Morning Situation: Everything is clear after the New Zealand tsunami alert
The World Health Organization in Europe rejects the planned vaccination certificates +++ Beijing wants to control the elections in Hong Kong closely +++ The Pope visits Iraq +++ News Friday morning.
Good morning, dear reader
Thousands of people who fled their homes in fear of a tsunami can breathe a sigh of relief and be allowed to return home. The island nation was previously rocked by three violent earthquakes and warned of tsunamis several meters high.
Meanwhile, the “one country, two systems” principle in China appears to be nearing its end. At the meeting of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, a law will be passed under which elections will be held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In the future closely.
Another sign of peace is Francis, the first pope to visit Iraq.
Highlights to start the day:
New Zealand: Thousands were allowed to return home after a tsunami warning
On Friday, the Civil Defense announced the issuance of a tsunami warning for large parts of the Pacific region, after the violent earthquake lifted and the largest of its waves passed. Previously, three violent earthquakes rocked the country, and tsunami warnings were issued with waves up to three meters high. There were no reports of damage or injuries.
The strongest earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.1, occurred near the Karmadec Islands, 800 km northeast of the North Island of New Zealand. Another 7.4 scale followed in the same area shortly thereafter. Hours earlier, there were earthquakes measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale 100 km off the coast of the Gisborne region.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand had been unlucky lately. “It is hard not to feel that our country is passing a losing line while in one day we are struggling with an earthquake, a tsunami warning and an epidemic.”
The Civil Defense continued to warn of strong and unusual currents and unexpected floods. The Pacific Tsunami Early Warning System (PTWC) warned of a tsunami after the earthquake. Residents of affected coastal areas have been asked to reach safety and monitor the situation closely. The tsunami warning has also been applied to archipelagos such as the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Passports of planned vaccinations are being rejected by the World Health Organization in Europe – the pandemic ended in early 2022
The World Health Organization (WHO) refuses passports of vaccination planned by the European Union Commission. The WHO / Europe Regional Director, Hans Kluge, of Welt, said the submission, which was announced for the summer, was “probably inevitable”. But it is not a recommendation from the World Health Organization. There are serious concerns: It is uncertain how long immunity will last. Also, the vaccine “does not necessarily prevent infection of others.”
The European Union Commission wants to present the draft “green digital passport” on March 17th, which will record vaccinations against Corona, Covid diseases and negative tests. The goal is to find a safe way to lift restrictions and travel in Europe. The heads of state and government of the European Union had previously agreed to go ahead with digital vaccination registration plans. The technical requirements must be in effect within three months in order for people who have been vaccinated against Corona to be able to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated across Europe in an anti-fraud method.
Beijing wants to control elections in Hong Kong closely
China wants to control elections in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region closely in the future. According to a draft law, future candidates for the parliament in Hong Kong will be nominated by the Pro-Beijing Election Commission, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee, Wang Chen, said at the NPC meeting in Beijing on Tuesday. Friday. The week-long parliament meeting of the People’s Republic of China with about 3,000 members is held once a year.
Even in the run-up to the conference, it was speculated that the Chinese leadership could extend its control over the financial capital. The exact shape of the planned changes has been determined. Members of the People’s Assembly usually adopt every legislative proposal with a large majority. Hong Kong’s electoral commission, which has 1,200 members, is made up mostly of Beijing supporters. Among other things, the Head of Government of Hong Kong is elected by them.
The United States imposes more sanctions on the junta in Myanmar
The United States tightened its sanctions against the Myanmar junta. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Thursday that the new punitive measures are a response to “shocking and deadly violence” against protesters. He called for “the restoration of democracy” in Myanmar.
According to the Department of Commerce, the United States imposed new restrictions on exports in Myanmar. Accordingly, exports to the country are now subject to stricter controls. Sanctions affect the defense and interior ministries, the generals responsible for the coup, and two state-owned companies. The export of goods that can be used for military purposes must be prevented through controls.
Despite international pressure, Myanmar’s military rulers continue to use intense violence against protesters to halt the ongoing protests since the coup. On Wednesday alone, the bloodiest day in the protests so far, 38 people were killed in rallies, according to the United Nations.
Chelsea defeat Liverpool and Klopp lose the German coaching match
Jürgen Klopp lost his German coaching duel in the Premier League against Thomas Tuchel. Klopp lost 1-0 (0-1) to Tuchel Chelsea at home in Anfield on Thursday night with soccer champion Liverpool FC. It was the fifth consecutive defeat for a struggling Reds – and this has not happened in the club’s history. The Blues did not lose their tenth game under Tochel.
This is important today:
The Federal Council votes on measures to aid Corona
The Federal Council will vote on new Corona aid measures for companies, families and low-income people, starting at 9:30 a.m. Among other things, it concerns a one-time grant of 150 euros for recipients of basic insurance, in order to alleviate their suffering associated with the epidemic. Families must also receive a one-time fee of € 150 for each child who also receives child benefit.
Decisions will also be made on extending simplified access to basic security systems, extending the reduced value-added tax rate by seven percent on food in the catering trade until the end of 2022 and increasing the tax carry-forward tax for companies and self-employed to 10 million euros or 20 One million euros in the case of joint subscription.
Steinmeier talks to the bereaved victims of Corona
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will focus on the victims of the Corona pandemic on Friday. Steinmeier talks to bereaved relatives who lost relatives during the health crisis. Before that, he will deliver a speech at 10 am at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. By Thursday, 71,240 people in Germany had died with or from Covid-19. After Easter, the head of state wants to keep the memory of those killed in the Coronavirus pandemic alive with a central revival.
The Bundestag advises rehabilitating homosexual soldiers
The Bundestag will debate the rehabilitation of gay soldiers from 3:40 pm. The federal government bill targets soldiers who are deprived of service law because of consensual homosexual acts, their homosexual orientation, or their sexual identity.
Francis is the first Pope to visit Iraq
Pope Francis is expected to pay a four-day visit to Iraq. This is the first trip by the head of the Catholic Church to the country of 40 million people, the vast majority of whom are Muslims. In the capital, Baghdad, the 84-year-old program includes meetings with Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Qasimi and President Barham Salih. Talks are also scheduled with representatives of civil society and the local church.
Francis wants to visit different parts of the country in four days. As in previous trips, the focus should be on dialogue with other religions. Notable events include a meeting with the most important Shiite cleric in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The program also includes an interfaith encounter in the Plain of Ur, from which Abraham, according to biblical tradition, originated. In the north, he wants to visit the city of Mosul, which was previously the most important stronghold of the ISIS terrorist militia. He also meets Christians in the nearby town of Karakus. Due to persecution, war, and economic hardship, the Christian community in Iraq, which once held over a million believers, has shrunk dramatically in the past few decades. Today estimates range from 250,000 to 400,000 Christians. The country has a population of about 40 million. Many members of the religious minority had long hoped to see the papacy as a sign of hope.
Waiting for judgment in the process of death of daytime baby Greta
Eleven months after the alleged murder of young Greta at a daycare center in Viersen, the verdict is expected at 2 p.m. The 25-year-old’s teacher is accused in the Mönchengladbach Regional Court. It is said that she strangled the child, but to the end she protested her innocence. The public prosecutor submitted a request to life imprisonment for the young woman, as well as to determine the particular gravity of her offense and impose a professional ban as a teacher.
After a violent attack on the night of the riots in Stuttgart: expect verdicts
After a particularly brutal attack on the night of the Stuttgart riots, sentences are expected against two alleged rioters, accused of attempted premeditated murder, at 9 am. A 17-year-old from Geislingen / Steige is said to have kicked lying on the ground and an already unconscious student in the head on a hot June night. His 19-year-old comrade is also on trial from Esslingen for the attack. The Germans are among 130 suspects identified by police on the night of the riots so far.
Berlinale announces her victory in the film
The Berlinale wants to announce at 12 pm which movie will win the Golden Bear. Due to the pandemic, the Film Festival will initially be held online – and a public festival will follow in Berlin in June. Prizes will also be presented afterwards. This time there are 15 films in progress. These include several German productions, such as the literary adaptation “Fabian or Walk to the Dogs” by Dominic Graf and the psychological film “Nipenan” by actor Daniel Brühl.
Schalke hopes to get a boost from Gramozis in their basement duel with Mainz
FC Schalke will likely have the last chance for a happy ending in the battle to stay in the Bundesliga. The bunker duel with FSV Mainz 05 at 8.30pm (DAZN) has a final stamp for Revierclub, nine points clear of non-relegation 15th spot. The final group is hoping for a new batch from Demetrius Gramozis, who was introduced this week as the fifth coach of the season.
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