China: President Envisions
Success of 2022 Games

During a call with International Olympic Committee President
Thomas Bach, President Xi Jinping has pledged* to complete the preparatory work
for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as scheduled. China
has largely controlled the Covid-19 pandemic and its economy has already
started on the road to recovery. Construction of the Games venues and other
facilities are going ahead and have already made marked** progress at the
current stage. Beijing will be the only city to have hosted both the summer and
winter Olympic Games. China has also committed to work with the International
Olympic Committee and other countries to hold the Tokyo Olympic Games. President
Xi credits the success of controlling the coronavirus pandemic to the
implementation of strict epidemic control measures. President Bach also
congratulated China for its outstanding achievements in battling the pandemic
and ensuring economic recovery, noting that China will be an important engine
for world growth.

 

*pledged – commit by a solemn promise

**marked – clearly noticeable

 

Think about it: Hosting an Olympics Games is not just
about the host country; an important part is the participating countries as
well. Do you think the world will recover in time for the 2021 and 2022 Games?

 

 

Malaysia: Possibility Of
Shutting Down Economy To Control Surge In Cases

Malaysia is preparing to shut down most of its economy to
contain the spread of the Covid-19 infections if cases continue to surge. Daily
infections have remained above 3,000 for the past week, and the total number of
infections is over 183,000. The Health Ministry would prefer the imposition* of
a total lockdown on all economic activity except essential services if there is
no improvement in case numbers by Feb 4. Other government ministries are hoping
to allow limited business activities to continue alongside essential services. Although
manufacturing industries have been allowed to continue under the existing
Movement Control Orders, the sector has been linked to almost a third of
Malaysia’s around 300 Covid-19 clusters. The Health Ministry’s data also
consistently shows that workplaces are becoming the main source of Covid-19
clusters. The Finance Minister has admitted that further Movement Control
Orders would reduce the chances of an economic recovery for the country.

 

*imposition – force an unwelcome ruling on someone

 

Think about it: How does one weigh the lives of the
country’s population against economic prosperity and recovery?

 

 

Indonesia: Covid-19 Cases Surpass
1 Million

Indonesia has passed the grim milestone of 1 million
coronavirus cases, straining hospitals in the fourth-most populous nation in
the world. Patients are being turned away or forced to wait at hospitals which
are overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases, with many having occupancy rates above
90%. Epidemiologists fear that the country’s healthcare system could possibly
collapse. They also warned that while the vaccine is being administered, the
government should continue to arrest the pandemic through testing, contact
tracing, restricting of people’s mobility and making sure that people adhere*
to health protocols. There is a concern that the vaccines might cause people to
become complacent. Adding to the problems are the huge disparity in educational
and economic backgrounds among the population affecting the level of awareness.
As such, Indonesia might be forced to return to large-scale social restrictions
to reduce the number of cases in Southeast Asia’s worst hit country.

 

*adhere – believe in and follow the practices of

 

Think about it: Should Indonesia ration healthcare, where
only the most severely ill get to be admitted to hospitals?

https://youtu.be/uts2psWVciA

Indonesia: Parents Struggle To Keep Children Focused

Many parents feel unprepared to coteach their children at home and struggle to help them stay focused when attending online classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A study conducted by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab found that online learning was too challenging for both parents and students but was the safest option for children. The study also suggests that one possible reason why the children could not concentrate was boredom due to a lack of interaction with their friends. Further, children who rely on their parents to help with schoolwork are at a disadvantage if parents don’t have the skills or time to fully do so. In a bid to using a more interactive teaching method, they have been using teleconferencing¹ platforms so that students can interact with their peers. The Jakarta Education Agency also works with companies and individuals who want to donate gadgets for students in need.

 

¹teleconferencing – using telecommunication devices to hold discussions between people in different locations

 

Think about it: What other methods can teachers and parents utilize to help students learn better online?

 

 

China: Hope For Trapped Miners

12 gold miners who have been trapped several hundred meters underground for more than a week have sent up a written note. The note warned that some of them are injured, that they are surrounded by water and that they urgently need medicine. A blast more than a week ago at the mine trapped 22 workers more than 600m from the mine’s entrance. After days without any sign of survivors, rescuers heard knocking sounds on Sunday as they drilled through the mine’s shaft. A note that was sent up on a line said that at least 12 miners were still alive, but that their conditions and health were deteriorating². Footage from the state broadcaster showed rescue workers sending a wire taped with food and drinks down a small opening to the miners. Rescuers intend to drill multiple tunnels into the mine to vent³ air and deliver supplies. While this is going on, rescue work to bring the miners back up to safety will continue.

 

²deteriorating – becoming progressively worse

³vent – an opening that allows air to pass out of

 

Think about it: China has a very bad mining safety record. What can the government do to ensure the safety of miners.

 

 

United States: Joe Biden Sworn In

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46^th President of the United States to lead a nation driven apart by post-election turmoil⁴ and social and political divides. Former senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice-President, being the first woman, first African American and first Asian American to hold the post. President Biden is set to immediately roll back key policies established by Donald Trump and sign executive orders designed to tackle the pandemic, climate change and immigration. These include making masks compulsory on federal property, re-entering the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Agreement and stopping construction of the border wall with Mexico. Instead of pursuing Mr Trump’s isolationist⁵ policies, Mr Biden will re-engage with the rest of the world and repair relations with America’s allies. About 1,000 lawmakers and guests attended the scaled-down and socially distanced ceremony with a sea of flags to represent the usually large crowds who traditionally show up at inaugurations.

 

⁴turmoil – a state of great disturbance

⁵isolationist – a policy of remaining apart from the affairs of other groups

 

Think about it: With so many challenges facing the Biden administration, which do you think is the most pressing? Some examples would be the pandemic, climate change, the economy and relations with other countries.

 

 

 

At the end of our news segment, we like to take some time to talk about one of the discussion points raised. Today, we are going to discuss which matter the Biden administration should focus on first.

 

 

Personally, I think the most pressing matter would be to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control. Already, so many businesses have closed down due to a lack of customers and business. Further, the numbers regarding the pandemic are publicly available, so the performance of the Biden administration with regards to this matter is very visible. It is necessary to bring the pandemic under control in order to restart the economy. While climate change is also a major concern, it is not something that can be solved in Biden’s first 100 days in office and does not impact everyone as immediately as the Covid-19 situation does. 

https://youtu.be/nku4eWw7oSQ

Malaysia: Largest Drug Haul In Country’s History

Police tracked a 34-year-old unemployed man who owns several luxury cars including a Lamborghini worth RM960,000. His arrest led police to his accomplice, a 38-year-old mechanic who could allegedly build hidden compartments in cars to store drugs. Police also conducted raids at a factory and two rented houses which were part of a follow-up investigation into a drug syndicate that saw 15 suspects detained. The arrests led to a major drug haul of over RM201 million in narcotics, the largest in Malaysia’s history. Aside from the illegal drugs, other items seized include machines and tools used by the syndicate, vehicles including the Lamborghini, cash in various currencies and jewelry. Sixty-four bank accounts belonging to the syndicate were also frozen. The total value of the seizure is more than RM341 million. The syndicate was capable of supplying drugs to over 11 million drug addicts. Police have not ruled out the possibility that they supplied their product overseas.

 

Think about it: Will it be the case that when one syndicate is taken down, another one will rise to fill the void?

 

 

Indonesia: Earthquake death toll at 73

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s West Sulawesi last Friday, killing at least 73 people, injuring more than 820 people and leaving over 27,800 homeless. This is the latest in a string of disasters to affect the country. Police and military officers have also been sent to crack down on looting in several parts of the region. Rescuers have had to pull out corpses from collapsed buildings, which include a hospital and shopping mall. The head of Indonesia’s meteorological, climatology and geophysical agency stated that another quake in the region could possibly trigger a tsunami. Other disasters to hit Indonesia in recent days include floods in North Sulawesi and South Kalimantan provinces that killed five and landslides in West Java that have killed 29. Mount Semeru in East Java erupted last week, but there have not been any reports of evacuations or casualties. Extreme weather and other dangers of hydrometeorology have been forecasted for the coming weeks.

 

Think about it: If you were one of the victims, would you rather be temporarily homeless or squeeze into a cramped evacuation center with others who might potentially have Covid-19?

 

 

Thailand: No Vaccine Trials For Thais

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has insisted that Thais will not participate in tests on the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines. Any vaccines rolled out in Thailand must first have their safety and efficacy fully tested. This decision was based on the advice of a national vaccine committee. The deputy director general of the Department of Disease Control has stated that vaccines which are brought in for use in Thailand must at least be registered with countries which have strict regulations governing vaccine registration. These countries include the United Kingdom and the United States. The Thai government had pre-ordered 26 million doses of vaccine from AstraZeneca and recently sought to purchase another 35 million doses from them. The deputy director general also sought to allay people’s fears about the vaccines and their side effects, saying that what most people experience are unpleasant, yet generally acceptable conditions following a shot. These include body aches, mild fevers and fatigue.

 

Think about it: Is it an acceptable risk to use a vaccine that has not yet been fully tested, if the population is suffering badly from the effects of the pandemic?

 

 

United States: Nation On Alert For Possible Protests

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned police agencies of the possibility of armed demonstrations outside the capitol buildings of all 50 states up until the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. This is fueled by the supporters of Donald Trump who believe in his false claims of electoral fraud and by the attack on the US Capitol earlier in the month. More than a dozen states have already activated their National Guards to bolster security, including Washington, DC. There were some demonstrations last Saturday, but statehouses were mostly quiet. Most law enforcement officials were instead focusing their efforts on the anti-government “boogaloo” movement which made plans several weeks ago to hold rallies in all 50 states. Due to both the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns, much of the celebrations around Mr Biden’s inauguration will be held online, though he still plans to be sworn in and deliver his inaugural address at the Capitol.

 

Think about it: Would you advise Joe Biden to go ahead with the inauguration, what with al the security concerns surrounding the event?

 

 

Sports: Nepali Team 1^st To Reach K2 Peak In Winter

A team of Nepali climbers last Saturday became the first to reach the summit of K2 in the winter. Many mountaineers have been trying to reach the summit of the world’s second highest mountain over the last few weeks. Nicknamed the “Savage Mountain”, winds on K2 can blow at more than 200kmh and temperatures can fall to minus 60 degrees Celsius on the 8,611m-high mountain. The 10 Nepali climbers who ultimately scaled the peak were earlier spread across different teams of climbers.  They formed a new team to claim the feat in Nepal’s name, which brought much rejoicing in the country. A Nepali climber who has ascended Mt Everest a record 24 times said that although the Nepalese are famed for their climbing experience and have assisted foreigners to reach the summits of the Himalayas, they have not been getting the recognition they deserve. Nepali guides, usually ethnic Sherpas, are considered the backbone of the climbing industry in the Himalayas, carrying equipment and food for the climbers.

 

Think about it: Which do you think is the greater achievement: Mt Everest, which is the highest mountain, or; K2, which is considered by many to be a more dangerous climb?

 

 

At the end of our news segment, we like to take a look back at one of the issues raised and provide a bit of our own input. Today, we will be looking at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and whether or not he should go ahead with the inauguration.

 

 

If I had the chance to advise Joe Biden, I would definitely recommend that he go ahead with the inauguration, and be sworn in and deliver his maiden address at the Capitol Building. Firstly, I have every confidence that their security forces would be able to protect him, especially now that a large contingent of National Guardsmen have been deployed to the Capitol. Secondly, him being at the site of a recent attack, one that many have called an attack on American democracy, is a show of strength. It shows the American people, and the rioters, that he and his administration have the strength to push forward despite adversity and will not bow down to those who sought to disrupt their country.

https://youtu.be/DKjDdf3O1EE

Singapore: Driverless Road Sweepers On Trial

Driverless road sweepers have been deployed¹ to three places in Singapore on a trial basis. The trials started this month and are expected to run until July. If successful, the autonomous² vehicles will be deployed on the roads in the next few years. The trials will start off at off-peak hours such as on weekends and evenings in designated small-scale areas. There will also be a safety driver on board at all times who can take immediate control of the vehicle if required. Operation of the vehicles is also monitored in real time from a command center by an operator. Decals and markings on the vehicles also make them easily identifiable to other road users. The implementation³ of the autonomous vehicles will lessen the manual workload of cleaners, as well as make it easier and safer for them. It is also hoped that such projects will be able to jump start the local robotics industry.

 ¹deployed – to move equipment to a place where they can be used when needed

²autonomous – carried on without outside control

³implementation – the process of putting a plan into effect

 Think about it: Will robots be able to completely replace some human jobs?

 

 

Thailand: Dozens Of Officers Implicated In Labor Smuggling

The Royal Thai Police will investigate 33 police officers and state officials who are suspected of negligence⁴ and aiding and abetting⁵ illegal labor smuggling. Among the 33 being investigated are more than 20 police officers, with the rest being officials from other state agencies. The national police chief will be setting up an inquiry panel to consider criminal prosecution and disciplinary action against those who are implicated. Arrest warrants will also be issued for eight other Thai civilians who are part of the smuggling gang. The gang had sneaked migrants into Thailand and sent them to work in Samut Sakhon, which is the origin of the recent Covid-19 outbreak. The authorities are registering illegal foreign workers in a bid to monitor them and help fight the spread of Covid-19. These foreign workers will be allowed to stay for two years and encouraged to test for Covid-19.

 ⁴negligence – failure to take proper care of something

⁵abetting – assist someone to commit a crime

 Think about it: If illegal foreign workers are allowed to stay in Thailand for two years, wouldn’t that cause a surge in their numbers, and possibly worsen the outbreaks as they are not screened upon entering Thailand?

 

 

China: First Virus Death Logged In 8 Months

China has recorded its first Covid-19 death in eight months. Experts are also concerned about the new strains of coronavirus that are spreading rapidly around the world. China has already locked down millions of people in order to control this fresh outbreak which has resulted in this death. Many countries are encountering either a second or third wave of outbreaks, which has resulted in them placing their populations under economically damaging restrictions. The death in China comes at a time when a team from the World Health Organization is in China to investigate the origins of the novel coronavirus. Beijing has argued that Wuhan is not where the virus originated, but where it was first identified. Scientists feel that large-scale vaccinations are the only way out of the pandemic, but the progress of many vaccination programs has been slower than hoped. There is some good news with one British study suggesting that recovery from Covid-19 infection gives most people at least five months of immunity⁶.

 ⁶immunity – an organism’s ability to resist a particular infection

 Think about it: What are the implications for the country where the virus originated? Do you think that country’s enemies will use this information as a political tool against it?

 

 

Science: J&J Vaccine Offers Long-Lasting Immune Response

Johnson & Johnson’s experimental one-shot Covid-19 vaccine generated a long-lasting immune response in an early safety study. The progress of this vaccine is being closely monitored as it would offer ease of distribution and mass inoculation. More than 90% of participants made neutralizing⁷ antibodies within 29 days of receiving the shot, and all participants made antibodies within 57 days of taking the shot. The one-shot vaccine generates more antibodies than a single shot from the other Covid-19 vaccines, and its effectiveness is comparable to those taking the full two shots of the other vaccines. The company expects to get definitive⁸ efficacy data from a final stage study of 45,000 volunteers by next month. The chief scientific officer at Johnson & Johnson estimates that the vaccine will be more than 70% effective. Not only is the single shot vaccine easier to administer as there is no need for repeat clinical visits, but it can be stored at refrigerator temperatures for three months.

 ⁷neutralizing – make something ineffective by applying an opposite effect

⁸definitive – reached decisively and with authority

 Think about it: Would you prefer a more effective vaccine that requires two shots, or a less effective one that only requires one shot?

 

 

Health: WHO Dampens Hope Of Herd Immunity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that herd immunity from the novel coronavirus is unlikely this year even as countries start mass vaccination programs. This is due to coverage not being wide enough to provide population-level immunity. The European Union has been criticized⁹ for its lengthy approval process and slow rollout of drugs. The European Union has just started the approval process for its third vaccine, which was developed by drug company AstraZeneca together with Oxford University. Even though the AstraZeneca vaccine is already being used in Britain, it is expected that a decision would not be reached before Jan 29. Further compounding¹⁰ the problem are European hospitals being stretched to their limits and several Asian countries facing surges in infection cases. Malaysia has been forced to declare a state of emergency, and Japan has also done likewise for 11 prefectures. In China, a city of five million has been added to a growing lockdown area near the capital of Beijing.

 ⁹criticized – indicate the faults of someone in a disapproving way

¹⁰compounding – make something worse

 Think about it: How important is it for people to continue with earlier health protocols such as safe distancing, wearing of masks, etc while their government administers the vaccine?

 

 

At the end of every news segment, we like to take some time to provide our own inputs on one of the discussion topics raised. Today, we are going to talk about whether robots can replace some human jobs.

 

 

I think the key thing to note here is the word “some”. Where the technology is right now, only very rudimentary tasks can be replaced by robots, much like how robots already replaced humans in doing very repetitive jobs in factories during the industrial revolution. With the increasing use of machine learning, robots will be able to replace humans for increasingly challenging and difficult jobs. Already, some systems are better than doctors at diagnosing various diseases. So, in short, yes, robots will be able to completely replace humans in some jobs, but for some other complicated tasks, they won’t replace humans (yet) but can assist them greatly. However, we should remember that ultimately, it is still a human who programs the robot to perform a task.