News
China Bans Chinese Tourists from Visiting Canada
China has relaxed prohibitions on group excursions to a number of nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, but not Canada. It signals a deterioration in relations in the aftermath of Canada’s recent charges that Beijing meddled in its domestic politics.
According to Chinese officials, Canada was barred due to accusations of foreign meddling. The travel ban has the potential to have a substantial impact on Canada’s tourism economy.
In the years preceding the Covid epidemic, Chinese tourists were reported to have injected more than C$1 billion (£580 million; $740 million) into the Canadian economy.
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism controls which countries Chinese tour companies can visit, citing the need to protect people travelling overseas. However, it has also been considered as a political weapon for advancing China’s foreign policy goal.
China added 78 countries to its list of permitted group vacation destinations this week, Canada was excluded, but including other important G20 countries such as the United States, Germany, Australia, and South Korea. Currently, 138 countries are on the list.
China’s embassy in Ottawa stated in a statement that it was concerned that “the Canadian side has repeatedly hyped up the so-called ‘Chinese interference.'”
According to the statement, Beijing is concerned with “protecting the safety and legitimate rights of overseas Chinese citizens and wishes they can travel in a safe and friendly environment.”
The two countries’ diplomatic relations deteriorated drastically earlier this year. It occurred amid a succession of leaks to Canadian media of allegations from domestic intelligence services alleging Chinese meddling in recent federal elections.
Canada has also accused Beijing of attempting to intimidate Conservative MP Michael Chong and conducting a disinformation campaign against him on the popular Chinese messaging platform WeChat.
Some of the claims led to the expulsion of Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei from Canada in May. China removed Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, Canada’s diplomat at its Shanghai embassy, in retaliation.
According to Destination Canada, which promotes tourism in the country, China is the largest source of visitor arrivals from the Asia-Pacific area. It is also its second-largest long-distance market behind the United Kingdom.
According to a 2021 research by the Canada China Business Council, over 700,000 Chinese tourists visited Canada in 2018, with each visitor spending an average of C$2,600.
The business organisation said at the time that bilateral tensions rendered the future of Chinese tourism to Canada “uncertain,” citing “comments made by Chinese officials alluded to the contingency of Chinese tourism on positive relations.”
The first group trips from China to Canada were permitted in 2010, which increased air travel and tourism between the two countries.
Bilateral ties took a setback in 2018 when Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was jailed in Canada at the request of the United States. Soon after, two Canadians were apprehended in China, a move considered as “hostage diplomacy” by Canada and its allies.
According to the Canada China Business Council, the number of Chinese visitors visiting Canada decreased in 2019.
Ms. Meng and both men were released in 2021 after reaching an agreement with US authorities. Early this year, China began loosening pandemic travel restrictions for both visitors and locals.
Meanwhile, according to a recent survey conducted by the state-run Global Times, Canada, which was previously a popular travel destination among Chinese people, has now become China’s least favourite country.
The study, conducted by the Global Times Research Centre in collaboration with market research firm DATA100, garnered 2,148 responses from 16 Chinese cities. According to the survey, only 0.4% of respondents prefer Canada.
Singapore, on the other hand, had a positive response from 14% of participants, placing it first on the list alongside China. Germany, France, the United States, Russia, and the Maldives were the next most popular countries.
Singapore was also the country that the most Chinese people indicated they wanted to visit (17.1%), followed by the Maldives and France. According to previous data collected since 2018, the island city-state did not even make the top six till recently.
The survey findings reflect the ongoing conflict between Ottawa and Beijing.
On Saturday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a heat warning for British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and Alberta’s Edmonton, and Calgary cities.
A heat warning will remain in place until about the middle of next week, according to the weather service, because of the moderate risk to public health, Environment Canada reported.
“Very high temperatures are on the horizon starting Sunday,” Environment Canada warned in a press statement, citing a developing ridge of high pressure over the area.
The highs during the day will be in the low to mid-30s. Daytime highs will reach the upper 20s when you’re close to the water. Lows throughout the night will drop to about 17 degrees. By the middle of next week, the scorching weather should start to cool off, though when exactly that will happen is still up in the air.
Cooling Centers in Vancouver
With the installation of cooling centers, the City of Vancouver would like to remind its citizens.
“Anyone is welcome to cool down and rehydrate at one of these centers, and some will even allow well-behaved pets,” the city announced.
“Anyone can find a cool place to relax in the shade at any of the City’s other community centers, on plazas with coverings from the elements, or under the shade of trees, umbrellas, or awnings at parks or beaches.”
Next week’s temperatures in Alberta might reach 35C or higher, prompting Environment Canada to issue heat advisories for the province. Areas in northern, central, and southern Alberta, including High Level, Edmonton, and Calgary, are currently under the alerts.
By Sunday, the province can anticipate “extremely warm temperatures” brought on by a developing upper ridge, according to meteorologists.
Daytime Temperature to rise
A weather notice states that many sections of Alberta may expect daytime highs of near 30 C on Sunday, which will gradually rise to near 35 C by Wednesday.
“Downturns into the teens for the night won’t cool things down much.”
Residents of Alberta who live in the hotspots should stay indoors, avoid going outside as much as possible, and reschedule any outside activities they have planned. In order to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion, people should drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks.
The City of Edmonton has stated that it will activate its weather response for excessive heat on Monday to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals in anticipation of warmer temperatures.
Unless there is a significant change in the forecast, city officials have stated that the response plan will conclude on Friday night.
The city emphasized the growing importance of preventing dehydration during heat waves.
Environment Canada has offered some tips to help residents stay cool during the upcoming heatwave, including:
- drink plenty of water, even if you aren’t thirsty, especially at night
- reduce activity level and avoid intense activity
- wear a damp shawl or shirt
- sit in a cool or tepid bath
- take a cool shower
- use a personal mister or spray bottle
As well, people are advised to watch out for signs of heat stroke, which include severe headache, confusion, unsteadiness, vomiting, and a loss of thirst.
Related Climate Change News:
Heatwave in Delhi Claims 200 Homeless Lives in One Week
News
South Korea’s First ‘Robot Suicide’ Raises Concerns: Robot Civil Servant Falls Down Stairs at Gumi City Council
A robot civil servant in South Korea was discovered unresponsive at the foot of a stairwell, marking the country’s first ‘robot suicide’ case. Gumi City Council officials reported that the robot, known as “Robot Supervisor,” worked a conventional 9-to-5 workday and had its civil service ID card.
“Robot Supervisor” was apparently spotted by municipal staff about 4 p.m., who claimed that the robot had previously behaved abnormally, “circling in one spot as if something was there.”
“It was technically a member of the city hall staff, one of us.
According to the Daily Mail, a municipal official said “it worked diligently.”
What led to the ‘robot suicide’ in South Korea
While the cause of the fall is still being investigated, reports wonder whether the robot was asked ‘to work too hard’. The officials have collected the parts for analysis, which the robot’s maker is testing.
“Pieces have been collected and will be analysed by the company,” an official stated.
Bear Robotics, a California-based robot-waiter startup, produced the robot, which has been active since August 2023.
Unlike other service robots limited to single floors, the Gumi City Council robot explored the building independently, calling elevators to go between levels.
According to reports, the robot “helped with daily document deliveries, city promotion, and delivered information” to local residents.
The city council has postponed plans to deploy another robot.
According to reports, the Gumi City Council has postponed deploying another robot officer in response to this event.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, South Korea has a high rate of robot adoption, with one industrial robot for every ten employees.
Source: Daily Mail
(VOR News) – Severe weather is a hallmark of the tropics. Storm Beryl is presently en route to the Texas coast, passing over the Gulf of Mexico. This very moment is the present moment.
The hurricane was situated approximately 385 miles southeast of Corpus Christi at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. It was traveling at a speed of thirteen miles per hour in a northwesterly direction. The highest wind speed ever recorded was seventy-five miles per hour when it was sustained.
What’s the deal with Tropical Storm Beryl, and how will it pass over Texas?
It is highly recommended that you prepare to “hunker down.” The National Hurricane Center is presently in the process of relocating to the general vicinity of Corpus Christi.
It is traveling in an exceedingly uncommon manner, despite the fact that its trajectory has not significantly changed.
The final landfall location will be substantially impacted by any modifications, regardless of their size, to the left or right as it travels up the coast. This is a result of the hurricane’s descent along the coast.
The National Storm Center (NHC) continues to anticipate that the storm will make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early on Monday, despite the fact that all factors have been considered.
Nevertheless, there are a few things to be cognizant of, one of which is a precipitous increase in intensity that occurs immediately before the impact. It is not entirely improbable that a similar incident could occur, despite my sincere desire that it does not.
It is essential that the residents of Matagorda Bay, Galveston, or the coast are cognizant of the possibility of a five-foot increase in sea levels and storm surges. It is essential that you maintain a high level of awareness in relation to this issue.
The winds that follow will be substantially impacted by a variety of factors, including the precise location of landfall and any last-minute category adjustments.
It is crucial to have water, food, medication, pet food, and any other essentials on hand in the event of an electricity outage. By performing this, you will be able to effectively address any unforeseen circumstances. It is more advantageous to be overly prepared than to be underprepared. In these situations, it is advantageous to be overly prepared.
At present, the FOX 26 Weather Team is meticulously monitoring the most recent advancements in the weather phenomenon. They will continue to keep you informed of the most recent events by utilizing the internet, TV broadcasts, social media, and FOX Local.
Beryl is accountable for both monitoring and issuing warnings.
A hurricane warning has been issued for the entire Texas coast, which spans from the entrance of the Rio Grande River to San Luis Pass. The entire littoral is included in the warnings. The warning extends to the entire Rio Grande River.
A WARNING TO TRAVELERS FROM THE POLAR LANDS: Kindly be informed that
A tropical storm warning is currently in effect for the northeastern coast of mainland Mexico, which spans from Barra el Mezquital to the estuary of the Rio Grande River, and the coast of Texas, which extends from Baffin Bay to the outlet of the river.
Both of these regions are situated within the United States. The United States of America is divided into two distinct regions.
AIM FOR AND BE PREPARED FOR STORM SURGES.
Storm surges that would impact the entire Texas coast, from the entrance of the Rio Grande River to High Island, have been the subject of a warning. This notification will continue to be in effect until the end of the day.
Texas is enhancing its readiness for Hurricane Beryl.
On Friday, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas declared a severe meteorological calamity in response to Hurricane Beryl. Forty municipalities of the province were included in the declaration.
In order to improve the preparedness of the State Emergency Operations Center, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has implemented the following measures. This is one of the accomplishments they have achieved. Furthermore, the Texas catastrophe Management Council’s agencies are spending an inordinate amount of time coordinating the state’s resource acquisition for the catastrophe response response.
It is truly impossible to overstate the importance of having a disaster preparedness pack stored and ready to go well in advance of any potential storm. The essentials, including food, water, first aid supplies, and flashlights, should be included in the bare minimum of your kit, among other items.
SEE ALSO:
New UK Prime Minister Starmer Says Controversial Rwanda Deportation Plan Is ‘Dead And Buried’
Chicago Native Downs 57 Hotdogs to Wins Nathan’s Hotdog Eating Contest
Ontario Woman Finds a Black Widow Spider in Grapes From Walmart
-
News4 weeks agoFIA Warns of Rising WhatsApp Hacks Targeting Women
-
Sports4 weeks agoEdmonton Oilers Goaltender Stuart Skinner’s Play Is The Biggest Uncertainty In The Stanley Cup Final
-
News4 weeks agoPolice Pepper Spray Antisemitic Protesters at McGill University, 15 Arrested
-
World4 weeks agoWill North Korea Fly Trash Balloons Into South Korea Again? A Look At Rising Tensions Between Them
-
Celebrity4 weeks agoWoman Who Says She’s The Real Martha From ‘Baby Reindeer’ Sues Netflix For Defamation
-
Music4 weeks agoSir Tom Jones’ Reveals Health Battles and Retirement Plans at 84
