The Life News USA March 16, 2021

Vol. 02 Issue 10 March 16, 2021

thelifenews.com.au, thelifenews.co

Kim Yo Jong warns U.S. WFP warns of rising TL Bureau Pyongyang

&

food, fuel costs in Myanmar

Sources,

North Korean authority Kim Yo Jong tended to the U.S. organization of President Joe Biden interestingly on Tuesday in a proclamation that included judgment of joint U.S.- South Korea activities and dangers to drop between Korean arrangements.

Kim, the more youthful sister of pioneer Kim Jong Un, said Tuesday in an articulation distributed to KCNA the choice to do joined activities on the promontory was a “absurd decision.” The activities are “drills for an attack” that “crosses a red line,” Kim said.

Kim, appointee head of the Central Committee of the Korean Workers’ Party, likewise said she had a “expression of guidance for the new U.S. organization.”

“In the event that it is your desire to rest soundly for the following four years, it is ideal to not make issues from the beginning that will cause you to lose rest,” Kim said.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in didn’t give a reaction to

TL Bureau, Naypyitaw

Photo: Yahoo Kim on Tuesday.

Seoul’s military tended to the North’s assertion. Safeguard Minister Suh Wook said before Seoul’s parliamentary public guard panel Kim’s comments are “unfortunate.” Suh said the continuous activities with the United States are for protection purposes, News 1 announced.

Kim additionally raised the issue of between Korean collaboration at Mount Kumgang resort in her assertion.

“There is no requirement for any participation or trade with South Korean specialists, who treat us as

foes,” the North Korean authority said, alluding to one-sided plans to screen North Korea’s Kumgangsan International Tourism Bureau.

North Korea could be hoping to disintegrate its Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, as per Kim’s assertion. The Committee is an element managing between Korean issues that was established in 1961.

Yang Moo-jin, a South Korean expert at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, disclosed to Newsis Kim’s message is to a greater extent an admonition than a notification of activity.

The World Food Program cautioned on Tuesday that supply chains in Myanmar were at that point being affected by rising food and fuel costs following the military’s overthrow early a month ago.

As indicated by the U.N. association, the retail cost of palm oil has bounced 20% in the locale around the capital of Yangon city while the expense of rice there and in around Mandalay shot up 4% since the most recent seven day stretch of February.

The association said it has additionally noticed the expense of cooking oil increment 27% from January to February in northern Rakhine and 15% in Maungdaw while fuel cross country expanded 15% since Feb. 1 when the military

expelled government control from the nation’s equitably chosen pioneers, starting shock from residents who have since rioted in fight regardless of heightening savage obstruction from security powers.

Stephen Anderson, the overseer of WFP Myanmar, said the cost increments are troubling, particularly for those generally experiencing in the country food instability.

“Going ahead top of the COVID-19 pandemic, if these value patterns proceed with they will seriously subvert the capacity of the least fortunate and generally powerless against put sufficient food on the family table,” Anderson said in a proclamation.

The admonition from the WFP came as the loss of life from the upset kept on climbing.

Britain’s Prince Philip returns home from hospital TL Bureau, London

England’s Prince Philip got back on Tuesday subsequent to going through a month in clinic, during which time he went through a heart strategy and treatment for a contamination.

Sovereign Philip, 99, left King Edward VII’s Hospital on Tuesday, authorities said. He’d went through a consolidated a month among there and at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, a public office in London, beginning on Feb.16.

His month-long stay was the longest timeframe Philip has spent in clinic.

Buckingham Palace has not determined precisely what sort of

a methodology he went through at Barts on March 4, saying just that it was identified with a prior heart condition. Authorities said it was not identified with COVID-19.

Philip began at King Edward VII’s and was subsequently moved to Barts for the system, before he was gotten back to King Edward VII’s.

Philip, who turns 100 in June, resigned from public obligations in 2017 and was most recently seen openly the previous summer when he moved his job as colonelin-head of The Rifles to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Sovereign Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have burned through a large portion of the previous year at Windsor Castle, outside London.

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reland and the Netherlands briefly suspended controlling the AstraZeneca COVID-19 immunization on Sunday, a day after Norway revealed blood clumps creating in patients who have been vaccinated with the shot.

Stephen Donnelly, Ireland’s wellbeing priest, said in a tweet that the choice to suspend the immunization was “a prudent advance” and dependent on “new data from Norway that arose toward the end of last night.”

The choice to briefly suspend utilization of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 immunization depended on new data from Norway that arose before the end of last night. This is a prudent advance. The National Immunization Advisory Comm meets again today and we’ll give an update after that—Stephen Donnelly (@ DonnellyStephen) March 14, 2021 Ireland’s National Immunization Advisory Committee settled on the choice after Norway on Saturday revealed four new instances of blood coagulating and seeping under the skin in grownups younger than 65 who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with the shot created by AstraZeneca and Britain’s Oxford University.

The warning panel said there have been no such reports of blood thickening among those in Ireland who have gotten the AstraZeneca shot, of which in excess of 117,000 dosages have been regulated.

“The conceivable connection between these occasions and the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is unsure and is being explored,” the National Immunization Advisory Committee said in an explanation.

Karina Butler, seat of the panel, said they will screen the circumstance and will rethink the suspension “on the off chance that we can be fulfilled that these occasions are fortuitous.”

“This immunization

Issue over AstraZeneca’s immunisation; some nations currently suspended vaccine

is demonstrated to be extremely compelling against serious COVID-19 sickness, which is related with a danger of coagulating occasions,” Butler said.

“We have removed this progression from a wealth of alert.”

The Netherlands on Sunday reported its Dutch Medicines Authority has stopped the utilization of the immunization until March 28.

“I think it is vital that reports are appropriately explored,” Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said in a proclamation. “We should consistently decide in favor alert, which is the reason it is astute to press the interruption button now as a precautionary measure.”

Norway had announced that one patient had passed on from a surprising cerebrum discharge subsequent to accepting the antibody and three others had created “serious instances of blood clusters or mind hemorrhages” who were regulated the shot. The Norwegian Medicines Agency likewise said it has not closed the clinical issues are associated with the antibody, “however because of the reality, these cases are by and large altogether explored.”

Accordingly, the office is requesting those under a long time from age who had the AstraZeneca immunization in the previous fourteen days who feel progressively unwell

with huge blue patches of skin demonstrating haemorraghes to counsel a specialist at the earliest opportunity. The declaration of the cases follows comparable episodes having been accounted for in European countries, with Denmark suspending utilization of the AstraZeneca antibody toward the end of last week, refering to “extreme instances of blood coagulating” in certain beneficiaries. On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency said it has dispatched a full examination concerning the reports of blood clumps “as a careful step.” AstraZeneca guarded its antibody on Sunday, expressing its wellbeing is supported by logical verification while there is no proof of an expanded danger of blood coagulating among

editorial

the individuals who have gotten the immunization in any age gathering and in any country.

“Around 17 million individuals in the EU and UK have now gotten our immunization, and the quantity of instances of blood clusters revealed in this gathering is lower than the many cases that would be normal among everybody,” Ann Taylor, AstraZeneca’s main clinical official, said in an assertion.

“The idea of the pandemic has prompted expanded consideration in singular cases and we are going past the standard practices for security observing of authorized prescriptions in detailing antibody occasions, to guarantee public wellbeing.”

The European Medicines Agency said as of Thursday 30 instances of blood coagulating had been accounted for among around 5 million individuals inoculated with the AstraZeneca antibody in the EU, which is a rate “no higher than the number found in everybody.” Denmark, Thailand, Norway, Iceland, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have all suspended utilization of the immunization. The medication has been endorsed for crisis use in many nations, including Britain and Canada while the United States keeps on pondering giving it approval.

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world

2nd Anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque Attacks

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

On the second anniversary of the horrendous attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, the United States stands with New Zealand in condemning all forms of terrorism, regardless of ideology. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families. As a democratic society, we reject any attempts by individuals or groups to stoke the flames of intolerance and hate.

President Biden has made countering Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism (REMVE), including violent white supremacist ideology, a top

priority, and we are committed to work with international partners to prevent all forms of terrorism.

The United States engages in multilateral venues including the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the United Nations, and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism to address drivers and manifestations of REMVE, and supports the intent of the Christchurch Call to Action to Eliminate Terrorism and Violent Extremist Content Online. The United States encourages technology companies to enforce their terms of service and community standards to prevent terrorists from using their platforms to incite violence.

Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward Khamis Mushait City TL Bureau, Riyadh

Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki “Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this morning (Monday) a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in (Khamis Mushait)

These acts of aggression to deliberately and systematically target civilians and civilian objects by the terrorist, Iranbacked Houthi militia amount to war crimes.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue to implement all necessary operational procedures to safeguard civilians and civilian objects in accordance with the customary International Humanitarian Law.”

Reaffirming the Unbreakable U.S.-Japan Alliance

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

“America’s alliances are our greatest asset, and leading with diplomacy means standing shoulder-toshoulder with our allies and key partners once again.”

– President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., February 4, 2021 Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will travel to Tokyo, Japan, March 15-17to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to strengthening our alliance and to highlight cooperation that promotes peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin will attend the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) meeting hosted by Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi and Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi. Secretary Blinken will meet separately with Minister Motegi and other senior officials to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues. Secretary Blinken will meet virtually with business leaders to highlight the importance of U.S.-Japan economic ties and shared priorities, such as addressing climate change, securing supply chains, promoting and protecting emerging technologies, fostering digital trade, and recovering

from COVID-19. He will have a virtual discussion with women entrepreneurs on the challenges that women face in building successful businesses. Secretary Blinken will also host a virtual roundtable with emerging Japanese journalists to discuss the future of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, the role of a free press in promoting good governance, supporting human rights, and defending democracy, and the widespread benefits of advancing gender equity and opportunities for women worldwide.

A Strong Alliance Based on Shared Values The U.S.-Japan Alliance has served as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and across the world for over six decades. We are committed to working together on our shared challenges, including curbing the global COVID-19 pandemic, combatting climate change, strengthening democracy and human rights, promoting free and fair trade, and countering malign influences and PRC provocations in Asia and around the world.

The American and Japanese people share deeply rooted values of defending freedom, championing economic and social opportunity and inclusion, upholding human rights, respecting the rule of law, and treating every person with dignity.

Prime Minister launches £3 billion bus revolution

TL Bureau, London

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today (15 March 2021) unveils the most ambitious shake-up of the bus sector in a generation, which will see lower, simpler flat fares in towns and cities, turn-up-andgo services on main routes, and new flexible services to reconnect communities.

The government’s new bus strategy, backed by £3 billion of investment, will see passengers across England benefiting from more frequent, more reliable, easier to use and understand, better coordinated and cheaper bus services.

Levelling up services across the country will encourage more people to use the bus, rather than the car, as we build back better from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The changes include: simpler bus fares with daily price caps, so people can use the bus as many times a day as they need without facing mounting costs more services in the evenings and at the weekends integrated services and ticketing across all transport modes, so people can easily move from bus to train all buses to accept contactless payments Hundreds of miles of new bus lanes will make journeys quicker and more reliable, getting people out of their cars, reducing pollution and operating costs.

The Prime Minister’s ten point plan sets out how we will accelerate the transition to greener and more sustainable transport.

We will: deliver 4,000 new British-built electric or hydrogen buses will

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Paraguayan President Abdo Benitez TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez.

The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for the Paraguayan people as they struggle with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and outlined our efforts to help. He underscored the importance of free expression, peaceful demonstration, and the rule of law in democratic societies, and condemned recent acts of violence. The Secretary stressed the importance of continuing to work with democratic regional and global partners, including Taiwan, to overcome this global pandemic, combat corruption, and increase transparency and accountability.

• Bus strategy to see passengers across England benefiting from more frequent, reliable, easier to use and cheaper bus services.

• government publishes major new bus strategy, outlining most ambitious reform to the sector in a generation • buses will be more frequent, cheaper, greener, and easier to use as government continues its levelling up agenda • councils and operators will work in partnership for the benefit of passengers

provide clean, quiet, zeroemission travel transition cities and regions across England to emission-free buses, safeguarding the UK bus manufacturing industry end sales of new diesel buses, and we have launched a consultation on the end date today.

We expect to see local authorities and operators working together to deliver bus services that are so frequent that passengers can just ‘turn up and go’ – no longer needing to rely on a traditional timetable and having the confidence they won’t wait more than a few minutes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: Buses are lifelines and liberators, connecting people to jobs they couldn’t otherwise take, driving pensioners and young people to see their friends, sustaining town centres and protecting the environment.

As we build back from the pandemic, better buses will be one of our first acts of levelling-up.

Just as they did in London, our reforms will make buses the transport of choice, reducing the number of car journeys and improving quality of life for millions.

UAE Announces 1,992 New COVID-19 Cases, 2,169 Recoveries, 7 Deaths in Last 24 Hours

TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 232,901 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment, WAM News Agency reported today.

The UAE Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of Coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. As

part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced 1,992 new Coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 426,397. The MoHAP also announced seven deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,395.

The UAE Health Ministry also noted that an additional 2,169 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 405,647.

Secretary Blinken’s Call with French Foreign Minister Le Drian TL Bureau, Riyadh

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian today. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Le Drian

emphasized the special role of the Transatlantic Alliance in addressing global security challenges. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed Iran, Russia, and China, and the political process in Libya. They also spoke about peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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Märta Stenevi to take part in UN session on the status of women

TL Bureau, Stockholm

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed inequalities and also increased the gap between women and men. It is therefore more important than ever to consistently have a gender perspective when we rebuild a society that is stronger and more sustainable than before the crisis.

- I look forward to representing Sweden at the CSW65 in these challenging times and welcome this year’s priority theme.

Women’s empowerment and participation, and the elimination of violence against women, are priority issues for the Swedish Government. This is in line with Sweden’s interim objectives of an even division of power and influence, and ending men’s violence against women, says Ms Stenevi.

Ms Stenevi will give an opening address at two side events hosted

On 15–19 March, Minister for Gender Equality Märta Stenevi will take part digitally in the sixty-fifth session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65). The priority theme is women’s opportunities for participation and decision-making in public life, and the elimination of violence against women.

by Sweden. Tuesday’s side event will focus on rights and sexuality education, and Wednesday’s event will focus on strengthening economic gender equality.

Ms Stenevi will also take part in a Nordic ministerial meeting together with UN Women’s Executive Director, with focus on involving young people in gender equality efforts.

Ms Stenevi will lead the Swedish delegation that, in addition to representatives from the Government, comprises representatives from government agencies, the Riksdag, civil

society organisations and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.

- This year, twelve civil society organisations will be part of the Swedish delegation, which is considerably more than usual and very gratifying. We place great value on civil society’s engagement, says Ms Stenevi.

State Secretary Karin Strandås will also take part in CSW65, and will speak at a side event on the Istanbul Convention and how it has helped strengthen Sweden’s efforts to combat men’s violence against women.

UAE Announces 1,898 New COVID-19 Cases, 2,438 Recoveries, 7 Deaths in Last 24 Hours

Backed by KSrelief, Emergency Center for Epidemic Diseases Control Provides Treatment Services to Beneficiaries in Hajjah, Yemen

TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 205,579 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using stateof-the-art medical testing equipment, WAM News Agency reported today. The UAE Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of Coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.As part of its

intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced 1,898 new Coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 428,295.

The MoHAP also announced seven deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,402. The UAE Health Ministry also noted that an additional 2,438 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 408,085.

TL Bureau, Hajjah

Backed by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the Emergency Center for Epidemic Diseases Control provided treatment services to the beneficiaries, in Hayran District, Hajjah Governorate, Yemen. During February 2021, the clinics and departments received 21,987 beneficiaries, with various and different health conditions.

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The United States and Japan Expand Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation

TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Office of the Spokesperson

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed the vital importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world during Secretary Blinken’s visit to Tokyo. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Motegi welcomed our continued cooperation on maritime security, the denuclearization of

the DPRK and the resolution of the abductions issue, and other security issues as stated in the Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (2+2).

The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also condemned the coup and use of violence in Burma, expressed concern over the expansion of authoritarian and aggressive actions by the People’s Republic of China, and agreed to strengthen likeminded coordination across these issues.

Deepening U.S.-Japan economic cooperation is a key priority for both governments.

Secretary

Blinken and Foreign Minister Motegi highlighted our close cooperation and continued progress in promoting a Free and Open Indo-Pacific with regard to economic issues, pledging to deepen U.S.-Japan coordination in the areas of climate change, clean energy, cybersecurity, supply chains, and COVID-19.

Climate Change The United States and Japan commit to enhancing cooperation on climate ambition and decarbonization in the lead up to the April 22 Leaders’ Climate Summit, COP26, and beyond.

world

Switzerland sets the tone at UN conference on women’s participation in public life and decision-making

TL Bureau, Bern

The 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will open on Monday 15 March 2021 in New York. The main focus of

this year’s session will be on the effective participation of women in decision-making in public life and on the elimination of violence against women. The Swiss delegation is led by Federal Councillor Alain Berset.

Ministry of Health: 345 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Saudi Arabia

TL Bureau, Riyadh

The Ministry of Health announced today that 345 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; thus bringing the total number to 382,752 confirmed cases, including 3,253 active cases receiving necessary medical care.

Of these, there are 567 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable.

The Ministry of Health also announced that 223 new recoveries have been recorded, bringing the total recoveries to 372,926 cases. Also, 6 new deaths have been reported; bringing the total deaths to 6,573.

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Danish Foreign Minister Kofod

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of advancing mutual goals, including combating climate change, developing green technology, enhancing defense cooperation, and continuing common efforts with the Kingdom of Denmark on the Arctic. The Secretary and Foreign Minister Kofod noted our shared commitment to strengthen the NATO alliance and support Secretary General Stoltenberg’s NATO 2030 agenda as well as to cooperate to address other challenges, including COVID-19 and energy security.

South Korea Reports 31 More Cases of COVID-19 Variants

TL Bureau, Seoul

South Korea on Monday reported 31 more new cases of COVID-19 variants, including 12 local infections, prompting health authorities to stay on guard against the spread of the more transmissible strains here, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said 24 people were confirmed to have been infected with the British variant, and seven tested positive for the South African strain, raising the total to 213.

South Korea has once again extended the ban on passenger flights arriving from Britain, which has been in place since Dec. 23, until April 1 to block the new virus variant that was first identified there.

Also, all entrants, both foreigners and locals, have been required to present certificates of negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests taken within 72 hours of their departure for South Korea since late February.

On Monday, the country reported 382 more COVID-19 cases, raising the total caseload to 96,107, the KDCA said

Council adopts position on €95.5 billion EU research programme for 2021-2027 TL Bureau, Brussels

The Council today adopted its first reading position on Horizon Europe, the EU’s multiannual framework programme for research and innovation for the years 2021 to 2027 ( “the programme”). This follows up on a deal reached last December with the European Parliament that paves the way for the swift adoption of the proposed regulation establishing Horizon Europe at second reading.

“Today’s adoption of the

Council’s position brings us only one step away from the final adoption of the most ambitious EU research and innovation programme so far. Our researchers are given the necessary tools for their valuable contribution to our resilient economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and the swift transition towards a green and digital economy.”

Manuel Heitor, Portuguese Minister for Science and Technology and Higher Education.

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USA

Joint Statement by the Secretary of State of the United States of America, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, and Italy

TL Bureau, Washington D.C. The following statement was released by United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, and UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the Syrian uprising: Begin text: Today marks ten years since the Syrian people peacefully took to the streets calling for reform.

The Assad regime’s response has been one of appalling violence.

President Assad and his backers bear responsibility for the years of war and human suffering that followed. We praise the brave

individuals and organisations who over the last ten years have exposed the truth from Syria, documented and pursued abuses, mass atrocities, and grave violations of international law to hold the perpetrators accountable and delivered vital assistance to communities. That work remains essential. After years of conflict, widespread corruption, and economic mismanagement, the Syrian economy is broken.

More than half of the population, nearly 13 million Syrians, depend upon humanitarian assistance. The millions of Syrian refugees, hosted generously by Syria’s neighbours, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt as well as those internally displaced cannot yet return home without fear of violence, arbitrary arrest, and torture. Continued

conflict has also led to space for terrorists, particularly Daesh, to exploit. Preventing Daesh’s resurgence remains a priority.

It is imperative the regime and its supporters engage seriously in the political process and allow humanitarian assistance to reach communities in need. The proposed Syrian Presidential election this year will neither be free nor fair, nor should it lead to any measure of international normalization with the Syrian regime. Any political process needs the participation of all Syrians, including the diaspora and the displaced, to enable all voices to be heard.We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, will not abandon the Syrian people. Our nations commit

to reinvigorating the pursuit of a peaceful solution which protects the rights and future prosperity of all Syrians, based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Impunity is unacceptable and we will firmly continue to press for accountability for the most serious crimes. We will continue to support the important role of the Commission of Inquiry and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism.

We welcome the ongoing efforts by national courts to investigate and prosecute crimes within their jurisdiction committed in Syria.

We will not tolerate Syria’s noncompliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and fully support the work of the OPCW in this regard. We will continue to strongly call for a nationwide

ceasefire, unhindered aid access through all possible routes to those in need, including through the renewal of UN Security Council Resolution 2533 and the crossborder mechanism by the UN Security Council, as well as the release of those arbitrarily detained, and free and fair elections under UN auspices with all Syrians participating, including members of the diaspora. To that end we reiterate our firm support for UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen’s efforts to deliver all aspects of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 as the only way to resolve this conflict. Clear progress towards an inclusive political process and an end to the repression of the Syrian people is essential. We cannot allow this tragedy to last another decade.

US Department Press Briefing – March 15, 2021 TL Bureau, Washington, D.C.

MS PORTER: Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining today’s press call.

A few things at the top, and then we’ll get into your questions.

Today, Mathias Cormann of Australia was selected as the next secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the OECD. As a former finance minister and elected official, Cormann brings a wealth of leadership and problem-solving experience to the role. And, as the first secretary general from the Asia-Pacific region to lead the OECD in its 60-year history, we’re confident he also brings a fresh perspective.

Cormann will lead the OECD as it navigates pressing international economic issues including addressing climate change, modernizing international taxation, tackling corruption, and strengthening labor rights.

The United States admires the OECD for its role in enhancing cooperation in the global economy and values it as a unique forum where the United States can work with likeminded, market-driven democracies in developing a shared approach to challenging issues and building a green and inclusive future together.

We also look forward to working with Cormann on the OECD’s 60th anniversary Ministerial Council Meeting, which the United States will be chairing this year.

We want to thank UK Ambassador to the OECD and Dean of Ambassadors Chris Sharrock for leading a well-organized, fair, and transparent selection process, one that resulted in consensus among 37 OECD member-states on the next secretary general: Mathias Cormann.

Congratulations, Mathias. We look forward to working with you.

Ten years ago, the Syrian people peacefully took to the streets calling for basic human rights and an end to government corruption.

On this anniversary, we honor the many brave Syrians who spoke out a decade ago against oppression and who continue to act today – documenting atrocities, providing humanitarian aid and medical services, and demanding freedom and dignity for all Syrians.

The United States stands with the Syrian people. Under the Assad regime, they have suffered innumerable atrocities, and we will continue to work with the international community to promote accountability and call for the release of those arbitrarily detained, information on whereabouts of the missing, and unhindered humanitarian assistance to

the Syrian people.

We will also continue to promote a political settlement to end the conflict in Syria in close consultation with our allies, partners, and the United Nations. A political settlement is the only way to sustainably end the conflict, prevent greater suffering, and provide the peace and stability the Syrian people deserve.

This weekend also marked another new low, as Burmese security forces brutally attacked their own people, killing dozens throughout the country. The military junta’s violence against the people of Burma is immoral and indefensible.

The junta has responded to calls for the restoration of democracy in Burma with bullets.

These tactics are a reminder that Burma’s military conducted this coup for their own selfish gains and not to represent the will of the people.

The United States continues to call on all countries to take concrete actions to oppose the coup and its escalating violence.

The United States is following with concern developments surrounding the Bolivian Government’s recent arrests of former officials.

We urge our friends and neighbors in Bolivia to uphold all civil rights and due process guarantees of the American Convention on Human Rights and the principles of the InterAmerican Democratic Charter.

Our concern joins those expressed by civic, political, and religious leaders in Bolivia as well as by those in the international community, including the UN secretary general, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bolivia, and the European Union.

Many countries in our hemisphere, including the United States, have realized that at one time or another that democratic rule of, by, and for the people is a gift that must be respectfully handled.

And with that, we will go to our questions.

Let’s go to the line of Nike Ching of VOA. QUESTION: Hi, good afternoon. Jalina, thanks so much for the briefing. On North Korea, I take note that White House spokesperson has confirmed the Biden administration has reached out to North Korea but has not received a response. As Secretary Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan are meeting with senior Chinese officials later this week, what does the U.S. ask from China regarding North Korea denuclearization? Is this something the U.S. envisioned it could cooperate with China? And separately, is there

discussion to appoint a human rights envoy for North Korea? Thank you.

MS PORTER: Thanks for your question, Nike.

I’ll get to your question on North Korea.

So the Biden administration is conducting a thorough interagency review of U.S. policy toward North Korea, and that includes evaluating all options to address the increased threats that are posed by North Korea to its neighbors as well as the broader international community. We’re continuing to lead a structured and detailed policy process that has integrated a diverse set of voices from throughout the government and incorporates input from think tanks as well as outside experts.

We’ve also consulted with many former government officials, including in North Korea policy, and several from the previous administration. And throughout this review process, we will have and we will continue to engage with our Japanese and South Korean allies to solicit input as well as explore fresh approaches. We’ve listened carefully to their ideas, including through trilateral consultation.

Next, we will go to the line of Simon Lewis, Reuters.

QUESTION: Hi. Hi, can you hear me?

MS PORTER: Hi. Yes, we can hear you.

QUESTION: Hi, yes. So I wanted to ask the – on Thursday this week, there is a Afghan peace conference in Moscow, and we wanted to know whether Special Envoy Khalilzad is planning to attend that. And if the U.S. going to attend this conference under Russian auspices, then what does that mean for the peace process in Afghanistan?

MS PORTER: Well, to answer your question on the peace process in Afghanistan as well as Special Representative Khalilzad, as of last week the Secretary said we are engaging in the region and international partners to try to accelerate progress towards a political settlement, and as a part of our ongoing efforts to encourage this important peace process, Ambassador Khalilzad does plan to attend the meeting in Moscow. This meeting will complement all other international efforts to support the Afghanistan peace process and also reflects the international community’s concerns about the progress to date.

Next we will go to the line of Erin Ji, Radio Free Asia.

QUESTION: Hello, can you hear me?

MS PORTER: Hi, yes, I can hear you.

QUESTION: Okay. Great. Thank you. Thank you for doing this. My question is on North

Korea as well. Would you – would you be able to elaborate on why the U.S. Government reached out to North Korea behind the scenes at this particular time? And how does diplomatic outreach fit into the ongoing policy review on North Korea? Thank you.

MS PORTER: Thank you for the question.

Again, I’ll just repeat what we said before that the Biden administration is conducting a thorough interagency review of U.S. – the U.S. policy towards North Korea. And we’ve continued to consult with many former government officials involved in North Korea policy as well as several from the previous administration. And again, through this review process we have and will continue to engage with our allies in the area.

Thank you. We’ll go to the line of Jiha Ham of VOA. Hello?

QUESTION: Hi, can you hear me? Hi. Yeah, I have a similar question actually. I have a question on North Korea. So we learned that the U.S. has not received any response from Pyongyang. So a non-responsive North Korea, how would this affect to the ongoing policy review on North Korea? I mean, does it matter in how you shape the policy that they have shown no response? And would it change any directions of the policy towards North Korea? And if I may, I have one more question. It seems like the U.S. has several channels that can reach out to North Korea.

So would sending a direct letter to Kim Jongun be one of the channels? We know the previous administration regularly exchanged letters with Kim Jong-un. So has President Biden written or will he try to maybe write a similar letter to Kim Jong-un? Thank you MS PORTER: Well, thank you. To answer both of your questions, to reduce the risk of escalation, we’ve reached out to the North Korean Government through several channels starting in mid-February, including in New York. And to date, we have not received any response from Pyongyang. This follows over a year without active dialogue with North Korea despite several attempts by the U.S. to engage.

We can now go to the line of Nadia Bilbassy.

QUESTION: Jalina, this is Nadia Bilbassy with Al Arabiya Television. As you have seen today, the Houthi militias has launched another rocket towards Khamis Mushait in Saudi Arabia, targeting civilians. I’m wondering if you can update us on Mr. Lenderking (inaudible) an effort of trying to get the Houthis back to the negotiation table.

6

7

BUSINESS

IFC, Dhaka Stock Exchange, and United Nations Push for Gender-Equal, Post-COVID Future with 6th Annual Ring the Bell Event in Bangladesh

TL Bureau, Dhaka

Celebrating International Women’s Day, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, partnered with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), UN Women, and United Nations Global Compact for the sixth consecutive year to ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality.’ While emphasizing women’s role in shaping a more equal future, the annual event highlights the link between gender equality, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

This year’s event comes at a critical moment, as the economic and social consequences of COVID-19 continue to disproportionally impact women. Research shows that women have borne the brunt of added household burdens and have lost their jobs at about 1.8 times the rate of men. Studies also show that female talent is among the least utilized economic and

business resource around the world, and the pandemic is worsening the situation. Making even small inroads in closing the global gender gap could quickly yield strong results, with the potential to increase global gross domestic product by $12 trillion by 2025, according to a McKinsey Global Institute report.

“We are extremely pleased that the Dhaka Stock Exchange—along with over 100 other stock exchanges around the world—joined hands with IFC and other partners to Ring the Bell for Gender Equality,” said Shibli Rubayat-Ul- Islam, Chairman, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. “We remain fully committed to closing the gender gap and promoting women’s role in leadership, particularly in listed companies in Bangladesh. This will help private sector companies create value and promote inclusive growth,”

he added.

A 2020 IFC-DSE study indicates that around 18 percent of board directors on companies listed in Bangladesh were women. In terms of women on boards of listed companies, Bangladesh tops the South Asia region with a higher average than the global average of 17 percent. However, only 5 percent of the women board directors are currently independent directors.

“Women have to work twice as hard to succeed in a male-dominated world of work, and at the same time, women carry a significantly larger part of the unpaid domestic care burden. This care burden and other gendered access barriers have been amplified by COVID-19,” said Mia Seppo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.

“Despite this, we see plenty of evidence of women’s resilience, innovation and leadership. In a

future, gender equal world, there is no limit to how far women can go.”

In Bangladesh, IFC has been working with multiple stakeholders including the stock exchange, regulators, and companies to promote the adoption of good corporate governance practices and standards. Recently, IFC also initiated an integrated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) project that aims to encourage good ESG practices, create sustainable markets, and promote gender-diverse firms in the country.​​“There has never been a better time to work on economic gender parity,” said Lopa Rahman, Corporate Governance Officer, IFC. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity to pursue more focused, value-creating strategies such as gender-smart investing to help private sector companies sustain economies

and protect jobs.”Globally, IFC is working with the private sector and international development partners to prevent gender gaps accentuated by the pandemic from widening, including committing $8 billion to sustain businesses and preserve jobs and $4 billion for a global health platform. IFC is also providing guidance to companies on equitable crisis response and recovery, and prioritizing gender balance in its own investments.

Women currently represent 49 percent of IFC nominee directors on client company boards, ahead of reaching the corporate target of 50 percent in 2030.

The 2021 ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ event marks the seventh year of a global partnership between IFC, The World Federation of Exchanges, Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, United Nations Global Compact, UN Women, and Women in ETFs.

allow it to test and refine products for future use, including batteries for emergency vehicles such as ambulances. The company will test innovations from research and development, including energy storage capacity and battery performance. The results will make these products more competitive in the North American market.

Quotes “With today’s announcement, we are continuing to take steps to support our Canadian businesses, invest in innovation, and protect the environment. It is because of companies like Lion Electric that we are accelerating our transition to a resilient and competitive clean growth economy.”

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada “With Lion and a number of other companies, Quebec is building expertise in electric transportation.

This is yet further proof that we have the know-how to produce batteries. Our government is ready to make investments that will put Quebec on the right side of history in terms of the economy.

We are prepared to take risks so that our companies can become champions in growth industries.

We are building a new and even more powerful economy, a new economy where Quebec will be a leader. The economy of a greener, more prosperous and, above all, prouder Quebec.”

François Legault, Premier of Quebec “Lion is synonymous with innovation and bold entrepreneurship, and a key player in Canada’s journey toward a sustainable, green growth future.

Investments like the one announced today support job creation and our long-term prosperity, and position Canada as a leader in electric transportation. The electrification of transportation is a major driver for achieving our economic and climate objectives. That is why we are proud to support and assist Lion in this major milestone.”

The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry “With its new battery assembly plant, Lion is moving toward automation and focusing on innovation to become even more competitive on the international market. This project represents a major step forward in the development of our battery production capacity in Quebec.

With critical minerals, world‑class research, promising technologies, and, above all, clean, renewable electricity, we have everything we need in Quebec to become a leader in the global electric revolution.”

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec’s Minister of Economy and Innovation “Lion is an important player in the Quebec and Canadian transportation electrification ecosystem. This plant will allow Lion to consolidate a key element of our electric vehicles supply chain. Thanks to loans from the federal and provincial governments, we will now be able to manufacture in Canada what we previously imported.

Lion, Quebec, and Canada will benefit, both economically and environmentally, and so will our future generations.” Marc Bédard, President and Founder of Lion Electric

Commonwealth Bank harnesses new technology to better anticipate and respond to customer needs.

Major investments by Canada and Quebec in electric vehicle battery assembly

CommBank customers impacted by natural disasters can now expect same-day tailored support solutions from their bank thanks to a new purpose-built data model solution.

The new technology solution uses custom-built algorithms to monitor, in real-time, a mix of data points from official emergency sources and weather alert systems to offer same-day 1:1 support to those customers impacted by natural disasters. The new smart data model analyses and interprets a range of data sources to help the bank accurately contact affected customers the same day to offer assistance, wherever they are

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, announced on Monday an equal investment totalling nearly $100 million to Lion Electric, for the establishment of a highly automated battery-pack assembly plant in Saint‑Jérôme, in the Laurentians. This project, valued at nearly $185 million, will create 135 jobs when construction of the plant is completed in 2023. It is also expected that 150 additional jobs will be created over the longer term.For the announcement, Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Legault were accompanied by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, by Quebec’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, Pierre Fitzgibbon, and

by Marc Bédard, President and Founder of Lion Electric.

The battery packs assembled at the new plant will be used in Lion Electric vehicles. This strategic investment will allow the company to improve its cost structure, and better control the design and shape of its batteries, making it more competitive in the heavy-duty electric vehicle market. Ultimately, the company will be able to increase the volume of its vehicle production. Lion Electric will be the first Canadian manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty vehicles to have stateof-the-art, automated battery-pack manufacturing facilities.

The company will also establish a research and development innovation centre within its manufacturing plant, which will

TL Bureau, Parramatta

located.

Most recently, the bank was able to offer same-day personalised support to 80,000 customers who were impacted by the Perth bushfires.

CBA’s Chief Analytics Officer, Dr Andrew McMullan, said: “Natural disasters can come out of the blue, and whilst sadly we can’t prevent them, we can help notify customers so they can prepare, as well as offer affected customers immediate and personalised support. Using the power of our Customer Engagement Engine we can connect with customers who may be impacted and also offer support that aligns to their needs, such as deferring a loan or offering an emergency overdraft.”

Home buying intentions soar in February

TL Bureau, Parramatta

The Commonwealth Bank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) series points to continued strength in Australia’s property market, with home buying intentions extending their gains in February, while retail spending could soon slow as household spending intentions for retail ticked lower last month. CBA Chief Economist Stephen Halmarick said the overall improvement in the HSI data is consistent with other signs that Australia’s economy continued to recover in the early months of 2021. “Fourth quarter data showed that economic growth improved further at the end of 2020, with a “V-shaped” recovery and we now expect that the Australian economy will grow by 4.4 per cent in 2021,”

Prospective spending on residential property neared a record, and spending plans for entertainment, education and health and fitness categories also ticked up, according to combined CBA and Google data for February.

Mr Halmarick said. Home buying intentions continued to march higher in February, with the smoothed series reaching its highest level since the start of the Household Spending Intention data series in 2015.

TL Bureau, Montréal, Quebec

8

FEATURE

IOM Director General António Vitorino´s Statement on the Ten-Year Anniversary of the Syrian Conflict

TL Bureau, Geneva

This week marks a decade of conflict and destruction in Syria. Countless lives have been lost to the war, millions uprooted and displaced, and entire generations impacted.

Returning to their past lives is no longer an option for many Syrians and moving on is a daily heartbreak. Those affected by the crisis have shown remarkable resilience and perseverance, yet they have been offered little respite from the irreversible impacts of the conflict and bloodshed.

Tragically, many who remain inside the country continue to suffer from severe human rights abuses, hunger and violence, a situation which is further compounded by the pandemic. The economic and political outlook for the next 12 months remains bleak, as those hit hardest are struggling to make ends meet.

Remembering Home: Syrian Family Reflects on a Decade of War Thirty per cent of the total population is currently displaced, including 2.7 million people in the Northwest of the country.

Over the last decade, many have been in a constant state of flight; nearly one-quarter of Syria’s internally displaced persons have been forced to flee at least four times.

While more than 100 countries have opened their doors to Syrian refugees, more than 5.6 million people reside in refugee camps or urban

centres in the neighbouring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt.

Others have traveled further – embarking on dangerous journeys on the Mediterranean or across perilous terrain – taking great risks in hopes of a better life.

While many Syrians have found avenues to integrate in their countries of asylum or resettled abroad, many more still struggle to meet their basic needs or find opportunities to build a better future.

The International Organization of Migration (IOM) has been assisting Syrians fleeing conflict throughout the last decade.

Our teams continue to work tirelessly to support those most in need with lifesaving humanitarian assistance and to promote social cohesion and opportunities for integration that have allowed many to start life anew. Our

resettlement operations have helped more than 230,000 Syrian refugees to move safely to new countries.

Inside Syria, we support the work of thousands of Syrian front-line humanitarian workers who take great personal risks every day to serve millions of people in distress and to track the scale of displacement. In the last year, IOM’s cross-border operations have reached more than one million people.

Despite our best efforts, much more still needs to be done to mitigate the suffering of Syrians, to support the resilience of communities and to secure dignified solutions for all those displaced.

Access to the North of the country through ongoing cross border operations remains an essential, lifesaving humanitarian intervention.

Equally crucial is an increase in funding commitments by the international community

for humanitarian operations.

Without greater investment to adequately respond to the urgent needs of 13.4 million people inside Syria, we risk compounding this human tragedy.

I call upon our trusted partners and the international donor community to continue to support IOM’s operations in Syria, to not turn their backs on the Syrian people.

And while greater humanitarian funding is urgently needed, this situation will never be solved with aid alone. Too many lives continue to be threatened in the absence of long-term solutions.

I join my fellow UN principals in calling for a sustainable resolution to end the conflict, and let the Syrian people rebuild their lives in dignity.

Ultimately, only a political solution can end the decade of conflict and suffering and bring lasting peace.

9

life and real estate

COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund marks first anniversary and appeals for continued support

TL Bureau, Geneva

One year ago WHO created the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to respond to the unprecedented show of support by individuals and companies to help WHO in the fight against COVID-19. Powered by the UN Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, it was developed as an innovative platform to enable private companies, individuals and other organizations to contribute directly to WHO’s efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19 around the world.

The fund’s first year has seen unprecedented solidarity: to date, more than 661 000 donors have contributed nearly US$ 250 million. The funds have be used to provide millions of frontline workers with critical personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and testing kits; to manage misinformation and the infodemic; support vulnerable populations like refugees and displaced persons; and helped accelerate the research on vaccines, tests, and treatments.

“I sincerely thank every individual, corporation and other organization for their donations to the Solidarity Response Fund,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“Your generosity has made a difference. On the fund’s one-year anniversary, we have seen what we can accomplish together in times of need”.

The Solidarity Response Fund has been a critical source of funding for the WHO’s overall response.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, WHO

• The fund has raised more than US$ 242 million from more than 661 000 individuals, corporations, and other organizations to support WHO and partners’ global COVID-19 response.

• The fund helps WHO to deploy lifesaving supplies, information and research to countries across the globe.

• An additional US$ 1.96 billion is needed for WHO in 2021 to continue coordinating global pandemic response, more than 60% will go towards requirements for the Access to COVID-19 tools, including diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.

has shipped nearly 250 million items of personal protective equipment and vital medical supplies including oxygen across more than 150 countries, strengthened hundreds of national and subnational laboratories with technical support, supplied more than 250 million COVID-19 tests; coordinated the deployment of more than 180 teams across the world; and supported more than 12 000 intensive care beds in health systems that might otherwise have been overwhelmed.

Despite this progress, current trends show that the fight is far from over. That’s why today the fund launches a renewed call for action for funds to contribute to the estimated US$ 1.96 billion required by WHO in 2021 to respond to remaining and new challenges in the fight against COVID-19.

Contributions to the next phase of the fund will support the efforts of WHO and its partners to continue to suppress transmission, reduce

exposure, counter misinformation, protect the vulnerable, reduce mortality and morbidity and accelerate equitable access to new COVID-19 tools – including through WHO’s work with the ACT-Accelerator, to scale up vaccination globally, particularly for the most vulnerable countries, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving supplies.

The recently launched WHO Foundation will lead the next phase of the Solidarity Response Fund to support the continuing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, working in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation and a global network of fiduciary partners.

“The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund galvanized an astonishing outpouring of global generosity beyond anything we have seen before. We put all the resources of the UN Foundation behind this task and were overwhelmed by the global response that enabled us to get critical funds to the most urgent

needs in the devastating first year of the pandemic.

The Solidarity Response Fund is a true testament to the power of collective action, and what can be achieved when people from every sector and every corner of the world act together to respond to overcome a collective threat,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation.

Launched in May 2020, the WHO Foundation is an independent grantmaking organization that supports WHO’s efforts to address urgent global health challenges.

“COVID-19 has affected all of us. Every country.

Every company. Every community. It was inspiring to see the world rally behind the WHO last year in the form of hundreds of thousands of contributions to its Solidarity Response Fund. That money was put to good use and saved countless lives,” said Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation. “I am committed to maintaining the success of the Fund as a vehicle for individuals

and corporations to power the global fight against COVID-19.

This pandemic won’t be over anywhere until it’s over everywhere, and donations to the Solidarity Response Fund help move the world towards that goal.”

The COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), and accompanying guidelines, issued in February 2021, fully articulates the basis for WHO’s appeal.

The document guides coordinated action that WHO must take at national, regional, and global levels to overcome the ongoing challenges in the response to COVID-19, address inequities, and plot a course beyond the pandemic.

“We have achieved so much over the past year.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is far from over and we can’t give up the fight yet.

We thank you for your contributions and seek your continued support to beat COVID-19.” added Dr Tedros.

10

SPORTS

2021 NFL FREE AGENCY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SALARY CAP SET AT $182.5 MILLION​

TL Bureau, California

Q. When does the 2021 free agency signing period begin?

A. At 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 17.​ Q. When is the two-day negotiating period for potential unrestricted free agents?

A. From 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 15 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 17, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon expiration of their 2020 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 17.

Q. What are the categories of free agency?

A. Players are either “restricted free agents” or “unrestricted free agents.” A restricted free agent may be subject to a “qualifying offer.” A restricted or unrestricted free agent may be designated by his prior club as its franchise player or transition player.

Q. What is the time period for free agency signings this year?

A. For restricted free agents, from March 17 to April 23. For unrestricted free agents who have received a tender from their prior club by the Monday immediately following the final day of the NFL Draft for the 2021 League Year (i.e., May 3), from March 17 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). For franchise players, from March 17 until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 16. For transition players, from March 17 until July 22. After July 22 and until 4 p.m. ET on the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 16, the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights to unrestricted free agents and transition players. If the above-listed players do not sign by November 16, they must sit out the season.

Q. What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?

A. In the 2021 league year, players with three accrued seasons who have received a qualifying offer become restricted free agents when their contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2020 league yearon March 17. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons.

Upon expiration of his 2020 contract, an unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no draft-choice compensation

owed to his old club.

Q. What constitutes an “accrued season”?

A. Six or more regular season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserve/injured or reserve/physically unable to perform lists.

However, during the 2020 League Year only, players who were on a club’s roster for the first game of the regular season were able to earn an accrued season for one or more regular season games on a club’s active/ inactive, reserve/injured, reserve/physically unable to perform, or reserve/COVID lists.

Q. How do the free agency rules apply to restricted free agents?

A. If a player with three accrued seasons has received a “qualifying offer” (a salary tender predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club, he can negotiate with any club through April 23. If the restricted free agent signs an offer sheet with a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because the qualifying offer entitles it to a “right of first refusal” on any offer sheet the player signs. If the old club does not match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed on or before April 23, the player’s negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club. In addition, prior to the start of free agency a player who would otherwise be a restricted free agent may be designated by his old club as its franchise player or transition player.

Q. What are the right of first refusal/ qualifying offer amounts for players who have completed three accrued seasons?

A. For right of first refusal only, a one-year salary of at least $2,133,000.

For right of first refusal and compensation at the player’s original draft round, a oneyear salary of at least $2,183,000 or 110 percent of the 2020 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

For right of first refusal and compensation of one second-round draft selection, a oneyear salary of at least $3,384,000 or 110 percent of the 2020 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

For right of first refusal and compensation of one first-round draft selection, a oneyear salary of at least $4,766,000 or 110 percent of the 2020 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

For right of first refusal and compensation of only one first-round draft selection, but any provision in the new club’s offer sheet waiving or limiting the new club’s ability to designate the player as a franchise or transition player is not a principal term and need not be matched by the prior club, a one-year salary of at least $5,266,000 or 110 percent of the 2020 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

Q. What determines an unrestricted free agent?

A. A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club, through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later).

At that point, his negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club if by May 3 the old club tendered the player a one-year contract for 110 percent of his prior year’s salary. His old club then has until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season (November 16) to sign him. If he does not sign by that date, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by May 3, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.

Q. What determines a franchise player?

A. The salary offer by a player’s club determines what type of franchise player he is: exclusive or non-exclusive.

An “exclusive” franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 23; or (ii) the amount of the required tender for a non -exclusive franchise player, as explained below. Article 10, Section 2(a) (i) of the CBA sets forth the methodology, known as the “Cap Percentage Average,” for calculating the required tender for a non-exclusive franchise player:​ The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position

for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the “Cap Percentage Average”) . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .

If a club extends a required tender to a “non-exclusive” franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a player contract with any club, except that draft-choice compensation of two first-round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.

Q. How many franchise players and transition players can a team designate each season?

A. A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player among its potential restricted or unrestricted free agents.

Q. Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designation on a player?

A. Yes. A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designation, and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent, either immediately if the tender is withdrawn after the start of the 2021 league year, or when his 2020 contract expires if the tender is withdrawn before the start of the 2021 league year.​ Q. What is the salary cap for 2021?

A. The salary cap is $182,500,000 per club.

Q. When must teams be in compliance with the salary cap?

A. At the start of the 2021 league year, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 17.

Q. If a team is under the salary cap at the end of a given season, can the team “carry over” room to the next season?

A. Yes. A team may carry over room from one league year to the following league year by submitting notice to the NFL prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on the day following the team’s final regular-season game, indicating the amount of room that the club wishes to carry over.

Q. What is the maximum amount of room that a club can carry over?

A. A club can carry over 100 percent of its remaining 2020 room to its adjusted salary cap for 2021.

WBSC Olympic baseball qualifiers to be staged in June TL Bureau, Pully

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today announced the timing and locations of the two remaining baseball qualifiers for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games. The WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier is expected to be held in early June (exact dates/venues to be confirmed) in Florida, with the WBSC Baseball Final Qualifier to follow from 16-20 June in Taichung.

The groups, format and game order of the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier

will remain as previously announced, with eight nations competing over 16 games for a place in the six-team Tokyo Olympic baseball event.

“Today’s confirmation regarding these qualifiers should cause great anticipation and excitement amongst both the Olympic and baseball worlds,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “I would like to express the WBSC’s deepest gratitude to our hosts in Florida and Taichung, who will be providing us with the necessary settings in which to stage these important international competitions

in a safe and successful manner. Good luck to all the teams and athletes on the Road to the Tokyo Olympics. It’s time to play ball.”

WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier - Florida, USA Group A: No. 2 USA, No. 10 Dominican Republic, No. 11 Puerto Rico and No. 15 Nicaragua.

Group B: No. 8 Cuba, No. 9 Venezuela, No. 13 Canada and No. 14 Colombia.

After group play concludes, the top two finishers from each group will advance to the Super Round, where they will each play two games.

11

tech/auto

Dual-Camera Dash Cams Gain Popularity Among Dashboard Camera Industry Trends The Business Research Company’s Dashboard Camera Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact And Recovery

TL Bureau, London

Our reports have been revised for market size, forecasts, and strategies to take on 2021 after the COVID-19 impact.

The launch of dual-camera dash cams is gaining popularity among dashboard camera market trends. A dual dash cam can record video footage of the road ahead while also filming the inside of the cab.

By recording two feeds simultaneously, a two-way dash cam offers greater coverage and provides greater insight than one frontfacing cam. For instance, in January 2020, Garmin Ltd. announced the launch of Garmin Dash Cam Tandem, the company’s first dual-lens dash camera that offers drivers complete video coverage of their surroundings. The high resolution 1440p of the dashcam along with the frontfacing camera lens with Garmin Clarity HDR can capture firm footage indicating critical vehicle details. And the interior lens with night vision presents Garmin’s absolute NightGlo technology to record all driver and passenger collaboration, even in the dark.

Major players in the dashboard camera

market are Panasonic Corporation, ABEO Technology, DOD Tech, Pittasoft Co. Ltd., HP Development Company LP, Cobra Electronics Co., Hewlett-Packard, Harman International Industries Inc., Falcon Zero LLC, 360 (QIHU), Thinkware, DOME Technology, Philips, First Scene, Comtec, SAST, JADO, REXing, Kenwood, Yupiteru, Fine Digital, PAPAGO, Nextbase UK, HUNYDON, Qrontech, DAZA, YI Technology, Aiptek Inc., LG Corp, Qrontech Co. Ltd., and Satechi Baravon.

The global dashboard camera market size is expected to grow from $2.53 billion in 2020 to $2.91 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1%. Dashboard camera market growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The

market is expected to reach $4.96 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 14.2%. North America accounts for the largest dashboard camera market share. Europe is the second-largest region in the market. The regions covered in the dashboard camera market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.

The global dashboard camera 2021 market report is segmented by type into front facing dashcam, front and rear dashcam, front and interior dashcam, triple lens dashcam, miniature dashcam, by technology into basic, advanced, smart, and by application into commercial vehicle, personal vehicle.

Dashboard Camera Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact And Recovery is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides dashboard camera market overview, forecast dashboard camera market size and growth for the whole market, dashboard camera market segments, and geographies, dashboard camera market trends, dashboard camera market drivers, restraints, leading competitors’ revenues, profiles, and market shares.

Nanobionic Sanitizing System Memsource partners with Gridly to deliver seamless localization workflow for game studios Coating Found to Reduce Viruses

TL Bureau, Helsingborg

The AI-powered translation management system, announced the launch of its joint integration with Gridly, a collaborative headless CMS tailor-made for multilingual game projects.

The cooperation with Gridly allows Memsource to expand its offerings to the games industry and grow its customer base within the game localization vertical. Gridly CMS users will benefit from the translation management and automation capabilities of one of the leading TM systems in the market.

Gridly serves as a central hub for game asset management. It allows the creating, editing and storing of structured content, branch and merge datasets, and efficiently handles multilingual localization projects. Gridly enables localization via bridge (pivot) languages, which is a time- and cost-effective opportunity for translations from non-English source texts. Changes made in the source text will automatically be reflected in the target languages, with localization teams being notified about strings to retranslate. The Gridly-Memsource integration accelerates the translation of game projects with the content

The integration allows game companies to localize games faster, benefit from advanced machine translation, language pivoting, and version control features.

being exchanged between the CMS and TMS in one click.

Gridly users can leverage Memsource’s patented, stateof-the-art AI technology to increase translation quality while reducing costs. Its robust project management capabilities include flexible workflows, powerful machine translation management capabilities, extensive termbase and translation memory support, and LQA. Memsource’s powerful REST API makes it perfectly suited to integrate with gaming localization solutions.

The Memsource-Gridly connection allows customers to leverage key features of both tools, eliminate inconsistencies caused by managing translations in separated systems, and facilitate collaboration between localization and development teams, while keeping full control of content updates.

“In the past years, the games industry has experienced a major shift to a game-as-aservice content model. For our

customers, this creates new localization challenges that include shorter production and QA cycles, faster turnaround time, and frequent updates. Our partnership with Gridly helps us extend Memsource’s service offering for the gaming sector with more automated and optimized agile localization workflows,” Andrea Tabacchi, VP of Customer Success at Memsource.

“Since the launch of Gridly CMS in 2020, we’ve been adding more features and integrations requested by game developers and publishers. A number of our clients already use Memsource, thus GridlyMemsource integration will further smooth their game assets management and localization processes. We plan to enable more integrations with game engines. This will empower production teams to create and operate games with evolving content for the global audience, with the ease and flexibility of a spreadsheet,” Christoffer Nilsson, CEO of LocalizeDirect, the developers of Gridly.

on Vehicle Interior Surfaces

Nanobionic has developed a mineral-based Sanitize System coating, found to reduce viruses on vehicle interior surfaces.

TL Bureau,New York Nanobionic has developed a mineral-based Sanitize System coating, found to reduce viruses on vehicle interiors.

Nanobionic Sanitize System coating can be treated on the back side of any leather, plastic, fabric and artificial leather.

Studies conducted in Germany, by Dr.Brill and Dr. Steinmann, at the Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, evaluated the virus-inactivating efficacy on leather with the Nanobionic coating, against the modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus, which is the official surrogate test virus for all envelope viruses. The study found that the Nanobionic Sanitize System coating, in collaboration with heated seats or steering wheel, that is turned on for 30minutes at 104 F/40C, showed that the treatment significantly reduced and inactivated the virus on the surface by 65.3%.

In addition, the heat

retaining properties of the Nanobionic coating applied to; leather, fabric, vinyl and artificial leather, have shown to increase heating up the car’s seats and steering wheel faster, thus becoming more energy efficient, of which is crucial for saving energy during cold weather seasons in electric vehicles. In a quantitative test , Nanobionic coating showed 81% improvement in heat-retaining properties in regular fabric, and 150% for the front side and 178% for the back side of leather.

Interior surfaces of vehicles are breading grounds for viruses and bacteria, that remain active on surfaces for days. The innovation of the Nanobionic Sanitize System Coating technology and the scientific findings, are a game changer for the automotive industry, making Nanobionic Sanitize System Coating lead the way in meeting the needs of the 21st century new normal, not only making an impact from a health standpoint, but also in sustainability.

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world

Spanish Police seize first ever narco-submarine made in Europe

TL Bureau, Madrid

The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in close cooperation with Europol and law enforcement from five other countries, have seized in the city of Málaga the first ever halfsubmersible vessel being built on European territory. Similar vessels captured in the past have always been of Latin American manufacture.

The seizure was made in the framework of Operation FERRO, a high-level law enforcement operation against an organised crime group involved in largescale drugs trafficking.

Over 300 police officers carried out this operation in Spain, supported by the National Police of Colombia (Policía Nacional de Colombia), the Dutch National Police (Politie), the Portuguese Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária), the U.K. National Crime Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with international activity coordinated by Europol.

Results of Operation FERRO 47 house searches carried out in the Spanish cities of Tarragona (6), Barcelona (11), Gerona (3), Málaga (11), Castellón (4), Valencia (2), Murcia (7), Cádiz (1), Granada (1) and Badajoz (1); 52 individuals arrested; 2 boats seized: one semisubmersible vessel in Málaga and one speedboat worth over €300

000 in the province of Murcia; Over 3 tonnes of cocaine seized, alongside 700 kilos of hashish and over €100 000 in cash.

Operation FERRO was carried out in several phases Phase one: Investigators identified an organised crime group, composed of Spanish, Colombian and Dominican nationals, involved in large-scale trafficking of cocaine, hashish and marijuana. The criminals were operating from Spain, specifically Cataluña.

Between April to December 2020, a number of important cocaine

Swissmedic grants Lonza in Visp another establishment licence for the production of COVID-19 active substances

TL Bureau, Bern

New production site approved for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine: Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has granted the chemicals and pharmaceuticals company Lonza an establishment licence for a new production site

for the manufacture of Moderna’s COVID-19 active substance. The licence was issued last week following a successful inspection of the production plant in Visp. At this newly approved site Lonza can manufacture, on behalf of Moderna, active substances for COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 blog, 15 March: 1,281 new positive test results were added within the past 24 hours

TL Bureau, Tallinn

The last 24 hours have seen 5,960 tests being analysed in Estonia in relation to coronavirus, of which the results of 1,281 (21.5%) of the initial tests were positive. A full 5,395 vaccine doses were also administered within the past 24 hours. In total, 138,543 individuals have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Estonia, and 52,664 individuals have received both doses. Based on the data in the population register, the highest number of new positive test results came from Harju County, where

929 further individuals were found to have been infected. A total of 648 of the new cases from Harju County were from Tallinn. A further 102 new positive coronavirus test results were added from Ida-Viru County, forty-two from Lääne-Viru County, thirty-nine from Tartu County, thirty from Viljandi County, twentysix from Pärnu County, and nineteen from Võru County. Another sixteen new cases were added from Jõgeva County, fourteen from Järva County, twelve each from Valga County and Rapla County, seven from Lääne County, four from Põlva County, and two from Hiiu County.

seizures linked to this criminal group were made in Colombia.

A total of 2 900 kilos of cocaine were seized.

Phase two: In November 2020, police officers in Spain arrested the leader of this criminal network in Tarragona, alongside 13 of his accomplices.

Phase three: In February of this year, another branch of this organised crime group was targeted.

Four individuals were arrested in Tarragona and a shipment of 583 kilos of hashish on its way to France and Italy seized. House searches

were also carried out in Málaga, on the occasion of which the halfsubmersible vessel was found in a warehouse. The boat – the first ever of its kind seized on European soil, was still in construction when it was found. The craft was 9 meters long and could have been able to transport up to 2 tonnes of drugs.

Phase four: One of the main targets was arrested in February at the El Prat airport in Barcelona as he was trying to flee to the Netherlands. As a result of this arrest, a warehouse was searched Barcelona which led to the seizure of 300 kilos of

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tested positive for COVID-19

TL Bureau Stenbock House, Tallinn

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has tested positive for the coronavirus tonight and will remain at home until recovery. Kallas said that she has a low fever but no other symptoms and is generally feeling well. “I am monitoring my health carefully and will remain at home until recovery.

I will continue fulfilling the tasks of the head of government from home, as in e-Estonia it is very well possible to lead the sittings of the government and participate in other meetings virtually,” she

said. Kallas was in self-isolation as a close contact until last Thursday, and the results of the corona test she did after leaving isolation were negative. The positive results of a new test arrived this evening.

The Prime Minister has notified people with whom she has been in contact during the previous days of the positive results of her test. “I call on all people to take precautions, wear a mask indoors, reduce contacts with other people, do distance work if feasible and stay at home as much as possible, as the virus is spreading widely,” the Prime Minister said.

Russian Coronavirus Case Tally Tops 11.5 Million - Health Ministry TL Bureau, Moscow The number of cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recorded in Brazil has exceeded 11.5 million, and more than 279,000 people have died since the beginning of the pandemic, the country’s Health Ministry said in a statement. A total of

11,519,609 cases have been registered, with 279,286 deaths, ​​​according to Sputnik. Over 10 million people have recovered from the disease.

Over the past day, 1,057 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have died in Brazil, another 36,239 have become infected, according to the ministry.

cocaine.

Phase five: A clandestine drug laboratory was discovered in Barcelona next to an indoor cannabis plantation with over 1 150 plants. A 15-meter long speedboat belonging to this criminal network and loaded with 7 000 litres of gasoline was also seized in the region of Murcia.

Phase six: At the end of February, the remaining members of the criminal network were arrested.

Some 6 000 litres of drug precursors were also seized, destined for a clandestine laboratory in Murcia.

Prime Minister Marin and Indian Prime Minister Modi to discuss raising countries’ cooperation TL Bureau, Helsinki

Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a remote bilateral meeting on 16 March 2021. The theme of the meeting will be deepening partnerships between Finland and India in fields including digitalisation, education and sustainable development.

The prime ministers will discuss a wide range of issues related to intensifying economic relations between the countries in futureoriented sectors. Topics on the agenda include the utilisation of new technologies in education and cooperation in the development of 5G and 6G technologies, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. There are also plenty of concrete opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the sphere of sustainable development.