energy channel from the Middle East to China.

Wu Qiang, a former lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Tsinghua University, told Free Asia that the Burmese military's power is better for Beijing. The CCP’s dam and oil pipeline construction projects in Myanmar will be subject to some restraints under the leadership of the Democratic League, and the military government’s coming to power means that these restraints can be lifted.

Gobi Dong said, “We can see within a year that the military will cooperate to make the CCP’s “Belt and Road” project be implemented smoothly in Myanmar.

Wu Qiang believes that if Myanmar continues to move towards democracy, it means that it is more politically biased towards the United States. This is something the CCP does not want to see. It is also a very important reason why we believe the CCP supports the coup of the military government in Myanmar.

Singapore Airlines receives the highest diamond rating in the global airline health and safety assessment

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Singapore Airlines (hereinafter referred to as Singapore Airlines) won the highest diamond rating in the global airline health and safety assessment launched by the Air Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and SimpliFlying.

The assessment was jointly carried out by the industry organization Air Passenger Experience Association and the aviation strategy company SimpliFlying, covering a total of 58 key lists in 10 categories. These assessments include testing, tracking, ground procedures, in-flight measures, and partnerships to further enhance the safety factor.

The diamond rating is the highest achievable level of the evaluation, at least 200 points higher than the minimum gold standard set by the Air Passenger Experience Association and SimpliFlying for passenger safety and health. Its standards are based on independently verified, verified and certified air passenger health and safety measures.

Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Management Yang Pide said: "In the early days of the pandemic, Singapore Airlines consulted medical experts, accepted feedback from passengers, and conducted a comprehensive review of health and safety measures with partners and regulatory agencies.

"Our team has thoroughly researched many end-to-end verification points during the journey. Some necessary existing procedures have been strengthened and improved, and some new measures have been introduced and digital technologies have been used to improve them, providing passengers with more seamless Travel experience."

"Achieving a diamond rating in this assessment is a recognition of our commitment to maintaining the safety and health of passengers and employees in all business areas. Singapore Airlines is known for its industry-leading products and services, and we will continue to ensure world-class health And safety standards are an essential part of our brand promise."

JoeLeader, CEO of the Air Passenger Experience Association, said, “Singapore Airlines has fulfilled its commitment to passengers through non-contact journey management and strict in-flight health protection. As an airline that has passed the Diamond Health and Safety Certification, Singapore Airlines has achieved advanced The advanced detection technology and health pass technology have taken another step forward while investing in passenger health."

Shashank Nigam, founder and CEO of Simplifying, said, “Singapore Airlines has taken a series of measures to improve the industry’s health and safety standards, such as near-touch self-check-in counters, mobile client bag delay notifications, and on-board electronic menus and magazines. Ensuring health and safety by taking hospital-level measures will help strengthen trust among travelers."

Singapore Airlines health and safety measures

Singapore Airlines has introduced comprehensive health and safety measures to ensure the safety of our passengers and employees. Measures before take-off include basic passenger health assessment, as well as non-contact services such as mobile client online check-in and in-flight electronic menus.

Singapore Airlines regularly applies antimicrobial coatings to high-contact surfaces, including lounges, various areas in the cabin and washrooms. On certain flights, electrostatic spray equipment containing disinfectants is also used to disinfect the cabin.

During the flight, Singapore Airlines requires all passengers and staff to wear masks unless they are dining or drinking. Flight attendants are also required to wear goggles and gloves when necessary. On flights departing from certain regions, flight attendants are also required to wear protective clothing.

Although all paper newspapers and magazines have been removed, passengers can access the Singapore Airlines Electronic Library through personal tablets and mobile devices for free, which has more than 1,000 publications worldwide. In order to reduce contact, the in-flight meal service has also been simplified, but Singapore Airlines has reintroduced very popular dishes such as satay and garlic bread for high-end passengers.

Each aircraft of the Singapore Airlines Group is equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which can effectively filter more than 99.99% of particulate matter including airborne viruses and bacteria. The air in the cabin continuously convections inside and outside, keeping the cabin air in an efficient filtration cycle every 2-3 minutes. Wash and replace all earphones, headrest towels, pillow cases, bed sheets and blankets immediately after each flight. Linen should be cleaned and disinfected at high temperature after each use.

Singapore Airlines’ precautionary measures e-brochure can be found here, and more information about Singapore Airlines’ health and safety measures can be found here.

In December 2020, Singapore Airlines also launched a trial of the digital health verification program, which is the world's first program based on the IATA travel pass framework. This program enables travelers to safely store and provide information related to the SARS-CoV-2 test and their vaccination status. At the same time, it will also help support the safe and orderly recovery of the aviation industry from the pandemic.

Trump Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Over Israel-UAE Peace Deal

Reporter : Jack Philipps / Publisher : The Epoch Times PREMIUM 

Image below : (L–R) Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan pose from the Truman Balcony at the White House before they participate in the signing of the Abraham Accords where the countries of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recognize Israel, in Washington, on Sept. 15, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on February 1 by an Estonian member of the European Parliament, Jaak Madison.

In a post on social media, Madison said, “In the last 30 years, Donald Trump is the first president of the United States, who during his tenure, has not started a war. Additionally, he signed several peace agreements in the Middle East which have helped provide stability in the region and peace.”

Madison was referring to the Abraham Accords, a joint statement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States—and later, with Bahrain and other Arab countries.

“We encourage efforts to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue to advance a culture of peace among the three Abrahamic religions and all humanity,” according to a statement on the State Department’s website. “We believe that the best way to address challenges is through cooperation and dialogue and that developing friendly relations among States advances the interests of lasting peace in the Middle East and around the world.”

Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year by Norwegian Parliament member Christian Tybring-Gjedde.

“For his merit, I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees,” Tybring-Gjedde told Fox last year.

Separately, Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz nominated Trump’s son-in-law and former presidential adviser Jared Kushner on February 1. Dershowitz—who is eligible to nominate individuals because of his status as a former Harvard Law professor—argued that Kushner and his associate Avi Berkowitz helped negotiate the Abraham Accords.

“The Nobel Peace Prize is not for popularity. Nor is it an assessment of what the international community may think of those who helped bring about peace,” Dershowitz wrote. “It is an award for fulfilling the daunting criteria set out by Alfred Nobel in his will.”

Under the diplomatic push, Trump’s administration also negotiated deals with Sudan and Morocco.

Kushner, in a statement on January 31, said that he was honored to be nominated for the prize.

President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to review all national security deals struck during the Trump administration, including arms packages for the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Some lawmakers have complained about the Morocco deal because, to win the nation’s agreement, the United States recognized its sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.

Also on Feb. 1, the Black Lives Matter movement was nominated for the Peace Prize by a Norwegian Parliament member, Petter Eide. Eide said that people have messaged him “to say that BLM is a violent organization,” but he rejected the claims.

The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in November.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Ref: https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-over-israel-uae-peace-deal_3680042.html?utm_source=newsnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-2021-02-01-1