สื่อใหญ่อย่าง The New York Times ชี้คือนี่โอกาสของสหรัฐในการเข้ามาแทรกตัวแทนจีน
The New York Times รายงานว่าถึงแม้ว่า ประเทศต่างๆ ทั่วทั้งภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้หันไปหาวัคซีนชนิดอื่นอย่างรวดเร็วเพื่อมองหาวัคซีนที่ดีกว่าของจีน
The New York Times ชี้ว่า มีไม่กี่แห่งที่ได้รับประโยชน์จากการทูตด้านวัคซีนของจีนมากพอๆ กับเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ที่ต้องดิ้นรนเพื่อให้ได้มาซึ่งวัตซีนจากผู้ผลิตยาจากตะวันตก และหลายประเทศแถบนี้กำลังมีผู้ติดเชื้อเป็นจำนวนมาก
ก่อนหน้านี้จีนเข้ามาโดยสัญญาว่าจะจัดหายามากกว่า 255 ล้านโดส The New York Times ชี้ จีนพยายามใช้ความที่อาเซียนขาดแคลนวัคซีนดำเนินการเกี่ยวกับเรื่องนี้ เช่น หวางอี้ รัฐมนตรีต่างประเทศของประเทศ เดินทางมาภูมิภาคนี้ในเดือนมกราคม โดยสัญญาว่าจะช่วยต่อสู้กับโรคระบาด ในเดือนเมษายน หวางอี้ประกาศว่าเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้มีความสำคัญต่อจีน ประมาณหนึ่งในสามของวัคซีน 33 ล้านโดส ที่จีนแจกจ่ายฟรีทั่วโลกถูกส่งไปยังอาเซียน
The New York Times ชี้ว่า “ความพ่ายแพ้ในการรณรงค์วัคซีนของจีนทำให้เกิดการเปิดทางการทูตสำหรับสหรัฐ” เพราะ “ขณะที่หลายประเทศหันหลังให้จีน ความช่วยเหลือด้านวัคซีนจากสหรัฐก็เปิดโอกาสให้ฟื้นฟูความสัมพันธ์ในภูมิภาคที่เจ้าหน้าที่สหรัฐละเลยเป็นส่วนใหญ่มาหลายปี ขณะที่จีนขยายอิทธิพล”
Free coding sessions to move Pokemon characters surges in popularity
Children have been honing their computer programming skills for free at CoderDojo, a volunteer-led club.
One of CoderDojo’s more popular training programs uses well-known characters to get users into learning about the basics of computer programming, which has recently become a compulsory subject in elementary school (see below).
As the program can be accessed from the user’s home, it has been providing valuable learning opportunities during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The program has been provided, organized and supported by the general incorporated association of CoderDojo Japan in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.
■ Fueled by donors
CoderDojo first appeared in Ireland in 2011 as a way for people to experience computer programming. The dojo has a focus on developing creativity rather than acquiring practical skills, and they provide such learning opportunities mainly to children aged 7-17.
The idea blossomed and now there are about 2,000 CoderDojo clubs across 112 countries with more than 200 in Japan. Tokyo alone has about 30, which are reportedly funded by donations from companies and volunteers.
CoderDojo Japan became incorporated in 2016 to support CoderDojo clubs nationwide.
“As the CoderDojo clubs continue to expand, it’s important to make the activities more and more enjoyable and to create an environment that keeps motivating children to join in on the activities,” said Yohei Yasukawa, 34, representative director of the organization and operator of a company in the information technology sector.
■ CoderDojo, children choose you!
An educational program that allows users to operate popular Pokemon characters caught the attention of Yasukawa and a CoderDojo Japan director Kirie Miyajima, 24. The program was created by The Pokemon Company in Minato Ward, Tokyo, whose business includes game development.
Users of the Pokemon program combine instructional blocks of code, such as “move” and “wait,” then watch as characters like Pikachu and Eevee follow their compiled commands and move about on a screen.
The Pokemon program was presented at an online experience event attended by CoderDojo clubs nationwide and was well-received by the participating children and their parents. The company provided the program free of charge for CoderDojo activities. Miyajima and others later modified it for use by CoderDojo.
■ ‘Arts and crafts’ final stepping stone’
Miyajima has served as the representative of CoderDojo Kashiwa in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, since he was in high school, and currently studies information and communication technology education at the graduate school of Gakushuin University.
Programming is ‘arts and crafts’ final stepping stone’ for children, following scissors, glue among others, said Miyajima. “It can be used more widely as a tool for thinking and expression.”
Miyajima holds Pokemon-themed workshops at the CoderDojo he heads as well. After he saw beginner-level children enjoying the programming workshops, he understood that Pokemon was massively popular with kids.
As of mid-August, the Pokemon character program has been introduced at about 40 CoderDojo clubs nationwide. Now that Miyajima and Yasukawa are aware of its popularity, they hope that many more children will be able to learn to code and experience the joy of programmable creativity.
■ Computer programming education
Computer programming education became a compulsory subject in elementary school under the revised curriculum guidelines that were fully implemented in the 2020 school year. High school students will also be required to take “Information Study I,” a new subject that includes computer programming, from the 2022 school year. The National Center for University Entrance Examinations has announced its plan to add “Information” to the Common Test for University Admissions in 2025.
Samsung’s new foldable phones draw strong preorders: reports
Samsung’s new smartphone models — Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 — have not been launched yet but preorder figures suggest they are likely to be a super hit.
The two models are estimated to have logged a combined 450,000 preorders as of Sunday, according to local media reports that cited unnamed industry sources. Advance orders, which began Aug. 17, are to end Monday.
Total preorders could reach at least 600,000 units, they said. If sales of unlocked phones, or phones not locked to a particular mobile carrier, are included, the figure could even hit 800,000, the media reports said.
Samsung’s previous foldable phone model, the Galaxy Z Fold2, bagged a total of 80,000 units in presales.
The Fold3 and Flip3 are flying off the shelves even faster than the latest models from Samsung’s other two popular series — the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note. Preorders for the foldable devices are twice that of Galaxy S21 and 1.5 times that of Galaxy Note20, both released last year, industry sources told local media.
Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z series was especially popular among young customers.
According to statistics from one mobile carrier, 49 percent of preorders made for Galaxy Z Fold3 was from customers in their 20s to 30s, while the same age group accounted for 57 percent of preorders logged for Galaxy Z Flip3.
This is much higher than the rate of preorders made among customers in 40s and 50s, which was 42 percent and 39 percent, respectively.
The strong preorder figures are a boon to Samsung’s strategy in popularizing foldable phones in order to defend its title as the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer from challengers such as Xiaomi.
While making the latest edition of the devices lighter and more practical, and equipping them with innovative new features, the company had also slashed prices.
It’s high-end model, Galaxy Z Fold3 (256GB) is priced 16.6 percent lower than the entry model of its predecessor, Galaxy Z Fold2 at around 1.9 million won ($1,600). Its more affordable sister, Galaxy Z Flip3 is priced even lower, at under 1.3 million won.
“With the demand for new smartphone models growing (in the local market) Samsung’s discounted foldable phone lineup will quickly take over the popularity of its Galaxy Note series,” said an industry official.
HCM City firms forced to close down due to lack of workers
Many firms in HCM City – the countrys largest economic hub – have been forced to shutter operations due to a lack of workers, local media have reported.
According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), the country’s textile manufacturing supply chain was only working at 10-15 per cent capacity.
“Thousands of workers have fled the city because of the virus outbreak. Firms will have an enormous problem finding workers to resume their operations once the virus is under control. We anticipate at least 40 per cent of our members will experience a shortage of workers in the near future,” said Vu Duc Giang, chairman of VITAS.
The situation is particularly dire in labour-intensive sectors, including footwear and wood processing.
“Even before the pandemic, our members were already having difficulty finding workers. The virus has made it even worse,” said Nguyen Chanh Phuong, general secretary of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City.
Wood processing firms have reported a record-breaking number of contracts signed as demand for Vietnamese wood products has soared. Some firms said they would need to operate at full capacity until the end of the first quarter next year to meet demand.
The association said many among some 600 of its members, mostly located in Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh, were badly affected by the virus outbreak in HCM City. Many said they had lost up to 40 per cent of their workers since the virus outbreak.
To make matters worse, many among them were producing essential goods for people in parts of the city that had been put under strict social distancing.
“We simply do not have the manpower required to meet rising demand,” said Nguyen Thi Xuan Mai, director of Wepar Environmental Technology – a supplier of potable water and water filter solutions located in Tan Phu District.
“Many of our workers have been stuck in quarantined areas. Many have quit out of fear of being infected at work,” she said.
Firms have taken measures to hold on to their workers. Mai said her firm still kept workers who were furloughed on payroll, even if it could only manage to pay a part of their wage.
Female workers with newborns and babies were given small grants. In addition, all workers were made to put on PPE suits at work and had been registered in the local government vaccine priority list.
A Chau – ABC Bakery Co., has moved workers to neighbourhoods near their factories. The condiment maker has also set up living quarters and hired cooks to take care of their meals.
“We must do what we can so workers want to stay with us. Of course, such services cost us extra but it’s important to make sure our labour force remains intact for future plans,” said Kao Sieu Luc, the firm’s director-general.
Some firms even agreed to pay their workers’ wages in advance to keep them in the city.
“It’s tough for us now but we still can manage. Holding on to our skilled workers is most important to us. Once the virus is under control we can resume production right away. From our perspective, it’s way cheaper to spend to support our workers now than to hire and train new workers later,” said Ngo Minh Hong, owner of a food processing business in Nha Be District.
“From now until the end of the year, firms in the city will need to fill 150,000 jobs. Sectors whose demand have not yet been severely reduced during the pandemic, including commerce, IT, medicine, textile and footwear, will likely experience a strong bounce back and therefore must recruit additional workers,” said a report by the HCM City’s Center of Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labour. — VNS
US Vice-President Kamala Harris arrives in Singapore
SINGAPORE – United States Vice-President Kamala Harris touched down in Singapore on Sunday (Aug 22) and kicked off an official visit to South-east Asia – her first outside the Americas since being sworn into office in January.
Ms Harris arrived on Air Force Two at about 10.50am at Paya Lebar Air Base. She will be in Singapore until Tuesday afternoon, when she will head to Vietnam before departing the region on Thursday.
She was received at the airbase by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
Ms Harris was accompanied by more than 20 staff and security officers.
All of them were wearing face masks, in line with Covid-19 safe management measures.
Last Thursday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said Ms Harris will be subject to regular Covid-19 testing and a controlled itinerary to keep her visit to Singapore safe.
Ms Harris, who left the US on Saturday, remained on board Air Force Two when it stopped in Anchorage, Alaska, to refuel and Japanese capital Tokyo, said the White House.
Ms Harris, 56, will begin a flurry of formal engagements on Monday with a call on President Halimah Yacob at the Istana, followed by a meeting and joint press conference with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
An orchid will be named in her honour in a ceremony at the Istana.
She will also visit Changi Naval Base and US littoral combat ship USS Tulsa, which is in port for a multilateral exercise.
On Tuesday, Ms Harris will deliver a policy speech and participate in a round-table discussion with the business community, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement last Friday. Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will take part in this discussion.
Her trip comes on the heels of US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s late July trip to Singapore and the region.
Delhi: No death due to Covid-19 consecutively for third day
The national capital today recorded 24 positive cases of Covid-19 out of 53,624 tests done across the city. The positivity rate was 0.04 per cent, according to the Delhi government’s latest health bulletin.
There was no death due to Covid-19 consecutively for the third day. The other days besides Sunday when zero fatality was reported since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in April-May were 18 July, 24 July, 29 July, 2 August, 4 August, 8 August, 11 August, 12 August, 13 August and 16 August, 20 August and 21 August.
The health bulletin gave the number of active cases of the virus as 398 and the patients being given medication as home isolation cases numbered 129.
As many as 11,815 hospital beds remained vacant out of 12,057 beds reserved for coronavirus infected patients.
There were in all 236 containment zones in Delhi on Sunday, the bulletin added.
ทางการจีนออกระเบียบกวดขันมากขึ้นเรื่อยๆ ทั้งภาคประชาชน ภาคสังคม และหน่วยงานรัฐก็ไม่เว้น
จากประเทศที่ควบคุมการระบาดได้ดีที่สุดแห่งหนึ่ง ในที่สุดก็ต้องยอมศิโรราบให้กับการรุกรานของเดลตา
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