Tag Archives: Asia

Australia

Australia demanded an apology from China after fake pictures were posted on social media | Instant News


SYDNEY (Reuters) – The Australian prime minister said the fake image of an Australian soldier posted on the Twitter account of a Chinese official was “absolutely disgusting” and Canberra demanded it be removed, amid deteriorating relations between the two countries.

Scott Morrison called a media briefing to denounce the post, which depicted an Australian soldier holding a knife to the throat of an Afghan child, and said Canberra apologized from Beijing.

The Australian government has asked Twitter to delete the tweet, which was posted on Monday by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, Morrison said.

“This is absolutely outrageous and cannot be justified on any basis,” said Morrison. “The Chinese government should be very ashamed of this post. It reduces them in the eyes of the world. “

Australia’s relations with China have deteriorated since Canberra called for an international investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier this month, China outlined a list of grievances about Australia’s foreign investment, national security and human rights policies, saying Canberra needed to improve its actions to restore bilateral ties with its biggest trading partner.

Morrison said countries around the world are watching how Beijing responds to tensions in Australia’s relationship with China.

In the latest series of trade sanctions, China announced on Friday it would impose temporary anti-dumping tariffs of up to 212.1% on wine imported from Australia, a move Canberra has called unjustified and linked to diplomatic grievances.

Australia has notified 13 special forces troops that they face dismissal in connection with an independent report of alleged extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan, the country’s army chief said on Friday.

Zhao wrote on Twitter: “Shocked by the killing of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such actions, & hold them accountable. “

Her Twitter account also posted the same message, but without fake pictures of the soldier and child, on Friday.

Morrison said Australia had established a “transparent and honest” process to investigate the allegations against accused soldiers and this “is what a free, democratic, liberal country is doing.”

Australia has been “patiently trying” to resolve tensions in relations with China and wants direct discussions between ministers, he said.

Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Edited by Shri Navaratnam and Lincoln Feast.

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New Zealand

White Island volcano: New Zealand officials file charges of deadly eruption | Instant News


White IslandAlso known as Maori Whakaari, is an active volcano off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It was a popular tourist destination before it erupted in December 2019, killing local guides and visitors.

The country’s workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe New Zealand, announced Monday that it had filed charges against 10 organizations and three individuals, accusing them of not doing what could reasonably be practiced to ensure the health and safety of workers and visitors to White Island.

Each of the organizations faces a maximum fine of 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($ 1.1 million), while individuals face a maximum fine of 300,000 New Zealand dollars ($ 211,000).

“This is an unexpected event, but it does not mean it is unexpected and there is an obligation for operators to protect those in their care,” said WorkSafe chief executive Phil Parkes.

In the weeks before the eruption, New Zealand’s volcano monitoring service GeoNet raised the alert level on White Island to Level 2 from 5, meaning there is “moderate to high volcanic riots. “
Forty seven people were on the island at the time of the explosion, including honeymooners and families, and Parkes said they went there in the hope that a system was in place to ensure they returned safely.

“That is hope that goes to the heart of our health and safety culture,” he said. “As a nation we need to look at this tragedy and ask if we are really doing enough to ensure our mothers, fathers, children and friends come home to us healthy and safe at the end of the day.”

The allegations follow an investigation Parkes described as “the most extensive and complex” in WorkSafe history. WorkSafe said it was not investigating the rescue and recovery of victims, meaning no charges were linked to any attempt after the eruption.

WorkSafe did not name the accused parties, as they may ask for name suppression when the case holds its first hearing in December.

However several parties have confirmed that they are involved. GNS Science – a Crown research organization that monitors volcanic activity – said in a statement that they face charges. “We support our people and our science – which we will continue to provide on behalf of NZ,” said GNS.

The National Emergency Management Agency – the government body that deals with the country’s civil defense – owns also confirmed it faces accusations.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern New Zealand’s mind goes to their families who have suffered loss or injury.

“There is no easy process from here, but it is the job of WorkSafe to make sure that if there are questions that need to be answered, they have a role to play and lead them,” he said.

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New Zealand

The New Zealand dollar is on track for the best month since 2013 | Instant News


SYDNEY, 30 Nov (Reuters) – The Australian and New Zealand dollars opened the week higher on Monday, as optimism about a vaccine-driven global recovery brought currencies to their highest levels in months and put the Kiwi dollar on track for monthly gains. more than 6%.

The New Zealand dollar opened at $ 0.7046, the highest level since July 2018, and 0.1% higher than Friday’s close of $ 0.7035.

This has paired some gains back flat in the afternoon, on track for a 6.3% gain in November, the most in a month since September 2013, as investors cut expectations for more policy easing given the risk of soaring house prices.

“The recovery of global equities to record highs and the prospects that seem more promising with the vaccine emergency appear very encouraging and it has pushed both growth-sensitive currencies higher, especially this month, but the Kiwi has performed quite clearly,” said Westpac strategist. Banking Corp senior currency, Sean Callow.

The sentiment that helped on Monday was a survey showing factory activity in China easily beat forecasts in November, leaving the blue chip 6.6% higher for the month.

The Australian dollar strengthened 0.06% to $ 0.7333 on Monday, after hitting $ 0.7408 earlier in the session, the highest in three months. The Aussie was on track to close 5.1% stronger for November, the biggest monthly gain since April.

Investors expect data on Wednesday to show the Australian economy has recovered sharply from its first recession in three decades, according to a Reuters poll.

They will also keep an eye on comments from the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is expected to hold interest rates at a historic low of 0.1% on Tuesday.

New Zealand government bonds rose slightly with long-term yields down 3 basis points.

Australian government futures were flat, with the three-year bond contract unchanged at 99.83 and the 10-year contract one tick higher to 99.11.

Edited by Stephen Coates

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pakistan

‘Now we have peace’ | Instant News


The First Eunuch Church, which congregates in informal spaces rather than in actual buildings, is Pakistan’s only transgender church.

“We no longer need to worry about worship,” explained Angel. “Now we have our own church and we worship here. Now there [some] peace in life. “

In 2018, Pakistan introduced what was hailed as the most progressive legal protection for transgender people in Asia. The law allows them to identify their own gender on official documents and guarantees protection from harassment.

Pakistan’s last census in 2017 recorded around 10,000 transgender people, although the real figure is thought to be much higher.

In reality, however, discrimination and physical assault remain rife and many say they have little opportunity to earn money other than sex work and begging.

“Words can’t describe how hard it is for a trans person to get from church to church,” said Angel, who runs a beauty salon at the Buffalo colony in Karachi. “When sitting on a chair, the people who sit together will separate. Some would say it’s a ladies place. Do not sit here. “

“God is ours like ordinary people.”

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Australia

Cricket-Smith hit a second tonne in a row as Australia posted 389-4 vs India | Instant News


SYDNEY, 29 Nov (Reuters) – Steve Smith presided over a stellar display of top-ranked Australian batsmen with a second straight century when the hosts collected a top 389 for four against flagging bowler India in a second one-day international in Sydney on Sunday. .

The match follows a script similar to Friday’s opening at the Sydney Cricket Ground which Australia won by 66 runs, with captain Aaron Finch opting to hit after winning the pitch.

Finch and partner opener David Warner scored 142 goals for the first goal in the second one-day match, after 156 runs standing on Friday, as the Indian bowler, who conceded 374-6 in the final game, struggled hard and hot. strong windy conditions.

Finch, who made 114 in the previous game, fell for 60 while Warner ran out of 83 by a direct hit from inside while trying to steal the second round.

It’s up to Smith to continue Australia’s quest for a big total and the right-hander sends in, mixing a powerful shot with a deft touch to take the line during his smooth beats.

Smith finished his 11th tonne in a 62-ball format and fell on 104 of versatile Hardik Pandya, who prior to Sunday had not played international cricket since September last year with a lower back injury.

Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 63 of 29 balls, which includes four six and the same number of four, and 70 strokes from Marnus Labuschagne helped Australia build on a strong platform and finish with growing. (Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

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