The Life News South Africa. Nov 16, 2021

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Vol. 02 Issue 30 Nov. 16, 2021

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Cease fire at Armenia and Azerbaijan

Agreed on following day of intense conflict TL Bureau, Baku

Armenia and Azerbaijan consented to a Russiahandled truce Tuesday evening following long periods of extreme battling along their contested boundary.

The battling halted at 6:30 p.m., as indicated by the understanding, Armenia’s Ministry of Defense said in an assertion.

“The circumstance has somewhat settled,” it said.

Armenia affirmed the passing of an agreement fighter with the quantity of not really settled while 12 assistance individuals were caught by the Armenian side, which said two of its officers were harmed. The two sides professed to have incurred huge harm to the next just as exchanged allegations that the other had begun the battling before Tuesday.

The ejection of battling and the unexpected truce happened a year after the two finished

Courtesy : OC Media 44 days of battle in the contested bumpy Nagorno-Karabakh district, which brought about thousands dead. Yerevan on Tuesday said Azerbaijan assaulted its line at around 1 p.m., bringing about the deficiency of two

military positions while Baku said Armenia dispatched an assault at 11 a.m “to catch the strategic positions” and “take more invaluable positions, accordingly acquiring military prevalence.” Azerbaijan still can’t seem to

remark on the truce, which was reported after Col. Gen. Zakir Hasanov, its safeguard serve, held a call with his Russian partner, Sergei Shoigu.

Tuesday’s battling was met with fast reproach from world pioneers calling for de-heightening.

European Council President Charles Micheal encouraged through Twitter for a full truce and serious the 27-country alliance to working with accomplices to defeat strains in the South Caucasus. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States calls for “guaranteed substantial strides” to diminish strains and for the two sides to exchange.

“The new expansion in pressure among Armenia and Azerbaijan highlights the requirement for an arranged, thorough and maintainable settlement of all excess issues identified with or coming about because of the Nagorno-Karabakh struggle,” he said in an assertion.

Polish and migrants clashed at Belarusian border

TL Bureau, Warsaw/Minsk

The Polish military and transients endeavoring to cross the boundary from Belarus conflicted Tuesday as pressures heightened among Minsk and the European Union.

The Polish Ministry of Defense shared photographs and video of troops utilizing water cannons on travelers accumulated at the Kuznica line crossing, as indicated

by The Washington Post. Military authorities blamed Belarusian powers for giving the transients shock explosives to toss at Polish watchmen. The BBC announced that Polish powers additionally utilized poisonous gas on the transients, who tossed stones and different articles at monitors.

Safeguard authorities said one Polish officer was struck in the face by a stone and was given clinical help.

“The present assault is being directed under the severe management of the authorities of the Belarusian administrations,” the Polish Ministry of Defense tweeted.

The Post said the conflicts died down by mid-evening Tuesday.

Poland has blamed Belarus for empowering transients from the Middle East and Africa to make a trip to Belarus and afterward piping them to the Polish boundary to look for another life in the European Union.The European Union on Monday reported authorizations against Belarusian aircrafts, travel services and different gatherings

Photo: bne IntelliNews engaged with taking transients to the boundary region. The EU recently

authorized Minsk after Alexander Lukashenko proclaimed triumph in

an official broadly political decision considered fake.

2 Authorities in India are discussing the need to initiate a lockdown for New Delhi as northern locales of the nation stay covered by a thick layer of harmful exhaust cloud.

The air quality has become so awful that judges on the country’s high court last end of the week requested specialists to end all superfluous travel on streets in the National Capital Region and guided workplaces to shut nearby, which made a huge number of individuals telecommute on Monday. Be that as it may, it stayed indistinct if or when such an exceptional lockdown would occur, as per NPR. Schools across New Delhi, home to in excess of 20 million, shut or changed to remote learning on Monday because of the danger of breathing the poisonous air. For some kids, the change back to remote learning came soon after in-person classes continued without precedent for almost 20 months because of COVID-19.

“Virtual classes will proceed with the goal that kids don’t need to come out and inhale dirty air,” the chief priest of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal said, as per CNN. Notwithstanding schools being impacted, Kejriwal said that New Delhi’s administration workplaces will work under a work-from-home approach this week.

This AccuWeather picture shows the risky air quality (in purple) across India, as indicated by information from Plume Labs.

Kejriwal said that a contamination related lockdown would not have a significant effect except if comparative measures

Pollution in India upto Verge

were initiated by adjoining states, NPR announced.

“Contamination lockdown has never occurred. It will be an outrageous advance,” he said.

The air quality in India’s biggest city and capital stayed at “hazardous” levels this week. This is the most exceedingly terrible classification on a six-point scale that reaches from great to hazardous, as indicated by Plume Labs.

Tuft Labs joined forces with AccuWeather in 2020 to furnish clients worldwide with an expansive scope of wellbeing driven data.

New Delhi Air Quality 11/16 Air quality in New Delhi hit a yearly high on Nov. 4 with an Air Quality Index perusing of 391. Realistic politeness of Plume Labs Perilous air quality is characterized by Plume Labs as “any openness to the air, in any event, for a couple of moments, [that] can prompt genuine wellbeing impacts on everyone.” People ought to stay away from outside exercises in such testing conditions.

On Saturday, the convergence of PM 2.5 particles, a proportion of the fine particulate noticeable all around, flooded to multiple times over the most extreme day by day limit suggested by the World Health Organization,

Euronews detailed.

PM 2.5 is the most risky particulate noticeable all around in light of the fact that it can infiltrate an individual’s lung hindrance and enter the blood framework, as indicated by the World Health Organization.

Constant openness to these particles adds to the danger of creating cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, just as cellular breakdown in the lungs.

In mid 2020 in the midst of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, India was placed into a severe public lockdown, which greatly enhanced air quality. Accordingly, skies cleared and individuals were blessed to receive excellent perspectives not found in 30 years.

From the late harvest time into the colder time of year

editorial

every year, air quality across northern India falls apart to perilous levels. This is generally because of the blend of farming consuming and the consuming of petroleum products for transportation, energy age and business purposes, as per AccuWeather meteorologists.

“The absence of climate frameworks to stir up the air keeps every one of the toxins close to the outer layer of the Earth,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys.

“Once in a while, a front will get across northwestern India, including New Delhi, which will assist with cleaning the air for a couple of days, however we normally see air quality quickly deteriorate right after any fleeting enhancements.

“There are no critical upgrades with air quality expected across northern India sooner rather than later,” Roys said.

At the new United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, India vowed to diminish the measure of coal it consumes for power age. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s discharges will be net-zero by 2070.

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3 Ministry of Health Reports 38 New COVID-19 Cases, 55 Recoveries in Saudi Arabia TL Bureau, Riyadh

The Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the registration of 38 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 55 recoveries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the past 24 hours.

The ministry added that the number of critical cases reached 49.

The statistics showed that the total number of infections in the country reached 549,260 while the recovery tally reached 538,329.

The MoH reported three new deaths, bringing fatalities tally in the Kingdom to 8,816.

The Ministry of Health advised everyone to contact the toll free (937) for consultations and inquiries around the clock, and to obtain health information and services.

India Records 10,229 New COVID-19 Cases TL Bureau, New Delhi

India reported 10,229 new infections of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 34,447,536.

In a statement, Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported 125 deaths, bringing the total death toll to 463,655.

China Records 52 New COVID-19 Cases TL Bureau, Beijing China reported 52 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Friday.

China’s National Health Commission stated that the total number of COVID-19 cases reached 98,315, while the total deaths remain at 4,636.

Becoming a water diplomacy influencer

TL.Bureau, Helsinki

world

Russia Conducts Destructive AntiSatellite Missile Test

in the future. Commissioned by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the independent evaluation focused on Finland’s work at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), crossborder co-operation with Russia, and Finland’s support for transboundary water issues on the Mekong and Nile rivers.

The overall assessment is highly favourable: Finland earns praise for its long-term support for the participatory management and use of water resources, and for developing international co-operation in the water sector. The evaluation finds that one special strength of Finland is its highly motivated and competent network of operators. Finland’s agreement with Russia on transboundary watercourses has been rated the best in the world. The evaluation finds that Finland has continuously demonstrated its capacity to respond to waterrelated tensions, and to apply evidence-based diplomacy and technical assistance. … for others to note as well Finland accordingly has the capacity, the will and the operators – so what is missing?

According to evaluation team leader Rens de Man, international operators remain too unfamiliar with Finland’s expertise. Finland must accordingly draw up a clear plan of how it can become a leading player in water diplomacy. To support implementation of the strategy, an interdepartmental organisation is needed to bring together the best expertise of various operators.

As of the morning of 15 November, hospital treatment is being provided to 544 individuals who have been infected with COVID-19.

A total of 430 patients who have COVID-19 are currently receiving hospital treatment after having developed serious symptoms, including 317 patients who have not been vaccinated (which means 73.7%

of the overall figure), and 113 patients who have been fully vaccinated (which amounts to 26.3% of the overall figure).

Thirty-seven new COVID-19 cases have been opened by hospitals within the past 24 hours. Seventeen new deaths have been registered within the same period of time, involving a 53 year-old woman, a 64 year-old woman, a 66 year-old woman, a 69 year-old woman, a 70 year-old woman, a 71 year-

old man, a 72 year-old man and a 72 year-old woman, a 76 yearold man, a 79 year-old man, two 87 year-old women, two 89 year-old women, a 92 yearold woman, and a 96 year-old woman and 96 year-old man.

Fourteen of those individuals had not been vaccinated.

The last 24 hours have also seen 4,417 tests being analysed in Estonia in relation to coronavirus, of which the results of 511 were positive.

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State On November 15, 2021, the Russian Federation recklessly conducted a destructive test of a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites.

This test has so far generated over fifteen hundred pieces of trackable orbital debris and will likely generate hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris. The long-lived debris created by this dangerous and irresponsible test will now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations’ security, economic, and scientific interests for decades to come. In addition, it will significantly increase the risk to astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station and other human spaceflight activities. The safety and security of all actors seeking to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes has been carelessly endangered by this test.

The events of November 15, 2021, clearly demonstrate that Russia, despite its claims of opposing the weaponization of outer space, is willing to jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of outer space by all nations through its reckless and irresponsible behavior.

The United States will work with our allies and partners as we seek to respond to this irresponsible act. We call upon all responsible spacefaring nations to join us in efforts to develop norms of responsible behavior and to refrain from conducting dangerous and irresponsible destructive tests like those carried out by Russia.

agreements is with Inmarsat, the world leader in mobile satellite communications, and GDC Technics, a leader in engineering, technical services, and electronic systems, to supply 35 of the group’s new Airbus A321neo and A321XLR aircraft with the GX Aviation network, a broadband connection that provides advanced connectivity through a high-performance port. Through this agreement, Saudi Airlines Group

is the first entity in the Kingdom to use the GX Aviation network to provide communication services during flights, and the first in the Middle East since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to adopt this modern technology. It will also be the first airline in the world to choose the new One-Fi platform to provide guest connectivity services and a lightweight second-generation port with the GX Aviation network.

Saudi Airlines Group also signed an agreement with Boeing to provide a package of services based on digital analytics, in an effort to raise the operational efficiencies of its fleet of 787 Dreamliner and 777 models.

The Group signed an agreement with Panasonic Avionics, in a unique step towards providing the finest audiovisual content viewing experiences for its guests, under which the Saudi national carrier will be provided with

the NEXT IFE entertainment system.

The agreements also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Prince Sultan Aviation Academy, affiliated with the group, and L3 Harris, one of the largest aviation and defense manufacturers in the world, under which they will cooperate to install and evaluate AIRSIDESIM flight simulators for ground handling training.

Finland is renowned for its water and its technical expertise in the water sector. A recent evaluation calls for Finland to decide what kind of operator it would like to become in water diplomacy.

Finland’s international water sector strategy seeks a watersecure world by the year 2030.

This means ensuring that water suitable for each particular purpose is always available everywhere and for everyone in the world. It’s an ambitious goal, but Finland has lessons to draw from.

One of the three packages in the strategy focuses on issues of peace and water. This theme is highly important: even though water resources are rarely mentioned in peace agreements, water has been part of the background to at least half of all conflicts since the end of the 1990s.

Solid expertise …

Published at the end of October, the evaluation examines how Finland’s water diplomacy has successfully resolved and prevented water-related tensions – and what could be done better

“Conflict prevention calls for thorough knowledge of the operating environment. This, in turn, requires research institutes, civic organisations, businesses and Finnish missions to have clear roles, incentives and opportunities to serve as providers and mediators of the information that is needed in water diplomacy. It is already too late to gather information when the conflict has already erupted,” de Mans observes.

Communication, preparation and smooth co-operation of the water diplomacy network are of paramount importance for Finland to be recognised as a credible and approachable partner.

In total, 544 individuals are being treated in hospital due to symptomatic COVID-19

TL Bureau, Tallinn

TL Bureau, Washington, D.C.

Saudi Airlines Group signs four agreements in Dubai Airshow 2021

TL Bureau, Jeddah

The Saudi Airlines Group has signed four agreements to improve communication systems, raise operational efficiency, and improve the experience of guests on board of its fleet of aircraft, which is among the latest in the region and the world. This came during the group’s participation in the Dubai Airshow 2021. One of the four

4 Agreement reached on 2022 EU budget TL Bureau, Brussels

The Council has reached an agreement with the European Parliament on the 2022 EU budget, setting total commitments at €169 515,8 million and payments at €170 603,3 million.

Next year’s budget strongly reflects the EU’s main priorities: economic recovery, fighting climate change, and the green and digital transitions.

It also leaves enough resources under the expenditure ceilings of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework to allow the EU to react to unforeseeable needs.

“We reached a well-balanced deal today, which is great news for the citizens. Next year’s EU budget dedicates enough resources to our priorities, and at the same time ensures sufficient fiscal space for unforeseen circumstances.

The funding we agreed on today will underpin the recovery that is under way and strongly support our climate and digital targets.

Along this path, the 2022 budget will be complemented by the Next Generation EU funds. Ensuring that a properly functioning budget for the next year is agreed on in time and that taxpayers receive the best possible value for their money has been a priority for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council. Together with the Parliament and the Commission, we have worked long and hard to get it over the finish line.”

world

Foreign Secretary launches campaign to tackle sexual violence in conflict around the world Today (16 November), the Foreign Secretary will launch a major global campaign to stop sexual violence against women and girls in conflict around the world.

TL Bureau, London Liz Truss to drive new global agreement to condemn use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war as a ‘red line’ on a par with chemical weapons.

UK will host global summit to unite world around action to prevent sexual violence in conflict next year.

Foreign Secretary announces women & girls will be at the centre of her foreign policy priorities, with more than £20 million of new funding to help stop violence against women and girls around the world.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss today (Tuesday 16 November) launches a major global campaign to stop sexual violence against women and girls in conflict around the world.

Speaking at an event for the Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC) – established under the UK’s G7 Presidency to support women and girls around the world – the Foreign Secretary, who is also the UK’s Minister for Women and Equalities, will kick start a major new push by the UK to shatter the culture of impunity around the use of rape

and sexual violence as weapons of war.

She is bringing together close partners to condemn rape and sexual violence in conflict as a “red line”. All options are on the table, including an international convention, to end such heinous acts once and for all.

The Foreign Secretary will also announce today that the UK will host a global conference next year to unite the world in action to prevent sexual violence in conflict. The conference will bring together Foreign Ministers from all over the world in support of the campaign to end impunity for violence against women and girls.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses to continue until end of year

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The Government has extended the validity of the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses until 31 December 2021. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses will be reintroduced in the regions of North Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa and Kanta-Häme and in the Hospital District of Länsi-Pohja.

The degree will enter into force 15 November 2021. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses will be introduced to the new regions on 17 November 2021. Last week, the Government decided that areas are no longer classified into different phases based on their epidemiological situation. Instead, a system of epidemiological characteristics for community transmission areas has been created that is better suited to the current situation. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare will publish information on the areas that meet these epidemiological characteristics on its website starting

on 15 November.

Press release of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issues circular to regions on full application of action plan for hybrid strategy Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions of Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Päijät-Häme, Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso and Kanta-Häme and in the Hospital District of Länsi-Pohja, which are all community transmission areas, from 17 November Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00.

Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have only half the normal number of customer seats in use in their indoor and outdoor premises. Other food and beverage service are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors.

All customers must have their own seats at a table or similar in indoor premises.

Businesses who require all customers to present a COVID-19 passport are exempt from the restrictions.

Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses elsewhere in Finland from 17 November There are no separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.

The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all regions. Exceptions to restrictions remain unchanged The restrictions laid down in the decree do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food to customers. The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses on vessels and aircraft that operate between Finland and other countries or abroad or to food and beverage service businesses that operate at distribution stations for liquid fuels.

The announcements are the start of a wider move by the Foreign Secretary to ensure women & girls are at the centre of the UK’s foreign policy priorities.

The UK is already a world leader in tackling violence against women and girls, and supporting their rights internationally. While Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister signed the UK up to the Safe Schools Declaration, committing to protect schools during military operations and armed conflict. Under the UK’s Presidency, G7 countries have committed to get 40 million girls into education and this year the UK hosted the Global Partnership for

Education Summit, raising £2.9bn to get children into school. This included £430m pledged by the UK.The Foreign Secretary will step up the UK’s commitment to women and girls around the world today, announcing: £18 million of new funding to end child marriage through partners UNICEF and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). This funding will benefit women and girls in 12 countries, including Sierra Leone, Uganda, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Yemen. UK support for this work has already helped avert 25 million child marriages over the last decade.

A £3 million boost to organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls. This will help survivors access health and counselling, as well as helping to prevent violence, including by educating men and boys. This funding will also support work with governments to improve policies and legislation. £1.4 million of new funding for the Global Survivors Fund, which help support survivors of sexual violence, including through financial support and education.

$10-a-day child care for families in Alberta

TL Bureau, Edmonton, Alberta

Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and all parents should have the ability to build both a family and career. Yet, too many families across Canada lack access to affordable, inclusive, and highquality child care. The COVID-19 pandemic has also made it clear that without access to child care, too many parents – especially women – cannot fully participate in the workforce.

That is why the Government of Canada has laid out a plan to provide Canadian parents with, on average, $10‑a‑day child care spaces for children under six years old.

This plan to build a Canada‑wide, community‑based early learning and child care system will make life more affordable for families, create new jobs, get parents – especially women – back into the workforce, and grow the middle class, while giving every child a real and fair chance at success.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney, today announced that both governments have reached an agreement that will support an average of $10‑a‑day care in the

province, significantly reducing the price of child care for families. The agreement includes creating 42,500 new regulated early learning and child care spaces by the end of March 2026. With federal funding of almost $3.8 billion over the next five years, Alberta will also see a 50 per cent reduction in average parent fees for children under the age of six in regulated child care by the end of 2022.

This agreement will fund critical services, and grow a strong and skilled workforce of early childhood educators, including through greater opportunities for professional development. The agreement will also support a child care system that is fully inclusive of children with disabilities and children needing enhanced or individual supports, and ensures all families have equitable access to high-quality, affordable child care. The agreement also includes a clear commitment to continue to work collaboratively with Indigenous organizations in Alberta to develop an approach that will support Indigenous children in the province in having access to culturally-appropriate, quality, and affordable child care.

5

SOUTH AFRICA

Auditors urged to act in the best interest of the public

TL Bureau, Cape Town

Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke has called on auditors and accounting professionals to monitor public finance in order to ensure that wasteful expenditure that does not benefit the public is highlighted.

“I believe we ought to build that data and we need to start by restoring trust in our country. We, therefore, need to act in the public interest and we need not abandon our golden goal of living up to that noble aspiration. We need to live up to the expectation that society has on us,” Maluleke said on Monday.

Addressing auditors and accounting professionals at the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) virtual conference, she said she strongly believes that the auditing and accounting professionals have to be key role players in ensuring the effective and efficient use of public funds.“We need to be central to the journey of building the capability of the State and need to ensure that public institutions systematically build strong systems that consistently build their ability to deliver on

Gauteng water shutdown, a result of planned maintenance work

TL Buteau, Cape Town

their mandate,” Maluleke said.

She said the world is looking at the auditing and accounting professionals to improve accounting mechanisms in government.

“In fact, to better enable accountability, Auditor General South Africa (AGSA) was granted the highest powers through the amendment of the Public Audit Act in 2019. Many people expect this to translate into stronger accountability for transgressions and misuse of public funds, and I think this is a reasonable expectation,” Maluleke said.

SAIGA’s virtual conference, which is currently underway in Centurion, north of Johannesburg, is taking place under the theme, ‘Citizens Come First’. It will conclude on 17 November.

SAHRC commences hearings into July unrest

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu says the threeday (54-hour) water shutdown in Gauteng is a result of planned maintenance work on the pipelines.

Mchunu assured Gauteng residents that during the shutdown, there will be water supply.

Last week, Rand Water announced that it had notified affected municipalities of the planned maintenance of B11 and B19 pipelines to allow them to execute their appropriate contingency plans during the maintenance period and ensure continued supply, though reduced.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday, Mchunu said the maintenance will affect a number of municipalities resulting in a low supply of water.

“The term ‘shutdown’ was not in the literal sense, but was rather a technical term used in the industry – and did not mean that there will be no water coming out of the taps,” Mchunu said.

In addition to the planned maintenance work by Rand Water, there are a number of other areas in the country which have been, and are currently experiencing water shortages in the form of intermittent supply or areas where projects are underway with little to no progress. “The eThekwini Metro water situation in Durban is fairly stable, except for some areas that are known to experience intermittent supply.

Supply interruptions in these

areas are mainly due to demand exceeding supply as is the case throughout the country.

“Overall, eThekwini Metro has a challenge of aging infrastructure.

This is resulting in frequent failures in some areas,” Mchunu said. Mchunu commended Umgeni and eThekwini Metro on their efforts in ensuring the maintenance of infrastructure and pledged support to them.

Mchunu also mentioned Ggeberha in the Eastern Cape as one of the provinces experiencing water problems.“We have been informed of the challenges in Gqeberha, as a result of the decreasing dam levels caused by an increase in demand. In order to address this, we need to realise the completion of the Nooitgedacht Water Scheme which we are attending to,” Mchunu said.

Mchunu said in order to avert ‘Day Zero’ and work towards water security in the area and

country as a whole, compliance to water restrictions needs to be emphasised and adhered to. In the meantime, the affected areas in the western side of the metro will be supported by tanks and tankers as there will be a reduced water supply of about 25% as and when needed.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that we deliver quality water and sanitation services to all the citizens of the country and this will require the concerted efforts of government, the private sector, civil organisations and citizens,” Mchunu said.

The Minister also called on citizens to use water sparingly.

“The water that we have now is less but that does not mean there is a water crisis,” Mchunu said.

Rand Water’s three-day shutdown came into effect this morning.

The water utility said it is doing maintenance on pipes supplying the Vereeniging purification plant.

and share market information and investment opportunities in support of intra-African trade and the economic integration of the continent.

President Ramaphosa said Africa can no longer have a situation where it exports raw materials, only to import finished goods made with those materials.

“We can longer have a situation where the resources of Africa provide employment and add value in other economies, while so many of our people live in poverty and conditions of underdevelopment.

“By promoting trade between African countries, we are strengthening the continent’s industrial base and ensuring that we produce goods for ourselves and each other,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the frailty of African economies and more importantly, it sent a powerful message to the continent about the dangers of over-reliance

on external sources to meet its growing demand for food, medicines and other essential supplies.

“It clearly demonstrated that Africa needs to produce its own food and medicines, to strengthen continental supply chains, and to invest in infrastructure and capacitate African institutions,” he said.To illustrate the extent of the challenge, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that Africa imports about 94% of its pharmaceutical and medicinal needs from outside the continent at an annual cost of US $16 billion.

Accelerating economic growth across Africa The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to accelerate economic growth across the continent and create opportunities for entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, as well as large corporations to flourish.

President Ramaphosa calls for promotion of trade between African countries

TL.bureau, Cape Town The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has this morning commenced the National Investigative Hearing into the July civil unrest.

At least 300 people were left dead with at least R25 billon in damages done to businesses and public infrastructure when the unrest rocked the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

“The unrest has indeed deepened unemployment, poverty and rampant socioeconomic inequality within South Africa. The unrest accordingly exacerbated, amongst other things, inequality between certain communities, unemployment levels, poverty, hunger and food insecurity.

“Also, of concern to the Commission, are reports that as many communities took

to the streets to protect their neighbourhoods and businesses, allegations surfaced of the excessive use of force, racial profiling, assaults, arson, and killings in some places,” the Commission said in a statement.

The hearings into the unrest will be held over the next three weeks.

The SAHRC said it will “inquire into, make findings, report on and make recommendations and/or directives” concerning: The causes of the July unrest, with particular focus on Gauteng Province and KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The causes of the alleged racially motivated attacks and killings following the unrest.

The causes of the apparent lapses in law enforcement by state security agencies, particularly the SAPS and the role of private security companies in the unrest.

TL Bureau, Cape Town

President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, received African Heads of State and Government at the Intra African Trade Fair 2021 in KwaZulu-Natal.

The promotion of trade between African countries is critical if the continent is to change the distorted trade relationship that exists between African countries and the rest of the world, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The President was speaking at the opening of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Durban, KwaZuluNatal, on Monday.

The week-long event hosted by the South African government, in conjunction with African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank), provides a platform for linking international buyers, sellers and investors, as well as allowing participants and visitors to profile

6

7

BUSINESS

Private Sector is Key to Jordan’s Economic Future: New IFC/World Bank Report

TL Bureau, Amman

By encouraging private investments and easing the constraints facing the business community, Jordan could reduce unemployment and break free from a half-decade of slow growth, says a new report from IFC and the World Bank.

The Jordan Country Private Sector Diagnostic suggests that bolstering private investments across the country – including in tourism, logistics, and information and communication technology – would support job creation, spur innovation, and help Jordan recover from the economic fallout of COVID-19. The report is part of a series of landmark studies from IFC and the World Bank.

“The release of this report coincides with the launch of the government’s Priorities Program 2021 – 2023, a fast track program to stimulate private sector development and create jobs for Jordanian youth.

The report is aligned with the government’s program in assessing the challenges hindering Jordan’s growth and offering a roadmap for reforms to unleash the potential of businesses, spur foreign investment, and highlight how the private sector can be a key engine of growth, propelling Jordan into the future,” said Nasser Shraideh, Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation.

The report lauded Jordan for its remarkable ability to spur private investments in infrastructure, especially in renewable energy. For the past five years, the equivalent of about 2 percent of GDP has gone into infrastructure-related publicprivate partnerships annually.

But the report found that several factors are holding back the growth of Jordan’s private sector at large. Those include expensive

electricity, unevenly enforced competition laws, high shipping costs, and sometimes vague foreign investment regulations.

“With a skilled labor force, historic sites, and a burgeoning renewable energy industry, Jordan has the building blocks of a vibrant economy,” said Hela Cheikhrouhou, IFC’s regional Vice President for the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. “But, as the report indicates, to realize its promise, the country needs to spur competition, strengthen the business environment, increase the predictability of regulations, strengthen the digital economy, and further liberalize the foreign investment regime. This would foster a private sector capable of creating jobs and competing on the international stage.”

The Jordan Private Sector Diagnostic makes specific recommendations, including: enforcing antitrust laws to stoke competition; limiting price controls, which distort the market for important services, like electricity; reducing red tape, making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and run a business;

expanding childcare services, which would allow more women to enter the workforce; systematically consulting the private sector on major policy changes expected to affect businesses; and simplifying the rules around foreign investment, which today discourage many firms from entering Jordan.

“Jordan has made real progress in improving its business climate,” said Abdullah Jefri, IFC’s Country Manager for the Levant region.

“But deeper reforms are needed to tackle long-standing issues and to bring about a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery from COVID-19.”

The report argues that Jordan, with a combination of ancient attractions and balmy temperatures, has the potential to become a major tourism destination. Its technology sector, which includes a mix of homegrown startups and technology giants, like Microsoft and Amazon, is also primed for growth. The same holds true for the logistics industry, where a surplus of techsavvy young people could help develop the connected transport and logistics systems of tomorrow.

“There’s no doubt that the tourism, logistics, and information

technology sectors are brimming with promise,” said Saroj Kumar Jha, Mashreq Regional Director, World Bank Group. “In the years to come, the key will be to create a level playing field in these industries. That would allow innovative, well-run companies to succeed, which, in turn, would help create jobs and drive the growth Jordan so acutely needs.”

The Jordan Country Private Sector Diagnostic was produced in consultation with businesses across Jordan, offering unique and rarely accounted perspectives of the private sector. It is a key part of IFC’s efforts to combat poverty and create economic opportunities in Jordan.

In the last financial year, IFC invested more than $200 million in Jordan’s private sector and provided a range of advisory services, helping to create jobs, support small businesses, improve healthcare, ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines, bolster power supplies, and level the economic playing field for women.

About IFC IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused

on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

About the Country Private Sector Diagnostic Launched in 2017 as a corporate priority, the World Bank Group Country Private Sector Diagnostics support the institution’s strategic focus on expanding private investment and leveraging private solutions to address development challenges in client countries.

The diagnostics assess critical constraints to private sector engagement and identify policy and regulatory reforms needed to unleash private sector growth.

They are jointly delivered by the World Bank and IFC. For more information, click here.

Modon Wins International Customer FC - Federal Council extends duration of FSO Experience Awards 2021 measure to protect Swiss stock exchange Residential

TL Bureau, Riyadh

Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) won the International Customer Experience Awards 2021 during the Customer Experience –Middle East 2021 Conference during November 15 and 16, which is annually held with the participation of several Saudi, Gulf and International institutions in Dubai, UAE to showcase the latest developments, business models and strategies that focus on customer service. Director of the marketing and corporate communication administration and the official spokesperson Qusai Al-Abdulkarim said that the international award,

established in the UK in 2008 and then became an annual ceremony worldwide, is one of the most important international awards in the customer service field through attracting several public and private institutions, such as banks and major communications companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the rest of the world. He added that Modon won the award for the category of semi-government institutions for the best practices in improving the customer experience, where it seeks to realize satisfaction of partners that is considered a main pillar for Modon’s strategy to empower the industry and contribute to increasing the local content.

infrastructure and initiates consultation

TL.Bureau, Bern

During its meeting on 17 November 2021, the Federal Council agreed to extend the measure to protect the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure, and to initiate the consultation

procedure on incorporating it into ordinary law. These steps were made necessary by the expiry of the protective measure at the end of the year, and because the European Union (EU) has not yet recognised the equivalence of Swiss stock exchange regulation.

ARE - Developments in Transport: Passenger transport will grow only half as fast as the population by 2050 TL.Bureau, Bern Transport use will continue to grow in the future. However, it will grow more slowly than the population due to social and economic trends such as the increase in working from home, continuing

urbanisation and population ageing. These are the findings described in the Transport Outlook 2050, a report by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). Get Outlook for iOS

property prices increase by 2.4% in 3rd quarter 2021 TL Bureau, Neuchâtel

The Swiss residential property price index (IMPI) rose in the 3rd quarter 2021 compared with the previous quarter by 2.4% and reached 107.8 points (4th quarter 2019 = 100). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, inflation was 6.9%. These are the results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

8

FEATURE

International Education Week and Open Doors Report

TL Bureau, Washington, D.C. Office of the Spokesperson From November 15-19, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education are celebrating International Education Week (IEW). This year is the 22nd annual celebration of IEW, a joint initiative by both agencies to highlight the benefits of international education and exchange. International education — both welcoming international students to the United States and encouraging more Americans to experience the world through study abroad — remains a cornerstone of the Department of State’s academic exchange and public diplomacy efforts.

During IEW, schools and universities across the United States and around the world will focus on the importance of international education in fostering security and economic growth and highlight the importance of ensuring that

more students and scholars have access to international educational experiences. The Departments of State and Education are strongly committed to international education as evidenced in the recent release of the Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education .

To kick off IEW, the Department of State, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, released the annual Open Doors Report, a seminal resource for the United States, U.S. partner governments overseas, and the global higher education community that sets the standard for data and trend analysis on student and scholar mobility. The report has been an important benchmark for international educational exchange to the United States for more than 70 years.

The United States remained open to international students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was once again the top destination for

international study in academic year 2020/21, welcoming 914,095 international students to U.S. colleges and universities. More than 710,000 international students enrolled at the undergraduate, graduate and non-degree levels from more than 200 places of origin. In addition, more than 200,000 international students pursued Optional Practical Training (OPT) experiences.

International education promotes mutual understanding among people from different nations and helps ensure that Americans from all walks of life better understand the world and are prepared to effectively engage with their neighbors.The United States wholeheartedly welcomes international students, researchers, scholars, and exchange alumni on U.S. campuses. As a leader in research and innovation, the United States provides opportunities to engage in cutting-edge scientific collaboration with American

peers. In turn, U.S. students, educators, and researchers benefit enormously from engaging with their international peers and from being exposed to their ideas, their perspectives, cultures, and languages. Together they have made significant contributions to the development of treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, and in many other STEM-related fields.

The Department of State’s global network of more than 430 EducationUSA international student advising centers operates in 175 countries and territories to promote U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States.

The Open Doors data also provides insight into the pandemic’s effect on American students’ participation in study abroad programs in 2019/20. Facing

restrictions on international travel, U.S. institutions demonstrated tremendous dedication and flexibility in supporting American students through virtual offerings and in-person study where safe to do so. These efforts ensured that American students remain globally engaged during this unprecedented time. As study abroad slowly returns, we must recommit ourselves to ensuring that study abroad becomes ever more accessible to, and reflective of, the rich diversity of the United States. Our commitment to Americans studying abroad is a commitment to our collective future. The Department of State is committed to supporting and diversifying American student mobility including through participation in U.S.-sponsored exchange programs, such as the Fulbright Program, the Critical Language Scholarship Program, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program.

Global leaders call for cervical cancer elimination on Day of Action

TL Bureau, Washington, D.C. Today the World Health Organization (WHO) joins advocates around the world to commemorate a landmark Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination and welcome groundbreaking new initiatives to end this devastating disease, which claims the lives of over 300,000 women each year.

As with COVID-19, access to lifesaving tools is constrained, with women and adolescent girls in the poorest countries deprived of clinical screening facilities, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and treatments which those in affluent places take for granted.

The disparity between deaths from cervical cancer in high-income compared with lowincome countries tells a stark story, similar to that we have seen during the pandemic, with 9 in 10 deaths from cervical cancer happening in low and middle-income countries.

Over the last decade, manufacturers have tilted supply toward wealthier locations.

In 2020, just 13% of girls aged 9-14 years globally were vaccinated against HPV the virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Around 80 countries – home to nearly two thirds of the global cervical cancer burden - are yet to introduce this lifesaving vaccine.

During this special day, WHO’s DirectorGeneral Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, together with celebrities, First Ladies, cancer survivors and health and community organizations, will help raise awareness and mobilize action - one year after WHO launched its landmark global initiative to

New HPV vaccine prequalification aims to rectify gross inequities in access to lifesaving tools New R&D recommendations for artificial intelligence-based screening technologies New investments and commitments by the French government’s L’Initiative facility, FIND, University of Miami, WHO eliminate cervical cancer.

WHO is also highlighting important new breakthroughs to prevent and treat the disease, including the prequalification of a fourth vaccine (Cecolin from a third manufacturer, Innovax) for HPV, which is expected to increase and diversify vital vaccination supply. “Cervical cancer causes immense suffering, but it’s almost completely preventable and, if diagnosed early enough, one of the most successfully treatable cancers,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We have the tools to make cervical cancer history, but only if we make those tools available to everyone who needs them.

Together with our partners in the WHO cervical cancer elimination initiative, that’s what we aim to do.” The risk of cervical cancer increases six-fold for women living with HIV, but many have not had access to vaccination or screenings.

Tackling cervical cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic Dr Tedros applauded countries that have adopted innovative ways to increase access to technologies and services that can stop cervical cancer during the

COVID-19 pandemic. In the past year, the HPV vaccine was introduced in seven countries - Cameroon, Cape Verde, El Salvador, Mauritania, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tuvalu – bringing the total to 115. Some countries trained healthcare workers with newer, portable devices to thermally ablate precancers.

Others expanded the use of self-sampling for cervical abnormalities – endorsed in recently published WHO guidelines -- to allow women to collect their own swab.

This option can reduce stigma for women, provides access to those living far from health facilities, and helps congested health centres maintain safe services while respecting COVID-19 safety measures. The self-collected sample can be run on the same laboratory platforms that countries have been investing in to support PCR testing for COVID-19.

But setbacks have occurred. Access to screening services has fallen for many women and in a recent survey, 43% of countries reported disruption to cancer treatment. Meanwhile HPV vaccination rates globally fell from 15% in 2019 to 13% in 2020, amidst health service disruptions

and school closures.

“There has been important progress towards cervical cancer elimination even over this unprecedented year,” said Dr Princess Nono Simelela, Special Advisor to the Director-General on Strategic Priorities, including Cervical Cancer Elimination.

“While we have seen major advances in new technologies and research, the critical next step is to ensure these are designed for and accessible in low- and middle-income countries, and that the health and rights of women and girls everywhere are prioritized in the recovery from COVID-19.” New technologies, investments and research to aid the fight against cervical cancer Adding to important milestones achieved over the course of the past year, today WHO is releasing new recommendations to guide research into artificial intelligence (AI)based screening technologies. This firstof-its-kind guidance supports developers to bring cervical cancer screening into the future, and ensure pre-cancers are detected as early as possible. The first designated “WHO Collaborating Centre for Cervical Cancer Elimination” was also announced at the University of Miami, which will be an important centre of research and technical assistance to help countries achieve targets for cervical cancer prevention and control.

The Day of Action will encompass a major global event and press availability, organized from WHO headquarters in Geneva. It will feature performances and remarks from cancer survivors and renowned artists such as Angelique Kidjo, as well as community efforts to promote vaccinations and screenings.

9

life and real estate

PREPARATIONS FOR THE 74TH ANNUAL NIRANKARI SANT SAMAGAM - CONFLUENCE OF FAITH, DEVOTION AND BLISS.

TL Bureau, Chandigarh

Nirankari Sant Samagam proves to be a glorious and a happy occasion for all the devotees, where the unique confluence of Humanity is seen.

Through Spiritual awareness, Sant Nirankari Mission is perpetually spreading the message of Truth, Love and Unity across the globe, with the devotees rising above caste, colour, religion, language, attire, food; embracing each other and adopting the Spirit of Love and Peaceful Co-existence.

This information was given by Smt. Raj Kumari Ji, Member Incharge Press and Publicity Department, Sant Nirankari Mandal.

74th Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam will be conducted virtually on 27th, 28th and 29th November, 2021,

showcasing various cultures and chromatic shades of sovereignty across the globe.

Keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic situation of Covid-19, all preparations of the Samagam are being carried out by adhering to the guidelines laid by the government, with a lot of alertness and vigilance.

Theme Faith, Devotion and Bliss will form the theme for

this year’s Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam and will be highlighted by the speakers, lyricists and poets participating from all over the world in their varied expressions.

“Faith, Devotion and bliss” is the unifying chord for being Spiritually Awakened wherein we can worship the Almighty while being One with Him.

Nirankaris across the globe are overwhelmed and excited with the news of the Samagam being held virtually though it was a practice gathers in person every Samagam; they welcomed this concept considering it to be the will of the Almighty. Webcast, Telecast The entire program will be webcast on the Mission’s website along with being telecast on Sadhna T.V channel.

This is going to be the first time in the history of the Mission that

the event will be telecasted live.

On all three consecutive days of the Samagam, the Head of the Mission Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj will bless the Humankind with Her discourses.

Vigorous and sincere efforts are being made by the Mission to adorn this Virtual Samagam with the hue of reality being blessed and guided

by Her Holiness Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj.

History of Nirankari Samagams Mission’s first Nirankari Sant Samagam was held in the year 1948 in the benign presence of Baba Avtar Singh Ji. The Sant Nirankari Mission was started

by Baba Buta Singh Ji and the legacy was carried forward by Baba Avtar Singh Ji. Yugpravartak Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, attributed the Samagam with a systematic

approach and filled it with great enthusiasm. Yugdrishta Baba Hardev Singh Ji, while giving the Samagam an international recognition initiated concepts of ‘Universal brotherhood ‘ and ‘World without walls’ based on Oneness of God thus, making Humankind rise above the differences of caste, creed, religion and country; putting Unity in Diversity into action.

Mata Sawinder Hardev Ji, the epitome of love, kindness and motherhood, created a new era, fulfilled all her duties and was considered as Yugnirmata.

Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj, the present head of the Sant Nirankari Mission is elevating the Samagam to new heights guided by the spirit of communal harmony and mutual co-existence while inculcating new approach and concentration.

“It is clear that tobacco control is effective, and we have a moral obligation to our people to move aggressively in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” says Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO Department of Health Promotion. “We are seeing great progress in many countries, which is the result of implementing tobacco control measures that are in line with the WHO FCTC, but this success is fragile. We still need to push ahead.”

A new WHO Global Investment Case for Tobacco Cessation, highlights that investing US$ 1.68 per capita each year in evidencebased cessation interventions such as brief advice, national toll-free quit lines, and SMS-based cessation support, could help 152 million tobacco users successfully quit by 2030, saving millions of lives and contributing to countries’ long-term economic growth.

To facilitate this process, WHO has established a tobacco cessation consortium, which will bring together partners to support countries in scaling up tobacco cessation.

The report and the investment case are released right after of the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP9) and during the second session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP2) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

Delegates meet to counter the ambitions of the tobacco industry to keep millions hooked on its products, as recent evidence also show that the tobacco industry used

the COVID-19 pandemic to build influence with governments in 80 countries.

Key findings of the WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2025: In 2020, 22.3% of the global population used tobacco, 36.7% of all men and 7.8% of the world’s women.

Target: Currently, 60 countries are on track to achieve the tobacco use reduction target by 2025. Since the last report two years ago, two other regions – the African and South-East Asian regions - have now joined the Americas region ontrack to achieve a 30% reduction.

Children: Approximately 38 million children (aged 13-15) currently use tobacco (13 million girls and 25 million boys). In most countries it is illegal for minors to purchase tobacco products. The goal is to achieve zero child tobacco users.

Women: The number of women using tobacco in 2020 was 231 million. The age group with the highest prevalence rate among women for tobacco use is 55-64.

Regional trends: Trends in the Americas: Of all WHO regions, the steepest decline in prevalence rates over time is seen in the Americas Region. The average rate of tobacco use has gone from 21% in 2010 down to 16% in 2020.

WHO’s African Region trend: this region has the lowest average rate of tobacco use at 10% in 2020, down from 15% in 2010.

WHO’s European Region trend: in Europe 18% of women still use tobacco – substantially more

than in any other region. Women in Europe are the slowest in the world to cut tobacco use. All other WHO regions are on track to reduce tobacco use rates among women by at least 30% by 2025.

WHO’s Eastern-Mediterranean Region trend: Pakistan is the only country in this region that’s on track to reach the tobacco reduction target. Four of the six countries in the world where tobacco use is increasing are in this region.

2020, which together asked 97% of the world’s population about their tobacco use. Article 20 of the WHO FCTC underlines the importance of running surveys to obtain evidence of the tobacco epidemic, and now 190 countries have run at least one national survey - up from 140 in 2004 when the treaty was not yet in force. WHO and partners have made a large contribution to filling the data gaps in low- and middleincome countries via the Global Tobacco Surveillance System surveys, the STEPS survey and the World Health Survey.

Highlights from the Global Investment Case for Tobacco Cessation To meet global targets in reducing tobacco use, cessation services need to be scaled up, along with strengthening tobacco control measures. Offering cessation services can accelerate the downward trend in tobacco use prevalence, saving more lives and protecting the health of more people.

Population-level cessation interventions include brief advice, national toll-free quit lines, and mCessation (support through mobile phone text messaging).

These interventions cost very little yet deliver significant returns on investment within 10 years.

Pharmacologic interventions including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), Bupropion, and Varenicline are more expensive but are proving effective.

Data from 124 low- and middleincome countries are used to generate the analysis.

Tobacco use falling: WHO urges countries to invest in helping more people to quit tobacco

TL Bureau, Geneva

The fourth WHO global tobacco trends report released today, shows that there are 1.30 billion tobacco users globally compared to 1.32 billion in 2015. This number is expected to drop to 1.27 billion by 2025.

Sixty countries are now on track to achieving the voluntary global target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use between 2010 and 2025: two years ago only 32 countries were on track.

Millions of lives have been saved by effective and comprehensive tobacco control policies under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and MPOWER – a great achievement in the fight against the tobacco epidemic “It is very encouraging to see fewer people using tobacco each year, and more countries on track to meet global targets,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We still have a long way to go, and tobacco companies will continue to use every trick in the book to defend the gigantic profits they make from peddling their deadly wares. We encourage all countries to make better use of the many effective tools available for helping people to quit, and saving lives.”

The report also urges countries to accelerate implementation of the measures outlined in the WHO FCTC in an effort to further reduce the number of people at risk of becoming ill and dying from a tobacco-related disease.

WHO’s South East Asian Region trend: The region currently has the highest rates of tobacco use, with around 432 million users, or 29% of its population. But this is also the region where tobacco use is declining fastest. The region is likely to reach tobacco use rates similar to the European Region and the Western Pacific Region by 2025.

WHO’s Western Pacific Region trend: This is projected to become the region with the highest tobacco use rate among men, with more than 45% of men still using tobacco in 2025.

Policy action: One in three countries are likely to achieve the 30% reduction target, and low-income countries are currently achieving the most progress against tobacco.

Upper middle-income countries are, on average, making the slowest progress in reducing tobacco use.

In some 29 countries, data quality is low or insufficient to know the trend, so more monitoring is needed.

The data behind these estimates are from 1728 national surveys run by countries between 1990 and

10

SPORTS

ORIGIN AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS FIND THEIR SPARKLE WITH MY LITTLE PONY

TL Bureau, Fitzroy

The Origin Australian Diamonds are delighted to announce they have partnered with My Little Pony to celebrate kids finding their sparkle.

Since launching almost 40 years’ ago, My Little Pony has become a significant part of pop culture, transcending both age and gender, and is beloved by fans worldwide.

Partnering with My Little Pony aims to encourage kids to celebrate being proud of their individuality and the value of coming together as a team.

The partnership’s key message will be led by the inspirational ‘Find Your Sparkle’ campaign which empowers young children to find their special uniqueness and champion teamwork.

To help ‘Find Your Sparkle’ oncourt, My Little Pony and the Origin Australian Diamonds have teamed up to create a series of virtual content with campaign

ambassador and Origin Diamonds goal attack, Gretel Bueta.

Bueta said she was delighted at the opportunity to work with My Little Pony and saw the partnership as a positive influence for existing netball players, as well as those new to the sport.

“If you’re young with energy to burn, netball is the perfect game to participate in,” Bueta said.

“As well as providing important physical and social benefits, netball gives kids a chance to be part of a team, work together, push themselves and each other.

By training together, winning together, and losing together, children learn teamwork and a sense of belonging.”

The range of virtual content to come from this partnership is suitable for all Diamonds-in-the-making and features a virtual training session comprised of six drills, a video of Gretel Bueta sharing how she finds her sparkle on and off the court, and a playful Q&A with

Bueta run by young fans.

There will also be an exclusive online session with Bueta for NetSetGO participants. Details will be sent to participants in the coming days.

Jessica Murphy, SVP Entertainment Brand Marketing and AMPAC Entertainment One, welcomed the new relationship between My Little Pony and the Origin Australian Diamonds.

“My Little Pony embraces the uniqueness of the individual and encouraging kids to explore their passions and reach their full potential,” Murphy said.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Origin Australian Diamonds on our family-first campaign, energising kids everywhere to ‘Find Your Sparkle’ with the Diamonds.”

Diamonds fans will be able to actively engage with this new partnership on the Origin Australian Diamonds’ website on the new Fan Zone page, and social media channels.

11th Annual ‘NFL Honors’ to be Broadcast on ABC from YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 10

Awards Show Saluting Top NFL Players and Performances from the 2021 Season Will Be Simulcast on ESPN+ & NFL Network TL Bureau, California The 11th Annual NFL HONORS – the primetime awards special that recognizes the NFL’s best players, performances and plays from the 2021 season – will air LIVE Thursday, February 10 at 9:00 PM ET on ABC from YouTube Theater at the SoFi Entertainment District in Los Angeles, it was announced today.

In addition to airing on ABC, the two-hour award show will be simulcast on ESPN+ and NFL Network.

“Every year, NFL Honors

celebrates the NFL’s brightest stars and greatest moments, bringing the sports and entertainment worlds together for a special night,” said Mark Quenzel, Senior Vice President, Head of Content for NFL Media.

“We are thrilled to work with a new partner in ABC, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company to bring this annual event and the star power associated with it to even greater and higher levels than ever before.”

NFL Honors debuted in 2012 and features the announcement of such awards as THE

ASSOCIATED PRESS’ annual accolades, the prestigious WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR PRESENTED

BY NATIONWIDE and the newest PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME class the week leading up to the Super Bowl. On Thursday, February 10, NFL Honors Red Carpet Show presented by Invisalign airs at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network leading up to NFL Honors.

Further details regarding this year’s NFL Honors, such as host and award presenters, will be announced at a later date.

FIBA boosts basketball’s presence in Canada by signing deal with market leader Sportsnet

TL bureau, MIES (Switzerland) The world basketball governing body FIBA has expanded its media presence in North America with the announcement of a longterm broadcast rights agreement with the multiplatform Canadian network, Sportsnet. Through this new partnership, Sportsnet becomes the exclusive broadcast rights holder for FIBA’s major events through to 2025.

Canada has a passionate basketball fan base that is rapidly growing. The national teams for both women and men played at the previous FIBA Basketball World Cups in 2018 and 2019, and Canada won the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2017. Both the men’s and women’s Canadian national teams will be on court a lot over the next four years with main events like both FIBA Basketball World Cups, the FIBA AmeriCups and their respective qualifiers. Sportsnet is looking to help build a legacy for basketball in the country by becoming FIBA’s exclusive rights holder in Canada. Basketball is already part of Sportsnet’s programming as they are the NBA’s broadcast partner. The company is also the official Canadian NHL ice hockey national multimedia rights holder, and it is the Canadian leader in Major League Baseball television

broadcasts.“This is great news for basketball fans in Canada,” FIBA Media and Marketing Services Director General, Frank Leenders said. “The passion for the sport in this part of the world is evident and this partnership with Sportsnet allows for the creation of new synergies and increased levels of commitment which will provide fans with unprecedented coverage and access to FIBA competitions in the years to come.”

“As the home of extensive basketball coverage in Canada, Sportsnet is proud to partner with FIBA to bring Canadians front-row access to the country’s brightest stars on the world stage,” said Bart Yabsley, Sportsnet President. “Complementing our network’s NBA, WNBA and Canada Basketball content, today’s partnership with FIBA reinforces our ongoing commitment to building a basketball legacy for players and fans alike in Canada. We look forward to collaborating with FIBA to make these international games available as part of Sportsnet’s industry-leading portfolio of the basketball games that fans want.”

One of the first chances for fans to watch national team basketball on Sportsnet will be in late November when the men’s team competes in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.

YOG Education Programme accessible to youth sports event organisers with a single click

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made the educational content offered to young athletes during the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) available to the Olympic Movement.

TL Bureau, Beijing The “YOG Education Programme @ Youth Sporting Events” can now be freely accessed from the IOC website by International Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and organisers of sports events and championships. The toolkit is free and easy to download for these organisers, who can make use of the whole programme during sports events. The content has been designed specifically for elite young athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 who are eager to

learn how to become champions on the field of play and in life.

According to the Olympic Charter, “Olympism is a philosophy of life (…) blending sport with culture and education.” More than a century after the Charter was first published, education remains one of the fundamental pillars of Olympism and the YOG. Since the YOG Singapore 2010, nearly 10,000 young athletes, plus local young people during the various Games editions, have had access to educational programmes delivered in parallel with the sports competitions.

“With this programme, all sports event organisers can now offer their young athletes a fun, educational and engaging programme that covers the most important topics for this age group: athlete safeguarding, improving performance, and assistance outside sport and with career transition,” said Christophe Dubi, the IOC Olympic Games Executive Director. “This is precisely what makes the Youth Olympic Games so successful.

The content is now accessible digitally and is easy to use on site.” A programme to coach,

support and safeguard athletes The content of the YOG Education Programme @ Youth Sporting Events has been put together under the leadership of the IOC. It contains three areas of focus: athlete protection, performance, and assisting athletes outside sport.

The activities are self-explanatory and just need to be downloaded onto a computer or tablet by event organisers. The content is varied and can be tailored to all situations and formats. Athletes can watch videos, download apps with immersive scenarios, take quizzes, play computer games,

access online learning platforms, learn about exercises to prevent injuries and even explore various opportunities for a smooth transition from competitive sport into the workplace.

The first section includes content created and produced by the IOC, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA). The “Play True” quiz teaches young athletes how to protect themselves. The Athlete365 videos raise awareness about the importance of athletes taking care of their mental health to be at their very best in sport.

11

tech/auto

Non-proliferation of nuclear NATO tests counter-drone technology weapons: Council stresses the need to fully implement and universalise the NPT treaty TL Bureau, Brussels

TL Bureau, Brussels The Council today approved conclusions welcoming the upcoming tenth review conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), that will take place in New York on 4 - 28 January 2022.

The conclusions reaffirm the EU’s unequivocal support for the NPT as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament, and an important element in the development of nuclear energy

applications for peaceful purposes.

The conclusions also stress the importance of universalising the NPT, and call on all states that have not yet done so to join the treaty as non-nuclear-weapon states and, pending their accession, to adhere to its terms.

The Council strongly supports all three pillars of the NPT and will continue to promote comprehensive, balanced and substantive full implementation of the 2010 Review Conference Action Plan. The Council underlines the importance of securing a positive and substantive outcomefrom the Tenth NPT Review Conference.

USANA honored with three prestigious awards

Product Innovation, Vision for Tomorrow, and PR Professional of the Year highlight USANA’s recent achievements

TL Bureau, Salt Lake City

Courtesy: PRNewswire & USANA USANA, a leader in cellular nutrition, is proud to announce three major awards won this past month. During the 2021 Direct Selling Association (DSA) Engage Conference, USANA received the Product Innovation award for its Mood and Relaxation Products, and the Vision for Tomorrow award for its charity, USANA Kids Eat. Lastly, USANA’s Director of Communications Sarah Searle was named as one of the PR Professionals of the Year by industry publication, PRNews.

To discover USANA’s entire line of award-winning nutritional and skincare products, visit USANA. com. “I am so proud of USANA and all of our accomplishments this past year and a half,” says Kevin Guest, USANA’s chairman and CEO. “As a proud company member of the Direct Selling Association, receiving not one, but two prestigious awards from them is remarkable. Recent times have not been easy, but everyone at USANA has put in so much hard work. We have been lucky enough to be able to give so much back to the community. I feel these awards are very much deserved.”

USANA’s Mood & Relaxation line includes four amazing products: Stress Relief, Mineral Calm, and Pure Rest to support your mental and emotional well-being while Calm Response keeps you feeling grounded. * USANA Kids Eat is a local, Salt Lake City-based program with

a mission to eliminate hunger in Utah schools by providing backpacks filled with nonperishable, easily prepared food to ensure kids have enough to eat outside of school hours.

The DSA Awards, given annually by the Direct Selling Association, highlights a new product or service introduced to the marketplace in the previous year that sets a high standard of excellence and innovation.

“We are ecstatic to see USANA win at the DSA awards, but are just as excited for one of our own to be named a PR Professional of the Year,” says Dan Macuga, USANA’s chief communications and marketing officer. “Early last year, Sarah Searle took on the huge task of running USANA’s PR department while also being in charge of USANA’s communications team. Even though she was new to PR, Sarah has done an incredible job to take the team in a new, positive direction, helping the company in unmeasurable ways. Sarah is one of the hardest-working, most supportive directors I’ve had the pleasure to work with.

Congratulations, Sarah!”

For over two decades, the Platinum PR Awards have been hailed as the most coveted and competitive award in the communications space. The winners of this worldrenowned recognition represent the best of the best—those who have reached the pinnacle of both innovation and industry knowledge.

Since 1992, USANA has won more than 750 local, national, and international awards.

The misuse of small, widely available dronesrepresents a significant and growing risk to NATO operations and day-to-day defence activity.NATO is working with industry to develop capabilities to counter this threat. A trial of various counter-drone technologies and systems was undertaken at an airbase in the Netherlands.

The exercise, C-UAS TIE 21 (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technical

Interoperability Exercise) brought together specialists from across the civilian, military, scientific and

industry world in order to test emerging technologies and integrate systems that will counter small drones.

Sport1 led the 10-car rally – consisting of five Veyrons, one Veyron Vitesse, two Chirons2 and one Chiron Sport3 - where attendees had the opportunity to explore some of California’s most quintessential roads.

Customers also enjoyed lavish culinary and wine tasting experiences, live music and rejuvenating beachside yoga. To conclude the trip, Bugatti surprised attendees with the newest model – the Chiron Super Sport4.

“We look forward to this event

every year,” said Cedric Davy, Chief Operating Officer of Bugatti of the Americas. “The camaraderie developed during these trips is incredible. These rallies are also a fantastic way to demonstrate the grand touring spirit, craftsmanship and reliability of our vehicles, which was evident by the range of cars that attended – one of which was 15 years old. By the end of the event, customers had made new friends and left wanting more, We look forward to planning another Bugatti Grand Tour next year.”

BUGATTI EXPLORES COASTAL CALIFORNIA DURING US GRAND TOUR

TL Bureau, Molsheim

French marque hosts drive event in North America’s largest market to showcase additional benefits of Bugatti ownership.

Bugatti Explores Coastal California During US Grand Tour Bugatti ownership comes with much more than a 16-cylinder hyper-car. The iconic French brand hosts events around the world that bring customers together to share in their mutual appreciation for automotive excellence. This year’s US Grand Tour included Bugatti owners from all over North America for a 600-mile drive along the California coast, which commenced last week in Los Angeles. After an inaugural dinner at Wolfgang Puck in Beverly Hills, the group embarked the following morning for Santa Barbara wine country. As they made their way north to Big Sur the Chiron Pur

CTA Welcomes J. David Grossman as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

TL Bureau, Arlington

Today, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced that J. David Grossman, former executive director of the GPS Innovation Alliance, will join the organization as vice president of regulatory affairs.

Grossman will provide expertise on tech policy priorities such as consumer privacy, broadband and online competition. Grossman returns to CTA, where he previously worked as a government affairs manager on advocacy efforts affecting the consumer technology industry.

“We are thrilled to welcome David back to CTA, the place where he began his impressive career over a decade ago,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “David is joining CTA during an exciting time: the rollout of 5G is propelling the growth of self-driving vehicles, smart cities and other game-changing technology. David’s insights

and experience will allow him to work with the FCC and other government agencies to keep America as the world’s innovation leader.”

As Executive Director for the GPS Innovation Alliance, Grossman led the operation, strategy and advocacy for a global trade association of GPS companies, focusing on spectrum policy and infrastructure modernization before Congress, FCC, NTIA and other federal agencies.

Previously, Grossman served as chief of staff to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, and legislative director and senior advisor for technology policy to Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA). He also served as technology counsel to the House Small Business Committee.

He received his bachelor’s in political communication from The George Washington University and his master’s in public policy from George Mason University.

12 Ministry of Health Reports 37 New COVID-19 Cases, 44 Recoveries in Saudi Arabia TL.Bureau, Riyadh

The Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the registration of 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 44 recoveries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the past 24 hours.

The ministry added that the number of critical cases reached 50.

The statistics showed that the total number of infections in the country reached 549,297 while the recovery tally reached 538,373.

The MoH reported two new deaths, bringing fatalities tally in the Kingdom to 8,818.

The Ministry of Health advised everyone to contact the toll free (937) for consultations and inquiries around the clock, and to obtain health information and services.

Statement by the Prime Minister on Louis Riel Day

TL Bureau, Ontario

Ottawa,

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Louis Riel Day: “Today, we join the Métis Nation and all Canadians in commemorating the legacy of Métis leader and founder of Manitoba, Louis Riel.

“A politician, an impassioned activist, and a visionary, Louis Riel advocated and fought for equality, social justice, and minority language rights.

Although he was elected to represent Manitobans in Ottawa, he was never permitted to take his duly elected seat in Parliament.

In spite of this injustice, his contributions to defending the

rights and culture of the Métis Nation and Francophones have left a lasting impact on Confederation and paved the way for a more inclusive country.

“As we celebrate Louis Riel’s life, we also acknowledge the injustices and systemic racism the Métis people – and all Indigenous peoples – have faced for centuries, and continue to face today.

We know that it is only by working together that we will make real progress in righting these wrongs.

“The Government of Canada continues to work with Indigenous peoples to build a renewed relationship based on affirmation of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. We are working

Additional 10 million euros of EU funds for dredging Klaipėda Seaport

TL Bureau, Vilnius

In order to increase the capacity of Klaipėda Seaport and the security of maritime transport, the Ministry of Transport and Communications intends to allocate an additional 10 million euros from the investments of the European Union (EU) fund for dredging the Port’s external and internal navigation channel.

Once the project is implemented, the depth of the external channel of Klaipėda Seaport will be 16 m (currently 15.5 m), while the depth of the internal navigation channel will be 15.5 m.

“In the context of the current geopolitical challenges, it is extremely important to increase the competitiveness of Klaipėda Seaport and continue its expansion.

Our main priorities in the Port: dredging the Port’s navigation channel, expanding its territory in the southern part, developing a smart and environmentally friendly seaport. The dredging project of the Port’s channel is focused on the future, and in order to increase the Port’s competitiveness, we must be ready to receive vessels of the highest tonnage in Klaipėda,”

Structure item Klaipeda.Cruises says Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis.

The larger part of the Port’s channel will soon reach the depth of 15 m.

Afterwards, dredging up to 15.5 m will begin.

Dredging the navigation channel up to 15.5–16 m is essential in order to increase the capacities of Klaipėda Seaport and enhance the security of maritime transport for larger vessels, as well as to increase the efficiency of the transport chain.

Once the depth of the navigation channel increases, the Port will be able to receive more fully loaded vessels, which will reduce cargo transportation time and air pollution.

According to the Minister, the

changing global tendencies establish that maritime business efficiency is ensured by building and operating larger vessels. Currently, if there are unfavourable weather conditions or higher waves, to ensure safety, acceptance to the Port is restricted, especially for larger vessels. Our aim is to make Klaipėda Seaport ready to receive vessels of the highest tonnage.

The total value of this project is 46.8 million euros. Financing from the EU structural funds constitutes around 28 million euros, while the rest of the funds are provided by the Seaport Authority. The maritime channel dredging works should be completed in the spring of 2023.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, academic Baccalaureate holders were much faster to transition to a higher education institution in

2020. This led to a record number of new students in the universities and institutes of technology.

Transitions after a federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate saw hardly any change. In vocational

education and training (VET), the coronavirus crisis has only had a slight impact to date. These are findings from two new publications from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Get Outlook for iOS.

Tax treaty between Norway and Belgium TL Bureau, Oslo

The Convention between the Kingdom of Norway and the Kingdom of Belgium for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and for the prevention of fiscal evasion was signed on 23 April 2014 and entered into force on 26 April 2018.

The text of the convention in included in Prop. 100 S (2013-2014).

The has later been amended by Protocol signed 08.09.2021.

The text of the amending protocol is included in Prop.

240 S (2020-2021). The amending protocol is not yet in effect.

Telephone conversation with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

TL Bureau, Moscow

FSO - Wide variation in pandemic’s impact on postcompulsory education and training pathways

TL bureau, Neuchâtel

with the Métis Nation to amplify its voices, address its unique needs and concerns, and advance its inherent right to self-determination and self-government. Louis Riel’s vision will keep inspiring us as we continue to walk the shared path of reconciliation and to strengthen the CanadaMétis Nation relationship for the benefit of our country and all Canadians.

“On this day, I invite everyone to honour Louis Riel’s enduring influence, and to celebrate and learn about the Michif language as well as the culture, traditions, and way of life of the Métis.

Let us recognize the essential role they have played, and continue to play, in building a better Canada.”

world

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

November 15, 2021 12:40 Topical issues of Russian-Egyptian cooperation were discussed. The two leaders praised the level of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between their countries, which are being developed in various spheres. A special focus was placed on trade and economic ties, above all the implementation of large joint projects such as the construction of the first nuclear power plant in

Egypt based on Russia’s model and the creation of a Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal.

Mr Sisi expressed his gratitude for the effective joint work in the context of ensuring aviation security at Egyptian airports, which enabled all regular flights between Russia and Egypt to be restored as of August 2021.

The two leaders noted the importance of further coordination of their steps on the international arena, including the settlement of various crises in the Middle East and Africa.

The presidents agreed to maintain personal contacts.

Nordic countries showing the way globally ahead of decisive climate negotiations TL bureau, Stockholm

“I hope in Glasgow, we can help bridge the gap in the level of ambition – so that the world’s countries get closer to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree target. When we Nordic countries work together, we have greater opportunities to influence the decision,” says Minister for Environment and Climate Per Bolund.

The traditional autumn meeting of the Nordic environment and climate ministers is being held within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers. In addition to the climate negotiations, the ministers will discuss how – at the forthcoming meeting of the UN Environment Assembly – they can work for an ambitious

The Nordic environment and climate ministers met on 3 November in Copenhagen to discuss how they can work together to push for an ambitious outcome from the ongoing UN COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

Issues concerning a global agreement on plastics and the plans for the Stockholm+50 conference are also on the agenda.

global agreement to prevent and reduce emissions of plastic waste and microplastics.