Year: 2021

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India Records 16,764 New COVID-19 Cases, Tally Rises To 34,838,804

NEW DELHI– India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 34,838,804 today, as 16,764 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal Health Ministry’s latest data.

 

Besides, 220 more deaths since yesterday morning took the death toll to 481,080.

 

There are still 91,361 active COVID-19 cases in the country, with a rise of 8,959 active cases during the past 24 hours. This is the third consecutive day when the number of active cases rose in the country.

 

A total of 34,266,363 people have been successfully cured and discharged from hospitals, out of whom 7,585 were discharged during the past 24 hours.

 

Meanwhile, the country’s Omicron tally has reached 1,270, out of which Maharashtra and Delhi have reported 450 and 320 cases, respectively. Till now 374 patients have been discharged after recovery, as per the federal Health Ministry’s data.

 

 

Source: NAM News Network

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S.Korea To Extend Tightened Social-Distancing Rules For Two Weeks

SEOUL– South Korea decided today, to extend the tightened social-distancing rules for two more weeks, in a bid to reduce hospitalisations and contain the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

 

South Korean Prime Minister, Kim Boo-kyum, made the announcement during a COVID-19 response meeting, saying, it was too early to be sure that the country overcame the pandemic crisis.

 

The government began to toughen anti-virus measures on Dec 18, as the eased quarantine measures called “Living with COVID-19” in Nov led to surging infections.

 

Under the tightened social-distancing guideline nationwide, the maximum number of people allowed for private gatherings will remain four for two more weeks, until Jan 16.

 

The business hour curfew will be maintained on multi-use facilities. Restaurants and cafes will be permitted to open until 9:00 p.m. local time.

 

Those who are not fully inoculated will be allowed to enter restaurants and cafes alone or use take-out and delivery services.

 

The business hour of nighttime entertainment facilities, such as nightclubs and bars, will be restricted to 9:00 p.m., but movie theatres, concert halls and internet cafes will be allowed to operate until 10:00 p.m.

 

The tougher anti-virus measures were taken, to lower hospitalisations and contain the Omicron variant.

 

In the latest tally, South Korea reported 4,875 more cases for the past 24 hours, lifting the total number of infections to 630,838.

 

The number of the Omicron variant infections came to 894 so far, including 479 imported cases and 415 domestic transmissions, up 269 from the prior day.

 

The number of infected people who were in a serious condition stood at 1,056, down 89 from the previous day.

 

Source: NAM News Network

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New Zealand Reports 49 New Community Cases Of COVID-19 Delta Variant

WELLINGTON– New Zealand reported 49 new Delta variant cases of COVID-19 in the community today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country’s current community outbreak to 10,825.

 

Among the new infections, 22 were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, three in nearby Waikato, 19 in Bay of Plenty, one in Hawke’s Bay and four in the Lakes, according to the Ministry of Health.

 

A total of 46 cases are being treated in hospitals, including eight in intensive care units or high dependency units, the ministry said in a statement.

 

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Zealand stands at 13,748 currently, according to the health ministry.

 

To date, 95 percent of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 91 percent have double doses, or been fully vaccinated.

 

Nationwide, 90 percent of eligible Pacific peoples are now fully vaccinated, the ministry said.

 

A suite of precautionary measures was announced last week, in light of emerging experience overseas with Omicron. This included shortening the period between the second and booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine from six months to four months.

 

There are 10 Omicron cases to report among recent arrivals at the border, taking the total at the border to date to 88. There are no community Omicron cases to report, the ministry statement said.

 

Parents and caregivers will be able to book vaccinations for 5-11 year-olds from Jan 17.

 

Source: NAM News Network

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Diplomatic boycott of Beijing Games is ‘meaningless’: World Athletics President Sebastian Coe

LONDON— World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said he takes human rights “very seriously” but that Britain’s diplomatic boycott of next year’s Beijing Winter Olympics is “meaningless”.

 

The United States, Australia and Canada have also announced a diplomatic boycott of the Games over China’s human rights record, a stand that China dismissed as “political posturing”.

 

Coe drew criticism over his comments last week when he said he was “philosophically opposed” to boycotts.

 

“Boycotts, on balance, are historically illiterate and intellectually dishonest. A political boycott is, frankly, meaningless,” Coe told British media.

 

“That’s not to be an apologist for countries that do not conform to the basic standards around human rights … I’m not insouciant or cavalier about human rights. I take them very seriously.

 

“I don’t think over the long haul (boycotts) actually achieve a great deal. There are always unintended consequences. And at the end of the day, the people that most suffer in all that are the athletes.”

 

The Beijing Games begin on Feb 4.

 

Source: NAM News Network

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AIM 2022 Aims to Spur Growth in Foreign Direct Investments Worldwide

● Developed economies registered a threefold increase in FDIs in 1H21, reaching a total of $424 billion ● The UAE is one of the world’s top 20 economies, in terms of FDI ● AIM 2022’s FDI Pillar aims to explore pivotal themes, including mainstreaming ESG investments, GVCs Optimisation, IPAs as a favourable business environment, importance of SEZs, amongst other relevant topics

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

DUBAI, Arab Emirates, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eyeing the augmentation of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) flows worldwide, The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) — an initiative by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy — expressed its keenness on continuing to create numerous investment opportunities and innovative economic and business strategies, whilst fully supporting the ensuing macro recovery and subsequent changes to the global economy.

AIM 29-31 March 2022 — global context and focus themes 

The AIM’s next edition — to be held from 29 to 31 March 2022, with the theme of “Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future” — will focus mainly on endorsing and boosting investments towards sustainability and innovation through key activities under the FDI Pillar.

Thanks to rising investors’ confidence, FDI flows have rebounded, globally, in 1H21, as per the latest United Nations (UN) report. Developed economies’ FDIs increased more than threefold in the first half of this year, hitting $424 billion. Contrary to previous forecasts, global FDI prospects for the full year have improved, the UNCTAD report indicated. This has also been evident in FDIs into East and Southeast Asian countries, which saw a rise of 25%.

The UAE is one of the world’s top 20 economies, in terms of FDI, indicating the country’s strong economic performance. In response to the pandemic, it was one of the first countries in the world to launch stimulus packages and initiatives to provide the necessary support to the economy’s various sectors and adapt to pandemic-related challenges. The country’s resilience and relentless pursuit of successful economic transformation and sustainability are clearly manifested in the high global rankings it has achieved.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE, said: 

“With the world’s greatest show, Expo 2020 Dubai, we are now looking forward to collaborating with other organizations and partnering with the best ideas in the world to shape the future. To achieve our goal of attracting foreign direct investment, we offer a number of incentives to investors, such as zero personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership, and a 10-year golden visa. Currently, the UAE is ranked 11th in the world for Ease of Doing Business and first in the region. Together, we will make the UAE the best investment destination in the world.”

AIM 2022 activities are designed to boost investment opportunities extensively in various sectors. Participants can explore lucrative investment prospects and ideas under the FDI Pillar as global markets offer new investment opportunities to spur economic growth.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi added that: 

“For the past 10 years, the Annual Investment Meeting has played a crucial role in bringing in foreign investment to the UAE. Our focus is now on enhancing UAE’s international reputation as an investment hub and mobilizing concrete investments, along with bringing in solutions for sustainable economic growth. I believe the next edition of the Annual Investment Meeting will bring positive economic change achieving new milestones in the FDI world.”

AIM 2022 will recognize the best Investment Promotion Agencies across the globe through the AIM Awards, giving tribute to the best FDI projects in regions that have contributed significantly to their markets’ growth and expansion.

AIM’s FDI Pillar will present and discuss key topics. These include: 

  • “Less than a decade away from SDGs 2030, where are we now, in terms of sustainable investments?” will explore the concerns and action plans to foster inclusive economic development and resilient societies.
  • “How FDIs must drive change towards mainstreaming ESG investments”: Experts from global investment agencies will provide their insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
  • “Global Value Chains (GVCs) Optimisation” is also especially relevant, as developed and emerging economies are urged to reposition and optimize their supply chain systems, not only in terms of cost-effectiveness but, more importantly, from the perspective of logistical expertise and long-term regional stability. As GVCs are revisited, redesigned and transformed, this will be reflected in investors’ preferences, in addition to all the complementary initiatives that are implemented by regulatory authorities.
  • Establishing a digital competitive investment infrastructure has now become mandatory for positioning Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) as favourable business environments, which was evident in the global economic recovery pattern. This issue will be explored in the session “Accommodating Virtual FDIs: No Longer a Far-Fetched Concept, but a Requisite.”
  • According to UNCTAD, only half of the IPAs worldwide acknowledge the impact of FDI attraction in their country zones. The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) session, “Walking the Talk Beyond Fiscal Incentives,” will discuss the rationality of establishing SEZs: what makes them mutually prosperous and sustainable in today’s business context; and how to best strategize their development through constructive partnerships.
  • When selecting an FDI location, countries with higher-skilled and better-educated workforces tend to attract more greenfield FDI projects (UNCTAD, WIF). In the wake of workforce flexibility, countries are increasingly promoting diverse and digitally adept talent pools to leverage FDIs. The session “Seizing the Opportunity to Attract & Retain the Talent Pool” will present an opportunity where policymakers and employers will gather to tackle the issue of the remotely functional and resilient workforce in today’s fragmented global economy.
  • Focused on three regional topics that examine the economic landscapes of Africa, Asia and Latin America, Day 3 of the FDI Pillar’s activities will explore the regions’ risks, challenges and opportunities for growth that call for increased regional cooperation.

Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi, President of the AIM’s Organising Committee, stated that: 

“Since the global pandemic, the Annual Investment Meeting has undertaken several innovative and technologically driven initiatives to transform the economy towards an upward direction. The platform has continued to drive investments through smart solutions. It has also pushed for the development of several projects that add value to investors and the economy in general. AIM recognises the UAE’s continued success and will serve as an instrument to further establish future economic developments and boost FDI flows worldwide.”

The Annual Investment Meeting continues to gain support from several ministries and government departments, Special Economic Zones (SEZ), smart city solution providers, venture capitalists, angel investors and several financial institutions to provide SMEs and start-ups with an abundance of opportunities. Apart from AIM’s FDI Pillar, the Annual Investment Meeting consists of five more pillars: i) the 50 Initiatives Pillar; ii) The Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s) Pillar; iii) The Future Cities Pillar; iv) The Start-ups Pillar; and v) the FPI Pillar.

For more information on AIM 2022, please visit www.aimcongress.com.

About the Annual Investment Meeting

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) is the world’s leading platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investments. It is the largest gathering of the international investment community, policymakers, business leaders, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and experts showcasing up-to-date information and strategies on attracting FDI. 

It convenes key decision-makers from around the world, bringing together businesses and countries willing to engage in sustainable partnerships with investors. It offers a variety of features aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investments while providing a worthwhile learning experience.

For press inquiries, please contact Angie.Mahran@aimcongress.com.

Related Images

Image 1: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi

Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention at Ministry Of Economy, UAE

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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US Donates Over US$100,000 To M’sian Red Crescent Society For Flood Relief Efforts

KUALA LUMPUR— The United States (US) has pledged some RM420,000 (US$100,534) for flood relief efforts to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the aid made through the United States Agency for International Development will support the provision of health services to flood affected households in Malaysia, including medical treatment, disease prevention, and mental health services.

“The United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, on behalf of the American people, expresses its sympathies to the victims of the recent flooding in Malaysia,” said the embassy in a statement made available to Bernama.

Meanwhile, US embassy’s Chargé d’affaires Michael Newbill said in the same statement that he and his colleagues hoped that the funds will help provide relief for the people impacted by the recent flooding.

“My colleagues and I also pulled together to raise funds to help members of our own embassy community whose homes and families were impacted by the flooding.

“We appreciate the tireless work of the Malaysian Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in responding to this disaster, and for their ongoing work supporting COVID-19 relief efforts,” he said.

Secretary General of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Hakim Hamzah said these generous funds from the United States will be a big help in its ongoing efforts, as the society provides further relief efforts including food, safe water, medical supplies and hygiene kits to people across the worst affected areas in Malaysia.

Torrential rains in Malaysia have caused flooding and landslides in several states in Malaysia, claimed almost 50 lives so far, with another five still reported missing. The fatality number is the highest in the history of flood disasters in Malaysia.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Thailand Urges All Parties To End Violence Along Thai-Myanmar Border

BANGKOK— Thailand calls for an end to violence in Myanmar as clashes fuel tensions along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Tanee Sangrat said Thailand hoped all parties involved will hold talks and settle their differences as soon as possible.

“Besides that, all parties must restore peace and stability along the border to ensure the people are safe and are able to carry on with the routines,” he said at a press conference here today.

Tanee said local authorities have been working with villagers along the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak province to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar refugees.

Media reported on Christmas eve, 35 people were murdered and their bodies burned in Kayah State in Eastern Myanmar.

They include four children and two staff members of the humanitarian organisation Save the Children.

As Myanmar’s neighbour, Tanee said Thailand is concerned with the violence in many parts of Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Tanee said Thailand hoped ASEAN and its 2022 chair, Cambodia would bring positive progress to end Myanmar crisis.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Cambodia Vows To Strengthen ASEAN’s Centrality For Regional Peace, Security, Prosperity

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia, the incoming chair of ASEAN for 2022, vowed to strengthen ASEAN centrality, in order to maintain and uphold peace, security and prosperity, the country’s Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, said yesterday.

Speaking during a diplomatic briefing on Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, Sokhonn said, Cambodia will reinforce multilateralism and multilateral processes, through ASEAN-led mechanisms and concerted actions that will remain open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based.

He said, the kingdom will also foster mutual trust, respect, interest, and understanding, in accordance with the principles and objectives laid out in the United Nations Charter, ASEAN Charter, and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, among others.

“ASEAN Centrality will be further strengthened, in the face of rising anti-globalisation sentiments, unilateralism and protectionism, while promoting the ASEAN Way, unity in diversity, caring and sharing community, and the culture of peace,” he said.

Sokhonn, who is also deputy prime minister, said, Cambodia will promote ASEAN’s spirit as a united family.

He added that, the kingdom will also do its best to reenergise and expand ASEAN’s partnerships with external partners, in order to maintain regional peace and stability, and to enhance the ASEAN community-building efforts.

Cambodian Commerce Minister, Pan Sorasak, said, Cambodia will endeavour to steer ASEAN’s collective efforts, to promote an action-oriented approach, that is based on openness, honesty, good faith, solidarity, and harmony within ASEAN, so as to effectively address the common challenges facing the region.

“Also, a foreseeable priority for us is, to ensure more satisfactory outcomes of ASEAN efforts, to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“In this regard, Cambodia commits to working closely with ASEAN and development partners, to sustain ASEAN as a region of critical importance for global trade, investment and supply chains through, among others, generating maximum benefits from the existing free trade agreements and especially the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will enter into force on Jan 1, 2022,” he added.

Sorasak said, Cambodia will guide ASEAN to accelerate and harmonise ASEAN’s objectives, in deepening regional and global integration process and building back stronger from the pandemic with inclusiveness, competitiveness, resilience, sustainability and equitability.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK