News from World, Worldwide readership. Vol. 03 Issue 44 Aug 16, 2021
Malaysia PM resigns on broadcast after months of governmental instability
Contact us for advertisement at thelife.advertisement@outlook.com.au thelifenews.com.au, thelifenews.co
Death toll rises upto 1,300 in Haiti after a powerful earthquake last week
TL Bureau, Kuala Lampur
Following a very long time of political shakiness, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin declared his acquiescence during a broadcast address to the country on Monday subsequent to assembling with top government authorities. Yassin offered his abdication to Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah and will stay the country’s interval head until another leader is chosen, imperial authorities said. Yet, races won’t happen amidst a deteriorating COVID-19 circumstance in the country. Yassin’s choice follows a very long time of political shakiness brought about by a deficiency of help for the Perikatan Nasional government by a few individuals from parliament. “I could’ve taken the path of least resistance by forfeiting my standards to remain on as head administrator. Yet, that isn’t my decision,” Yassin said during the broadcast address, as per The Star. “I won’t ever be in cahoots with the kleptocrat bunch.”
Courtesy: Yahoo TL Bureau, Port-au-Prince
Yassin was confirmed as head administrator year and a half back in the wake of serving in various other government jobs since the mid-1990s. Yassin said in his broadcast address that his abdication was God’s will. He likewise said he trusts Malaysia’s Covid recuperation plan isn’t postponed by the move and that
financial areas return. Malaysia’s objective to arrive at crowd resistance by October will not be disturbed by his choice if the following government keeps up energy, he added. Until this point, Malaysia has seen almost 1.5 million cases and 13,000 passings. There were near 20,000 new cases on Monday alone.
The loss of life from the incredible quake that shook Haiti over the course of the end of the week has killed 1,300 individuals and harmed or obliterated large number of homes, authorities said. The 7.2-greatness tremor was recorded on Saturday There were right around 1,100 passings in the South authoritative area, just about 250 in the Grand’Anse and Nippes locales and a couple in the Northwest. Up until this point, the tremor has obliterated right around 14,000 homes and harmed another 14,000, authorities say. Emergency clinics are overpowered and streets that would regularly convey imperative supplies are impeded.
The diplomatic staff of the mission is being evacuated from the country. The closure of the mission means that it is not open to the public and that its normal activities have been suspended. On 6 August 2021, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs urged all Finnish
citizens to leave the country. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been in contact with Finnish citizens and foreigners with a permanent residence in Finland who have submitted their travel plans to Afghanistan. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will assist
those who have requested consular assistance as far as possible. Finnish citizens in Afghanistan should contact the 24/7 Service Centre of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs primarily by e-mail at paivystys.um@formin.fi or by telephone on +358 9
Courtesy: Rich Traders Know
“With regards to clinical necessities, this is our greatest criticalness,” Prime Minister Ariel Henry said, as indicated by CNN. “We have begun to send meds and clinical faculty to the offices that are influenced.” The quake was felt in different countries in the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands and Cuba. In Petit Trou de Nippes, the focal point of the tremor, telephone lines were down, the Pan American Health Organization revealed Sunday. Tropical Depression Grace is relied upon to disregard Haiti later Monday or early Tuesday, conceivably prompting flooding and landslides. The whole shoreline of Haiti is under a typhoon watch.
1605 5555. However, preparations for the evacuation of Finnish citizens and the operation based on the Government decision on the transport of Afghans who have worked for Finland will continue in cooperation with other authorities.
The Finnish Embassy in Kabul is closed for the time being
TL Bureau, Kabul
Due to the security situation in Afghanistan, the Finnish Embassy in Kabul can no longer conduct its activities. As a result, the Embassy will be closed until further notice on 16 August 2021.
2
T
aliban assailants have assumed responsibility for most Afghanistan, including arriving at Kabul, as President Ashraf Ghani has left the nation and the United States has approved 5,000 soldiers to assist with clearing U.S. work force, incorporating from its government office in the capital. The contenders entered Kabul, as opposed to staying on the edges, since Afghan government security powers had deserted their posts, Taliban representative Zabihullah Mujahid said in an explanation acquired by CNN. The Taliban initially said contenders had been requested to stay on the edges of the capital with dealings occurring to guarantee a tranquil progress of force. “We guarantee individuals in Afghanistan there will be no retribution on anybody,” a Taliban representative told the BBC. Ghani, a previous financial specialist who has filled in as Afghanistan’s leader since 2014, withdrew from the country, Abdullah, the Afghan executive of the High Council for National Reconciliation, said in a video explanation. He used to be an American resident however he surrendered his visa to run for the Afghan administration in 2009. An observer revealed to CNN that Kabul air terminal was in a tumultuous circumstance, as most outsiders endeavored to leave the country. “There are large groups attempting to get in and at one phase shooting ejected,” the observer said. “There was likewise an admonition of a ground assault and we were in a shelter for as long as hour yet presently it is all reasonable. It’s all outsiders here. One youthful European lady was going ballistic.” Staff from the U.S. Kabul
Taliban enters in capital city of Afghanistan amid took control of most of the country international safe haven are being cleared, with individuals seen loading onto military planes at the air terminal. The interaction will require 72 hours, two sources acquainted with the circumstance told CNN on Sunday. Few center staff, including the top U.S. representative will stay at the Kabul air terminal. Prior Sunday, aggressors took without a battle control of Jalalabad, a key eastern city, which implies streets are gotten the streets interfacing the country with Pakistan. The Taliban recovered Bagram runway and jail, which is around 25 miles north of the downtown area. The intricate, which was once the biggest U.S. military office in Afghanistan, was cleared by the U.S. military on July 2 On Saturday, President Joe Biden reported an extra immediate sending of 1,000 soldiers to Afghanistan for a sum of 5,000 “to ensure we can have an efficient and safe drawdown of U.S. faculty and other partnered work force and an organized and safe clearing of Afghans who helped our soldiers during our central goal and those at exceptional danger from the Taliban advance.” Around 1,000 are now on the ground in country, as per a guard official. A 1,000-troop
brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division were diverted to Kabul, rather than being on reserve in Kuwait. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday he was astounded the Taliban progressed “more rapidly than we expected,” yet safeguarded the U.S. troops’ withdrawal. On Feb. 29, 2020, the U.S. also, the Taliban consented to a harmony arrangement that incorporate the withdrawal of all standard American and NATO troops from Afghanistan, The Trump organization consented to decrease its powers from 13,000 to 8,600 by July 2020 with a full withdrawal by May 2021 and
editorial
Biden stretched out it to Sept. 11, the commemoration of the 9/11 assault. On July 8, Biden said it would be finished by Aug. 31. “The possibility that business as usual might have been kept up with by keeping our powers there is essentially off-base,” Blinken revealed to CNN’s Jake Tapper. “We haven’t asked the Taliban for anything. We’ve told the Taliban that on the off chance that they meddle with our work force, with our activities as we’re continuing with this drawdown, there will be a quick and definitive reaction.” Different countries clearing their government office structures included Canada, Sweden, Germany Russia says it won’t be shutting its international safe haven, due to security affirmations by the Taliban. In any case, Russia is intending to assemble a crisis meeting of the U.N. Security Council to examine the circumstance in Afghanistan. The Taliban were expelled almost 20 years prior by a U.S.- drove military alliance. Individuals in Kabul have no compelling reason to stress and their properties and lives are protected, Taliban representative Suhail Shaheen told the BBC. “We are the workers of individuals and of this country,” he said.
Correspondents & Bureaus contacts worldwide Contact us if you have any story worldwide
aus@thelifenews.com.au : Aus nz@thelifenews.com.au : NZ, Fiji & Oceania sg@thelifenews.com.au : Thai, Malaysia, Singapore india@thelifenews.com.au : India SriLanka Nepal usa@thelifenews.com.au : US, Canada & Mexico uk@thelifenews.com.au : UK & Ireland russia@thelifenews.com.au : Russia, Ukraine, Belarus & CIS estonia@thelifenews.com.au : Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania swiss@thelifenews.com.au : Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherland finland@thelifenews.com.au : Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark
FOR LETTER TO EDITOR AND SUGGESTIONS PLEASE REACH US AT thelife.editorial@outlook.com.au Address of Publisher :( Australia & Singapore editions)
The Life (Digital & Print), Dr. M. Parveen, 127 Aberdeen Parade, Boondall 4034, Australia+61 (7)31913325, Email : thelife.editorial@outlook.com.au (For UK edition) , 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX. United Kingdom (For South Africa Edition) N5 Sturdee Avenue Suite 301 RoseBank. Johannesburg, Gauteng 2196 South Africa for advertisement contact manager at thelife.advertisement@outlook.com.au (For US Edition) The life News LLC- (IDAHO) US 784 S Clearwater Loop STE B, Post Falls, ID 83854, USA
3 Pakistan Records 3,711 New COVID-19 Cases
world
KAIMRC To Hold Riyadh Global Summit for Medical Biotechnology
TL Bureau, Islamabad
TL Bureau, Riyadh
Pakistan recorded 3,711 new COVID-19 cases and 67 deaths during the last 24 hours. The National Command and Operation Centre in Pakistan reported that the total number of cases infected with COVID-19 reached 1,098,410, including 87,209 active cases, while the total deaths amounted to 24,406, adding that the total number of recovered cases reached 986,795.
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) is set to hold Riyadh Global Summit for Medical Biotechnology, the 12th Annual Forum for Medical Research, during the period September 14-16, 2021. With the participation of more than 40 local and international speakers specialized in the field of biotech, the summit will discuss several topics, including the opportunities and challenges related to medical biotechnology in Saudi Arabia, the investment strategy
FDFA - Fires in Greece: Swiss emergency deployment completed TL Bureau, Bern
The firefighting operation carried out by Swiss Humanitarian Aid and the Swiss Armed Forces in Greece came to an end on 14 August 2021. The three Super Pumas and their crews, together with the Swiss Humanitarian Aid rapid response team, supported the Greek authorities in the forest fire suppression operations for seven days. In total, Swiss helicopters carried out 226 rotations and dropped more than 386 tonnes of water on the fires.
Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Call with Haitian Prime Minister Henry TL Bureau, Washington D.C. The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke today with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to extend condolences to the people of Haiti in the wake of the August 14 earthquake. Deputy Secretary Sherman reiterated our support for Haiti during this challenging time and underscored USAID’s leadership role in supporting U.S. assistance efforts in the aftermath of this tragedy. She noted that the United States is already putting resources in place to support Haiti’s emergency response and assured Prime Minister Henry the United States remains a close and enduring friend to the people of Haiti.
in medical biotech as well as the role of biotechnology in developing medicines, vaccines and cell and gene therapies. Riyadh Global Summit for Medical Biotechnology aims to push the boundaries of the existing thinking and practice towards a targeted and sustainable medical biotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also aims to propose innovative models and opportunities for developing biotechnologies as well as academic and industrial partnerships that will impact the country, the region and the rest of the world.
Government added to its decision on Afghanistan
TL Bureau, Helsinki
The Finnish Government decided at an extraordinary meeting on 15 August that Finland can admit a maximum of 40 additional current and former Afghan employees and their families. The decision adds to the Government’s decision of 13 August to admit 130 persons to Finland. This means that 170 persons can be relocated from Afghanistan to Finland. Under section 93 of the Aliens Act, the Government decided that Finland will admit a maximum of 5 additional locally recruited Afghans, including their families,
who are currently employed by the Embassy of Finland in Kabul and a maximum of 35 additional Afghans, including their families, who were employed by the Finnish Embassy in Kabul between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020. These individuals have asked the Finnish Government to admit them to Finland. This quota of 40 persons includes the employees and their family members. In the first phase, the Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for receiving the relocated employees and their families in Finland. They will be granted a residence permit.
FDFA - Fires in Greece: Swiss emergency deployment completed Jordan Reports 1,238
TL Bureau, Bern
The firefighting operation carried out by Swiss Humanitarian Aid and the Swiss Armed Forces in Greece came to an end on 14 August 2021. The three Super Pumas and their crews, together with the
Swiss Humanitarian Aid rapid response team, supported the Greek authorities in the forest fire suppression operations for seven days. In total, Swiss helicopters carried out 226 rotations and dropped more than 386 tonnes of water on the fires.
New COVID-19 Cases
TL Bureau, Amman
Jordan reported 1,238 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 783,448.
The Jordanian Ministry of Health indicated, in a statement, that the total number of recoveries rose to 761,540, after 990 additional related cases were reported, while the death toll rose to 10,213, after reporting 10 deaths.
Iraq Records 7,011 New Egypt Reopens Rafah Crossing Point Cases of COVID-19
TL Bureau, Baghdad
Iraq recorded, in the past 24 hours, 7,011 new infections with the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections to 1,775,764.
The Iraqi Ministry of Health said in a statement that it reported 66 new deaths, bringing the death tally to 19672, while it reported 9,379 new recoveries, bringing the recovery toll to 159,6050.
TL Bureau, Cairo
The Egyptian authorities reopened today the Rafah border crossing point to enable people stranded on both sides to cross and to deliver humanitarian aid as well as technical and reconstruction
materials into the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian authorities indicated that Rafah’s crossing point was opened after the weekend and formal holiday, stressing that the medical and administrative crews seek to facilitate the procedures of entering from both sides.
and over the coming days, we will be transferring out of the country thousands of American citizens who have been resident in Afghanistan, as well as locally employed staff of the U.S. mission in Kabul and their families and other particularly vulnerable Afghan nationals. And we will accelerate the evacuation of thousands of Afghans eligible
for U.S. Special Immigrant Visas, nearly 2,000 of whom have already arrived in the United States over the past two weeks. For all categories, Afghans who have cleared security screening will continue to be transferred directly to the United States. And we will find additional locations for those yet to be screened.
Joint Statement from the Department of State and Department of Defense: Update on Afghanistan TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Office of the Spokesperson The following is the text of a joint statement released by the Department of State and Department of Defense on Afghanistan. Begin text: At present we are completing a series of steps to secure the
Hamid Karzai International Airport to enable the safe departure of U.S. and allied personnel from Afghanistan via civilian and military flights. Over the next 48 hours, we will have expanded our security presence to nearly 6,000 troops, with a mission focused solely on facilitating these efforts and will be taking over air traffic control. Tomorrow
Number of COVID-19 Cases in India Rises by 32,937 over Past 24 Hours
TL Bureau, New Delhi
India has confirmed 32,937 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, with the total number of those infected having reached 32,225,513 the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday, according to Sputnik.
The death toll from the disease has reached 431,642 people, with 417 new fatalities being recorded over the past day.More than 31.41 million people have recovered in India since the start of the outbreak. India comes second in terms of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, following the United States with more
than 36.67 million patients. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. To date, more than 207.14 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 4.36 million fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University.
4
world
Firefighters in Greece Bangladesh extends COVID-19 on Alert as Fire vaccination to Rohingya Danger Remains High
TL Bureau, Athens
Hundreds of firefighters in Greece remain on alert even though the wildfires that have devastated the country in recent weeks are under control and largely extinguished. The fire danger in large parts of the country is still “high” to “very high,” according to Greek Civil Defense. One of the concerns is strong winds, which can turn a
small flame into a large forest fire, dpa reported. According to the Greek fire brigade, 51 forest fires broke out between Friday and Saturday morning. The seriously affected areas in the north of Athens, the island of Euboea and the Peloponnese peninsula are especially of concern. The regions are also being monitored from the air, says the fire brigade.
UAE Reports 1,206 New COVID-19 Cases
Ministry of Health Reports 542 New COVID-19 Cases in Saudi Arabia
TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) reported 1,206 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 700,587. MoHAP also announced three deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,997. MoHAP also noted that an additional 1,385 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 678,341.
TL Bureau, Riyadh
The Ministry of Health announced today, in a statement, that 542 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 538,525, including 7,063 active cases. Of these, there are 1,356 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable, the statement said.It added that 13 new deaths have been reported, putting the tally of fatalities at 8,412. Meanwhile, as many as 1,041 cases have recovered, raising recoveries toll to 523,050.
Aboul Gheit Expresses Condolences to Lebanon
TL Bureau, Cairo
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed condolences and sympathy to Lebanon over the horrific explosion which took place at a fuel tank in the city of Akkar, north Lebanon at dawn today, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
Citing the difficult situation Lebanon is experiencing since the latest Beirut port explosion, Aboul Gheit said Lebanon will be subject to further deterioration unless there is a positive response to international community calls for expediting the formation of a local government in Beirut capable of ensuring security and enforcing law in the country.
refugees in Cox’s Bazar camps
TL Bureau, Cox’s Bazar
Demonstrating equity and inclusiveness, which are critical to curtail the ongoing pandemic, Bangladesh has launched COVID-19 vaccination for Rohingya refugees, housed in one of the world’s largest and most densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar. Sixty-four year old Mohammad Shofi was among those to get the COVID-19 vaccine on day one of the campaign that rolled out on 10 August to vaccinate nearly 48 000 refugees in the age group of 55 years and above. “I feel really good,” said Johura Khartun, another of the first few beneficiaries of the vaccination drive. Lauding the initiative, Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, said, “I commend Bangladesh leadership for this initiative and their ongoing efforts to scale up vaccination across the country. “Bangladesh is demonstrating what WHO has been advocating for – equitable access to vaccines. Inclusion is key to protecting vulnerable populations like the refugees, for safeguarding their health and that of their host communities and societies,” the Regional Director said. Vaccination of Rohingya refugees is part of the National Deployment
TL Bureau, Seoul South Korea reported 1,556 new coronavirus cases along with 11 deaths during the past 24 hours, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said today. Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in S.Korea stand at 225,481, and the death toll increased to 2,167.
community health workers in the refugee camps. “Time and again the Government and the people Bangladesh has demonstrated global leadership, generosity and humanity towards the Rohingya. The UN in Bangladesh is ever so grateful for this initiative and the partnerships that have made this possible,” said Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh. Engaging communities and getting their support is critical for update of COVID-19 vaccines as well as adherence to public health and social measures. Thousands of refugee and host community volunteers are working tirelessly promoting and mobilizing communities for health and hygiene measures and connecting them with critical health services. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However, vaccines alone cannot stop the pandemic. Hence, those vaccinated will need to continue to wear face mask appropriately, practice hand hygiene, and other COVID-19 appropriate behavior. Prioritizing vulnerable communities, WHO has been and will continue to work with health sector partners for providing quality essential services to the refugees as well as their host communities in Cox’s Bazar.
COVID-19 UPDATE Of India TL Bureau, New Delhi 54.38 Cr. vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive Active cases constitute 1.20% of total cases India’s Active caseload currently
S.Korea Egyptian President Meets Reports 1,556 with CIA Director Coronavirus TL Bureau, Cairo During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance Cases President Abdelfattah El-Sisi security and intelligence of the Republic of Egypt met here today Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns, who is currently on visit to Egypt.
and Vaccination Plan to ensure equity and fair allocation of vaccines across the country. “We believe this campaign will play a key role in containment of SARS-COV-2 transmission and reduce mortality and morbidity among this vulnerable population”, said Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Civil Surgeon, Cox’s Bazar. In the Rohingya refugee camps, the COVID-19 campaign is led by government with technical support of WHO among other partners. WHO has led the partnership support for preparation of operational plan, training of medical officers, vaccinators and other heath workforce. WHO has repurposed its field staff working in other programmes like TB, in addition to deploying medical officers specializing in vaccine preventable diseases and its entire Cox’s Bazar health emergencies team for prioritizing support to smooth roll out of COVID-19 vaccination in Cox’s Bazar camps. “Vaccination of this highly vulnerable population is important to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus and prevent prolonging the pandemic. No one is safe until everyone is safe,” said Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. WHO, in partnership with UNICEF and UNHCR, has trained
cooperation between Egypt and the United States of America and exchanged views on the regional latest developments.
3,85,336 Recovery Rate currently at 97.46% 3,13,76,015 total recoveries across the country so far 37,927 patients recovered during last 24 hours India reports 36,083 new cases
in last 24 hours Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.00% Daily positivity rate at 1.88%; less than 3% for last 20 days Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 49.36 cr tests total conducted.
TL Bureau, Moscow
according to Reuters. The government coronavirus taskforce also reported 20,765 new cases in the last 24 hours, including 1,489 in Moscow, pushing the infection tally to 6,621,601 since the pandemic began.
Russia Reports 806 COVID-19 Deaths and 20,765 New Cases
Russia reported 806 coronavirus-related deaths on Monday, close to a record high amid a surge in cases that authorities blame on the infectious Delta variant,
Three Citizens Arrested in Northern Borders in Possession of 2 Kilograms of Hashish, Pills Subject to Medical Circulation Regulation TL Bureau, Arar
The Official Spokesman of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) Captain Mohammad Al-Nujaidi said that in
reference of a video circulated on social media for a person boasting in displaying narcotics substances and money, close security followups for drug traffickers in the Northern Borders
have resulted in arresting three citizens in their 20s and 30s in possession of two kilograms of hashish and pills subject to the medical circulation regulation.
5
UK
Government to introduce worldleading ban on shark fin trade The UK will ban the import and export of detached shark fins and products containing them.
TL Bureau, London A pile of detached shark fins Import and export of detached shark fins banned to promote shark conservation World-leading trade ban will extend to shark fin products including tinned shark fin soup Endangered and overfished species including shortfin mako and blue shark are among those to benefit from greater protections The UK will go further than any other country to stop the cruel practice of shark finning International Ocean Minister Lord Goldsmith announced today, thanks to new legislation set to ban the import and export of shark fin products. The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and has been pressing for stronger international action to protect sharks against unsustainable fishing practices and shark finning, which is the practice of removing a shark’s fins at sea and discarding the finless body back into the water. Many species of shark face significant population pressures. Out of over 500 species of shark, 143 are listed as ‘under threat’ under the International Union for Conservation of Nature – with different species ranging from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘critically endangered’. The presence and variety of sharks in marine areas acts as a key indicator for ocean health while the animals also play a vital role in marine ecosystems by helping to maintain healthy levels of fish below them in the
Photo Credit: Cefas (the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science). The image was taken at an exporter facility in Indonesia in 2018, as part of an Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund project funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The project tackles illegal trade through training of government inspectors to better identify species of sharks by their fins. When the ban comes into force, any detached fin (like the ones pictured here) being imported or exported in the UK will be illegal. food chain. Demand for shark fin products is a significant driver for these pressures, alongside over-fishing. Banning detached fins from being brought into the UK will help to protect wild populations of shark species, such as the endangered short fin mako shark and overfished blue shark, which have both declined rapidly as a result of unsustainable fishing practices. The ban will maintain the UK’s
position as a world leader in protecting animal welfare restricting the import of and export of detached shark fins as well as products which contain shark fins including soup and other products. Animal Welfare minister Lord Goldsmith said: Shark finning is indescribably cruel and causes thousands of shark to die terrible deaths. It is also unforgivably wasteful. The
practice is rightly banned in UK waters, but the trade continues, with serious implications for the future of these magnificent creatures. That is why we are now banning the import both of detached shark fins and shark fin products. Our action will not only help boost shark numbers, it will send a clear message that we do not support an industry that is forcing many species to the brink of extinction The UK is a global leader in marine protection, with our ‘blue belt’ programme protecting an area of ocean around British Overseas Territories the size of India, as well as plans to pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas in our domestic waters. The UK is also leading a global campaign, supported by over 80 countries, for at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean to be protected by 2030. Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust said: The Shark Trust welcomes the prohibition in trade in detached fins as the next action in a history of proactive moves by the UK Government, which supported leaving fins naturally attached as best practice years before adoption of the policy by the EU in 2013. It is encouraging to see the UK addressing the fin trade as an element of overfishing: the principal threat to sharks and rays. And we’re noting that the UK is ramping up its engagement in domestic and international shark
conservation issues, currently championing the science-based advice for a prohibition on mako in North Atlantic high-seas fisheries. Shark Conservationist James Glancy said: New measures from the UK Government to protect sharks from the cruel shark fin trade are welcomed by conservationists. The unsustainable rate at which sharks are caught by global fishing fleets, as bycatch or deliberately for their fins and meat, has caused a significant decline in worldwide shark populations. Sharks have been around for millions of years and play a crucial role for the health of our oceans yet, as a consequence of human activity, many shark species are critically endangered and face extinction in some regions. We will continue to champion conservation measures for sharks through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (the international organisations which regulate fishing activities on the High Seas) and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which prohibits or requires trades to be carefully regulated. This ban represents another important step in our journey to delivering better shark conservation globally. Today’s announcement is part of the Government’s plan to eradicate cruel practices and improve standards both domestically and overseas as set out in our Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
Government to tighten rules to stop ‘greenwashing’ of electricity tariffs TL Bureau, London
Government to review green electricity tariffs amid concerns energy companies could be exaggerating their environmental benefits ministers will consider whether there is currently sufficient clarity around where energy on bills comes from review comes as poll shows 75% of consumers believe suppliers should be more transparent over their green tariffs How energy retailers market ‘green’ electricity tariffs to consumers will be reviewed by the government, amid concerns that some are overstating how environmentally friendly their products are, Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan has announced today (16 August). 9 million British households are now on
green tariffs, with over half of all new electricity tariffs launched now badged as ‘100% renewable’ or ‘green’. With more and more consumers looking to make a green switch and reduce their carbon footprint and the UK having more than quadrupled its renewable electricity generation since 2010, the government wants to ensure consumers signing up to a green tariff know their energy is coming from green sources of electricity generation. The review launched today will explore the extent of ‘greenwashing’ in the retail energy sector, whether the current system is suitably transparent and whether the rules around what can be called a ‘green’ tariff remain fit for purpose. Energy companies are currently able to market tariffs as ‘green’ even if some of the energy they supply to customers comes
from fossil fuels, as long as this is offset by purchasing enough certificates called Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin to cover their customer base. These determine the proportion of electricity that they source from renewable electricity generation. Options being explored include looking at whether the system around these certificates needs to be smarter, as well as whether suppliers need to provide clearer information to households about their green tariffs, including type of renewable energy used (such as wind or solar), where the renewable power was generated and when. The government is also publishing a separate call for evidence on third-party intermediaries in the retail energy market, such as price comparison sites, auto-switching services, and non-domestic brokers, with around half of households using them when engaging
with the energy market. They currently operate outside of the retail market rules, and ministers will seek views on whether a general regulatory framework is needed. Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: Millions of UK households are choosing to make the green switch and more and more of our energy comes from renewables. But I want people to know that when they sign up to a green tariff, they are investing in companies that make a conscious choice to invest in renewable energy. Part of that is ensuring companies are being as transparent as possible on where their power comes from. That way, every family in Britain can rest assured their choices are helping to contribute to our world-leading target of eliminating our contribution to climate change by 2050.
6
7
BUSINESS
World Bank and Partners Announce New Global Fund for Cybersecurity
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
The World Bank announced today the launch of a new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund under the broader Digital Development Partnership (DDP) umbrella program. Digital transformation is accelerating in many countries, offering new opportunities for economic growth and enabling low- and medium-income countries to leapfrog development through increased productivity and improved service delivery across key sectors, including finance, health, education, and agriculture. Embracing technological transformation has increased cyber risks and threats to digital infrastructure, services, and data, which rely on increasingly connected systems. As digital transformation becomes essential to the functioning of states, economies, and societies, cybersecurity solutions must keep up. A partnership approach can help build trust, improve awareness, and deliver the technical solutions that countries require. “COVID-19 has highlighted the vital role digital technologies
and applications play in a resilient development agenda. It keeps people, businesses, and public services connected. As governments are rapidly scaling up their investments into digital technologies, cybersecurity has become a pressing concern to ensure a safe and secure digital transformation for all,” said Boutheina Guermazi, Director of the World Bank’s Digital Development Global Practice. “Fostering safe digital inclusion is of paramount importance for the World Bank’s work in helping countries reduce poverty, tackle inequality, and accelerate economic growth.” The new fund aims to better define and systematically roll out the cybersecurity development agenda, helping to ensure a more substantial reflection of cybersecurity considerations across World Bank programs and financing. The work program will support the development of global knowledge on cybersecurity solutions for low- and middleincome countries. It will fund country maturity assessments, offer technical assistance, and support
training and capacity development for cybersecurity staff in World Bank client countries. The launch of the Trust Fund is made possible with donor contributions from Estonia, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands. “It is essential that basic cybersecurity elements are integrated into all digitalization projects in development cooperation,” said Mari Tomingas of the Cyber Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. “As a highly developed digital nation, we continue to share our expertise, and we are very happy about the launch of the new associated trust fund.” “Cyberattacks are becoming more complex and sophisticated across the world,” said the representatives of Japan’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs and Communication, Narichika Konno and Atsushi Umino. “Effective communication through digital technologies is a public good and can be best achieved if lowand middle-income countries are included in the effective protection of critical digital infrastructure.
The importance of capacity building in matters of cyberspace is therefore increasing rapidly.” “There is widespread agreement in the international community that significantly more cybersecurity capacity building is needed to help low- and middle-income countries become more resilient against attacks and take full advantage of the development opportunities of the digital economy,” said Felix Kroll of the Cyber Foreign Policy and Cyber Security Coordination Staff of the German Federal Foreign Office. “All of our economies, including those of rapidly-digitizing lowerand middle-income countries, increasingly depend on good cybersecurity to grow and thrive,” said Elizabeth Vish of the Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues of the U.S. Department of State. “We believe the international community will be more secure, stable, and prosperous when a broad range of states has the capacity to defend their own networks.” “Malicious code—whether you call it a software bug, a virus, malware, ransomware, botnet,
or phishing—presents a risk that is globally interconnected and potentially devastating to digitally dependent societies. Addressing this risk requires collective action. Cybersecurity should be a key pillar of any development conversation,” said Kanwaljit Singh of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Progress will require partnership and collaboration between and among partners, also involving other international institutions and organizations. “Cybersecurity must become an integral part of the digital agenda. Synergies are crucial, and the activities to be carried out should be taken up broadly through development financing programs,” said Michael Thijssen of the Task Force Cyber Policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. “Partnerships such as the Global Forum for Cyber Expertise (GFCE), NGOs, and research institutes can help ensure a broad stakeholder process. We are looking forward to great results to be supported through the new trust fund over the years to come.”
FSO - Gli effetti della COVID-19 sul BCA and ACTU: Joint statement on budget delle economie domestiche mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations non sono da sottovalutare TL Bureau, Canberra
TL Bureau, Neuchâtel The Covid-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the household budget through the prescribed limitations on daily life and the economy. To make this visible, the results of the current Household Budget Survey (from January 2020)
are shown by quarter for the first time and compared with the corresponding quarters of the reference years. For example, the average spending on meals in restaurants, cafés and bars fell sharply in the second quarter of 2020, while consumer expenditure on food increased.
Unions and business are committed to working cooperatively with governments to keep workplaces safe and to achieve the highest possible rates of vaccination though building confidence in the vaccination program and supporting workers to get vaccinated. The ACTU and the BCA acknowledge that the Federal Government’s COVID-19
vaccination policy is that it should be free and voluntary. We believe that for the overwhelming majority of Australians your work or workplace should not fundamentally alter the voluntary nature of vaccination. Employers and unions recognise that for a small number of high-risk workplaces there may be a need for all workers in a workplace to be vaccinated to protect community health and safety. These are serious
of $10 million mobilized from partners under the Managed CoLending Portfolio Program (MCPP). The funding will enable Intelvision to lease a new cable being built by Vodafone Carrier Services as a branch of the 2Africa cable network, one of the largest subsea projects in the world, spanning over 37,000 kilometers and connecting 26 countries around the world. The new cable will complement the existing Seychelles East Africa System and is expected to lower the cost of connectivity for telecom
operators on the islands and increase competition for fixed broadband and mobile data services. “I think it will revolutionize the way we experience the internet here in Seychelles. We are pleased to work together with Vodafone and IFC amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Our aim is to enhance the telecommunication infrastructure of Seychelles and strengthen our digital offering to the people of Seychelles,” said Mukesh Valabhji, Chairman, Intelvision. “Our innovative products and services will continue to add
value to the ever-growing demands for Internet connectivity. We have been at the forefront of offering affordable connectivity solutions to the Seychellois Nation and we intend to continue on the same path.” The new cable system will deliver over 600Gbps of international bandwidth to Intelvision and will represent a significant step-up with respect to connectivity speeds for households and business customers. The cable will also increase the speed and capacity of Intelvision’s existing Fibre Optic & Hybrid Fibre Coaxial
decisions that should not be left to individual employers and should only be made following public health advice based on risk and medical evidence. The ACTU and the BCA call on governments and the National Cabinet to support this position and ensure that where mandatory vaccination requirements are necessary they are implemented through the use of nationally consistent Public Health Orders.
Networks. Seychelles-Internet Connectivity-WEB-700px.png “Better connectivity is tremendously important for powering economic and societal growth. Vodafone is committed to improving the availability, resilience and speed of Internet connections around the world, and this project to link the Seychelles with the ambitious 2Africa subsea cable will underpin future growth for the country and its citizens,” said Nick Gliddon, Director of Vodafone Carrier Services.
IFC Supports Intelvision to Strengthen Seychelles’ Broadband Internet Network TL Bureau, Victoria, Seychelles Broadband network and digital services offered in Seychelles will soon get a boost from a new cable system that will be leased by Seychelles-based telecommunications provider Intelvision Limited with support from IFC. IFC’s support to Intelvision, which provides data, Internet, and Internet-based voice services as well as pay-TV, includes an up to $10 million loan from its own account and an additional loan
8
FEATURE
PAHO deploys Cote d’Ivoire declares experts to first Ebola outbreak support in more than 25 years Haiti during earthquake aftermath TL Bureau, Abidjan/Brazzaville
TL Bureau, Port-au-Prince
Emergency medical teams and other supplies and equipment will be prepared to help meet the most urgent health needs of those affected by the 7.2 magnitude quake. Port au Prince, August 14, 2021. A team of experts from the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) office in Port au Prince has been deployed to evaluate damage and coordinate an appropriate health response following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti on the morning of Saturday August 14. Latest reports from the Haiti Civil Protection Agency suggest that at least 227 people have been killed – a number which is expected to rise over the next few hours. There are also reports of significant damage to health infrastructure, particularly in the southwest of the island, including in towns such as Les Cayes. Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti on this truly sad day,” said PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa F Etienne. “Our team of experts
is on the ground and stands ready to assist in all aspects of health response,” she added.The team from PAHO is supporting coordination of health response alongside Haiti’s Ministry of Health, UN agencies, and other partners in order to assess immediate needs and ensure that support is provided quickly and efficiently. PAHO is also preparing several Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), as well as medical supplies and other strategic equipment that can be deployed if needed. EMTs are teams of health professionals that provide direct clinical care to people affected by emergencies and disasters. PAHO/WHO has activated Incident Management Teams both at its Country Offices in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as well at its Headquarters in Washington, DC, USA.Experts are now concerned that the situation may escalate due to the increased risk of wind and rainfall that may be brought by tropical storm Grace, which is expected to reach the Hispaniola island on Sunday August 15.
The Ministry of Health of Cote d’Ivoire today confirmed the country’s first case of Ebola since 1994. This came after the Institut Pasteur in Cote d’Ivoire confirmed the Ebola Virus Disease in samples collected from a patient, who was hospitalized in the commercial capital of Abidjan, after arriving from Guinea. Initial investigations found that the patient had travelled to Cote d’Ivoire by road and arrived in Abidjan on 12 August. The patient was admitted to a hospital after experiencing a fever and is currently receiving treatment. Guinea experienced a four-month long Ebola outbreak, which was declared over on the 19 June 2021. There is no indication that the current case in Cote d’Ivoire is linked to the earlier outbreak in Guinea. Further investigation and genomic sequencing will identify the strain and determine if there is a connection between the two outbreaks. This year Ebola outbreaks have been declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea, but it is the first time an outbreak has occurred in a large capital city such as Abidjan since the 2014–2016 West Ebola outbreak. “It is of immense concern that this outbreak has been declared in Abidjan, a metropolis of more than 4 million people,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “However, much of the world’s expertise in tackling Ebola is here on the continent and Cote d’Ivoire can tap into this experience and bring the response to full speed. The country is one of the six that WHO has supported recently to beef up their Ebola readiness and this quick diagnosis shows preparedness is paying off.”
WHO is helping to coordinate cross-border Ebola response activities and 5000 Ebola vaccines doses which the organization helped secure to fight the outbreak in Guinea are now being transferred to Cote d’Ivoire, following an agreement between the ministries of health of Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. An aircraft is departing Abidjan soon to collect the vaccines which will be used to vaccinate people at high risk, including health workers, first responders and contacts of confirmed cases. WHO staff based in Cote d’Ivoire are supporting the investigation into the case. In addition, a multidisciplinary team of WHO experts covering all key response areas will be deployed rapidly to the field. They will help with ramping up infection prevention and control of health facilities, diagnostics, contact tracing, treatment and reaching out to communities to ensure they take a key role in the response. Cote d’Ivoire declared the outbreak in line with International Health Regulations and WHO does not advise any travel restrictions to and from the country. While countries are focused on the COVID-19 response, they should strengthen their preparedness for potential Ebola cases. While Cote d’Ivoire borders Guinea and Liberia which were struck hard by the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the country has had no confirmed cases reported since 1994, when an outbreak among chimpanzees infected a scientist. Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. There is now effective treatment available and if patients receive treatment early, as well as supportive care, their chances of survival improve significantly.
ACT-ccelerator launches urgent US$ 7.7 billion appeal to stem surge of dangerous variants and save lives everywhere TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Delta variant on path to become dominant strain worldwide as surge in the highly transmissible variant increases urgency for vaccinating large numbers of vulnerable people Rising infection rates resulting in increased hospitalizations are overwhelming health systems and leaving many countries in urgent need of life-saving oxygen Testing rates in much of the world is too low, especially low- and lowermiddle-income countries [1] – leaving much of the world blind to how the disease is evolving and vulnerable to new variants Funding the Rapid ACT-Accelerator Delta Response (RADAR) urgent appeal for US $7.7 billion would enable: significantly increased testing and better surveillance to detect and
protect against new variants; more oxygen to treat the seriously ill and save lives; vital personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect health workers; the rolling out of emergency response and delivery support for the effective delivery and deployment of COVID-19 tools, including in humanitarian contexts; and continued research and development (R&D) so that tools remain effective The US$ 7.7 billion is not an additional funding need but is part of the ACT-Accelerator’s overall 2021 budget, which is needed urgently within the next four months With more COVID-19 cases reported in the first five months of 2021 than in the whole of 2020, the world is still in the acute phase of the pandemic – despite high vaccination rates in some countries protecting populations from severe disease and death. Inadequate
testing and low vaccination rates are exacerbating disease transmission and overwhelming local health systems, while leaving the whole world vulnerable to new variants. Many countries are experiencing new waves of infections – and while many high-income countries and some upper-middle-income countries have implemented widespread vaccinations, put more robust testing systems in place, and made treatments increasingly available – many low- and lower-middle-income countries are struggling to access these vital tools due to a lack of funds and supplies. Investing in the ACTAccelerator to make tools available to everyone, everywhere, will benefit all countries through a more globally inclusive and coordinated response. While four variants of concern currently dominate the epidemiology,
there are fears that new, and possibly more dangerous, variants of concern may emerge. With hard-won gains of the last three months at risk, the ACT-Accelerator has mounted a US$ 7.7 billion appeal, the Rapid ACT-Accelerator Delta Response (RADAR), to urgently: Scale up testing: US$2.4 billion to put all low- and lower-middle-income countries on track towards a tenfold increase in COVID-19 testing and ensure all countries get up to satisfactory testing levels. This will significantly enhance local and global understanding of the changing disease epidemiology and emerging variants of concern, inform the appropriate application of public health and social measures and break chains of transmission. Maintain R&D efforts to stay ahead of the virus: US$ 1 billion for
ongoing R&D, enable further market shaping and manufacturing, technical assistance and demand generation to ensure that tests, treatments and vaccines remain effective against the Delta variant and other emerging variants, and that they are accessible and affordable where they are needed. Address acute oxygen needs to save lives: US$ 1.2 billion to rapidly address acute oxygen needs to treat the seriously ill and control the exponential death surges caused by the Delta variant. Rollout of tools: US$ 1.4 billion to help countries identify and address key bottlenecks for the effective deployment and use of all COVID-19 tools. As supply of COVID-19 vaccines ramps up in the coming months, flexible funding will be essential to help fill on-theground delivery gaps.
9
life and real estate
Whether You’re Headed Back To School, Enjoying Summer Travel, Or Gaming with Friends, Protect Your Tech
TL Bureau, Anaheim
August is the time for back-toschool prep, embarking on summer travel, and getting together with friends and family for cooking out, hanging out, or a bit of gaming. Even as Americans take extra precautions over a potential resurgence in the coronavirus, leisure travel remains way up this summer compared to last, and nearly at traditional levels in many areas. All that moving about—whether it’s back to school, between home, the dorm, or the office, to a summer travel destination, or simply to a friend’s house for a night of video gaming—means students and gamers need a reliable way to organize, transport, and safeguard their mobile electronics and accessories. They can count on Mobile Edge for the right protective laptop case, gaming backpack, travel tote, or messenger bag to fit their gear, their fashion preferences, and their lifestyles. “People are eager to get back to a sense of normalcy, whether that’s taking a summer vacation, doing a bit of travel, gaming with friends, or gearing up for getting back to school,” says Paul June,
Students and Gamers Count On Mobile Edge to Protect and Organize their Tech Whether You’re Headed Back To School, Enjoying Summer Travel, Or Gaming with Friends, Protect Your Tech Whatever your needs and whatever your appetite for travel, Mobile Edge is pleased to be part of the solution for making this summer as productive, relaxing, and enjoyable for you as possible.”— Paul June, VP of VP of Marketing for Mobile Edge. “Whatever your needs and whatever your appetite for travel, Mobile Edge is pleased to be part of the solution for making this summer as productive, relaxing, and enjoyable for you as possible.” For students and young professionals, Mobile Edge’s no-nonsense, ergonomically designed, and super lightweight SmartPack Backpack features dedicated storage for laptops, tablets, accessories, and more. This popular backpack is the perfect travel companion for trips to and from home and school or the office or dorm. It’s available in eight colors plus a special edition made from premium graphite nylon for a distinctive, edgy look.
Another backpack favored by high school and college students is Mobile Edge’s Express Backpack 2.0. Available in seven colors, it’s ideal for carrying laptops up to 16 inches with space to spare for books, files, and accessories, as well as an integrated tablet pocket. Busy professionals vying for a weekend or lengthier getaway will like the versatility of Mobile Edge’s roomy Urban Laptop Tote. Offering the convenience of a purse, travel bag, briefcase, and book bag all-in-one, it’s easy to carry and made from a lightweight, durable, charcoal-colored cotton canvas. The tote features separate padded pockets for a laptop and tablet, and workstation storage for pens, a smartphone, flash drives,
and other accessories, plus plenty of room for personal items. Gamers of all ages can depend on Mobile Edge’s roomy and rugged Core Gaming Backpacks for storage and protection of their laptops and gaming consoles while they’re on the go. The Core Gaming Backpack features numerous pockets and zippered compartments for cables, chargers, headphones, keyboards, and personal items such as snacks, plus room for a change of clothes for overnighters. It’s even pre-wired for a power bank. One version features a hook and loop panel for displaying school and team badges and patches. For Alienware fans, the Alienware M17 Pro Backpack is designed specifically for the new Thin & Light m-Series laptops. Manufactured by Mobile Edge, this lightweight backpack is loaded with features and is perfect for student gamers who want to rock the distinctive Alienware look. (Its close relative, the Alienware AW M17 Elite Backpack even made a recent appearance in Space Jams 2!) For the power-conscious, Mobile Edge’s Core Power AC USB 27,000mAh Portable Laptop Charger provides mobile charging
for the most power-hungry devices, such as laptops and gaming consoles, and with its universal AC outlet, no special adapters are needed. Lightweight, compact, and durable, it slips easily into laptop bags or backpacks and meets FAA carry-on requirements for lithiumion batteries. All Mobile Edge protective cases, backpacks, and messenger bags are backed by a lifetime warranty and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. For a limited time, customers can get 20% off regularpriced items when they use promo code SCHOOL at checkout from the Mobile Edge online store (some exclusions apply). About Mobile Edge Founded in 2002, Anaheim-based Mobile Edge produces awardwinning durable and protective laptop cases, messenger bags, backpacks, totes, and more for business professionals, road warriors, students, and gamers. Mobile Edge is known for its innovative and stylish designs, superior-quality, lifetime warranty, and commitment to customer satisfaction. Many leading computer manufacturers rely on Mobile Edge to design and build custom cases for their products.
Luxury Estate Located in Prestigious Upper Mount Royal in Calgary to Auction No Reserve via Concierge Auctions 2906 Marquette Street Southwest will auction this month via Concierge Auctions in partnership with Mark Evernden and Lee Richardson of Century 21 Bamber Realty.
TL Bureau, New York Overlooking Cartier Park, 2906 Marquette Street Southwest will auction this month via Concierge Auctionsin partnership with Mark D. Evernden and Lee Richardson of Century 21 Bamber Realty. Currently listed for $10.89 million CAD, the property will sell No Reserve to the highest bidder. Bidding is scheduled to be held on September 10–15 via Concierge Auctions’ online marketplace, ConciergeAuctions.com, allowing buyers to bid digitally from anywhere in the world. “After working on several luxury auctions with Concierge Auctions in Canada over the years, 2906 Marquette Street Southwest is truly a show-stopping home. From the designer appliances to the countless amenities, we know this property will attract a competitive auction.” stated Evernden. Nestled in Upper Mount Royal, this contemporary home boasts workmanship, luxury materials, and state-of-the-art amenities. Outside the vast windows overlook the woodland and wildlife of nearby Cartier Park. Step into
Overlooking Cartier Park in prestigious Upper Mount Royal
10ft+ vaulted and barreled ceilings and designer finishes the entrance foyer, where the cantilevered, floating staircase sets a welcoming tone, rising to the main floor and formal living room. Gather around the
gas fireplaces by the grand piano on winter evenings. Look to the family room on the other side, where the west facing balcony overlooks the park. The family
room flows into the ultra-modern kitchen, where granite countertops and Italian glass cabinets surround Miele Sub-Zero and Gaggenau appliances. Right outside is an east-facing loggia with a water and fireplace feature. This summer kitchen awaits for an alfresco lunch or late-night cocktails. Wow guests with the 5G theatre room with its own wet bar, and a gym with a swim-in-place and treadmill lap pool. Geothermal heating and cooling throughout the indoors plus the driveway, front stairs, and walkway. From the marble floors to the soaring 10ft+ vaulted and barreled ceilings, every inch of this luxury property waits to welcome you home. “We are pleased to be working as a team with Concierge to find our client the perfect buyer. We know this outstanding property will attract a competitive auction and welcome the expertise of Concierge Auctions.” stated Richardson.Boasting immaculate outdoor areas and a suite of multimillion dollar single-family homes, old world meets new world in Upper Mount Royal. Upper Mount Royal has been Calgary’s most desirable area for over a century.
The many surrounding parks offer hiking and walking trails through vast green spaces. Shop along trendy 17th Avenue, or explore the hip entertainment district of Mission, both well within walking distance. The downtown core is a stone’s throw away, and the grounds of the famous Calgary Stampede beckon, only six minutes from your front door. The city’s amenities are yours to discover from a central location. Calgary itself is located for easy access by car to Banff and the Rockies, or the provincial capital and historical hub of Edmonton. A quick 25-minute drive to Calgary International Airport makes air travel a breeze. As part of Concierge Auctions’ Key for Key® giving program in partnership with Giveback Homes, the closing will result in a new home built for a family in need. Concierge Auctions offers a commission to the buyers’ representing real estate agents. See Auction Terms and Conditions for full details. For more information, including property details, exclusive virtual tour, diligence documents, and more, visit ConciergeAuctions. com or call +1.212.202.2940.
10
SPORTS
Lamborghini Kicks Off Monterey Car Week with Countach LPI 800-4 Global Debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
TL Bureau, Sant’ Agata Bolognese/ Carmel-By-The-Sea
In commemoration of the legendary Countach’s 50th anniversary and V12 heritage, Automobili Lamborghini today debuted globally the next generation Countach LPI 800-4, alongside the North American premieres of the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae and Essenza SCV12 at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. The annual automotive event, held on the grounds of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club, returned for an 18th year and served as a prime location to commence the world-famous Monterey Car Week. The Countach LPI 800-4, an emblem of the brand’s past and future, was unveiled to a crowd of 5,000 guests by Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini. It harnesses a naturallyaspirated V12 engine and an electric motor delivering a maximum combined power of 814 cv and top speed of 221 miles per hour. A visionary masterpiece of the brand’s future, the Countach LPI-800-4 still brings forth the renowned design of the Countach from the 1970s. Only 112 units will be made, signifying the ‘LP 112’ nomenclature used during the original Lamborghini Countach’s development. “The Countach LPI 800-4 showcases the next chapter of Lamborghini in an electrified world while celebrating one of our most iconic models,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini. “At The Quail, our customers will be the first see this new masterpiece in person alongside the final Aventador and Essenza SCV12 – each of which will hold its own place in automotive history.” Lamborghini also showcased an array of new models, including the Huracan STO (Super Trofeo Homologata) and includes the final iteration of the naturally aspirated V12 from the brand – Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae – and the track-only Essenza SCV12, both of which made their North American debut. The Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae is a tribute to the acclaimed Lamborghini V12
and to all former Aventador models since its initial reveal in 2011. With an additional 10 horsepower than its Aventador SVJ predecessor, it exudes the pure, original design of the first Aventador, without external aerodynamics. With deliveries beginning late 2021, the Ultimae is the grand finale of the traditional V12 combustion engine. The Essenza SCV12, a limitededition track-only hypercar, is the most powerful V12 from Lamborghini. Developed by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, it is a direct descendent of the notable Miura Jota and Diablo GTR. It is also the first GT car developed to respect FIA prototype safety rules and only 40 units will be produced. The race-inspired Huracán STO was also on display at the annual motorsport celebration. A street-homologated car, the Huracán STO is inspired by the racing heritage of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make race series with Huracán Super Trofeo EVO, as well as its three-time 24 Hours of Daytona-winning and two-time 12 Hours of Sebring-winning Huracán GT3 EVO.Additionally, more than 200 of the finest collector cars were on display at The Quail, including a 1978 Lamborghini LP400 Countach Periscopio. That model is just one of the 150 Periscopio cars produced by Lamborghini and
recently underwent a complete restoration. A lineup of super sports cars and racecars, in addition to the Huracán EVO Rear-Wheel
(RWD) Spyder and Super SUV Urus Capsule Collection, will also be displayed at the exclusive Lamborghini Lounge Monterey this weekend, while
the Countach LPI 800-4 will be a crown jewel at Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on the Concept Lawn.
11
tech/auto
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. A design and technology benchmark for modern super sports cars, reimagined for a new era: Our legacy to the future
TL Bureau, Sant’Agata Bolognese/Pebble Beach USA Automobili Lamborghini unveils the Countach LPI 800-4: a futuristic limited edition paying homage to the Countach’s iconic status as a revolutionary design and technology rule-breaker and recreated for the 21stcentury. Its puristic lines are immediately recognizable from the Countach legacy: the patriarch of modern super sports cars and Lamborghini design. With its aspirated V12 engine combined with Lamborghini’s hybrid supercapacitor technology, the Countach LPI 800-4 retains the inimitable V12 experience and sound from its Longitudinale Posteriore (LP) mounted powerplant combined with the hybrid (I) technology developed for the Sián. Delivering 814 cv as maximum combined power (rounded at 800 in the name) from its aspirated powerplant (780 cv) and electric motor (34 cv) to its permanent four-wheel drive transmission, the LPI 8004 produces peak Lamborghini performance of 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 2.8 seconds, a 0-200 km/h in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 355 km/h. “The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams’. The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy but it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It is a Lamborghini that innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and most of all drive.” Countach – the patriarch of modern super sports car design The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is instantly recognizable as the elevated descendant
A celebration of the Countach’s 50th anniversary, the Countach LPI 8004 is unveiled at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, USA A visionary, futuristic ‘few off’ produced in 112 units Exemplifying the Countach’s legendary design and engineering preeminence in a pure and novel interpretation Visionary design meets future technology: V12 hybrid engine with 48 v e-motor and supercapacitor technology delivering 780 cv from thermal unit and 34 cv from electric one of Countach generations: testament to the lasting impact of the original Countach design that became the poster car of the 1980s and a symbol of automotive and lifestyle ultracool. The Countach moniker – a fitting expression of surprise and wonder in Piedmontese dialect and pronounced ‘Coon-tach’ – is one of very few Lamborghini model names not connected to bulls. “The first Countach has been present in our Centro Stile as a model for some years now”, explains Mitja Borkert, Head of Centro Stile. „Whenever I look at it, it gives me goose bumps and it serves as the perfect reminder for me and the entire design team to design every future Lamborghini in a visionary and futuristic way. This is an unnegotiable part of our DNA, the essence if you so will. The first Countach shaped the Lamborghini design DNA like no other car; the new Countach translates that unconventional and edgy character into the future.” The Countach’s distinctive silhouette with the essential line running from front to rear, sharp angles and lines and idiosyncratic wedge shape, innovated modern super sports design as well as future Lamborghini models. The Countach LPI 800-4 develops the characteristic lines of the Countach’s five models over nearly 20 years, concentrated into the purest realization of iconic automotive design. The final outline is pure and uncluttered, with references to the first LP 500 and LP 400 production version. Giving the LPI 800-4 a distinctive Countach face, inspiration was taken from the Quattrovalvole edition in the assertive lines of the front bonnet with long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheel arches with their hexagonal theme. The sharp inclination of the greenhouse adopts the straight lines redolent of the original Countach,
adjoining the powerful, clean front-to-rear line. There is no fixed rear wing outside the pure lines, and the airscoops are integrated fluidly in the strong shoulders of the car, embellished with the distinctive Countach slatted ‘gills’. The iconic and aerodynamically powerful NACA air intakes cut into the side and doors of the Countach LPI 800-4 while the distinctive Periscopio lines running through the roof to the rear of the car, particularly distinctive if viewed from above, appear to float towards the rear of the car. The rear of the Countach LPI 800-4 is immediately recognizable from its distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line, and the ‘hexagonita’ design shaping the three-unit rear light clusters. The LPI 800-4 sports the fourstrong exhaust tail pipes of the Countach family, connected within the carbon fiber rear diffuser. Access for driver and passenger is of course via the infamous scissor doors, first introduced on the Countach and that have become a Lamborghini V12 signature. Performance engineering for a new era The V12 engine of the Countach is as legendary as the design. Mounted longways at the rear together with its forward-cabin layout, the original Countach featured side-mounted radiators from Formula One; forwardfacing gearbox and tubular spaceframe technology. It was as revolutionary in its approach to sports car engineering as in its astonishing looks, with its engine position chosen for weight distribution and balance and of course, the aspirated twelve cylinders delivering the most emotive top performance. The Countach developed the best available technologies to produce an extraordinary car: this visionary philosophy is reflected in the Countach LPI 800-4, taking the pinnacle of current Lamborghini
technologies and engineering to produce the performance expected from a Countach in 2021. “The engineering team that developed the original Countach advanced Lamborghini’s pioneering technical approach, delivering unexpected innovations and the best performance available in a production car,” says Lamborghini Chief Technology Officer Maurizio Reggiani. “That spirit inherently drives Lamborghini R&D, resulting in the pioneering hybrid technology in the LPI 8004, and the emotive driving experience and top-line performance expected from a flagship V12 Lamborghini.” The Lamborghini V12 6.5 liter engine, outputting 780 cv, is combined with a 48 volt e-motor mounted directly on the gearbox providing a further 34 cv for immediate response and increased performance: it is the innovative and unique architecture Lamborghini developed for Sián, that is the only mild-hybrid technology to create a direct connection between electric motor and wheels, preserving the pure V12 behavior. The e-motor is powered by a supercapacitor providing three times more power compared to a lithiumion battery of the same weight. The monocoque chassis and all the body panels are in carbon fiber, provide the optimum lightweight solution as well as exceptional torsional stiffness: the Countach LPI 800-4 has a dry weight of 1595 kg for a dry weight to power ratio of 1,95 kg/cv. Visible exterior carbon fiber features are available in the front splitter, around the front window and wing mirrors, engine bonnet cover air intakes and rocker panel and it is always present in specific interior details. Moveable air vents produced by the state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, and a photocromatic roof - changing from solid to transparent at the push of a button – act as a
reminder that this car, despite its historic inspiration, is a future automotive screensaver for the 21st century. World debut at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, USA The Countach LPI 800-4 is unveiled today at The Quail, USA in a dedicated color Bianco Siderale, containing a hint of pearlescent blue and reminiscent of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s own Countach LP 400 S, complete with red and black leather heritage interior. The interior also takes design cues from the original Countach within the context of a modern car. The classic and luxurious leather features geometric stitching on the specially designed comfort seats and dashboard, sporting a square motif referencing the bold style and optimism of 1970s design and technology. The Countach LPI 800-4 20” (front) and 21” (rear) wheels are created in the ‘telephone’ style of the 1980s, fitted with carbon ceramic brake discs, and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Owners of the exclusive limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 can choose from a range of heritage exterior paint options, mostly in solid colours, such as the iconic Impact White, Giallo Countach and Verde Medio. Otherwise, the contemporary palette offers modern paintings, mostly metallic colors, such as Viola Pasifae or Blu Uranus. An 8,4” HDMI center touchscreen unique to the LPI 800-4 manages car controls including Connectivity and Apple CarPlay. It also includes a unique button entitled ‘Stile’ (Design): pressed, it explains the Countach design philosophy to its privileged audience. Produced in a run of 112 units, the number denotes the ‘LP 112’ internal project name used during the original Lamborghini Countach’s development. The Countach LPI 800-4 will be delivered from first quarter 2022 to owners worldwide, privileged to drive a piece of automotive history reimagined for the future.
12
world
Statement by the Prime Minister on the National Liberation Day of Korea TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement in recognition of the National Liberation Day of Korea: “Today, we join the people of Korea, and Korean communities in Canada and around the world, to celebrate the 76th anniversary of Korea’s independence. “This day marks the liberation of the Korean Peninsula on August 15, 1945, after 35 years of occupation, and the end of the Second World War. Three years later, on this same day, South Korea was officially established, charting a bright future for all people in the new country. Since then, they have shown their pride on Gwangbokjeol – Restoration of Light Day – to celebrate South Korea’s independence and its
many accomplishments. “On this day, we also celebrate the deep bonds that unite Canada and South Korea. Our two countries have long been close friends and partners, who have fought side‑by‑side in the Korean War and worked to establish Canada’s first-ever trade agreement in the Asia‑Pacific region. Our relationship is founded on a shared commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and free and open trade, as well as deep people-to-people ties. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to recognize the invaluable contributions Korean Canadians and their community have made, and continue to make, to our country. I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating Korea’s Liberation Day.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on India’s Independence Day TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on India’s Independence Day: “Today, we join the people of India and Indo-Canadian communities across the country to celebrate the Independence Day of India, the world’s largest democracy. “Canada and India enjoy a longstanding and dynamic relationship built on strong people-to-people ties, cultural
exchanges, and economic cooperation. Over 1.4 million people of Indian descent call Canada home, making valuable contributions to strengthen our economy, and working to help shape a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive country. “Today, Canada and India work closely together for the benefit of people in both countries, including as members of the G20 and through other multilateral institutions, to foster economic growth,
IOM Supports Response to Earthquake in Haiti
TL Bureau, PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI
As Haiti struggles to cope in the aftermath of a deadly weekend earthquake, the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) relief efforts to support national authorities are now also focusing on finding safe buildings where thousands of displaced residents can shelter from an approaching storm likely to cause flash flooding and mudslides. “The double impact of the earthquake and the imminent storm could increase the number of people seriously affected and will make it even more difficult for the government and the different humanitarian actors to deliver humanitarian aid,” said Federica Cecchet, IOM’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Haiti. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Tropical Depression Grace is expected to cause torrential rains when it hits Haiti late on Monday or early Tuesday. After the 7.2 earthquake struck on Saturday leaving close to 1,300 dead, around 3,200 injured and thousands of homes and public buildings destroyed, including schools and hospitals, IOM and other United Nations humanitarian teams are supporting government recovery efforts. The Haitian Civil Protection Directorate (DPC) activated the National Emergency Operation Center (COUN) in Port-au-Prince, and the departmental centers in Sud, Grand’Anse and Nippes, the three
departments worst affected by the earthquake. IOM teams are supporting official data collection, helping evaluate losses, and providing lifesaving assistance. According to preliminary tallies, more than 13,600 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, displacing thousands of residents, 470 of whom have sought protection in often improvised emergency shelters or host families. “These numbers will grow as data collection progresses, and one of the main priorities in the coming weeks will be the proper management of emergency shelters and humanitarian support for thousands of people who are displaced.” said Cecchet. On Saturday afternoon, Cecchet accompanied Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the Minister of Justice Rockefeller Vincent, the Director of Civil Protection,
Dr Gerard Jerry Chandler, representatives of UN agencies and donors on a reconnaissance flight to the affected areas. The aerial view reveals a bleak picture, Cecchet said. “Although the perception of the destruction is not widespread, the devastating impact on housing, public buildings, and road infrastructure is evident.” The transport of aid to affected areas will be complicated by destruction and damage to roads and bridges. Some routes have been cut by landslides. On the third day after the quake, humanitarian teams have not yet reached many areas, especially in the department of Nippes. IOM Haiti, in partnership with the Government, is coleading the response for Shelter, Non-Food Items (NFI) and Camp Management (CCCM) sectors. Thanks to the support
of US Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), distributions have already started to provide quick, lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable, including blankets, hygiene kits, jerrycans, repairs material, and tarpaulins. To reduce the risks associated with COVID-19, IOM will distribute COVID-19 washable masks as part of the NFI distribution activities and disseminate essential COVID-19 awareness and prevention messaging through the distribution of flyers, sound trucks, community outreach and social media. IOM’s psychologists will provide specialized psychosocial support, including the Prevention of Abuse and Sexual Exploitation (PSEA) and complaint handling.
reinforce the rules-based international order, invest in education and innovation, and empower women and girls. We have also been close partners in the global efforts to fight the COVID-19 health crisis, working collaboratively to ensure mutual access to essential medical equipment. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating India’s Independence Day, here in Canada and around the world.”
Joint Statement on Afghanistan TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
Office of the Spokesperson The following is the text of a joint statement on Afghanistan initially released by the following: Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta , Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Yemen. Begin text: Given the deteriorating security situation, we support, are working to secure, and call on all parties to respect and facilitate, the safe and orderly departure of foreign nationals and Afghans who wish to leave the country. Those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan bear responsibility—and accountability—for the protection of human life and property, and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order.