The Life News Australia. July 16, 2021

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Vol. 04 Issue 55 July 16, 2021

Europe flooded: At least 100 dead and over 1,000 missing Europe wide

TL Bureau, Europe wide

Streak flooding in Germany and Belgium is liable for in excess of 100 passings up until now, specialists said Friday, and hundreds are as yet absent.

The lethal flooding has followed a little while of wild swings in the climate, a blend of high temperatures and dryness and extreme precipitation.

Climate specialists say such extreme climate commonly happens once in an age, yet is currently more continuous generally because of demolishing environmental change.

Authorities said Friday that somewhere around 93 individuals have kicked the bucket in Germany up until now and twelve are dead in Belgium as water keeps on pouring out over from downpour splashed streams and burn-through

Photo: Reuters streets, homes and different constructions.

Some flooding likewise has been accounted for in the

Eiffel Tower reopens after longest closure since WWII

TL Bureau, Paris

The Eiffel Tower resumed in Paris on Friday, rising up out of its longest closure since World War II.One of Europe’s top vacation spots opened its doors alongside different organizations nearby and across France that had been closed somewhere around COVID-19 limitations.

Authorities said administrators will restrict every day guests to the Eiffel Tower to less than half of typical. The Eiffel Tower shut in October during France’s second

major Covid actuated closure. It typically draws in 25,000 guests every day and around 7 million every year. “We are enchanted to report that the Eiffel Tower will resume on July 16,” says a message on the pinnacle’s site.

While France keeps on releasing limitations, the nation keeps up with various COVID-19 commands, for example, cover wearing inside and in spaces where social separating is troublesome, continually washing hands, utilizing single-use tissues and restricting social contacts.

Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Most of the passings have happened in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia and

Rhineland-Palatinate districts.

Authorities said upwards of 1,500 individuals are absent or in any case unaccounted for.

Brought down portable organizations and upset Internet administration have kept loved ones from associating with those in the overflowed regions, which authorities say might be driving up the quantity of people unaccounted for. ‘’[In] a few spots telephone lines are still down and gathering are troublesome,” Ulrich Sopart, a cop in Koblenz said, as indicated

by CNN. “We do trust that individuals will reach out to a family member, work associate or companion to tell them they are fine. In general we are worried that countless individuals stays missing.”

Crisis groups are utilizing inflatable boats and helicopters to look for and salvage inhabitants, some of whom became caught on their rooftops. Specialists have brought in near 1,000 German Army troops to help in the salvage endeavors.

Russian defense ministry website hacked

TL Bureau, Moscow

Russia’s protection service has been the objective of an unfamiliar cyberattack, government authorities in Moscow said Friday.The service said its site was focused on by an appropriated disavowal of administration (DDoS) assault that began from outside Russia.

State-claimed media source Sputnik News detailed that the computerized attack didn’t cause any foundation harm.The service’s site was reestablished a brief time frame later. “The authority site of the Russian Ministry of Defense has been working ordinarily since 12:25

Moscow time and is completely open to all Internet clients”, the service said, as indicated by Sputnik News.

As indicated by online protection supplier McAfee, a DDoS assault happens when programmers flood an organization with such an excess of malignant traffic that it can’t work or convey regularly. State-

run organization TASS announced that the service site went down early Friday and “subject matter experts” attempted to get it back on the web. The cyberattack went ahead that very day Russian and U.S. designations are relied upon to meet to talk about computerized security. U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin carried out recently to proceed with discusses data security and battling cybercrimes. There have been strains as of late among Moscow and the United States over different assaults against U.S. focuses on that were said to begin from Russia.

2 The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan compromises the fundamental privileges of Afghan ladies to training, medical services, work and cooperation in legislative issues, and a few activists could be in peril from the Taliban, as indicated by a few specialists and previous President George W. Hedge.

“There is an inconceivable degree of uneasiness now among ladies in Afghanistan, especially those ladies who have gotten an opportunity to have an impact in open life, to get instruction, even in advanced education, or start their organizations,” said Patricia Gossman, partner chief for the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch.

Gossman said Afghan ladies’ future “looks unsure, yet startlingly so as in we are seeing the Taliban currently assume responsibility for some more locale in Afghanistan and presently compromising quite a few common capitals, so I think it is an extremely critical circumstance.”

Hedge said that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan will have genuine repercussions, particularly for ladies and young ladies.

“I’m apprehensive Afghan ladies and young ladies will experience unspeakable damage,”

US troops withdrawals scared Afghan ladies

Bush said Wednesday in a meeting with the German news association Deutsche Welle. The Biden organization focused on that the Afghans should determine their own destiny. Basic freedoms specialists have said there is a genuine danger that the Taliban will build their power over a greater amount of the nation and will reimpose limitations on ladies’ privileges.

At the point when the Taliban came to control in 1996, ladies were inconspicuous in open life and kept from partaking in schooling.

As it began to recover power in 2015, about 3.7 million kids didn’t go to class, 60% of whom were young ladies, as per the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund.

In certain territories under their influence, the Taliban have confined training for young ladies by restricting the quantity of years they can go to class, and the individuals who endeavor to proceed with their schooling face dangers to their security.

As of late, Human Rights Watch gave an assertion asking the Biden organization to help Afghans who had worked with the United States to work on the country’s considerate society. HRW approached President Joe Biden “to offer more help for evacuees, kind of opening up of spaces for common society activists, ladies’ privileges activists and other people who are in danger due to the U.S. takeoff with the Taliban making progress,” Gossman said. Biden’s public knowledge chief’s office’s own National Intelligence Council Report said the

editorial

withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Aug. 31 puts the advancement of ladies’ privileges in danger.

Lina Abirafeh, chief overseer of the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University in New York, said Afghan ladies’ privileges activists are not hopeful about the future because of the absence of assets for projects that help ladies in open life. “It is difficult to ensure ladies’ privileges anyplace.

Ladies’ privileges in Afghanistan are unsure under Taliban rule,” Abirafeh said. “Afghan ladies should acquire their privileges as far as instruction, occupations, medical care, rehearsing governmental issues and being in Parliament as individuals.” The U.S. military said Tuesday that the withdrawal was 95% finished. NATO has likewise been bit by bit pulling out its soldiers since May 1.

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3

world

Legislative amendments curbing electricity distribution prices to take effect in early August TL Bureau, Helsinki On 15 July 2021, the President of the Republic approved legislation to curb rises in electricity distribution prices and cut the profits of distribution companies by amending the Electricity Market Act and the Act on the Supervision of the Electricity and Natural Gas Market. The Acts enter into force on 1 August 2021.

‘The legislative amendments will address distribution prices on a short notice.

Simultaneously, a reliable electricity system is secured.

Reasonable electricity prices and good grid reliability must be balanced. It is important for citizens that the changes in distribution tariffs start to be apparent as early as next year,’

Empa - Filled energy saving bar TL Bureau Dubendorf/ St. Gallen/Thun Insulation webs are essential in aluminum window profiles and facades for good thermal insulation.

Empa researchers and their partners have been working for some time on a novel “sandwich” product with an environmentally friendly filling: recycled material from PET bottles. Now the market launch is approaching – with good prospects of success.

IndiaReports41,806 New COVID-19 Infections in Last 24 Hours TL Bureau, New Delhi

India reported on Thursday 41,806 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recorded cases to 30,987,880, health ministry data showed, according to Reuters. The death toll from the disease has reached 411,989 , with 581 new fatalities being recorded over the past day.

More than 30​​​.14 million people have recovered in India since the start of the outbreak.

FDFA - COVID-19 in Tunisia – Switzerland sends medical equipment worth CHF 335,000 TL Bureau, Bern

Switzerland is helping Tunisia to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swiss Humanitarian Aid dispatched 15 respirators and 60 oxygen concentrators to Tunis this Friday, with a total value of nearly CHF 335,000. It is Switzerland’s fifth international delivery of this type in recent weeks.

says Mika Lintilä, Minister of Economic Affairs.

The amendment will cut the maximum permitted profit of distribution companies and limit the scale of price increases.

Distribution companies’ reasonable rate of return on capital will be lowered to 4 per cent next year, from 5.73 per cent in 2020.

The Finnish Energy Authority has announced that it will begin reviewing regulation methods as soon as the law enters into force and aims to make the adjustments to the methodology for calculating network operators’ tariffs as early as the start of next year.

‘The Ministry estimates that distribution companies’ permitted profits will decrease by about 40 per cent from 2020

levels in 2022 to their lowest level ever. As early as next year, companies will be able to charge customers about 350 million euros less in tariffs than the previous year. This will be reflected in the prices to customers,” Minister Lintilä states.

The annual ceiling for increases to tariffs is nearly halved from 15 per cent to 8 per cent. This limits the scale of one-off price increases for customers.

These legislative changes have been prepared with particular care to ensure that the requirements of national and EU legislation are met.

The new regulation have a sustained and robust legal basis. The remedial measures can be enforced quickly.

Recent Judicial Appointments in Georgia

TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Ned Price, Department Spokesperson

The United States is deeply troubled by the Georgian Parliament’s July 12 approval of six Supreme Court nominees, in contravention of the April 19 agreement between ruling and opposition party representatives.

Mediated by the EU and the United States under the auspices of European Council President Charles Michel, the April 19 agreement committed the signatories to pause “all ongoing appointments” to the Supreme Court until passage of “ambitious judicial reform” in a broad, inclusive, and multiparty reform process.

We urge Georgia’s authorities to implement the April 19 agreement,

including by suspending Supreme Court appointments pending comprehensive, transparent, and inclusive judicial reform. This is what Georgia’s political leaders, including the ruling party, agreed to do. Failure to do so would further undermine the Georgian public’s and international community’s confidence in Georgia’s judiciary and risk undermining Georgia’s democratic development.

Incomplete implementation of the April 19 agreement could also weaken investor confidence and diminish the resilience of Georgia’s political and social institutions.

The United States calls on Georgian authorities to restore their commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law, while reinvigorating their partnership with the United States and international community.

COVID-19 UPDATE

TL Bureau, New Delhi

38.76 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive 3,01,04,720 total recoveries across the country so far Recovery Rate increases to 97.28% 41,000 patients recovered during last 24 hours India reports 38,792 new cases in last 24 hours

India’s Active Caseload currently at 4,29,946 Active cases constitute 1.39% of total cases Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.25% Daily positivity rate at 2.10%, less than 3% for 23 consecutive days Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 43.59 cr tests total conducted

United States Records 31,815 New Coronavirus Infections

TL Bureau , Washington D.C.

The United States of America recorded 31,815 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 371 deaths, during the past 24 hours.

In a statement issued yesterday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the total number of cases reached 33,758,532, while the total number of deaths reached 605,551.

Many new COVID-19 cases reported among young adults visiting bars, restaurants and social events — burden on hospitals remains moderate TL Bureau, Helsinki A total of 1,651 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Finland between 5 and 11 July. The number of cases has been increasing for the past three weeks. About 540 new cases were reported in the middle of June (14–20 June), after which the number of cases has approximately tripled.

The COVID-19 epidemic is now spreading among socially active young adults, for example at bars, restaurants and social events.

As in the previous weeks, the highest number of infections was reported among 20–29-year-olds, who accounted for one third of all infections between 5 and 11 July. People aged 10–19 accounted

for 25 per cent of all new cases, with most of these cases reported among people who had reached the age of 18.

Currently, the estimated effective basic reproduction number is 1.0– 1.25, with a 90 per cent probability.

The rise in the number of infections among young adults between 5 and 11 July has led to an increase in the estimated basic reproduction number.

The percentage of cases where the virus was contracted abroad has halved compared to the previous week. In Finland, 12 per cent of the cases reported between 5 and 11 July originated from abroad, and the further infections resulting from them accounted for 3 per cent of all cases.

Honoring the Legacies of Natalya Estemirova and Paul Klebnikov

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

This month, the United States honors slain journalists Natalya Estemirova and Paul Klebnikov.

Klebnikov, a Forbes magazine journalist and U.S. citizen, investigated and exposed corruption in post-Soviet Russia. On July 9, 2004, he was shot and killed in Moscow, likely in retaliation for his work.

Estemirova exposed the egregious human rights violations committed during the Second Chechen War as a human rights activist and journalist for Novaya Gazeta. Estemirova was abducted in Grozny, Chechnya and killed on

July 15, 2009.

The organizers and perpetrators of these heinous murders were never brought to justice, and violence and pressure against journalists continues with impunity in Russia.

The United States condemns the Russian government’s ongoing crackdown on independent media and stands in solidarity with independent Russian journalists and human rights defenders.

Estemirova’s and Klebnikov’s legacies will live on in their work, in the next generation of brave reporters they have inspired, and in the fight for human rights and against corruption in Russia.

UAE Records 1,541 New COVID-19 Cases TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates recorded 1,541 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 5 deaths, in the last 24 hours.

The UAE Ministry of Health

and Prevention (MoHAP) said today that the total number of cases reached 656,354 and the total number of deaths reached 1,885, adding that 1,497 cases have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 634,272.

SAUDIA Provides 4 Direct Flights Weekly Between Saudi Arabia and Athens

TL Bureau , Jeddah

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) continues to operate its direct and regular flights throughout the year between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Athens from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King

Abdulaziz International in Jeddah, through 4 weekly flights on board A320 aircraft, with a seat capacity of 440 seats per week.

Athens is one of Saudia’s latest destinations of its international flight network, which reaches four continents around the world.

4 Innosuisse Huge demand for new funding initiatives from Innosuisse TL Bureau, Bern

The two new funding initiatives from Innosuisse launched at the beginning of 2021 have got off to a successful start.

Within the framework of the impulse programme “Innovative Power Switzerland”, SMEs together with research institutes have already submitted 224 innovation projects. In the case of the Flagship Initiative, following an initial evaluation, Innosuisse recommended that 33 consortia submit a complete application by mid-August. At the same time, Innosuisse’s regular funding business remains very brisk.

New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 907 Recoveries Reported in Saudi Arabia TL Bureau, Riyadh

The Ministry of Health announced, in a statement here today, that 1,165 new confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 506,125, including 11,172 active cases.

Of these, there are 1,429 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable.

It added that 15 new deaths have been reported; putting the tally of fatalities, at 8,035.

Meanwhile, as many as 907 cases have recovered, raising recoveries’ toll to 486,918.

world

Ambassador to Copenhagen and nonresident ambassadors to Liechtenstein and Bosnia and Herzegovina

TL Bureau, Helsinki

On Thursday 15 July, the President of the Republic appointed a new ambassador to Copenhagen and non-resident ambassadors to Liechtenstein and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Harri Kämäräinen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Copenhagen from 1 September 2021.

Kämäräinen will move to head the Embassy from the Ministry where he has worked as Roving Ambassador for South Asia (Pakistan, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka) since 2018.

Kämäräinen has a varied career.

In 2017–2018, he served as Senior Adviser in the Unit for South Asia.

In 2021–2017, he was Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Tehran. Before that, in 2010–2012, he worked as Director of Unit

in the Department for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Additionally, Kämäräinen has worked, among other things, at the Permanent Delegation of Finland to the OSCE and at the Mission of Finland to NATO. In 2003–2006, he worked as Political Adviser to the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Kämäräinen joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1987.

Kämäräinen holds a Diploma in translation studies and interpreting.

In addition, the President of the Republic appointed Ambassador Valtteri Hirvonen, Head of Finland’s Mission in Bern, to serve as Non-resident Ambassador to Liechtenstein from 1 September 2021, and Ambassador Kalle Kankaanpää, Head of Finland’s Mission in Zagreb, to serve as Nonresident Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15 July 2021.

Supplementary provisions as a result of Brexit entering into force

Today, 15 July 2021, the Act containing supplementary provisions on cooperation in criminal matters between the European Union and the United Kingdom enters into force.

TL Bureau, Stockholm The provisions of the Act supplement certain parts of the agreement between the EU and the UK and concern cooperation on the surrender of suspected or convicted persons and the enforcement of decisions on confiscation of property. The surrender of suspected or convicted persons is carried out in essentially the same manner as under the European arrest warrant.

However, Sweden will not surrender its own citizens to the UK. In addition, surrender for political

offences may be refused.

In Sweden, prosecutors and general courts are judicial authorities with the competence to take decisions in cases involving the surrender of suspected or convicted persons to and from Sweden. The supplementary provisions also include cooperation in the enforcement of decisions on confiscation of property in both Sweden and the UK. This means for example that the Swedish Enforcement Authority can request that a Swedish decision on confiscation be enforced in the UK.

Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Travel to Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Mongolia

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

Office of the Spokesperson Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman will travel to Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Mongolia from July 18 to July 25.

In Tokyo, the Deputy Secretary will meet with Japanese officials to discuss a broad range of issues, including combating the climate crisis and enhancing global health security. Deputy Secretary Sherman, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mori Takeo, and ROK First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong

Kun will hold a joint meeting to discuss trilateral cooperation on pressing shared challenges, including regional security issues such as the DPRK, as well as climate change and global health. The Deputy Secretary will then travel to Seoul for meetings with ROK officials and a strategic dialogue with ROK First Vice Foreign Minister Choi to discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation on shared priorities, including the climate crisis, pandemic relief, and post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

From Seoul, the Deputy Secretary will travel to Ulaanbaatar to meet with Mongolian officials to reinforce our Strategic Partnership and discuss our shared values of democracy and human rights, including freedom of religion or belief and respect for traditional cultural identity and practice.

Throughout the trip, the Deputy Secretary will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to working with allies and partners to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and to upholding the international rules-based order.

Statement by the Prime Minister on World Youth Skills Day

TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Youth Skills Day: “Young people in Canada and around the world are engaged, resourceful, and resilient. They have made great sacrifices over the past year to help with the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic, and will be central to efforts everywhere to build back better from the crisis.

“Today, on World Youth Skills Day, we rededicate ourselves to making sure all young people can have access to training, education, and meaningful work experience to build the skills they need to succeed. Young people hold our future in their hands, so when we help them prepare for the years to come, we are investing in our long-term prosperity.

“Young Canadians have faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic because of a decrease in available jobs, internships, and community service opportunities.

In response, the Government of Canada made investments to help them find paid work placements and get the skills they need to start their careers. This included supporting tens of thousands of additional job placements through the Student Work Placement Program, the Canada Summer Jobs program, and the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. By providing funding to programs such as Digital Skills for Youth and Computers for Schools Plus, we also helped young people develop advanced digital skills to better equip them for the jobs of the future.

“As we move toward our recovery, we are continuing to prioritize the success of young Canadians. Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada is investing to help make postsecondary education more affordable, including by waiving interest on student loans for another year, enhancing loan repayment assistance, and doubling the Canada Student Grants for two additional years. We are creating over 200,000 new job skills development and

Jordan Records 661 New COVID-19 Cases TL Bureau, Amman

The Jordanian Health Ministry recorded 661 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 759,686.

In a statement issued today, it said that the total number of recoveries rose to 742,065, after recording 458 recoveries, while the death toll reached 9,872, after recording 8 new deaths.

work opportunities for young Canadians, and expanding the Supports for Student Learning Program to help ensure vulnerable youth stay in school. We are also making further investments in highquality education for First Nations students on reserve, and providing needed support for Indigenous postsecondary students and institutions across the country. In addition, we created a new Apprenticeship Service to help 55,000 first-year apprentices start their careers in construction and manufacturing Red Seal trades.

“On the world stage, Canada recognizes that too many young people, especially women and girls, continue to face barriers that limit their ability to gain important skills and employment experience.

Much work remains to be done to ensure that everyone can develop the skills they need to succeed, regardless of who they are or where they live. As part of our Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada continues to support initiatives that help ensure equal access to quality education and skills development. Most recently, at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June, I announced Canada’s contribution of $300 million to the Global Partnership for Education. This renewed commitment reflects Canadians’ belief that education has the power to transform lives and livelihoods around the world.

“Young people around the world have shown incredible resolve and made immense sacrifices during the pandemic. As Canada’s former Minister of Youth, I know that the energy and vision of young people is exactly what we need at the heart of our recovery. The government will continue to listen to the voices of young Canadians and take action to empower them to drive change in their communities and make their dreams a reality.

When we remove barriers and create new opportunities, we are not only opening doors for them to achieve their goals, but for our country – and our world – to reach its full potential.”

Resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri

TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Today’s announcement that Saad Hariri is resigning as Prime Minister-designate is yet another disappointing development for the Lebanese people. It is critical that a government committed and able to implement priority reforms be formed now.

The government must also start preparing for the 2022 parliamentary elections, which should be held on-time and conducted in a free and fair manner.

5

australia

Expanding Australia’s diesel storage to boost long-term fuel security

TL Bureau, Canberra

The Morrison Government is investing up to $260 million to expand Australia’s diesel storage capacity as part of its commitment to boost long-term fuel security, create jobs and keep prices low.

Through the Boosting Australia’s Diesel Storage program, the Government is backing ten projects across Australia that will support around 1,000 new jobs and a 40 per cent increase in Australia’s diesel stockholdings.

The successful projects are: Stolthaven Australia (126 ML, Newcastle NSW); Coogee Chemicals (100 ML, Kwinana WA); Park (30 ML, Port Kembla NSW); Park (30 ML, Newcastle NSW) Viva Energy Refining (90 ML, Geelong VIC); Terminals (80 ML, Outer Harbor, Adelaide SA); Qube Holdings (110 ML, Lumsden Point, Port Hedland WA); Qube Holdings (73 ML, Port Kembla NSW) Airport Development Group (80 ML, Darwin NT); and Ampol Limited (60 ML, Newport

VIC).

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the grants will increase the volume of diesel stock we can keep onshore, create jobs and help keep fuel prices low for consumers.

“We are delivering on our commitment to protect Australian motorists from fuel disruptions by building around 780 megalitres of diesel storage across the country,” Minister Taylor said.

“Diesel is vital to Australia’s energy security as it keeps our economy running. It underpins our critical infrastructure, trucking sector and key industries, such as mining and agriculture.

“Through these grants, along with our support to keep Australia’s refineries operating until at least mid-2027, the Government is making sure Australian families and industry can access the fuel they need, when they need it.

“Many of these projects are located in strategic regional locations, which will help minimise shortages of diesel during peak usage periods and drive over $636 million of public and private sector investment into these areas.”

Along with the additional diesel storage, these projects will also deliver 202 megalitres of additional petrol and jet fuel storage funded by the private sector.

The Boosting Australia’s Diesel Storage program is a key part of the Government’s comprehensive fuel security package, announced in the 2020-21 Budget, to secure Australia’s long-term fuel supply by increasing onshore stockholdings and our sovereign refining capability that meets our needs during an emergency and into the future.

The program will assist industry in meeting the new minimum stockholding obligation (MSO), which will require industry to hold petrol, jet fuel, and diesel stocks at or above pre-COVID national average levels from mid-2022.

From mid-2024, the MSO will require importers to hold a 40 per cent increase in diesel stocks.

These grants will cover up to 50 per cent of total eligible project expenditure. Projects are expected to commence construction from mid-2021 and be completed within three years.

Colombian man to face court charged with attempt to import cocaine TL Bureau, Brisbane A 30-year-old Colombian national is due to face court today charged with possessing two kilograms of cocaine and attempting to import a commercial quantity of cocaine into Australia after an investigation by the Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF).

On 2 July 2021, officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) conducted an examination of a consignment which tested positive for cocaine hidden within packets of coffee.

Following the detection officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police Service conducted a search warrant at a unit in Bowen Hills on 3 July 2021.

The search uncovered a key to a storage unit at the address where, police will allege, two kilograms of cocaine were found in a backpack.

The 30-year-old Bowen Hills man is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today (16 July 2021), charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and possessing a

marketable quantity of a border controlled drug.

If found guilty, these offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Ben Moses, Northern Command said the AFP was committed to preventing illegal drugs from hitting the streets and harming Australians.

“Any amount of cocaine in our community is too much, the impact this would have had on users, their families and the wider community cannot be understated,” Detective Acting Superintendent Moses said.

ABF Acting Regional Commander for Queensland, Joanne Churchill, said officers

were committed to preventing the illegal import of narcotics into the Australian community.

“Today’s court hearing highlights the very real consequences for those attempting to endanger the community by importing illegal substances. It also shows once again what can be achieved when we work closely with our law enforcement counterparts,” Acting Regional Commander Churchill said.

The Queensland JOCTF comprises of members from the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), AUSTRAC and Department of Home Affairs.

Childcare gap-fee waiver for NSW families in COVID-affected areas

TL Bureau, Canberra

The Morrison Government will provide additional support for New South Wales by allowing childcare services to waive gap-fees for parents keeping their children at home due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

Under current NSW restrictions child care services can remain open to provide care for those who need it, but we know that many parents choose to keep their children home.

From Monday July 19, childcare centres in New South Wales Local Government Areas subject to stay at home orders can waive gap-fees on the days that parents choose to keep their children at home.

The gap fee is the difference between the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) the Government pays to a service and the remaining fee paid by the family.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said around 216,000 families across Greater Sydney that access childcare services could benefit from this measure.

“When gap-fees are waived families will not have to pay any out-ofpocket costs for those days that their children are at home during the current stay at home period,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is another measure that will make life easier for many families in Greater Sydney during these challenging times.

“This adds to the significant financial support we have already announced in conjunction with the NSW Government to back families and businesses, and provide additional mental health support.”

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said many in the sector had been asking for this change and were expected to offer the gap-fee waiver.

“This opt-in measure ensures children remain enrolled in care and the Commonwealth childcare subsidy continues to flow to the

centre, providing a valuable, stable and certain source of revenue during this time,” Minister Tudge said.

“Previous lockdowns show that even when child care remains open, there is an understandably strong preference to keep kids at home.

“We are easing some of the pressure on families and encouraging them to keep their children enrolled, guaranteeing the continued flow of child care subsidy to service providers.

“Importantly, this means providers can keep their staff employed so business can continue as usual when the stay at home orders end.

“Today’s decision will also support Outside School Hours Care sector, which is under particular pressure while school students are learning from home.”

The measure builds on the existing gap fee waiver that is currently in place until 31 December 2021, where gap fees can be waived if a service is directed to close due to public health advice.

Families experiencing a loss of income, such as casual workers or those in self-isolation, may also be eligible for support through the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship).

The Morrison Government has committed around $3 billion to support the early childhood education and care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Local Government Areas are: Bayside, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Wollondilly, Wollongong and Woollahra.

Restrictions have been reintroduced today in South Australia TL Bureau, Adelaide South Australia imposed restrictions to stop the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta strain into state.

As worrying developments continue to unfold interstate and put us at risk, this action isvital to keep South Australians safe and our economy strong.

As of 16 July, the SA border is closed to Victoria. Our border also remains closed to Greater Brisbane, NSW and ACT. Measures now in place in South Australia include: 1 person per 2 square metres

for defined public activities 150 people maximum for private activities Masks required in indoor venues with more than 50% of normal occupancy, including places of worship, enclosed sporting venues and cinemas, theatres or concert halls Masks are mandatory in high risk settings and for people providing personal care services No dancing at nightclubs and relevant licensed premises No singing unless it is a performance, an education establishment or a private lesson No onsite purchase and consumption of shisha.

6

NZ AND OTHER OCEANIA

Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New Zealand

TL Bureau, Wellington

Quarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New Zealand will be paused from 1.59am (NZT) Friday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced.

The decision follows updated public health advice from New Zealand officials and a growing number of cases and locations of interest.

The pause will run for at least four days from 1.59am (NZT) Friday 16 July and be subject to further review on Monday.

“As with previous pauses, we acknowledge the frustration and inconvenience that comes with any interruption to Trans Tasman travel, but given the ongoing level of uncertainty around transmission in Melbourne, this is the right action to take.

“It is also in keeping with our consistently cautious approach to prevent COVID-19 entering the New Zealand community.”

The pause means anyone who has been in the state of Victoria after 1.59am (NZT) on 16 July cannot travel to New Zealand from any state in Australia until further notice.

Travellers currently in Victoria should follow the instructions of Victorian authorities. Anyone who

has been at a location of interest in Melbourne cannot travel to New Zealand. Those who are travelling tonight must have had a negative pre departure test.

Anyone who has been in Melbourne in the last week and has since returned to New Zealand should monitor their health, and be aware that the number of locations of interest are increasing. They should be checking these regularly via the Victorian public health website. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/ coronavirus QFT from New South Wales remains paused and managed return flights are still in place meaning travellers will have to go into managed isolation for 14 days after arriving in New Zealand.

QFT from all other Australian states remains open, subject to evidence of a negative pre-departure test within 72 hours of departure, to complete a health declaration confirming you have not been at a location of interest and the Nau Mai Rā travel declaration.

It is also important that people in New Zealand contact Healthline should they develop any COVID-19 symptoms.

For more information, visit Unite Against COVID-19: https:// covid19.govt.nz/travel/quarantinefree-travel/australia.

Hydrogen agreement signed with Singapore TL Bureau, Wellington The signing of an Arrangement of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore heralds the start of greater collaboration between it and New Zealand as both countries transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods.

The cooperation arrangement between New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and the National Climate Change Secretariat was signed today by Minister Woods and Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Second Minister

for Trade and Industry.

“This arrangement builds on the Singapore-New Zealand Enhanced Partnership signed in 2019 and marks the start of a journey between our two countries to collaborate on the production, deployment and research into a new hydrogen economy,” said Megan Woods.

“Hydrogen is a key future fuel option that will help us meet our climate goals by enabling us to decarbonise transport and industry applications in particular that will be hard to electrify.

“New Zealand has an abundance of renewable energy that could be used to produce hydrogen, potentially for export, so this cooperation

between us and Singapore, one of our most trusted, reliable, and long-standing partners in Asia, is significant. “Sharing knowledge about hydrogen, both from its use and deployment through small demonstration projects up to large scale construction, will assist both countries to transform our respective energy and transport sectors. Cooperation around the research and development of new hydrogen technologies will also be of immense benefit,” said Megan Woods.

This arrangement is the second such hydrogen cooperation document signed by New Zealand following the 2018 memorandum with Japan.

Government Initiatives Contribute to Fall in Benefit Numbers TL Bureau, Wellington

Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the release of the June quarter Benefit Statistics which show a continuing fall in the number of people receiving a Main Benefit.

“This Government’s plan to increase work focused support for Jobseekers is paying off,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “All up Benefit numbers fell 11,193 over the June quarter, there are now 354,744 people receiving a Main Benefit, with 110,790 people receiving a Job Seeker Work Ready Benefit. “Most of this fall comes on the back of

another big month for people moving off a benefit and into employment. Around 31,240 people left a benefit last quarter for a job, the second highest number of people finding work since records began. “The statistics released today buck the seasonal trend which usually sees a rise in benefit numbers over the June Quarter. The size of the fall over the June quarter is a significant milestone in our recovery from COVID-19. “While we have been successful in getting those who have recently lost their jobs back into work, what is pleasing with today’s statistics is that nearly 10,000 people who have been receiving a benefit for over a year found work in the June quarter.”

Government to provide support for Tourism support package water reforms, jobs and growth

TL Bureau, Wellington

The Government today announced a $2.5 billion package to support local government transition through the reforms to New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. The package will also stimulate local economies while creating jobs and unlocking infrastructure for housing.

“New Zealand’s water systems are facing a significant crisis and will continue to do so without major transformation. Overhauling our drinking, waste and stormwater services will benefit all New Zealand communities, no matter where they are in the country,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

“The support package announced today will ensure that no council is worse off as a result of the reforms. $500 million is set aside to provide certainty for local authorities that they will be supported through the transition process, and to ensure the financial impacts of reform will be managed.

“We also want to acknowledge the significant change that the shift in these assets means for Council balance sheets. So the remainder of the package seeks to ensure Councils are better off despite this change to their asset base.

“To do this we have set aside $2

billion for councils to invest in the future for local government, urban development, and the wellbeing of their communities,” Jacinda Ardern said.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said that Central and Local Government had very similar goals and it was important that the two tiers of government approached these challenges together.

“New Zealand’s water system is one of the country’s most significant infrastructure sectors, touching every aspect of our lives. Our communities will need to invest between $120-185 billion over the next 30 years to maintain, replace and upgrade ageing assets and to provide for growth,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“We acknowledge the significant pressures that all councils are facing with considerable change on the way. The water reforms have provided an opportunity for Government and local councils to work together to ensure the reforms are fit for purpose. We are pleased to be working closely with Local Government New Zealand not just on these reforms, but on other challenges and opportunities” said Nanaia Mahuta.

The Government has signed a commitment to work together with Local Government New Zealand to

engage and consult with councils and other stakeholders over the next 6-8 weeks and beyond.

“The reforms are about acting for the greater good, with significant benefits to all communities. But they will have the best chance of success if all councils participate.

We are working with the sector to ensure everyone understands the reform-related information, and to explain the policy proposals, the benefits of reform, and the details of the support package,” said Nanaia Mahuta.

“All of our water assets will be retained in local ownership; that has been a bottom line for us. We have added a public referendum provision to provide the ultimate protection against privatisation.

There will be mechanisms to ensure a strong community say in how the assets and services are run and how planning will be managed,” said Nanaia Mahuta. The $500 million “no worse off” component of the support package seeks to address the costs and financial impacts that councils would incur such as the transfer of water assets, liabilities, revenue and staff to a new water services entity. The funding also ensures councils will be able to continue to sustainably perform their non-water related roles and functions.

continues rollout

TL Bureau, Wellington Mental wellbeing support is being rolled out to five South Island communities most affected by the absence of international tourists.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash today announced details of how tourism operators and communities can access the help announced in May as part of the government’s $200 million Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan.

“Agreements have now been put in place with District Health Boards in the lower South Island to deliver this crucial support to regional communities,” Stuart Nash said.

“The $4.5 million investment allows DHBs to provide support in Kaikōura (Canterbury DHB), Mackenzie District (South Canterbury DHB), Queenstown Lakes and Fiordland (Southern DHB), and Westland (West Coast DHB).

“The DHBs will provide a range of mental well-being services and initiatives at a local level. They will work with communities to decide what’s needed and how it’s delivered.

“Businesses, workers and their

families in our tourism destinations are facing challenges from border closures designed to keep New Zealand safe. The support in the Tourism Communities Plan allows decisions about wellbeing resources and services to be made by those at the heart of the communities themselves.”

Mr Nash also said work on further business support initiatives in the five communities is progressing, and more information about eligibility criteria is available.

“Each community now has a lead entity to manage the business support services, and recruitment is underway locally to support them. The initiatives include business advisory support, a grant to implement the advice, and a kick-start fund. They are on track to be available from later next month.

“We want access to this support to be easy for businesses to tap into. Businesses will be talking to one person locally about what support is right for them.

I encourage businesses in the five communities to check their eligibility criteria on the MBIE website,” Stuart Nash said.

7

BUSINESS

IFC, Microsoft Partner to Decarbonize Supply Chain in Emerging Markets, Spur Sustainability in Consumer Electronics

​TL Bureau , Washington D.C.

IFC and Microsoft Corp. today announced a partnership to help the multinational technology company reduce carbon emissions in its supply chain by 50 percent by 2030. The World Bank Group’s private investment arm will work with designated Microsoft suppliers in emerging markets, primarily in Asia, to identify technical solutions and financing opportunities that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the production process.

Microsoft suppliers will draw on IFC’s experience in working with complex international supply chains and its commitment to helping emerging market manufacturers achieve more efficient and environmentallyfriendly practices.

This initiative is part of Microsoft’s

US stocks down on Thursday TL Bureau, New York

U.S. stocks were mostly lower Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 53.79, an increase of 0.15 percent, to 34,987.02.

The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 14.27, a decrease of 0.3 percent, to 4,360.03.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index fell 101.82, increasing by 0.7 percent, to 14,543.13.

The National Debt Office is issuing a term loan facility to SAS TL Bureau, Stockholm On behalf of the government, the Debt Office has issued a term loan facility of SEK 1.5 billion to SAS. The loan facility is part of a joint action whereby the Danish government makes an equally large commitment. The loan facility can be utilised until 31 December 2022. Repayment of any loans made is required by 31 December 2026 at the latest.

As a consequence of the corona virus pandemic, the demand for air travel continues to be at very low levels. At the same time, SAS is important because its network of air travel within the Nordic countries fulfils a basic need of those societies. The Swedish government, which together with the Danish government, are the largest owners of SAS, sees this measure as a way of supporting the airline during the ongoing crisis.

ambitious goal to reduce and ultimately remove its carbon footprint. Microsoft has already taken significant internal steps to reduce its direct environmental footprint. Last year, it began requiring its world-wide network of suppliers to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions as part of its Supplier Code of Conduct, creating a baseline for measuring its broader decarbonization efforts.

“Requiring emissions disclosure in our Supplier Code of Conduct has already increased transparency and helped us more effectively partner with our suppliers to reduce emissions. Now, our partnership with the IFC will further enable and encourage our suppliers to take on new emissions reduction projects within their own organizations,” said Lucas Joppa, chief environmental officer at Microsoft. “In addition to our

own environmental commitments, we are committed to empowering our suppliers, customers, and partners to reduce their carbon footprint.” For IFC, the partnership is a first in addressing supply chain issues in the consumer electronics field, and builds on IFC’s ongoing work to address sustainability challenges within the supply chains of international brands in other industries.

Interventions to reduce emissions in a multinational’s supply chain are uniquely challenging because they require engagement with many small, independently controlled suppliers located in different parts of the world. Emissions by such suppliers are included in what is known as “Scope 3” emissions, as compared with Scope 1 and 2, which cover the direct and the electricity-related emissions from sources that are owned or

controlled by the reporting entity.

Scope 3 emissions can represent a substantial portion of the reporting company’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

The business case for efficiency and sustainability in emerging markets is clear. IFC’s partnership with Microsoft seeks to promote additional investments in sustainability among the wider consumer electronics industry, while demonstrating the financial and economic benefits from resource efficiency and renewable energy investments that can be realized at all levels of the supply chain. “Adequately addressing the major risks of climate change requires a global approach,” said Tomasz Telma, IFC Senior Director for Global Industry Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services. “Microsoft’s partnership with IFC recognizes

the role that transforming intricate global supply chains can play in meaningfully achieving a company’s sustainability goals.

It also sets an example for other suppliers in the consumer electronics space, as well as emerging market manufacturers more broadly.”

IFC plans to further accelerate its climate engagements with the private sector under the World Bank Group’s recently announced Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025. The Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025 aims to mobilize record levels of financing to help emerging markets reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. IFC aims to fully align its own real sector operations with the goals of the Paris Agreement starting in July 2025.

IFC Invests in Bond to Support Access to Affordable Housing in Tanzania TL Bureau, Dar es Salaam

To help increase access to longer-term, affordable mortgages and housing in Tanzania, IFC subscribed to a corporate bond issued by the Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company (TMRC), which was listed today on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. The TMRC bond will support access to mortgages, helping Tanzanians more easily purchase homes in a country where access to longer-term financing has traditionally been constrained.

The listing follows approval granted by the Capital Markets and Securities Authority and a successful offer that raised over TZS 8.9 billion ($3.8 million) against a target of TZS 7 billion ($3 million), representing an oversubscription of 27 percent. IFC invested roughly $1.2 million (TZS 2.8 billion) in the oversubscribed bond offer.

“IFC’s participation in the third tranche of TMRC’s medium-term note program will support the continued growth of the housing finance market in Tanzania. Additionally, it will enable us to diversify our funding

sources,” said Oscar Mgaya, Chief Executive Officer, TMRC. “TMRC’s medium-term note program is contributing to the development of the debt capital markets in Tanzania and providing alternative investment instruments to institutional and private investors,” said Frank Ajilore, IFC’s Resident Representative for Tanzania. “Increasing access to affordable housing finance, with longer repayment schedules, will make home ownership more attainable for Tanzania’s emerging middle class.”

African Heads of State Call for an Ambitious Replenishment of the IDA20 to Support Their Recovery Agenda

TL Bureau, ABIDJAN

Thirteen African Heads of State and governments concluded their oneday meeting in Abidjan today with a strong resolution to accelerate economic recovery from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, scaleup investments in human capital, and increase their job creation efforts. They called for a robust twentieth replenishment of the World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA20) to support these efforts.

In a joint declaration endorsed at the meeting, the Heads of State emphasized that economic recovery, job creation, and investments in human capital – including expanding access to vaccines – are critical to help people recover from the shocks of the pandemic, get out of extreme poverty, and build a more resilient and inclusive future. “The funding process that begins in Abidjan this week, will conclude at the end of this year with a policy and financial package to support specific projects in the 74 IDA countries over the next three years. The goal to mobilize an IDA20 replenishment envelope

of at least $100 billion, for three years, would be the largest amount raised in IDA’s history. This is a good opportunity to demonstrate that solidarity is effectively essential for the good of all and that we can act together to return to the path of income convergence that we were on prior to the pandemic and build a safer and prosperous world,” said President Alassane Ouattara of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.​ “We know that when the World Bank has the backing of all its stakeholders, it has the capacity and oversight to make a difference.” On jobs, the leaders committed to job creation efforts by developing the private sector, with emphasis on improving productivity through broad based

digitalisation, mechanisation, African manufacturing - including vaccines, and improved access to finance and better business environment. On human capital, the leaders called for education systems that support the acquisition and use of skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow, and resilient health systems, adaptive safety nets and service delivery systems. On economic recovery, the Heads of State expressed their determination to support structural and spatial transformation of economies, through better economic diversification and regional development within countries and regions, coupled with macroeconomic stability

with special attention to public debt sustainability, security and peacekeeping issues, as well as better preparedness to protect economies and populations from various crises. Acknowledging the high financing volumes needed to match the level of ambition of their development agenda, the leaders highlighted the importance of maximising both domestic and external financing resources. They observed that with the continent’s additional financing needs estimated at $285 billion over the next five years, to fight the pandemic, climate change, and accelerate economic recovery, their enhanced domestic resource mobilization efforts would fall short.

8

FEATURE

Response Capacities Stretched with Hasty Return of 40,000 Ethiopian Migrants

TL Bureau, Addis Ababa

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is urgently appealing for funds to respond to the needs of 40,000 Ethiopian migrants returning from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Over 30,000 have arrived in Ethiopia over the last two weeks, at rate of over 2,600 people a day. More than 20,400 (68%) are from parts of Tigray and Amhara regions which are in the midst of conflict in Northern Ethiopia that has displaced nearly two million people.

The returns of Ethiopian migrants follow a bilateral agreement between the governments of Ethiopia and KSA.According to IOM, USD 740,000 is needed to provide assistance for every 10,000 migrants returning. This is for essentials such as medical treatment, supplies for babies and infants such as diapers, clothing, help with finding and tracing family members, and reunifying them or providing alternative care arrangements as appropriate, as well as to respond to protection concerns.

“This sudden upsurge in returns poses a major challenge to our ability to assist the returnees – many of whom require medical and psychosocial assistance, support reuniting with their families, and livelihood options that would help to diminish the appeal of irregular re-migration to KSA and other countries of destination,” says Maureen Achieng, IOM Chief of Mission in Ethiopia.

“Our response is seriously underfunded and barely reaching the needs of returnees in the provision of essential basic and specialized assistance, including for unaccompanied migrant children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and victims of trafficking.”

Many of the migrants will require help to return and reintegrate back into their communities. Reintegration assistance is therefore vital to supporting the returnees psychologically, and to find work and stability, to help them avoid irregular migration, and exploitation by trafficking and smuggling rings.

The returning migrants are among the target population included in the Regional Migrant Response Plan

2021-2024 (MRP) for the Horn of Africa and Yemen, a USD 99 million appeal launched by IOM and 39 partners in March 2021 to address the protection needs, risks and vulnerabilities of migrants along this route. The MRP is underfunded and urgently requires additional resources to carry out its response, including for this target population.

While recognizing the sovereign right of States to determine their national migration policy and their prerogative to govern migration within their jurisdiction, in conformity with international law, IOM, as part of the United Nations Network on Migration, reaffirms its commitment to keeping everyone safe. It means that all Member States need to ensure that collective expulsions of migrants and asylum-seekers must be halted; that protection needs, including international protection, must be individually assessed; and that the rule of law and due process must be observed. It also means prioritizing protection, including every child’s best interest, under the obligations in international law.

COVID-19 pandemic leads to major backsliding on childhood vaccinations, new WHO, UNICEF data shows 23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services in 2020, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019

TL Bureau, Geneva/New York 23 million children missed out on basic vaccines through routine immunization services in 2020 – 3.7 million more than in 2019 - according to official data published today

by WHO and UNICEF. This latest set of comprehensive worldwide childhood immunization figures, the first official figures to reflect global service disruptions due to COVID-19, show a majority of countries last year experienced drops in childhood vaccination rates.

Concerningly, most of these – up to 17 million children – likely did not receive a single vaccine during the year, widening already immense inequities in vaccine access.

Most of these children live in communities affected by conflict, in under-served remote places, or in informal or slum settings where they face multiple deprivations including limited access to basic health and key social services.

“Even as countries clamour to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, we have gone backwards on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, making it more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached.”

In all regions, rising numbers of children miss vital first vaccine doses in 2020; millions more miss later vaccines Disruptions in immunization services were widespread in 2020, with the WHO Southeast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions most affected. As access to health services and immunization outreach were curtailed, the number of children not receiving even their very first vaccinations increased in all regions. As compared with 2019, 3.5 million more children missed their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1) while 3 million more children missed their first measles dose.

“This evidence should be a clear warning – the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions cost us valuable ground we cannot afford to lose – and the consequences will be paid in the lives and wellbeing of the most vulnerable,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “Even before the pandemic, there were worrying signs that we were beginning to lose ground in the fight to immunize children against

preventable child illness, including with the widespread measles outbreaks two years ago. The pandemic has made a bad situation worse. With the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at the forefront of everyone’s minds, we must remember that vaccine distribution has always been inequitable, but it does not have to be.”

Table 1: Countries with the greatest increase in children not receiving a first dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis combined vaccine (DTP-1) 2019 2020 India 1’403’000 3’038’000 Pakistan 567’000 968’000 Indonesia 472’000 797’000 Philippines 450’000 557’000 Mexico 348’000 454’000 Mozambique 97’000 186’000 Angola 399’000 482’000 United Republic of Tanzania 183’000 249’000 Argentina 97’000 156’000 Venezuela (Bolivarian 75’000 134’000 Republic of) Mali 136’000 193’000 The data shows that middle-income countries now account for an increasing share of unprotected children – that is, children missing out on at least some vaccine doses. India is experiencing a particularly large drop, with DTP-3 coverage falling from 91% to 85%.

Fuelled by funding shortfalls, vaccine misinformation, instability and other factors, a troubling picture is also emerging in WHO’s Region of the Americas, where vaccination coverage continues to fall. Just 82% of children are fully vaccinated with DTP, down from 91% in 2016.

Countries risk resurgence of measles, other vaccinepreventable diseases Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, global childhood vaccination rates against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles and polio had stalled for several years at around 86%. This rate is well below the 95% recommended by WHO to protect against measles –often the first disease to resurge when children are not reached with vaccines - and insufficient to stop other vaccine-preventable diseases.

With many resources and personnel diverted to support the

COVID-19 response, there have been significant disruptions to immunization service provision in many parts of the world. In some countries, clinics have been closed or hours reduced, while people may have been reluctant to seek healthcare because of fear of transmission or have experienced challenges reaching services due to lockdown measures and transportation disruptions.

“These are alarming numbers, suggesting the pandemic is unravelling years of progress in routine immunization and exposing millions of children to deadly, preventable diseases”, said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “This is a wake-up call – we cannot allow a legacy of COVID-19 to be the resurgence of measles, polio and other killers. We all need to work together to help countries both defeat COVID-19, by ensuring global, equitable access to vaccines, and get routine immunization programmes back on track. The future health and wellbeing of millions of children and their communities across the globe depends on it.”

Concerns are not just for outbreak-prone diseases. Already at low rates, vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) - which protect girls against cervical cancer later in life - have been highly affected by school closures. As a result, across countries that have introduced HPV vaccine to date, approximately 1.6 million more girls missed out in 2020. Globally only 13% girls were vaccinated against HPV, falling from 15% in 2019.

Agencies call for urgent recovery and investment in routine immunization As countries work to recover lost ground due to COVID-19 related disruptions, UNICEF, WHO and partners like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance are supporting efforts to strengthen immunization systems by: Restoring services and vaccination campaigns so countries can safely deliver routine immunization programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic; Helping health workers and community leaders communicate actively with caregivers to explain the importance of vaccinations; Rectifying gaps in immunization coverage, including identifying communities and people who have been missed during the pandemic.

Ensuring that COVID-19 vaccine delivery is independently planned for and financed and that it occurs alongside, and not at the cost of childhood vaccination services.

9

life and real estate

New Fine Art Photo Book About Oman by Travel Photographer Khalid Alkharusi Romances a 5000-Year-Old Civilization

TL Bureau, MUSCAT

Mysterious, alive, and thriving, Oman shows off its remarkable beauty in a new book by travel photographer Khalid Alkharusi.

The result of a 30-year journey taken by the nature photog, “Oman: A Paradise of Land and People” reveals what isn’t widely known about the unsung region. The book is a deep look at the country’s solid cultural history by way of its equally striking people and natural landscape. This is fine art nature photography at its most heartfelt. All the reader can do is allow a contagious affection for the ancient land near the water.

Leaving no other option than to experience Oman through the eyes of someone who is quite possibly its biggest champion, each page serves as a palpable homage to a place one simply must go and see.

So, where is Oman? It is a unique location on the southern east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares borders with United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yamen to the southwest.

Famous for many reasons, the region hosts uncommon views of sweeping, untouched mountainous landscapes showcased by Alkharusi’s fine art nature photography.

The land of Oman contains terraced orchards and stream valleys, adobe fortresses, and mosques that echo prayers

The newly released “Oman: A Paradise of Land and People” took 30-years to create but takes one minute to capture the imagination.

Courtesy:/EINPresswire.com/ --

while Arabian sailing ships dot the gulf.In 55 photos presenting Oman’s natural landscape, the book displays plains, valleys, mountains, and beaches. It also includes 51 photos of the Omani people, all from different governorates and regions. These images serve to personalize the people of Oman

as they display the color of their costumes and give a glimpse of Omani life. Alkharusi said, “At the age of ten my father gave me a Kodak Ektralite 10 camera, and that eventually led me to this book. Soon, I learned to capture Oman’s life and nature through my lenses.

Every image is a story. And though they were strangers, when I took the pictures, it was as if I were among my family and friends. This book is a love song to everyone I have captured with my lens or have met during my ongoing journey.” Widely recognized for his work, Alkharusi’s website offers limited-edition photographic prints for home design and businesses. His work highlighting Oman as well as other countries appears in homes, hotels, banks, and corporate offices worldwide.

In 1999, Alkharusi published a photography calendar entitled, “Discover Oman.” It was the first calendar of pictures by an Omani photographer to be released in the Sultanate.

Traveling As A Couple 15 Tips For A Beautiful Vacation in 2021 Traveling with your partner for the first or tenth time? Follow these tips to ensure you have a smooth trip!

TL Bureau, New York, Traveling with your partner is very exciting and romantic. You get to smooch in different locations. Make hilarious memories. Or bond over something as simple as a midnight walk! But, let’s not forget that it is not all rosy and fun from the first day till the end. In fact, traveling with a romantic partner is more stressful – pretty ironic for something that is supposed to make you feel good and relaxed.

You are always worried if you are doing things right or making them happy. And don’t forget the silly arguments or different opinions on packing, accommodation, and food.

The list is pretty endless! Luckily for you, we know these clashes are bound to happen, and we can help you avoid them. So, to ensure you don’t kill your relationship before the trip is over… or at least save you from going to jail for murder in a foreign land, here are 15 tips to help you.

---Lower Your Expectations: Let’s face it – every day is not going to be full of kisses, wines, food, sunshine, and orgasms. Some days will be full of travel stress, hunger, overwhelming emotions, and anger. You might even feel like going days without talking to your partner because of something they did. That emotion is normal and does not mean that your relationship is in troubled waters. It means that you have to take some time off and cool down. Then come back and sort out issues with your partner.

Just have lower expectations so that when things don’t work out

fine, you won’t be stressed out.

---Not Everything Will Be Romantic: Forget those glossy smiles every couple sharing pictures of their romantic getaway have. The truth is – not everything will be romantic during your vacation. Having a partner that snores or having to clean up after them because they had too much to drink is not romantic at all. Even places that looked beautiful in pictures might disappoint you. But, that does not mean you should pack your bags and end the vacation. Instead, create humor out of every bad situation and forge ahead.

---Divide Responsibilities According To Individual Strengths: Instead of worrying about who does what for each trip, why not divide responsibilities according to individual strengths! If you are good with locating good places that offer discounts or good food, take that responsibility. If your partner is good with maps or calculating expenses, let them handle the budget and location work. Using this divide-and-conquer strategy reduces arguments and makes travel easy.

---Sort Out Money Issues Before The Trip efore you hop on that plane and fly away, we suggest you create a budget and divide expenses in a way that makes sense. Will you be splitting payments 50/50 or 60/40 (if one partner earns more)? Or will you take turns in paying for stuff? Or does one person handle food, while the other handles accommodation or transport?

Tickets on Sale for Bard on the Beach Festival’s 32nd Season & Feature Film

TL Bureau, Vancouver

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is unveiling a 2021 Season with online programming designed to engage both its existing Festival community and reach out to new audiences across Canada and beyond. The 2021 lineup is highlighted by a bold new venture for Western Canada’s biggest Shakespeare festival – the world premiere of a new play, Done/ Undone, commissioned by Bard, produced as a feature film and available on demand on a state-ofthe-art digital platform. Tickets for Done/Undone go on sale on July 14 at 1pm PT at bardonthebeach.org The Festival’s 32nd Season, dubbed Press Play!, features the Shakespeare-themed film and artist Talkbacks, along with Bard Explored – livestreamed

Courtesy: /EINPresswire.com conversations with SFU’s Paul Budra and four of the world’s most celebrated Shakespeare scholars; a BC-focused wine-

tasting event hosted by Artistic Director Christopher Gaze and Vancouver International Wine Festival Executive Director Harry

Hertscheg, and A Shakesperience – a new film for students to be released in September. There is also a series of exclusive digital events programmed for Bard’s Members.

Done/Undone by Kate Besworth The season’s feature film, Done/Undone, was originally commissioned by Bard as a stage play. When the impact of the pandemic forced the Festival to transition to a digital 2021 season, playwright Kate Besworth and Bard’s artistic team transformed the production to become a feature film, shot in multiple spaces at Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Directed by Vancouver theatre artist Arthi Chandra, Done/ Undone stars Charlie Gallant (Shakespeare in Love, 2019) and Harveen Sandhu (As You Like It, 2018). The two accomplished

actors play a range of characters, including a pair of battling scholars, two cast-members in a Hamlet production, a theatregoing couple who are far apart on Shakespeare’s appeal –and the Bard himself (played by Sandhu).

Done/Undone asks what could be a challenging question for a Shakespeare festival: do the Bard’s plays stand the test of time, and should some not be staged anymore? But, says Bard Artistic Director Christopher Gaze, “We’re glad to embrace the debates that are taking place in the broader world. And much to our delight, this project brings an original and accessible new perspective to those complicated questions. We believe its spirit, wit and bravery will resonate with many people and points of view.”

10

SPORTS

Lamborghini Mexico Commissions Special Edition Models To Commemorate 10 Years in the Region

TL Bureau, Sant’Agata Bolognese/Mexico city

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, Lamborghini Mexico today debuts four special edition Huracán EVO, designed by the brand’s distributor in Mexico, Grand Chelem, and Ad Personam, the Lamborghini’s exclusive customization program at the studio in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The commemorative models represent four key themes in Mexican culture: Vita (Life), Morte (Death), Sogno (Dream) and Tempo (Time).

Lamborghini’s first showroom in Mexico opened in 2010 in the heart of Mexico City. Lamborghini has since seen great success and expanded its presence in the region with another dealership in Monterrey in northern Mexico.

To commemorate the brand’s now decade-long presence, Lamborghini Mexico commissioned four special edition models—each of the V10 super sports cars were configured using a vast array of color and finishes, and fastened with a celebratory plaque symbolizing each theme on each vehicle’s firewall.

“Mexico has become an influential force for a growing automotive community in Latin America and we’re proud to celebrate this

partnership with Grand Chelem,” said Federico Foschini, Automobili Lamborghini Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. “The four special edition models designed with the brand’s Ad Personam program present the endless possibilities available to clients when configuring their own Lamborghini vehicle.”

To further commemorate Lamborghini Mexico’s 10th anniversary, the special edition Huracán EVO super sports cars will soon be on display throughout Mexico City’s most admired

landmarks.

Special Edition Models Edición Vita (Life) – Vita, the series’ flagship model, is colored in a special shade of Verde Ermes (green) and Oro Elios (gold) accents representing life and nature. The exterior design is contrasted with fine Oro Elios (gold) details inside, symbolized by the sun to enhance the trims and stitching.

The Lamborghini Huracán EVO Vita Edition, symbolized with an emblem of an eagle, celebrates freedom and the successes in life,

and perpetuated in a motif that exalts the national values of Mexico and Italy. Edición Morte (Death) – The Lamborghini Huracán EVO Morte Edition, symbolized by the emblem of a skull, celebrates the experiences that prepare us for the journey between life and death.

A Blu Astraeus (blue) color bathes the vehicle’s exterior, complemented with Bronzo Serse design accents. A similar configuration is extended inside the car, with seats and trims in Blu Teia Vintage (blue) and bronze

stitching.

Edición Sogno (Dream) – The most distinctive of the four special edition models, the Sogno Edition incorporates a Blu Symi (light blue) exterior with Oro Elios (gold) highlights. The vibrant colors resemble the mythicallike creatures seen in Mexican folk art. To emphasize this bold expression, the interior sees a two-tone configuration. Inside, the white accents are contrasted with the predominantly black tones of the center console and the gold stitching on the seats.

The Lamborghini Huracán Sogno Edition, commemorated with a plaque of a two-headed dragon, celebrates dreams with a mixture of fantasy and reality that give color and meaning to life.

Edición Tempo (Time) – The Lamborghini Huracán EVO Tempo Edition, the final model in the series, represents the decade-long partnership between Lamborghini and Mexico. It is symbolized with a plaque of a snake, representative of the reinvention of oneself by the shedding of skin.

A Nero Nemesis (black) exterior is accentuated with Bronzo Serse underlines, while the interior sees predominantly dark hues with bronze accents around the seats, trim and stitching.

Fundamental changes to the Olympic Nobel Peace Prize awardee oath at Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony Professor Muhammad Yunus to TL Bureau, Tokyo

Not only has the Olympic Oath been updated, at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the number of oath-takers will be extended from three to six – two athletes, two coaches and two judges. This is in line with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee’s drive towards gender equality as it enables full gender balance amongst those taking the oath on behalf of all Games participants.

The gender balance of the oathtakers is just one of a large number of decisions and commitments from the IOC and the Organising Committee to promote women in sport at all levels and in all structures, as stated in the Olympic Charter.

Changes to the Olympic oath The new wording of the Olympic oath results from a set of recommendations drawn up by the IOC Athletes’ Commission on Rule 50.2 and athlete expression in order to increase opportunities for athlete expression during the Olympic Games. These recommendations were approved by the IOC Executive Board back in April 2021.

The new wording of the Olympic oath is: Depending on which group is speaking: “In the name of the athletes”, “In the name of all judges” or “In the name of all the coaches and officials”.

“We promise to take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play, inclusion and equality. Together we stand in solidarity and commit ourselves to sport without doping, without cheating, without any form of discrimination. We do this for the honour of our teams, in respect for the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, and to make the world a better place through sport.”

On this significant development, IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Kirsty Coventry said: “We Olympians are role models and ambassadors. We stand together to send out to the world a powerful message of equality, inclusion, solidarity, peace and respect. The Olympic oath-takers selected for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be fully gender equal and will take the Olympic oath on behalf of all the Olympians, judges, coaches and officials, who they represent, in the true spirit of solidarity.”

The Olympic oath was first recited at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Antwerp 1920.

The original text was written by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, and it has evolved over time to reflect the changing nature of sports competitions.

Gender equality at the Olympic Games The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the first gender-equal Games, with female athlete places at almost 49 per cent.

Following a decision taken by the IOC Executive Board, all participating National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have been offered the opportunity to be represented by a minimum of one female and one male athlete at all editions of the Olympic Summer Games.

Additionally, the IOC Executive Board changed the IOC’s protocol guidelines to allow one male and one female athlete to jointly carry their country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony and encourages all NOCs to use this opportunity to send a strong message of inclusive and genderequal Olympic Games where women and men have equal prominence.

receive Olympic Laurel

TL Bureau, Lausanne

Social entrepreneur, economist, civil society leader and Nobel Peace Prize awardee Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh will become the second recipient of the Olympic Laurel.

He will officially receive the trophy during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on 23 July 2021. The distinction was created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to honour outstanding individuals for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, who is often referred to as the “world’s banker to the poor”, receives the Olympic Laurel award for his extensive work in sport for development, including founding the Yunus Sports Hub, a global social business network that creates solutions through sport. He has collaborated with the IOC on several projects, including educational elements of the IOC Young Leaders Programme, the “Imagine” Peace Youth Camp and the Athlete365 Business Accelerator – the first comprehensive entrepreneurship programme to help Olympians with

career transition.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “With the Olympic Laurel, we take forward the vision of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder and reviver of the modern Olympic Games.

It is also a reflection of the ideals and values of the ancient Olympic Games, with a focus on human development through peace and sport.” He continued: “The work of Professor Yunus is exemplary for these ideals and values. He shares his wealth of knowledge generously with the athletes and the Olympic community. He is a great inspiration for all of us. He helps athletes in their post-sport career development to become socially responsible entrepreneurs and shares our vision of how sport can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In particular, with Paris 2024, he is helping to build a new model for the Olympic Games with minimum impact for the planet and maximum impact for legacy for the people of the host country.

We are very thankful for all he is doing for the Olympic community.”

Professor Yunus said: “The Olympic Games and sport have the most convening power in the world.

11

tech/auto

Lamborghini sales: the best half-year ever.

Orders taken for the next ten months TL Bureau, Sant’Agata Bolognese

The first half of 2021 makes Lamborghini history, as global sales from January to June reached record levels. The House of Sant’Agata Bolognese delivered 4,852 cars in the first six months, making it the best half-year ever, with a 37% increase over the same period of 2020 and a growth by 6.6% over the first half of 2019 (pre-Covid period). The outlook is equally positive, with orders taken already covering production for the next ten months until April 2022.

President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann commented: “This exceptional result is a double confirmation for us.

It is proof of the solidity and strength of this brand, which is enjoying growing appeal despite a period of continuous challenges and uncertainty.

It also endorses the positive reception to our new industrial plan for future electrification of our product range, in which we will invest over 1.5 billion euros by 2024. Lamborghini’s course is set for a period of great transformation, where technological innovation and sustainability will go hand in hand with a focus on maximum product performance and loyalty

to the brand’s DNA.” Sales of all Lamborghini models are on the rise. The Urus Super SUV holds its place as the topselling model (2,796 units, +35%), thanks to its ability to combine top-level performance with outstanding versatility, followed by Huracán (1,532 units, +46%) and Aventador (524 units, +21%).

Last week saw the launch of the

Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae, the grand finale of the legendary naturally-aspirated Lamborghini V12 engine in anticipation of the next product generation, which will be hybridized from 2023. Also scheduled to arrive on the market this summer is the Huracán STO, a road-legal super sports car inspired by the motorsport tradition of the Huracán Super Trofeo EVOs

that race in the Lamborghini Squadra Corse championship, as well as by the Huracán GT3 EVO, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona and twotime winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring. This summer will also bring the unveiling of another new product.

In terms of markets, the United States is once again in first place (1,502 units), followed

by China Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau (602), which leapt to second place, Germany (391), the UK (318), Japan (258), the Middle East (226) and Italy (197). Sales distribution is wellbalanced in the three macroregions of America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Lamborghini’s is represented globally with a network of 168 dealers in 51 markets.

20 years ago: BMW Group chooses Leipzig as site for new plant TL Bureau, Leipzig

Of the 250-plus applications that came in, only five made it onto the shortlist – but ultimately it was Leipzig that won. Twenty years ago, on 18 July 2001, the BMW Group announced at a press conference in Munich that it would build a new plant in Leipzig. “Here you can see the location that best meets our needs overall,” said Prof.

Joachim Milberg, Chairman of the BMW AG Board of Management at the time.

Leipzig as a base and the over 200-hectare site near the city’s exhibition centre won on the basis of the following criteria: 1. Ideal conditions and location for a future plant 2. Availability of qualified personnel 3. Use of existing supplies and logistics structures 4. Very good infrastructure for traffic, supplies and waste 5. Links to the BMW production network 6. Fast implementation process 7. Economic efficiency and flexibility At the time, the BMW Group expected…

5,500halfat in the new plant Daily output from 2005 was projected to be 650 units, at an investment of around €1 billion. When production was finally launched, the plant employed about 2,500 people. Today, twenty years later, daily output stands at more than 1,100 units, made by a plant workforce of over 8,000 employees. Investments have so far totalled more than €3 billion and are still ongoing. Since March 2005

Leipzig has produced more than three million vehicles in total. Speaking about the positive development of Leipzig, Works Council Chairman Jens Köhler expressed his delight: “Ever since the decision was made, the management and Works Council have cooperated to increase the workforce considerably and make us an integral part of the region.”

The choice of Leipzig received an enthusiastic welcome, and support in the region was huge. There was also a vast number of job applicants: the day after the announcement, the dedicated call centre received more than 4,000 calls, and boxes and boxes of mail came in in a matter of days. In September 2001, a first cohort of 35 trainees began work at BMW Group Plant Leipzig. Since then Plant Leipzig has welcomed 900 apprentices, almost all of whom continue to work there.

The BMW Group laid the foundation in Leipzig for one of the most sustainable, state-of-the-art vehicle plants in the world.

Its particularly well thought-out, flexible structures are an outstanding feature and include the ‘finger’ layout of the assembly hall – a world first that enables ideal logistics solutions and offers plenty of scope for flexibility. Specially developed for Plant Leipzig, the ‘finger’ layout allows trucks to deliver purchased parts and pre-assemblies straight to the lineside. In addition, new production stages can be integrated into the process and lines can be extended without requiring new buildings.

Since 2005 Plant Leipzig has consistently demonstrated its adaptability, integrating new products, processes and technologies and often playing a pioneering role within the BMW Group production network. As the birthplace of electromobility at the BMW Group, for example, Leipzig has manufactured over 200,000 fully electric BMW i3 cars and was the first car plant in the world to use CFRP (carbon fibrereinforced plastic) in series production.

The BMW Group continues to benefit from the plant’s collective skills in the field of electromobility, and Leipzig has been part of the international production network for high-voltage batteries since May of this year. In 2023 Leipzig will demonstrate its flexibility once again, when it becomes the first German facility to produce both BMW and MINI vehicles, all on the same production line. Contracted to manufacture the all-new successor to the current MINI Countryman, the plant will make both the combustion-powered and the fully electric versions. “Over the last few years, we have worked constantly to lead our plant into a successful future. The contract to manufacture the MINI Countryman successor is taking us towards a further milestone,” said Hans-Peter Kemser, Plant Director at BMW Group Plant Leipzig.

And that’s not the only goal Leipzig has set itself: “As a green plant, we want not only to be carbon-neutral but also to manufacture with zero CO2 emissions,” said Hans-Peter Kemser, announcing plans for the near

future of the plant.

Burkhard Jung, Lord Mayor of Leipzig, also sees the BMW Group’s choice of Leipzig as a major milestone for the city and region: “Leipzig is an industrial base again. This development – which has been so important for us in economic terms – would have been almost unimaginable without the decision that was made in Munich 20 years ago. Over the last two decades, the north of Leipzig has evolved to become an industry heartland for the entire region. It’s a technological and industrial development that is benefitting people from Leipzig and far beyond. BMW in Leipzig not only produces cars but also works on the vehicles and production methods of the future. That fills me with confidence: Leipzig will remain particularly important, both for the transformation of transport and in the development of new technologies.”

Key events, past and future, at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: 2002 Zaha Hadid’s proposal for the design of the central building is chosen. The ground-breaking ceremony his held.2003 The foundation stone is laid for the central building. The topping-out is celebrated. 2005 Plant Leipzig goes on stream, launching series production of the BMW 3 Series. The central building wins the German Architecture Award. 2009 Plant Leipzig produces its 500,000th vehicle.

The new press shop opens, with the first high-speed servo press in the world. 2011 Plant Leipzig manufactures its millionth BMW.

12 Republic of Korea to Offer USD One Million Worth of Oxygen Concentrators, Quarantine Products to Indonesia TL Bureau, Seoul

The Republic of Korea plans to offer USD one million worth of oxygen concentrators and other quarantine products to Indonesia amid a spike in new COVID-19 cases in the Southeast Asian country, the foreign ministry said on Friday, according to Yonhap.

“In consideration of the seriousness of the recent COVID-19 situation in Indonesia, our government plans to provide the items rapidly and hopes that our humanitarian support will help Indonesia overcome COVID-19,” the Korean ministry said in a press release.

On Thursday, Indonesia, home to more than 270 million people, posted 56,757 new cases, overtaking the daily infection tally of India.

Malaysia Approves China’s Sinopharm Vaccine for Emergency Use TL Bureau, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s health ministry said on Friday it has granted conditional approval for emergency use to the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China’s Sinopharm, Reuters reported.

The Sinopharm vaccine in Malaysia was registered by pharmaceutical company Duopharma Sdn Bhd, Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement.

Duopharma had previously announced a deal to supply the Malaysian government with 6.4 million doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine.

world

Firebirds to host Lightning at Nissan Arena as relocation to Adelaide put on hold

TL Bureau, Brisbane

The Queensland Firebirds can now confirm that we will be hosting the Sunshine Coast Lightning at Nissan Arena this Monday 19 July at 7PM as a part of the Round 11 fixture. Hosting the Battle of the Bruce on Queensland soil is an ideal outcome for our athletes and fans alike, providing both teams the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd.

With the evolving COVID-19 situation across Australia, including the South Australian government extending its restrictions on the Queensland border late yesterday, we will continue to work with the league on securing fixtures for the remaining rounds.

The league will continue to work with South Australian government to allow the Firebirds and Lightning to enter South Australia under strict protocols for future matches.

Presidency event: informal meeting of European affairs ministers (GAC), Kranj (Slovenia) 23 July 2021

TL Bureau, Brussels

The informal meeting of European Affairs ministers (GAC) will take on 23 July 2021 at the Brdo Congress Centre in Kranj. The event will be chaired by the President of the General Affairs Council, State Secretary in charge of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gašper Dovžan.

During the first part of the meeting, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan will present the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency to the General Affairs Council members, with particular emphasis on the enlargement policy, the rule of law and the activities relating to the Conference on the Future of Europe.

During the second part of the

informal meeting, the European Affairs ministers will focus on horizontal aspects of strengthening the Union’s resilience to crises, which by virtue of their nature or scale exceed the capacities of individual member states and therefore necessitate a joint response.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges the Union has had to face to date, improving the Union’s preparedness and its effective response to various forms of crises, such as pandemics and cyberattacks, will feature among the key tasks and goals of the Slovenian Presidency. In the second part of the meeting, the Western Balkan partners will be joining the ministers of EU member states in a discussion on increasing the Union’s resilience.

With 4.8 million m3, in 2020, 4% more timber was harvested than in the previous year. This was 1% higher than the 2016-2019 average. As far as fuel wood was concerned, more wood chip was harvested in 2020, while a

Iraq Records 9,337 New COVID-19 Cases TL Bureau, Baghdad

Iraq recorded 9,337 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to 1,466,529. In a statement, the Iraqi Ministry of Health stated that 30 new deaths were recorded, bringing the total number of deaths to 17,707, while 6,505 new recoveries were recorded, bringing the recovery tally to 1,332,578.

Norway condemns crackdowns on civil society in Belarus

TL Bureau, Stockholm

Sweden will immediately provide additional funding to the World Food Programme (WFP) to tackle the global hunger crisis. The world is facing the worst famine since the Second World War due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the UN, the number of people facing acute food insecurity is at record levels. The UN SecretaryGeneral warns that more than 41 million people are at imminent risk of famine without urgent humanitarian assistance.

U.S.-EU Dialogue on Nonproliferation, Disarmament, Arms Control and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Office of the Spokesperson

declining trend was seen for lump wood.

Furthermore, more deciduous and fewer coniferous trees were newly planted.

These are some of the findings from the Federal Statistical Office’s (FSO) Swiss Forestry Statistics and from the Forest Enterprise Network run by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).

‘The Belarus authorities show total disregard of fundamental democratic rights. Norway condemns the crackdown on civil society and the detention of human rights defenders in Vyasna and other organisations.

Political prisoners must be released immediately, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide’.

The United States and the European Union’s External Action Service held another meeting this week in their ongoing dialogue on nonproliferation, arms control, disarmament, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risk mitigation issues.

Ann Ganzer, Senior Official for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and Bruce Turner, Senior Official for the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, led discussions on the U.S. side.

Marjolijn van Deelen, Special Envoy for Nonproliferation and Disarmament, led for the EEAS.

United States of America China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao. Under the category of entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one member state, travel restrictions for Kosovo and Taiwan should also be gradually lifted. Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation.

The criteria to determine the third countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted were updated on 20 May 2021.

They cover the epidemiological situation and overall response to

COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources. Reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case by case basis. Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation.

Background On 30 June 2020 the Council adopted a recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on nonessential travel into the EU. This recommendation included an initial list of countries for which member states should start lifting the travel restrictions at the external borders.

The list is reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated.

On 20 May, the Council adopted an amending recommendation to respond to the ongoing vaccination campaigns by introducing certain

waivers for vaccinated persons and easing the criteria to lift restrictions for third countries. At the same time, the amendments take into account the possible risks posed by new variants by setting out an emergency brake mechanism to quickly react to the emergence of a variant of interest or concern in a third country. The Council recommendation is not a legally binding instrument. The authorities of the member states remain responsible for implementing the content of the recommendation.

They may, in full transparency, lift only progressively travel restrictions towards countries listed.

A Member State should not decide to lift the travel restrictions for nonlisted third countries before this has been decided in a coordinated manner.

FSO - Timber harvest gathers pace again in 2020 TL Bureau, Neuchâtel

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work together to deliver this match on short notice.

We also wish to thank our partners and fans for their ongoing support and acknowledge fellow Suncorp Super Netball clubs and the league for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that the season can proceed in such challenging circumstances.

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Government responds to the UN SecretaryGeneral’s call for urgent action to avert famine

TL Bureau, Oslo

COVID-19: Council adds Ukraine and removes two countries from the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted

TL Bureau, Brussels

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted.

In particular, Rwanda and Thailand were removed from the list and Ukraine was added to the list.

As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated.

Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 15 July 2021 member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders

for residents of the following third countries: Albania Armenia Australia Azerbaijan Bosnia and Hercegovina Brunei Darussalam Canada Israel Japan Jordan Lebanon Montenegro New Zealand Qatar Republic of Moldova Republic of North Macedonia Saudi Arabia Serbia Singapore South Korea Ukraine (new)