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Every weekend, Asia Pacific Daily will provide you with a run-down of the latest hot news.
This week, the following hot news you should know:
Top 1 | Trump admin moves toward promoting broader use of face masks
The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, as the president is aggressively defending his response to the public health crisis.
The recommendations, still being finalized Thursday, were expected to apply to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force’s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home — for instance, at the grocery store or pharmacy. Medical-grade masks, particularly short-in-supply N95 masks, would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick.
President Donald Trump, who was tested again for coronavirus Thursday using a new rapid test, indicated he would support such a recommendation. “If people wanted to wear them, they can,” he said.
Top 2 | Trump signs $2.2 trillion stimulus package
US President Donald Trump has signed a 2.2 trillion dollar stimulus package into law. It is designed to help people and companies affected by the spread of the coronavirus.
The scale of the package dwarfs a similar emergency stimulus implemented during the 2008 global financial crisis. The signing came after the House approved the bill on Friday.
The package includes direct payments of up to 1,200 dollars to individuals, 500 billion dollars for hard-hit companies such as airlines and hotels, as well as support for small and medium-sized businesses so they can keep paying wages. It also includes unemployment benefits which have been expanded at the request of Democrats in Congress.
Top 3 | US Navy fires captain who sought help for virus-stricken ship
The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus on his ship was fired Thursday by Navy leaders who said he created a panic by sending his memo pleading for help to too many people.
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the ship’s commander, Capt. Brett Crozier “demonstrated extremely poor judgment” in the middle of a crisis. He said the captain copied too many people on the memo, which was leaked to a California newspaper and quickly spread to many news outlets.
Modly’s decision to remove Crozier as ship commander was immediately condemned by members of the House Armed Services Committee, who called it a “destabilizing move” that will “likely put our service members at greater risk and jeopardize our fleet’s readiness.” Modly told Pentagon reporters during an abruptly called press conference Thursday that Crozier should have gone directly to his immediate commanders, who were already moving to help the ship. And he said Crozier created a panic by suggesting 50 sailors could die.
Top 4 | UK's Prince Charles, recovered from virus, says it is distressing time for nation
Britain’s Prince Charles, who has recovered after testing positive for coronavirus, praised the selfless devotion of healthcare workers on Wednesday and said it was a strange and distressing time for the nation.
Heir-to-the-throne Charles, 71, came out of self-isolation on Monday after suffering what he said were “luckily ... relatively mild symptoms” and his office said he was now in good health.
Britain is in a state of virtual lockdown, with the public told they must stay at home other than for essential trips, such as to buy food. In a video address, the prince said although he had recovered, he was still in a state of social distance and general isolation. His wife Camilla, 72, who had tested negative, is remaining in self-isolation until the end of the week in case she develops symptoms.
Top 5 | Pompeo: U.S. looks forward to meeting DPRK leader for nuclear talks
The United States looks forward to sitting down with the leadership of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for nuclear talks, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday after Pyongyang slammed Pompeo for urging the international community to maintain sanctions on the country.
In a telephone briefing with Yonhap News Agency and other Asian news outlets, the secretary said President Donald Trump has made clear that international sanctions on the DPRK must continue until it takes steps to denuclearize.
"The president's position on North Korea (DPRK) and mine has been in lockstep since the very first day I became secretary of state," he said, responding to the DPRK's complaint that Pompeo was going against the will of Trump, who recently offered assistance with the coronavirus pandemic in a letter to DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, according to Yonhap.
Top 6 | Tokyo Olympics confirmed to be held from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021
The Tokyo Olympic Games has been rescheduled to July 23 to August 8, 2021, organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games announced on Monday.
The Paralympic Games will be held from August 24 to September 5 next year. Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori told a news conference that the decision is important for relaunching the Games. "It is essential to prepare for the games," he said. "It will accelerate our progress." He said that they had also talked about the possibility to host the Games in the spring but finally decided to choose summer.
The IOC also announced the date in a statement on its official website, saying it is a decision jointly made by the IOC, the IPC, the Tokyo organizing committee and the Tokyo Metropolitan government and the government of Japan after talks via telephone conference earlier on Monday.
Top 7 | DPRK conducts test-firing of super-large multiple rocket launchers
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully test-fired super-large multiple rocket launchers on Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday morning.
The report said the test was conducted by the Academy of Defence Science to verify the tactical and technological specifications of the launch system once again "to be delivered to units of the Korean People's Army."
The South Korean military said on Sunday that it observed two short-range missiles were fired from DPRK's eastern coastal city of Wonsan, flying 230 km with a maximum altitude of 30 km. The KCNA said the test-firing was guided by Ri Pyong Chol, member of the Political Bureau and vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, as well as other senior officials.
Top 8 | Trump extends national social distancing guidelines to April 30
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the national social distancing guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus will be extended to April 30.
"We will be extending our guidelines to April 30, to slow the spread," Trump said at a White House Coronavirus Task Force news briefing held at the White House Rose Garden. "On Tuesday, we will be finalizing these plans and providing a summary of our findings, supporting data and strategy to the American people."
The president said "modeling suggests" that the peak of the COVID-19 death rate in the United States "is likely to hit in two weeks," adding that he hopes the country will be on its way to recovery by June 1. Anthony Fauci, one of the leading health experts on the task force team, warned earlier in the day that the country could see 100,000 to 200,000 deaths due to the contagious disease.
Top 9 | Netanyahu tests negative for coronavirus after his aide's infection
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was tested negative for the novel coronavirus, his office said on Monday after one of his aides has contracted the virus.
The prime minister's office said in a statement that the tests of Netanyahu's family and his close team also came out negative. The tests were conducted earlier on Monday after it was found out that his advisor Rivka Paluch had been infected with the virus.
The prime minister was expected to stay in quarantine despite the test result until the epidemiological investigation into the case is concluded. Netanyahu was leading efforts to contain the coronavirus spread in Israel while struggling to finalize a new coalition government with his former opponent Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party.
Top 10 | 'Megxit': Harry and Meghan formally quit royal life
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan formally step down as senior members of the British royal family on Tuesday as they start a controversial new life in the United States.
The couple has already relocated to California, according to reports, after announcing in January that they intended to quit royal life and "work to become financially independent." The decision means they will no longer carry out duties on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II and are giving up their office within the monarchy in Britain.
It follows reports Meghan was deeply unhappy with life inside the centuries-old institution and increasing complaints from the couple about media intrusion. Their shock announcement rocked the royal family, appearing to blindside the queen and other senior family members.
Related news:
APD | President Duterte launches P200 billion in social protection program amid COVID-19 threats
Trump uses wartime act but GM says it’s already moving fast
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
