Vol. 02 Issue 13 May 01, 2021
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COVID-19 situation in India worsening r As
TL Bureau, Worldwide
The frightening scenes from India have stunned the world, as the nation battles with taking off instances of Covid. In any case, the flare-up isn’t only an emergency for India - it’s an emergency for everybody around the world. “The infection doesn’t regard lines, or ethnicities, or age, or sex or religion,” says Dr Soumya Swaminathan, the World Health Organization’s central researcher. “Also, what’s working out in India presently lamentably has been worked out in different nations.” Citizens and others residing in india not even getting basic medical supplies for Covid-19 patients. People dying on road. No place for burning bodies of affected. Fake Jabs getting their place in markets with black marketeers. 18 plus registered for jabs but no vaccinations in some states as some postponed the starting process. The pandemic has uncovered exactly how interconnected the world is. What’s more, in the event that a nation has undeniable degrees of contamination, it’s probably going to spread to different nations. Although more than 40 nations are sending necessary medical supplies and oxygen cylinders to India as a part of their support.
Photo Courtesy: USA Today & financial express But still population of around one thirty six crore need more and immediate action to handle this mass population. Indeed, even with movement limitations, different tests and isolate, contaminations can in any case spill out; and if a voyager has come from where the infection is common, they have a higher possibility of taking the infection with them. On a new departure from New Delhi to Hong Kong around 50 travelers tried positive for Covid-19.
Magnitude-6.6 Earthquake Hits Japan, No Tsunami Threat
TL Bureau, Tokyo
A magnitude-6.6 earthquake rattled north-eastern Japan on Saturday, dpa quoted the country’s authorities as saying. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. The Meteorological Agency did not issue a tsunami warning. The quake occurred at 10:27 am (0127 GMT) with an epicentre off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at a depth of 60 kilometres, the agency said.
The United States will limit travel from India beginning from May 4, the White House said on Friday, refering to an overwhelming ascent in COVID-19 cases in the country and the development of possibly risky variations of the Covid. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden’s organization made the assurance on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Australian residents getting back from India could look as
long as five years in prison and fines after the public authority made the excursion incidentally unlawful. The wellbeing service said the decision had been made “in view of the extent of individuals in isolate who have gained a Covid-19 contamination in India”. Recently, Australia restricted all departures from India. There are an expected 9,000 Australians in India, 600 of whom are classed as helpless. This will be the first run through
almost all countries banned flights and travel from India... r Some even may face serious consequences if travelled r No vaccines for Indians to get within country r More than 9000 Australian stranded in India... and no hope for return Australians have been condemned for getting back to their country, Australian media report. One specialist revealed to ABC that the public authority’s move was lopsided to the danger presented by those getting back from India. “Our families are straightforwardly biting the dust in India abroad... to have positively no chance to get of getting them out - this is deserting,” GP and wellbeing reporter Dr Vyom Sharmer said.
More than 45 killed during stampede in Israel TL Bureau, Tel Aviv/ Washington
At any rate 45 admirers were killed Friday and many were harmed when a charge ejected during a Ultra-Orthodox Jewish festival in northern Israel, specialists said. Crisis clinical benefit Magen David Adom said before that right around 40 individuals were harmed basically on Mount Meron, where the charge happened. Various clinical helicopters and ambulances were sent in to ship the dead and many harmed. The Jerusalem Post revealed that the times of the casualties went from 21 to 52. “[We are] battling for the existences of handfuls injured, and won’t surrender until
the last casualty is emptied,” Magen David Adom tweeted. The Post, Haaretz and The Times of Israel revealed that the loss of life surpasses 40 individuals. Among the dead was Rabbi Eliezer Goldberg. Crisis staff were sent after the charge to empty patients from the mountain in Galilee, where several thousands had congregated for the UltraOrthodox Jewish Lag B’Omer occasion. MDA initially said that an imploded seat at the site caused the mishap and said it happened around 12 PM Thursday. Executive Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site Friday and considered the charge a “substantial catastrophe.” “We are largely appealing to God for the recuperation of
the harmed,” he said. “I request to fortify the salvage powers working around there.” “The United States remains with individuals of Israel, and with Jewish people group the world over, in grieving the awful misfortune at Mount Meron,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a proclamation Friday. “I talked with Prime Minister Netanyahu today to give my significant sympathies for the benefit of the American individuals to our companions in Israel. “The death toll among admirers rehearsing their confidence is tragic. I have taught my group to bring to the table our help to the public authority and individuals of Israel as they react to the debacle and care for the injured.
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he second influx of the pandemic has hit India with a staggering effect. With more than 300,000 new cases and 3,000 passings the nation over every day, the all out number of passings has quite recently passed the 200,000 imprint - that is around 1 out of 16 of all COVID passings across the world. It is likewise obvious that the India measurements are huge belittles. The harmfulness of the second wave in India is by all accounts identified with a juncture of variables: government smugness, driven by helpless information assortment and being willfully ignorant about the truth of the information; another variation with a hockey stick-molded development bend; and some huge and unregulated strict and political occasions. Unmistakably there is currently a philanthropic emergency of critical extents. India is a nation of 1.4 billion individuals and makes up a 6th of the total populace. Here are a few manners by which it is likewise going to influence the world economy:
A lost year for India
India is the fifth-biggest economy on the planet and contributes altogether to world financial development. With generally high development paces (of somewhere in the range of 4% and 8%) and its huge size, it has a huge effect on the world economy. Indeed, even in mid 2020, preceding the pandemic grabbed hold, the International Monetary Fund had refered to India’s impassive yield as the primary justification drowsy world development figures in 2018 and 2019. The IMF downsized its 2020 gauge to 5.8% part of the way since it hoped for something else of the equivalent from the subcontinent. Presently it looks as though world development for 2020 was somewhere near around 4%, with India down 10%. Everybody has been expecting an extraordinary bounce back in 2021 from the two India and the world, however that currently looks genuinely far fetched. For example, Sonal Varma, India boss market analyst at the speculation bunch Nomura,
India’s COVID crisis could effect world economy badly
predicts that India’s GDP will contract around 1.5% in the current quarter. Combined with critical pandemic-related issues in Brazil and South Africa, we may anticipate that the impact on world growth should be extensive - even prior to considering any thump on impacts.
Global limitations
As far as thump on impacts, the size of the emergency in India is probably going to imply that global limitations stay set up for more than trusted. In the expressions of Soumya Swaminathan, boss researcher of the World Health Organization: “The infection doesn’t regard lines, or ethnicities, or age, or sex or religion.” As others have asked logically, can a nation of this size be confined? On a new departure from New Delhi to Hong Kong, for example, 52 travelers tried positive for COVID-19. We additionally realize that the Indian variation is now in the United Kingdom (while a portion of India’s subsequent wave, outstandingly in the Punjab, has been brought about by the U.K. variation). Keeping this spread from India requires exacting isolates and travel limitations. This is terrible information for carriers, air terminals and the organizations that rely upon them, so this also will have an enormous hosing impact on worldwide financial development.
Pharma issues
The drug business in India is the third biggest on the planet as far as volume and eleventh biggest as far as worth. It contributes 3.5% of the all out medications and meds sent out all around the world and about 20% of the worldwide fares of conventional medications. In the event that these fares are in question, there will be a wide range of ramifications for medical services all throughout
the planet, which will again take care of through to worldwide development. Most importantly, in the current circumstance, India produces 70% of the world’s immunizations. Serum Institute of India has been given the rights to deliver the AstraZeneca antibody for 64 low-pay nations in the WHO’s COVAX progam, just as 5 million portions bound for the U.K. The emergency in India has effectively implied that these fares of the immunization have been deferred or canceled, leaving numerous nations defenseless against new floods of the infection and likely postponing their endeavors to get back to the same old thing. On the off chance that India can’t give antibody supplies to the remainder of the world, we can expect overflow impacts as repetitive lockdowns, expanded requirement for social-separating measures and a huge abatement in financial action.
Administrations delivered
not
India gives administrative center staff to numerous exercises in western Europe and the United States, particularly in the
editorial
wellbeing and monetary areas. With these administrations now in danger, the U.S. Office of Commerce, for one, is worried that the Indian economy could make “a drag for the worldwide economy.” For the U.K., as well, exchange joins with India are particularly significant in the result of Brexit. This is shown by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s two endeavors to visit in 2021 both dropped without a second to spare due to the pandemic. Given every one of these issues, and the philanthropic emergency unfurling, it has gotten basic for the world to act rapidly to help India - if such assistance is mentioned. We are owning indications of this coming, though after a brief pause, from the U.K. (oxygen concentrators, ventilators); the United States (immunization crude materials, drugs, quick tests and ventilators); and Germany (oxygen and clinical guide). Whatever is given is probably going to be a small detail within a bigger landscape of India’s necessities, yet in any event it exhibits an acknowledgment that we are in the same boat. The Indian government may have been ineffectual in the current emergency, however neglecting to perceive what it will mean for the world would add up to an identical degree of smugness. On the off chance that the main forces neglect to do all that they can to help, India’s emergency will turn into a world emergency quite promptly, for wellbeing as well as for the economy.The Conversation
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world
Three arrested in Spain for encouraging terrorist attacks against France and its interests abroad
TL Bureau, Madrid
In the early hours of 27 April, officers of the Spanish National Police (Policia Nacional) with the support of Europol swooped on the members of a terrorist cell in the city of Granada. A total of three individuals were arrested on suspicion of encouraging terrorist attacks against France. After the French magazine Charlie Hebdo republished caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in September of last year, the arrestees posted numerous videos on their social media accounts threatening to carry out violent actions against France, its citizens and interests abroad to avenge the said-publication. The Spanish National Police used its specialist
capabilities to identify the individuals behind these social media profiles with totalled almost 19 000 followers. The seriousness of these threats, together with the suspects’ social media following, represented a serious security concern.
Algeria Records 286 New Coronavirus Cases
Morocco Reports 363 New Coronavirus’ Infections
TL Bureau, Algeirs
Algeria recorded 286 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 10 deaths, while 195 patients had recovered. A statement by the Algerian Ministry of Health stated that the total number of infections reached 121,866, as the total number of people recovered increased to 84,940, and deaths reached 3,244.
Prince Turki bin Mohammed Arrives in Doha TL Bureau, Doha
Prince Turki bin Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the State and Member of the State, arrived here today on an official visit. At Doha International Airport, Prince Turki and his accompanying delegation were received by Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Acting Chargé d’affaires at the Kingdom’s embassy in Qatar Ali bin Saad Al-Qahtani.
Egypt Records 61 Deaths and 1,021 New Coronavirus Infections TL Bureau, Cairo
Egypt recorded 1,021 confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 61 deaths. The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population stated that the total number of cases infected with the virus reached 227,552 cases, while the total deaths reached 13,339, indicating that the total cases recovered amounted to 170,773 cases.
Government decides policy positions for remaining part of its term and for 2022–2025 General Government Fiscal Plan
TL Bureau, Helsinki
Europol deployed one of its experts to the field to assist the Spanish authorities during the day of action. The evidence gathered during the house searches will now be analysed by Europol to identify potential links with ongoing investigations.
UAE Announces 1,974 New COVID-19 Cases, 1,836 TL Bureau, Rabat Recoveries, 3 Morocco reported Deaths in Last in the last 24 hours 24 Hours as many as 363 new infections of the Novel Coronavirus, bringing the total number of the infected to 511,249 cases. The Moroccan Ministry of Health pointed out here today that it has detected 3 Coronavirus death cases, putting the death tally at 9,023 cases, while the grand total of the recoveries rose to 497,621 cases.
TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, announced that it conducted 204,093 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment. According to WAM, the MoHAP announced 1,974 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 520,236. The ministry also announced 3 deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,587.
In its mid-term policy review, the Government outlined extensive measures to strengthen employment and public finances and to promote people’s wellbeing in Finland in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decisions in the mid-term review include policies to strengthen growth, to continue on the path to carbon neutrality and to reduce inequality. The measures have been integrated into the 2022– 2025 General Government Fiscal Plan, on which the Government determined its policy positions in connection with the mid-term policy review. In addition, the Government carried out a mid-term review of its climate measures. The aim of the Government is to strengthen general government
finances by means of growth, employment and moderate adjustment measures. The Government aims at a 75% employment rate and at turning the rising debt ratio onto a declining path by the middle of the decade. The Government’s work on climate change has progressed on schedule and the distance to the carbon neutrality target is now much shorter. The Government is committed to making decisions on further measures that are needed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. In its mid-term policy review, the Government published a sustainability roadmap that describes the current state of social, economic and ecological sustainability in Finland and sets goals for 2030.
Council ready for talks on €5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve
TL Bureau, Brussels
EU member states today endorsed the Council’s position on a five-billioneuro fund designed to mitigate the immediate impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. The fund, known as the Brexit adjustment reserve, will focus on the most affected regions, areas and sectors in the EU and will be used to pay for a variety of measures such as compensating businesses for
lost trade, keeping people in employment and setting up customs checks at ports. “The reserve aims to support all member states to counter the negative consequences of the UK’s withdrawal. In a spirit of solidarity, we are committed to help European regions, companies and citizens, and especially the hardest hit communities, to tackle the unprecedented challenges of Brexit.” Augusto Santos Silva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Council presidency.
Tina Bru met the Belgian Minister of energy Tina Bru, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, met with Belgian Minister of Energy Tinne van der Straeten on Thursday for discussions on CCS, offshore wind and hydrogen.
TL Bureau, Oslo
Tina Bru møtte den belgiske energiministeren Tinne van der Straeten digitalt 29. april 2021. Credit: Minister van Energie In the digital meeting, Tina Bru presented the Norwegian government’s climate plan, the Longship project on carbon capture and storage, and the current work on offshore wind power and hydrogen. Norway and Belgium cooperate on several areas, for example under a joint declaration on energy cooperation and in EU processes. The countries participate in the North Seas Countries’ Energy Cooperation,
which Belgium chairs this year. — Norway and Belgium has had a close cooperation on energy issues for several years, and have many mutual interests,
says Tina Bru. Belgium is an important market for Norwegian natural gas. Norway exports more than 15 billion cubic meters gas to
Belgium annually, equivalent to the country’s consumption. Belgium generates a quarter of its power in gas-fired power plants, and could see increased demand for natural gas as nuclear power is reduced. The country is also an interesting partner for Norway when it comes to hydrogen and CCS, and there is potential for increased cooperation both in industry and research. Belgium has ambitious plan for the development of offshore wind power, with a target of 4 GW by 2030. Belgium is already half way there, and expects offshore wind to cover ten percent of their electricity demand this year.
4 Health Ministry: 1,056 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Saudi Arabia TL Bureau, Riyadh
The Ministry of Health announced today in a statement that 1,056 new confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 417,363, including 9,826 active cases. Of these, there are 1,335 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable, the statement said. It added that 11 new deaths have been reported, putting the tally of fatalities at 6,957. Meanwhile, as many as 1,071 cases have recovered, raising recoveries’ toll to 400,580.
Russia Reports 8,731 New COVID-19 Cases, 397 Deaths TL Bureau, Moscow
Russia reported 8,731 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 2,662 in Moscow, taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 4,805,288, Reuters reported. The government coronavirus task force said 397 people had died of coronavirus-linked causes in the past 24 hours, pushing the national death toll to 110,128. The federal statistics agency has kept a separate count and reported a toll of more than 225,000 from April 2020 to February.
world
Negotiations on the UK’s Future Trading Relationship with New Zealand: Update The fourth round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with New Zealand took place virtually between 12-27 April 2021.
TL Bureau, London Both nations are working towards an agreement that will liberalise trade and promote shared values such as openness and sustainability. We remain committed to achieving a comprehensive agreement that sets new standards in trade and supports businesses, jobs and consumers in both countries. Negotiators held over 50 sessions during the round, covering all chapters. The talks were positive and productive, with good progress being made across the agreement. Ahead of the round, both sides exchanged our second goods market access offers and first procurement offers. With almost all text proposals exchanged ahead of the round, negotiators identified considerable areas of agreement and common objectives, with most teams working from one consolidated text. Chief negotiators provisionally agreed the outline of the whole agreement, including a chapter on Anti-Corruption, and a standalone chapter on Women in Trade. Excellent progress was made
on issues relating to trade and development across the agreement. In addition to provisionally agreeing the Small and Mediumsized Enterprises chapter, we have provisionally closed two more chapters: Trade Remedies and Competition. We also made significant progress on Disputes, Rules of Origin, Goods, Labour and Telecommunications, Digital, Consumer Protection and Environment. The UK and New Zealand both remain eager to make further progress, with the UK clear that momentum needs to be maintained
Visit to NATO by the Prime Minister of Slovakia
TL Bureau, Brussels
TL Bureau, Helsinki
TL Bureau, The Hague Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister Eduard Heger of Slovakia to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday, 27 April 2021. Mr
Stoltenberg praised Slovakia’s contributions to the Alliance, including support to training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Slovakia’s participation in NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Latvia.
he was a Member of Parliament in the Netherlands, where he was spokesperson on foreign affairs and head of delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Before that he worked for the European Union, the United Nations and other international organisations on peace processes for Cyprus, Kosovo, Mali, Sudan and Syria, among others. The mandate of the EUSR for the
Middle East Peace Process is to provide an active contribution to the final settlement of the IsraeliPalestinian conflictbased on a two-state solution, in line with the UNSCR 2334 (2016). The EUSR will maintain close contacts with all parties in the peace process as well as with the United Nations and other relevant organisations such as the League of Arab States.
New EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process appointed
TL Bureau, Brussels
Today the Council appointed Mr Sven Koopmans as the EU’s Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process from 1 May 2021 to 28 February 2023. Mr Koopmans is a peace negotiation specialist, senior diplomat, national politician, and international lawyer. Between 2017 and 2021
EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement:
Council adopts decision on conclusion
Foreign Minister Haavisto hosts a meeting of Nordic Foreign Ministers
Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will chair the meeting of the Nordic Foreign Ministers on Monday 3 May 2021. This year, Finland is chairing the Nordic (N5) cooperation on foreign and security policy. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the foreign ministerial meeting will be held virtually. The Foreign Ministers will discuss topical foreign and security policy questions, Russia, Sweden’s year as Chair of the OSCE, and the UN.
across the whole agreement. Ahead of the next round, negotiating teams will share further proposals and discuss a range of issues, including intellectual property and indigenous trade. Throughout the process the UK will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure their views inform our approach to negotiations. Any deal the UK agrees will be fair and balanced and in the best interests of the whole of the country. We remain committed to upholding our high environmental, labour, food safety and animal welfare standards in the deal, as well as protecting the National Health
Service (NHS). Below is a list of areas discussed in the round: Anti-Corruption Competition Consumer Protection Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Digital Environment and Clean Growth Financial Services Good Regulatory Practice Intellectual Property Investment Labour Legal and Institutional Procurement Rules of Origin Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Services (including Professional Business Services, Transport and Delivery Services, and Movement of Natural Persons) State-Owned Enterprises State-to-State Dispute Settlement Technical Barriers to Trade Telecoms Trade and Development Trade in Goods Trade Remedies. Women in Trade.
The Council has today adopted a decision on the conclusion of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and the security of information agreement. This is the last step for the EU in the ratification of the agreements. The UK will now be notified of the finalisation of the internal EU procedures. Following this, the agreements and accompanying texts will be published in the Official Journal of the EU before the end of the month. On 1 May 2021, both agreements will enter into force. “Today we open a new chapter in our relations with the UK. The conclusion of the trade and cooperation agreement will give legal certainty to the new EUUK relationship, in the interests of citizens and business on both sides of the channel. We value the UK as a good neighbour, an old ally and an important partner.” Ana Paula Zacarias, Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal Background Negotiators reached an agreement on an EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and a security of information agreement on 24 December
2020. On 29 December 2020, the Council adopted the decision on the signing of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement and a security of information agreement and on their provisional application as of 1 January 2021. The agreements were then signed by the two parties on 30 December 2020. The agreements have been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021. The agreements provided for a time-limited provisional application until the end of February, unless a later date was agreed by the parties. On 23 February, the EU-UK Partnership Council decided, at the EU’s request, to extend the provisional application until 30 April 2021 to allow sufficient time to complete the legal-linguistic revision of the agreement in all 24 languages. The authentication of all 24 language versions of the agreement was finalised on 21 April. On 26 February 2021, the Council requested the European Parliament’s consent to its decision on the conclusion of the agreements, which the European Parliament gave on 27 April.
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USA
Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken, and Other High-level Speakers to Deliver Remarks at the 51st Annual Washington Conference on the Americas
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
Vice President Kamala D. Harris will deliver virtual remarks at the 51st Annual Washington Conference on the Americas, cohosted by the U.S. Department of State and the Council of the Americas, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. This year’s Conference, titled “Democratic, Prosperous
U.S. Mediation Team Travel to Lebanon TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
Office of the Spokesperson The U.S. team mediating the Israel-Lebanon Maritime Boundary negotiations, led by Ambassador John P. Desrocher, will travel to Lebanon on May 3. The U.S. team will mediate talks between representatives from the governments of Israel and Lebanon on the disputed maritime boundary, beginning May 4. The resumption of talks is a positive step towards a long-awaited resolution.
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi
TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Secretary Antony J. Blinken spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi today. Secretary Blinken noted that he is deeply saddened by the tragedy at Mount Meron. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences for the lives lost, and he extended his wishes for those injured to recover quickly. The Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to assist Israel during this difficult time. He reiterated that – just as this is a tragedy for both of our countries – the bond between the United States and Israel is ironclad, and that the United States mourns the lives lost alongside Israel.
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Alvarez
TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez today. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Alvarez emphasized the important U.S.-Dominican bond formed by the over two million Americans of Dominican descent living in the United States, extensive economic ties, and a shared commitment to democracy in the region.
and Secure: Restoring a Partnership for Sustainable Growth,” will highlight the Administration’s hemispheric policy priorities and efforts to reaffirm and strengthen U.S. partnerships with countries in the region. The Conference will also feature remarks by senior U.S. government officials including
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-India partnership in the face of the COVID-19
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
pandemic. Expressing his appreciation for Indian assistance in America’s time of need, Secretary Blinken reviewed comprehensive ongoing U.S. government efforts in support of the Indian government’s COVID-19 response operations. He also noted the outpouring of support from U.S. industries,
non-governmental institutions, and private citizens for COVID-19 relief efforts in India. The Secretary offered condolences and noted our concern for those who have lost friends and loved ones during this difficult period. Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar agreed to remain in close contact.
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on your 42nd Constitution Day. The United States and the Marshall Islands share a historic friendship underpinned by our Compact of Free Association, and I look forward to strengthening the deep bonds between our nations and citizens. Building on a foundation of democracy and support for human rights, our countries collaborate at many levels. From our close cooperation at the United Nations to coordination among our health care experts on delivering COVID-19 vaccines, the relationship between our two countries is essential for achieving our shared goals. Through the bonds between our citizens and the strong partnership between our governments, together we will continue to confront the climate crisis, work to defeat COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics, and promote regional security for a better future. Again, I extend my congratulations to all Marshallese on this occasion.
that there is no military solution in Afghanistan and a negotiated political settlement through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process is the only way forward for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. We take note of the April 14 announcement by the United States and NATO that U.S./NATO forces will begin a responsible withdrawal from Afghanistan by May 1, 2021 that concludes by September 11, 2021. We reiterate that the withdrawal of foreign troops should ensure a steady transition of the situation in Afghanistan. We stress that, during the withdrawal period, the peace process should not be disrupted, no fights or turbulence shall occur in Afghanistan, and the safety of international troops should be ensured. We expect the Taliban to fulfill its counterterrorism commitments, including preventing terrorist groups and individuals from using Afghan soil to threaten the security of any other country; not hosting these groups and preventing them from recruiting, training, and fundraising. We expect the Afghan government to continue counterterrorism cooperation with the international community. We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to reduce the level of violence in the country and on the Taliban not to pursue a Spring offensive. We condemn in the strongest terms any attacks deliberately targeting civilians in
Afghanistan and call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to protection of civilians. We reiterate that diplomatic personnel and property shall be inviolable, and the perpetrators of any attack or threat on foreign diplomatic personnel and properties in Kabul will be held accountable. We urge the Government of the Islamic Republic and the High Council for National Reconciliation to engage openly with their Taliban counterparts regarding a negotiated settlement. We do not support the establishment in Afghanistan of any government imposed by force, consistent with the Joint Statement of the March 18 Expanded Troika. We support a review of the status of designations of Taliban individuals and entities on the UN 1988 sanctions, as stated in the UNSC resolution 2513 (2020). Practical measures to reduce violence and sustained efforts to advance intraAfghan negotiations by the Taliban will positively affect this review process. We note the preparations by Turkey to host a conference of senior leaders of both Afghan parties in order to accelerate the intra-Afghan negotiations, and we also welcome the United Nations and Qatar’s roles as coconveners of this dialogue. We call upon the negotiating parties to make progress toward an inclusive political settlement and a comprehensive and permanent
ceasefire. We appreciate the long-standing support of the State of Qatar to facilitate the peace process, and we support the continuation of discussions between the parties’ negotiating teams in Doha. We welcome an expanded role for the United Nations in contributing to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, including by leveraging its considerable experience and expertise in supporting other peace processes. We strongly advocate a durable and just political resolution that will result in the formation of an independent, sovereign, unified, peaceful, democratic, neutral and self-sufficient Afghanistan, free of terrorism and an illicit drug industry, which contributes to a safe environment for the voluntary, expeditious and sustainable return of Afghan refugees through a well-resourced plan; stability; and global security. We call on all Afghans including the Government of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban to ensure that terrorist groups and individuals do not use Afghan soil to threaten the security of any other country. We reaffirm that any peace agreement must include protections for the rights of all Afghans, including women, men, children, victims of war, and minorities, and should respond to the strong desire of all Afghans for economic, social and political development including the rule of law.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken; Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo; Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas; Trade Representative Katherine Tai; House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks; and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung. In addition, the
Conference will include remarks from leaders in the Western Hemisphere including Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic Roberto Alvarez; Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia Jose Manuel Restrepo; and Executive Vice President of the Inter-American Development Bank Reina Irene Mejía.
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
Republic of the Marshall Islands Constitution Day
Joint Statement on the Extended “Troika” on Peaceful Settlement in Afghanistan
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of the Extended “Troika” on Peaceful Settlement in Afghanistan. On April 30, representatives of the extended “Troika,” comprising the United States, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, met in Doha, Qatar to discuss ways to support intraAfghan negotiations and help the parties reach a negotiated settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. The extended “Troika” met with representatives of the Islamic Republic negotiating team and of the Taliban, as well as Qatar, who graciously hosted the participants. In the spirit of the discussions, as well as provisions of joint statements on the outcomes of previous “Troika” meetings and discussions held on March 22, April 25, July 11, and October 25, 2019; June 3 and November 30, 2020; and March 18, 2021; the four states participating in the extended “Troika” have affirmed as follows: We acknowledge the widespread and sincere demand of the Afghan people for a lasting and just peace and an end to the war. We reiterate
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7 Swiss retail trade turnover rises steeply in March TL Bureau, Neuchâtel
Turnover adjusted for sales days and holidays rose in the retail sector by 21.5% in nominal terms in March 2021 compared with the previous year. This sharp increase is mainly due to the low value for March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic first began to filter through. Seasonally adjusted, nominal turnover rose by 21.9% compared with the previous month. These are provisional findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Nominal wage increase of 0.8% in 2020 and real wage increase of 1.5% TL Bureau, Neuchâtel
The Swiss nominal wage index rose by 0.8% on average in 2020 compared with 2019. It settled at 103.4 points (base 2015 = 100). Given an average annual inflation rate of –0.7%, real wages rose by 1.5% (102.6 points, base 2015 = 100) according to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
BUSINESS
IFC and Nigeria’s LAPO Partner to Expand Microfinance Lending in Sub-Saharan Africa
TL Bureau, Lagos
To help expand banking services to low-income populations in sub-Saharan Africa, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) today announced a partnership with the Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), which is seeking to expand its microfinance business to some of the continent’s less developed economies and fragile states. IFC is a member of the World Bank Group. Under the partnership, IFC will conduct market analysis of several African countries, including fragile states, and provide advisory support to LAPO to help it expand its microfinance business
beyond Nigeria and Sierra Leone, where it currently operates with more than 495 branches, serving over 800,000 customers. LAPO’s planned microfinance expansion will help boost financial inclusion and increase lending to individuals and micro and small businesses in the region, stimulating economic activity. The expansion will specifically target women borrowers, lowincome earners, and those in rural areas. “Through IFC’s advisory support, we will expand our capacity to build greater financial inclusion among a rural, low-income client base in sub-Saharan Africa. IFC’s advisory will also help
Millennials mean business
TL Bureau, Parramatta
New research from Commonwealth Bank of Australia has found the number of millennial small business owners is on the rise, with many young Australians turning their business ideas into a reality. The number of new CBA Business Transaction Accounts surged 36 per cent over the past six months, with Millennials (born between 1981 - 1996) driving the majority of the growth. Millennials accounted for 57 per cent of all new business accounts in the last 6 months – up from 43 per cent in 2015. Gen Z (those born from 1997)
CBA records surge in Millennials opening Business Transaction Accounts; launches first no interest payment card ‘CommBank Neo Business’ to support small business owners.
opened a further 10 per cent of new accounts. Today, the average age of those opening a CBA Business Transaction Account is 38 years, in comparison with 44 years in 2015.
us deepen our efforts to reach more women-owned micro enterprises, which currently represent about 70 percent of clients in our existing microfinance operations,” Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LAPO said. “IFC’s support to LAPO is part of our commitment to strengthen economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, support micro enterprises, and reduce poverty,” said Kevin Njiraini, IFC’s Regional Director, Southern Africa and Nigeria. “This project marks a significant milestone in the development of microfinance in Africa, particularly as countries continue to suffer the severe effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic.” “LAPO’s existing microfinance businesses target women and the financially excluded. IFC’s support to LAPO will extend to more women in the region and contribute to the development of economic opportunities,” said Emmanuel Nyirinkindi, IFC’s Director for Transaction Advisory Services. Supporting financial inclusion is an important part of IFC’s strategy in Africa to boost private sector growth and job creation. Individuals and businesses, in fragile and conflict-affected situations especially, struggle to access loans and other banking services because of underdeveloped domestic financial sectors.
Minister of Economic Affairs Lintilä: Government’s decisions in mid-term policy review to boost investments and renewal of industry will support Finland after the pandemic TL Bureau, Helsinki
“The decisions we have taken in the mid-term policy review session to support the renewal of industry, domestic ownership and investments, as well as research, development and innovation activities will help Finland rise from the coronavirus crisis,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä. Subsidy for electrification of industry encourages carbonneutral production In its mid-term policy review, the Government decided on a
broad-based strategy for the renewal of industry, which emphasises the importance of industrial production for Finland. Promoting industrial investments and securing the cost competitiveness of industry are supported by industrial low-carbon roadmaps and a subsidy for electrification. “We decided to introduce a subsidy for electrification for energyintensive companies, which will create a stronger incentive for carbon-neutral production and for the electrification of energy-intensive companies.
World Bank Expands Colombia Amazon Conservation Project with US$18.4 Million Grant
TL Bureau, Washington, D.C.
The World Bank Board of Directors today approved an additional grant of US$18.4 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the Forest Conservation and Sustainability in the Heart of the Colombian Amazon Project. The project promotes the defense of biodiversity and the environment in that region of the country. This new grant will strengthen and expand activities of the current project to improve forest, institutional and community governance, and to promote sustainable land use to reduce deforestation in the Colombian Amazon. “The project implements a comprehensive intervention in the territory, based on an approach of ecosystem connectivity between different protected areas, indigenous territories, complementary conservation strategies and areas for sustainable production,” said
Alberto Galán, executive director of Natural Heritage, the agency responsible for managing the grant, in coordination with the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development and other partner entities. “The Heart of the Amazon project has built a process that has made it possible to link natural and biocultural
biodiversity with the foundations of sustainable development for the country.” According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), some 74,000 hectares of Amazon forests were deforested in the first months of 2020. This threatens biodiversity in
this region of global importance, as well as connectivity with the Andean region, which is crucial for the provision of climate regulation and water supply services. The project represents a positive intervention to contribute to protecting this territory. The additional financing seeks to expand the intervention areas and reach more beneficiaries within the framework of a long-term collaborative commitment. “With this project, we want to contribute to reducing deforestation in this important area of the country, benefiting local communities and all Colombians,” said Ulrich Zachau, World Bank director for Colombia and Venezuela. “It is a privilege to be part of this conservation effort that brings together several national and regional public agencies, as well as civil society and community organizations.” The project began in 2015 with a US$10.4 million GEF grant. In 2017, it received a second grant for US$12 million.
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FEATURE
Q&A with Stanford experts: Why is climate change at the center of a $2.3 trillion federal plan? In his address to Congress tonight, President Joe Biden is expected to pitch a wideranging initiative called the American Jobs Plan. Stanford researchers discuss how and why climate change resilience is central to the initiative.
By Rob Jordan, California
When President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress tonight a common thread will likely run through much of his narrative: resilience. Beyond touting his administration’s accomplishments, Biden is expected to use the spotlight to pitch his $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, a wide-ranging infrastructure initiative that promises “every dollar” spent on rebuilding highways, airports, water systems and more will be used to “prevent, reduce and withstand the impacts of the climate crisis.” Below, Stanford engineering, climate and geophysics experts discuss why climate change resiliency is at the center of federal infrastructure plans, how it could affect underserved communities and where to target investment for maximum impact. The researchers include Jack Baker, a professor of civil and environmental engineering who leads the Stanford Urban Resilience Initiative; Sarah Billington a professor of civil and environmental engineering who studies building design and materials and their impact on human wellbeing; Noah Diffenbaugh, the Kara J Foundation Professor in the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences and an appointee to the California Climate-Safe Infrastructure Working Group; Sarah Fletcher, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering who studies water resources and climate change adaptation from a socio-technical systems perspective; Jenny Suckale, an assistant professor of geophysics who leads the Stanford Future Bay Initiative and has worked as a scientific consultant for international organizations aiming to reduce the impact of natural and environmental disasters in vulnerable communities. How could climate change-
A road washed away by floodwater. (Image credit: Getty Images)
resilient infrastructure affect the lives of average people? Suckale: Infrastructure already affects the lives of average people in numerous ways. The main issue with not considering climate change in infrastructure planning is that infrastructure can mitigate but also create risk. A floodwall, for example, keeps water out but also keeps water in if the wall is overrun or if there are other sources of flooding such as rainfall. If we do not consider climate change in infrastructure planning, we will inevitably see more adverse effects or risks that stem from the fact that existing infrastructure is designed for the past, not the future. Diffenbaugh: Infrastructure is at the nexus of greenhouse gas mitigation, climate change adaptation and environmental justice. Specifically, investments in climate-safe energy, transportation, water and communications systems and technologies offer “winwin-win” opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase resilience to climate stresses and ensure access to energy, food, and clean air and water. How should we quantify the impacts of the investments outlined in President Biden’s infrastructure plan? How
can we best ensure that our infrastructure stays resilient in the future? Baker: We can no longer look at past performance of our infrastructure and say, “we want more of that.” Society increasingly has higher expectations for resilience, and systems that worked in the past will not work in the future. We need science and engineering models to help us understand future demands on our infrastructure, help us design for increased demands, including adaptive features and help us quantify benefits relative to a status quo path. Fletcher: Our infrastructure must be prepared to handle a wider range of climate conditions than ever before. In order to make our scarce resources for resilience go farther, we need to identify which infrastructure systems need to be hardened today vs. where we can take a wait-and-see approach to adapt our infrastructure as the climate changes. We must also consider how infrastructure systems interact with our society, and build community resilience as well. If electricity systems fail during a storm, we need to make sure backup plans are in place so that people still have access to water, heat, and medical care. These plans should start with our most
vulnerable communities. What are some potential downsides of investing in resilient infrastructure? Suckale: It ultimately depends on what is considered “infrastructure.” It is easy to associate “infrastructure” only with “grey” solutions, such as drains, dams or roads, but there are compelling alternatives in working with nature rather than against it. These “green” solutions can range from restored ecosystems mitigating flood risk to trees in urban areas improving air quality and have the advantage of being naturally adaptive. My hope is that this initiative will adopt a broad definition of infrastructure that goes beyond the “grey” and hopefully includes green and other colors of the rainbow. How does climate-safe infrastructure relate to underserved communities and racial justice? Baker: Privileged households are more likely to have resources to navigate disasters by relocating, paying for repairs and using savings to compensate for lost income. So, disadvantaged households are often much more affected, even for the same level of physical disruption. They are also often more affected due to living in higher-risk areas. Further, under-served
communities often struggle to access recovery funding and advocate for infrastructure repairs. Billington: Recently, strong linkages have been found between design features of the built environment and historical housing policies that may be directly responsible for disproportionate exposure of underserved populations to current heat events. Addressing urban heat island effects through attention to both built and natural infrastructure in cities can help address these inequities. How can policymakers at federal, state and municipal levels assess and support decision-making around related issues, such as building codes, resilience planning initiatives and investment decisions? Baker: Relevant agencies should require infrastructure projects to be designed while considering future risks from climate change. Reinstating the Obama-era Federal Flood Risk Management Standard would be a good step in this direction. Private entities should also be required to assess and report their risk from exposure to climate change impacts – increased transparency about these risks would benefit all decisionmakers. What about the carbon footprint of infrastructure itself – what can we do to reduce it? Billington: In the U.S., buildings alone account for over 30 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions and 40 percent of total energy consumption. The average building designer has a potentially thousandfold greater impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide than the behavior of an average citizen over their lifetime. The carbon dioxide avoidance possible through decarbonizing buildings both in terms of materials used and energy for operations is on the order of Gigatons. It’s big.
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life and real estate
WHO lists Moderna vaccine for emergency use Moderna vaccine adds to the growing list of vaccines that have been validated by WHO for emergency use.
TL Bureau, Geneva
Today, WHO listed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA 1273) for emergency use, making it the fifth vaccine to receive emergency validation from WHO. WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine has already been reviewed by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), which makes recommendations for vaccines’ use in populations
(i.e. recommended age groups, intervals between shots, advice for specific groups such as pregnant and lactating women). The SAGE recommended the vaccine for all age groups 18 and above in its interim recommendations dated 25 January 2021. The US Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine on 18 December 2020 and a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union was granted by the European Medicines Agency on 6 January 2021. The WHO EUL process can be carried out quickly when vaccine developers submit the full data required by WHO in a timely manner. Once those data are submitted, WHO
Built over 100 years ago, Akesah Historic Mosque Reopens for Worshippers after Renovation TL Bureau, Al-Namas
Located in the center of Akesah town, northwest of Al-Namas Governorate in Asir Region, the Akesah historic mosque is distinguished by its construction in the Sarat style and is one of the oldest heritage buildings in the region, which was rehabilitated as part of Mohammed bin Salman Project for Historical Mosques Renovation in the Kingdom, under which 30 mosques in 10 regions will be restored and rehabilitated. The Mosque, which dates back to more than 100 years ago, was the only mosque in the region, to which dozens of people from the village and neighboring villages used to flood into for prayers. Not only the mosque was used for
holding the daily prayers, but it was also a cultural and scientific beacon for the locals and the surrounding areas, where preaches and lectures used to be held. It was also a destination where people used to learn writing and the teachings of the Holy Quran, in addition to acting an important social role in the society where the daily affairs of the public life were discussed. The Mosque was built of bricks, clay, and stones with a roof made of reinforced concrete, occupying an area of around (234 square meters) and accommodates some (84) worshipers. Before it was renovated, the mosque consisted of a prayer house, an outside courtyard, and a minaret with a height of (11.92 m). It also included a small square, restrooms, sinks and a water tank.
can rapidly assemble its evaluation team and regulators from around the world to assess the information and, when necessary, carry out inspections of manufacturing sites. The Moderna vaccine is an mNRA-based vaccine. It was found by the SAGE to have an efficacy of efficacy of 94.1%, based on a median follow-up of two months. Although the vaccine is provided as a frozen suspension at –25 ºC to –15 ºC in a multidose vial, vials can be stored refrigerated at 2–8 °C for up to 30 days prior to withdrawal of the first dose, meaning that ultra-cold chain equipment may not always be necessary to deploy the vaccine. WHO emergency use listing The emergency use listing
procedure assesses the suitability of novel health products during public health emergencies. The objective is to make medicines, vaccines and diagnostics available as rapidly as possible to address the emergency, while adhering to stringent criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. The assessment weighs the threat posed by the emergency as well as the benefit that would accrue from the use of the product against any potential risks. The EUL pathway involves a rigorous assessment of late phase II and phase III clinical trial data as well as substantial additional data on safety, efficacy, quality and a risk management plan. These data are reviewed by independent experts and WHO teams who
consider the current body of evidence on the vaccine under consideration, the plans for monitoring its use, and plans for further studies. As part of the EUL process, the company producing the vaccine must commit to continue to generate data to enable full licensure and WHO prequalification of the vaccine. The WHO prequalification process will assess additional clinical data generated from vaccine trials and deployment on a rolling basis to ensure the vaccine meets the necessary standards of quality, safety and efficacy for broader availability. WHO has also listed the Pfizer/ BioNTech, AstrazenecaSK Bio, Serum Institute of Indiaand Janssen vaccines for emergency use.
TL Bureau, Vienna By Michael Amdi Madsen
immune system and is essential for good vision. Getting enough vitamin A isn’t within reach for everyone, since the biologically active form occurs only in a few animal products such as eggs, dairy products and liver. More accessible foods such as orange-fleshed fruits and vegetables like mangoes, pumpkins and carrots as well as green leafy vegetables contain carotenes, which can be converted to vitamin A in the body. Unlike vitamin C, or other watersoluble nutrients, vitamin A is fat soluble. That means once ingested it does not leave the body quickly and accumulates in the liver — potentially damaging it and causing symptoms similar to those of alcoholism, like yellowing of the white part of the eyes. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem and estimates that, globally, 190 million children under the age of five are affected. Their data suggests 800,000 deaths can be attributed annually to vitamin A deficiency. Many countries have therefore been administering highdose vitamin A supplements with
immunization services, but this does come with some risks if other vitamin A programmes are in place. Studies in South Africa, Philippines and Guatemala suggest that some population groups may be getting too much of vitamin A due to overlapping supplementation and fortification programmes coupled with improved diets. Too much of a good thing “Historically, vitamin A excess has been rare and seen amongst people that eat the livers of large carnivores, like polar bears,” said Pernille Kaestel, an IAEA nutrition specialist. “Today, also excess vitamin A intake is a risk. Understanding who is getting too little and too much vitamin A is a priority to make sure nutrition programmes are doing the right thing.” Addressing this problem begins with measuring vitamin A status in populations. Public health professionals and nutritionists have a host of different measuring techniques at their disposal, but they are often only effective at identifying when a person has low levels of vitamin A.
An Isotopic Technique to Get Vitamin A Programmes Right
“You are what you eat,” the old saying goes, and those getting a limited variety of nutrients in their diet can expect poor health. For decades, governments and NGOs around the world have been battling this problem by promoting supplements and foods fortified with nutrients including vitamin A. Concerns, however, are now being raised about whether uncoordinated, overlapping schemes are causing too much of a good thing — that is, a bad thing — and harming people’s health. A recent IAEA technical meeting explored these concerns, bringing to the forefront a technique using stable isotopes that can with great accuracy help nutritionists and public health professionals better understand the vitamin A status in populations exposed to several programmes addressing vitamin A deficiency (See Using isotopes to measure Vitamin A status). Vitamin A is an organic compound that’s important for growth and development. It helps maintain your
10 2021 NFL Draft Round 1 Notes TL Bureau, New York
OFFENSE RULES THE FIRST: The 2021 NFL Draft featured 18 offensive players selected in the first round, tied for the fourth-most in the common-draft era, trailing only the 1968, 2004 and 2009 NFL Drafts (19). With each of the first seven picks on the offensive side of the ball, the 2021 NFL Draft featured the most offensive players selected to start a Draft since 1967, surpassing the previous high of six in the 1999 NFL Draft. DRAFTED QBs: With five quarterbacks chosen in the first round, 2021 is the sixth consecutive draft (2016-2021) with at least three quarterbacks selected in the first round, surpassing 2002-2006 (five consecutive drafts) for the longest such streak in the common-draft era. It also marks the fourth time that at least five quarterbacks have been selected in the Draft’s opening round since 1967. The 1983 NFL Draft holds the record with six quarterbacks selected in the first round, including Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN ELWAY, JIM KELLY and DAN MARINO. QB1: The Jacksonville Jaguars selected TREVOR LAWRENCE with the first-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It marks the third time in the common-draft era that a quarterback was chosen No. 1 overall in four consecutive NFL Drafts, joining 2001-05 (five consecutive drafts) and 2009-12 (four).
SPORTS
Schedule revealed for WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
TL Bureau, Pully, Switzerland
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today revealed the schedule of the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The 16game event in Florida will open with the Group Stage on 31 May, with the decisive Super Round running from 4-5 June. The competing participants will be split into two groups to start the qualifier: • Group A: No. 2 USA, No. 10 Dominican Republic, No. 11 Puerto Rico and No. 15 Nicaragua. • Group B: No. 7 Cuba, No. 8 Venezuela, No. 13 Canada and No. 14 Colombia. Group play is scheduled from 31 May to 2 June. The game schedule is as follows (all times local): Monday, 31 May - St. Lucie County • 1 pm Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic • 7 pm USA vs Nicaragua Monday, 31 May - West Palm Beach • 1 pm Venezuela vs Cuba • 7 pm Colombia vs Canada Tuesday, 1 June - St. Lucie County
• 1 pm Colombia vs Venezuela • 7 pm Canada vs Cuba Tuesday, 1 June - West Palm Beach • 1 pm Nicaragua vs Puerto Rico • 7 pm Dominican Republic vs USA Wednesday, 2 June - St. Lucie County • 1 pm Nicaragua vs
Dominican Republic • 7 pm Puerto Rico vs USA Wednesday, 2 June - West Palm Beach • 1 pm Canada vs Venezuela • 7 pm Cuba vs Colombia “We have waited over a year for this Qualifier, it’s time to get back to international baseball,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “I am looking forward
to seeing fans back in the stands and the national teams playing to be a part of history. “Now with this schedule announced it is a beautiful feeling to return to competition and to see teams competing on the field again after this forced pause due to this terrible pandemic which is still impacting various regions around the world. “Next month the eyes of all baseball and Olympic fans from all over the world will be watching this event.” Press Conference Replay After group play concludes, the top two finishers from each group will advance to the Super Round, on 4-5 June, where they will each play two games. Head-to-head contests among these teams from the opening round will carry over into the Super Round standings. The team with the best Super Round record will be declared the winner and become the fifth National Team to advance to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic baseball tournament, joining world No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Korea, No. 5 Mexico and No. 18 Israel. The runner-up and the third-place team in the Americas Qualifier will play in the Final Qualifier, scheduled for 16 to 20 June in Taichung and Douliou City, TPE.
Smith and Kaylia Stanton, as well as a potential debutant in Hannah Mundy as a temporary replacement player with Liz Watson out for the season. The Fever look to start their 2021 campaign on a positive note with captain Courtney Bruce leading from the front. What will the Fever’s superstar goal shooter, Jhaniele Fowler have in store this year? Collingwood Magpies v Sunshine Coast Lightning The Magpies will welcome two massive inclusions to their lineup for their Round 1 clash, with Ash Brazill and Kelsey Browne returning from knee injuries plus international goaler dynamo Kalifa McCollin. With a Laura Langman shaped hole in the Lightning’s line-up, will Karla Pretorius’ leadership and added midcourter Mahalia Cassidy be able to fill that void? Last time they played, the Lightning cruised to a 10 point victory, winning every quarter thanks to new Diamond Cara Koenen shooting the lights out, going 41 from 45. Queensland Firebirds v NSW Swifts The 2021 preseason hype has followed the Firebirds very closely.
They are welcoming new mums, Gretel Bueta and Kim Ravaillion back to the Firebirds camp and to the netball world. The formidable shooting trio of Bueta, Romelda Aiken and Tippah Dwan will keep the defenders on their toes. Emotions were running high when the Swifts bombed out of the championship race in 2020 after their semi-final loss to the Fever. They have maintained their solid list heading into the new season and will once again be on the hunt to prove the red dress has what it takes. When they last met in Round 10 last season, it was the Firebirds who had the upper hand from siren to siren, coming away with a comfortable 13-point win. Expect plenty of dynamic connections being rolled out during this 60 minutes. Adelaide Thunderbirds v GIANTS Netball What to expect from the Thunderbirds this year is speed to burn, young stars to shine and internationals to wow. Goaler Georgie Horjus had a debut year to remember and is one to watch in the Suncorp Super Shot zone. Maisie Nankivell will put her body on the line for the win and Shamera Sterling will bring her imposing court presence.
SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL - ROUND 1 Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever
#SSNVixensFever John Cain Arena, Melbourne Saturday 1 May - 3:00pm AEST Watch: Channel 9 + Netball Live Official App Umpires: Georgina Sulley-Beales + Marc Henning
Queensland Firebirds v NSW Swifts
#SSNFirebirdsSwifts Nissan Arena, Brisbane Sunday 2 May - 1:00pm AEST Watch: Channel 9 + Netball Live Official App Umpires: Tara Warner + Nathan Begley TL Bureau, Fitzroy WHAT YOU NEED TO COVER SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL Suncorp Super Netball 2021 Media Guide Champion Data stats (team/player/ game): https://mc.championdata. com/super_netball/ Suncorp Super Netball ladder: https://supernetball.com.au/suncorpsuper-netball-ladder Suncorp Super Netball season stats: https://supernetball.com.au/stats Fixture + broadcast details: https:// supernetball.com.au/fixture
Collingwood Magpies v Sunshine Coast Lightning
#SSNMagpiesLightning John Cain Arena, Melbourne Saturday 1 May - 7:00pm AEST Watch: Telstra TV + Netball Live Official App Umpires: Justin Barnes + Tim Marshall
Adelaide Thunderbirds v GIANTS Netball
#SSNThunderbirdsGIANTS Netball SA Stadium, Adelaide Sunday 2 May - 3:00pm AEST Watch: Telstra TV + Netball Live Official App Umpires: James Matthews + Bronwen Adams
MILESTONES James Matthews will umpire his 50th national league game on Sunday Kate Shimmin (Lightning) will player her 100th national league game on Sunday Possible national league debuts: Ruby Barkmeyer (Vixens), Hannah Mundy (Vixens) Suncorp Super Netball debuts: Kalida McColling (Magpies), Latanya Wilson (Thunderbirds) New club debuts: Mahalia Cassidy (Lightning), Sasha Glasgow (Fever), Kaylia Stanton (Vixens) INJURIES
Melbourne Vixens Liz Watson (foot) out for full 2021 season Sunshine Coast Lightning Ash Unie (ACL) out for full 2021 season Maddie Hinchliffe (foot) ROUND 1 Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever There is no better way to start a new season of the Suncorp Super Netball than with a 2020 grand final rematch between the Vixens and Fever. The Vixens line-up has had a refresh bringing Ruby Barkmeyer, Allie
11
tech/auto
TL Bureau, Toyota City
And when it comes to safety, Toyota intends to apply the technologies and know-how that it has accumulated through the development of fuel cell vehicles and the commercialization of the Mirai.Plans are for the hydrogenengine-powered race vehicle announced today to be fueled during races using hydrogen produced* at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture. While aiming to expand hydrogen infrastructure by promoting hydrogen use, Toyota intends to continue advancing efforts for economic recovery and revitalization of the Tohoku region together with all parties concerned. Toward achieving carbon neutrality, Toyota has been strengthening its efforts, such as by aiming to promote the use of hydrogen through the popularization of FCEVs and numerous other fuel-cell-powered products. By further refining its hydrogen-engine technologies through motorsports, Toyota intends to aim for the realization of an even better hydrogen-based society.
Toyota Developing Hydrogen Engine Technologies Through Motorsports
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that, toward the achievement of a carbon-neutral mobility society, it is developing a hydrogen engine. It has installed the engine on a racing vehicle based on Toyota’s Corolla Sport, which it will enter in competition under the ORC ROOKIE Racing banner starting with the Super Taikyu Series 2021 Powered by Hankook Round 3 NAPAC Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours Race on May 21-23. By honing its under-development hydrogen engine in the harsh environment of motorsports, Toyota aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous mobility society. Fuel cell electrified vehicles (FCEVs) such as Toyota’s Mirai use a fuel cell in which hydrogen chemically reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity that powers an electric motor. Meanwhile, hydrogen engines generate power through the combustion of hydrogen using fuel supply and injection systems that have been
A Super Taikyu Series race modified from those used with gasoline engines. Except for the combustion of minute amounts of engine oil during driving, which is also the case with gasoline engines, hydrogen engines emit zero CO2 when in use. Combustion in hydrogen engines
Image of a hydrogen engine occurs at a faster rate than in gasoline engines, resulting in a characteristic of good responsiveness. While having excellent environmental performance, hydrogen engines also have the potential to relay the fun of driving, including through sounds and vibrations.
Toyota has long engaged in the innovation of engine technology. Also, it is applying in production vehicles the technologies that it has continued to refine through its participation in motorsports, with the GR Yaris launched last September being one example.
BUGATTI INTERNATIONAL WITH AN The Mazda AMBITIOUS VISION FOR THE FUTURE MX-5 is
unrivalled in its class
TL Bureau, Molsheim
Brand Management expert Wiebke Ståhl turned the French luxury brand from Molsheim into a sought after global licensor. Bugatti International with an ambitious vision for the future To establish the Bugatti brand and products in the 21st century where both are today was not an easy task. When the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. hit the market in 2005, there had been reluctance about the product as well as the revival of the French luxury brand. While the Veyron established itself quickly at the pinnacle of the automotive industry, the development of Bugatti International as a demanded licensor in the luxury industry took longer. Since Wiebke Ståhl took over as Managing Director Bugatti International the business obtained a clear, defined structure; the intricate trademark situation was rectified and the brand’s name became globally well protected. Ståhl, an expert in international marketing and brand management with experience at Ferrari, Group Lotus, Chopard and Montblanc, transformed the brand into a profitable and diversified business. “The BUGATTI brand has always fascinated me, it has such a great history and so much potential. It needed to be more visible and properly re-established and that we have definitely achieved,” says Stahl.There are times when even she and her team are awed by their success. It so happened during the cooperation with LEGO Technic, initiated by her team in 2017. The outcome became
TL Bureau, Hiroshima
by far more successful than both brands ever expected and was extended for another year. It was the first time LEGO created a 1:1 model, the LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron - with a functioning engine, built purely out of LEGO technic elements. It took the famous Danish company more than one year to develop the model, supported by Bugatti’s engineers who visited their factory in Kladno in the Czech Republic to support. When traveling around the world in 2018 the full-size LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron drew crowds wherever it was displayed. LEGO store managers reported that children would stand in front of the 1:8 model in the store and carefully explain each detail and feature of the real Chiron1 to astonished passers-by. “The fascination for our brand and products asserted to us what we achieved and how well-established Bugatti has become in people’s hearts and minds and how positive our brand image has become again,” Ståhl raves, “through
such activities we strengthen the bond with our fans and customers of tomorrow.” Wiebke Ståhl, joined Bugatti in 2015, she has not only become a passionate custodian of the Bugatti trademark but also engages and leverages the brand into new, high-end and high-tech collaborations, mirroring the French luxury brand’s unique image and iconic automotive product line. The challenge is to not run after the obvious but to find the right partner, to search for hidden champions being innovative, ambitious and perfectionists in their fields. “A brand which produces around 80 units of its’ automotive masterpieces per year, each of them a oneof-a-kind in itself, cannot simply do what other brands do and produce a perfume or handbag line under its name,” says Ståhl, “products under our name are diligently developed, their technology needs to be extraordinary, with a clear association to our brand DNA, whether they are watches, sportswear or audio-visual equipment.”
The Mazda MX-5 is unbeatable among roadsters and convertibles. This is demonstrated by the readers’ polls of the three largest German automotive trade magazines. The roadster recently won the AUTO BILD poll “The Best Brands in all Classes 2021” in the category convertibles under 50,000 euros. The Mazda MX-5 is not only the priceperformance winner for the third year in a row in this competition, but also overall champion in the category this year. In the overall ranking the Mazda roadster placed well ahead of the Audi A5 Cabriolet and the Ford Mustang Convertible.
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Statement by the Prime Minister on the loss of Canadian citizens in the tragedy at Mount Meron, Israel
TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the tragedy at Mount Meron, Israel, that claimed dozens of lives, including two Canadians: “It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of the death of two Canadians in the tragedy during the Lag B’Omer celebrations at Mount Meron. “On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I
offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of everyone who lost a loved one at Mount Meron, and wish for a fast and full recovery of the many injured. “We grieve with Israel and the Jewish community in Canada, and stand ready to assist in any way we can. Our embassy personnel in Tel Aviv are providing consular assistance and are working with Israeli officials in this difficult time.
Japan to Send Respirators, Oxygen Concentrators to Virus-Hit India
TL Bureau, Tokyo
The Japanese government said Friday it has decided to send 300 respirators and 300 oxygen concentrators to India, which is battling one of the world’s worst coronavirus crises with the rapid spread of the virus, including more contagious variants, Kyodo reported. The move came after the country’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi agreed during
India to import 4,50,000 vials of Remdesivir
TL Bureau, New Delhi
The Government of India has started importing the vital drug Remdesivir from other countries to ease out the shortage of Remdesivir in the country. The first Consignment of 75000 vials will reach India today. HLL Lifecare Ltd, a Government of India owned company has ordered 4,50,000 vials of Remdesivir from M/s Gilead Sciences Inc USA. and Egyptian Pharma Company, M/s Eva Pharma. It is expected that Gilead Sciences Inc. USA will dispatch 75,000 to 1,00,000 vials in the next one or two days. Further one hundred thousand quantities will also be supplied before or by May 15. EVA pharma will supply approximately 10,000 vials initially followed by 50,000 vials every 15 days or till July.
Government has ramped up the production capacity of Remdesivir in the country. As on 27.04.21, the production capacity of the seven licensed domestic manufacturers increased from 38 lakh vials per month to 1.03 crore vials per month. Total 13.73 lakh vials have been supplied across the country by the Drug companies in the last seven days (21-28 April, 2021). The daily supply has gone up from 67,900 vials on 11th April to 2.09 lakh vials on 28th April, 2021. An advisory was issued by MHA to states and UTs to facilitate smooth movement of Remdesivir supplies. Government also prohibited the export of Remdesivir to enhance its availability in India. To ensure affordability of the injection among the masses, NPPA on April 17, 2021 released the
The Prime Minister announces changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service
TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service: Isabelle Mondou, currently Associate Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, and Deputy Minister for the COVID-19 Response (Communications), Privy Council Office (on assignment), becomes Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, effective May 3, 2021. Christine Donoghue, currently Deputy Commissioner of Revenue, Canada Revenue
Agency, becomes Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, effective May 3, 2021. Les Linklater, currently Federal Lead, COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing and Data Management Strategies, Health Canada, becomes Senior Official at the Privy Council Office, effective May 3, 2021. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to congratulate Hélène Laurendeau, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, on her retirement from the Public Service and thanked her for her dedication and service to Canadians.
revised maximum retail price thus bringing down the cost of all the major brands to below Rs 3500 per vial. In order to facilitate higher production and availability of Remdesivir, the Department of Revenue vide Notification 27/2021-Customs dated 20th April exempted the whole of the duty of Customs on Remdesivir injection, its API and Beta cyclodextrin used in manufacture of Remdesivir, till 31st October 2021. National Treatment Protocol was updated through the Clinical guidance for Management of Adult COVID 19 patients by AIIMS/ ICMRCOVID-19 National Task Force/ Joint Monitoring group of MoHFW on 22.04.2021. The updated protocol will encourage Judicious use of Drugs and is expected to contribute to rationalising demand.
Moroccan, Kazakh Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Relations TL Bureau, Rabat
The Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, held today a telephone conversation with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi. During the call, they discussed means to promote bilateral relations in all fields. They also exchanged points of view over international issues of common interest and agreed to enhance their coordination, inside multipartite bodies and international forums.
phone talks on Monday to work together to fight the pandemic of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus. “Given our friendship with India, which is an important partner in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region, we have decided to extend emergency assistance to help people affected by the novel coronavirus from a humanitarian standpoint,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference. Kato also said Japan will consider
additional aid for India depending on the virus situation in the country. The Indian government announced Wednesday the country’s COVID-19 death toll had eclipsed 200,000, with over 300,000 new daily infections confirmed recently. The South Asian country is the second hardest-hit country by the pandemic after the United States, having seen over 18 million cases, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
Secretary Blinken’s Call with Moroccan Foreign Minister Bourita
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita spoke today. Secretary Blinken noted the longstanding and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship founded on shared values and interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity. The Secretary welcomed Morocco’s steps to improve relations with Israel and noted the Morocco-Israel relationship will bring long-term benefits for both countries. They
discussed opportunities to increase cooperation in Africa to promote economic prosperity and stability and the Secretary highlighted Morocco’s key role in fostering stability in the Sahel and Libya. The Secretary and the Minister discussed King Mohammed VI’s far-reaching reforms over the past two decades, and the Secretary encouraged Morocco to continue implementing these reforms and to reaffirm its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms
US Secretary of State, Indian Counterpart Discuss Bilateral Relations
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
The American Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a telephone call today to the Indian Minister of External Affairs
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. During the conversation, bilateral relations and ways to consolidate and cement them were discussed, in addition to review files of common interest.
Morocco and Portugal Discuss Bilateral Relations
TL Bureau, Rabat
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, held virtual talks with the Portuguese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva. In a statement, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated
that the two ministers discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and issues of common interest. Moreover, the two sides stressed the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation to contribute to the settlement of many regional issues, especially in Libya and other regions in Africa.
Brazil Records 2595 Deaths and 68,333 New Coronavirus Cases
TL Bureau, Sao Paulo
Brazil recorded 68,333 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 2595 deaths.
The country’s Ministry of Health stated, that the total number of cases infected with the virus reached 14,659,011 cases, while the total deaths reached 403,781 deaths.
Russia: Joint Statement by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the President of the European Parliament on the imposition of restrictive measures against eight EU nationals
TL Bureau, Brussels
We condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s decision of the Russian authorities to ban eight European Union
nationals from entering the Russian territory. This includes the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, Vice President of the European Commission Věra
Jourová, as well as six EU Member States’ officials. This action is unacceptable, lacks any legal justification and is entirely groundless. It targets the European Union directly, not
only the individuals concerned. This decision is the latest, striking demonstration of how the Russian Federation has chosen confrontation with the EU instead of agreeing to
redress the negative trajectory of our bilateral relations. The EU reserves the right to take appropriate measures in response to the Russian authorities’ decision.