State of emergency

Vanuatu Government plans to control prices increase

The Minister of Climate Change and Natural Disasters, Ralph Regenvanu, told parliament this on Tuesday when responding to concerns about the ongoing increase in price during times of emergency.

The Daily Post reports MP Johnny Koanapo has recommended that certain goods have their value added tax removed to address the welfare of the people.

Regenvanu said he has already recommended that there should be price controls.

     

PM in cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu declares state of emergency

It comes as the country deals with a second cyclone, called Kevin, which is bearing down on the country.

At 2am local time the now category 3 cyclone was about 165km south-west of Santo and 225km west north-west of Malekula.

RNZ Pacific reports red alerts are in place for Sanma, Malampa, and Penama, with damaging gale force winds expected to affect those provinces within the next 12 hours.

Yellow alerts are in place for Torba and Shefa.

Meanwhile, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake has struck just offshore of Vanuatu.

Governor declares state of emergency in quake-hit American Samoa

The governor's declaration which covers the entire territory is effective as of August 10, when the Emergency Operation Centers were activated by local authorities and follows Lemanu's site visit to Manu'a this week.

"The facts and evidence that have been gathered so far have supported a compelling reason to prioritise the protection of life and property," he said.

"By signing this Executive Order, I want to ensure that all local resources are made available to respond efficiently and effectively in case these eruptions worsen.

California governor declares monkeypox emergency

California, the nation's most populous state, has confirmed 827 monkeypox cases as of Monday, the second-largest state tally after the 1390 infections documented in New York, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first case of monkeypox in the United States was confirmed in Massachusetts on 20 May, with the first case in California, in a person who had travelled abroad, confirmed five days later.

Monkeypox, which spreads through close physical contact, tends to cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, though it is rarely fatal.

State of emergency in Yap over mass resignation

Panuelo has directed the National Task Force to assist Yap in emergency hiring of medical personnel and explore the possibility of bringing back the doctors and nurses.

Thirty-nine doctors and nurses resigned from the state hospital last week after their attempts to negotiate with state leaders were rejected.

Health care workers in Yap, who are paid lowest salaries in Micronesia, sought to negotiate a benefits package and pay raises.

Vanuatu extends Covid-19 State of Emergency

The extension period will begin from January 1 to January 31 and shall be extended, subject to advice from the National Disaster Committee.

The extension will be applied over the whole of the country for strengthening international border control prevention measures and infection prevention and control standards in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Obed Tallis Moses signed the Extension of Declaration of State of Emergency Order No. 86 of 2021 on 29 December 2021.

     

Japan faces longer state of emergency, casting doubt on Olympics

Officials were leaning toward an extension of the measures in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures beyond 11 May as the country battles a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Wednesday.

Extending the measures, which were imposed on 25 April, would likely fan persistent concerns about whether the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to begin on 23 July, can be held as planned.

The games have already been delayed once from last year due to the pandemic.

Miami Beach imposes emergency curfew over spring break 'chaos'

A 20:00-06:00 curfew has been announced in the island city and will remain in effect for at least 72 hours.

Traffic restrictions are in place during the curfew, while businesses in the busy South Beach area must close.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said thousands of tourists had brought "chaos and disorder" to the city.

"It feels like a rock concert, wall-to-wall people over blocks and blocks," Mr Gelber told CNN. "If you're coming here to go crazy, go somewhere else."

Myanmar military takes control of country after detaining Aung San Suu Kyi

Military TV said a state of emergency had been declared for one year and power transferred.

The coup comes after tensions rose between the civilian government and the military following a disputed election.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, was ruled by the military until democratic reforms began in 2011.

The military said on Monday it was handing power to commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing because of "election fraud". Soldiers are on the streets of the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, and the main city, Yangon.

Malaysia declares Covid state of emergency amid political challenges

The move was requested by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, and allows Mr Muhyiddin to suspend parliament at a time when his government is weakened.

The palace said the emergency would last until 1 August, unless cases were brought under control earlier.

Critics say it allows Mr Muhyiddin's unstable government to cling to power.

The prime minister came to power in March last year with a thin majority, but was facing threats from coalition allies to withdraw support for his government, triggering a snap election.