The Life News South Africa Aug 1,2020 by The Life News

News from World, Worldwide readership. Vol. 01 Issue 03 August 01, 2020

Hong Kong ‘issues warrants’ for democracy activists

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Mum challenging an Long ruling Belarusian President

TL Bureau, Minsk

TL Bureau, Hong Kong Police in Hong Kong have requested the capture of a few professional majority rules system activists living estranged abroad on doubt of disregarding a Chinaforced national security law, as indicated by Chinese state media. CCTV said late on Friday that the six are needed on doubt of withdrawal or intriguing with remote powers, wrongdoings that the new law rebuffs with up to life in jail. It named them as Nathan Law, Wayne Chan Ka-kui, Honcques Laus, Simon Cheng and Ray Wong Toi-yeung. Samuel Chu, an American resident living in the United States, was additionally on the rundown. Hong Kong police declined to

remark. The capture warrants mark the first occasion when that the city’s police have utilized the extraterritorial force in the new law to follow activists who are not in the semiindependent Chinese domain. “It’s such a shocking case, that they some way or another have locale over an American resident campaigning the American government,” said Chu, who runs the Washington DC-based promotion gathering, Hong Kong Democracy Council. “The sort of worldwide harassing and oversight, of residents of different nations, however organizations … its beginning to make an assembled forefront, all inclusive, pushing back,” Chu stated, including:

In any event, that is the thing that the stay-at-home mum laughingly told a horde of supporters at an ongoing effort rally. In any case, she additionally disclosed to them this political race offer to challenge Alexander Lukashenko’s 26-year-long hold on power was a “strategic” couldn’t can’t. The political beginner possibly stepped in as a possibility for president when her significant other was captured and obstructed from enlisting. A second genuine opponent to Mr Lukashenko has likewise ended up in jail and a third has fled the nation. So Ms Tikhanovskaya, 37, who needed to send her two youngsters to another country for wellbeing reasons, has become the unexpected substance of progress in Belarus. She’s united with Veronika Tsepkalo, the spouse of one would-be up-andcomer, and Maria Kolesnikova, crusade administrator for another, Also, the three ladies have been attracting record groups to energizes the nation over.

“They are not Margaret Thatcher, the sort of women who are in legislative issues for their entire lives, however they are extremely genuine,” is the means by which Valery Tsepkalo clarified the trio’s novel intrigue, in a meeting in Moscow. A previous represetative to the US, Mr Tsepkalo’s own endeavor to enroll for the presidential race was dismissed. He advised the BBC he needed to leave Belarus in the wake of getting data “from a few sources” that his capture was fast approaching. “In past political races, Lukashenko had

meetings with more than 500 attendees may be held in indoor and enclosed outdoor spaces, provided that they comply with the guidelines from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education and Culture on preventing COVID-19 infections. Under the Communicable Diseases Act, regulations can be issued for a maximum of one month at a time. If the situation in Finland deteriorates significantly, the Regional State Administrative Agencies may amend their

decisions on restrictions for August. The Government’s recommendation on extensive remote work will end on 1 August. The Government will review the matter if the development of the epidemic so requires. Epidemiological situation closely monitored by the Government The Government and the authorities are closely monitoring the development of the epidemic and the effects of lifting the restrictions. During the last monitoring period

(20–26 July), a total of 51 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register. The weekly number of cases has risen slightly and is now at the same level as at the end of June. The restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been phased out gradually and in a controlled manner during the spring and summer. The Government’s objective to curb the epidemic while minimising the adverse impact on people, businesses, society and the exercise of fundamental rights.

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

Restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 to change as of 1st of August

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus will be lifted as planned on 1 August 2020. The Government and the authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will make new decisions as needed. Easing of restrictions on public events, remote work recommendation lifted In line with the regulation issued by the Regional State Administrative Agencies, public events and public

open help. Be that as it may, this time it’s evaporated and that is the reason he is so apprehensive,” Mr Tsepkalo contends. The move in disposition was caught by Ms Tikhanovskaya’s better half, Sergei, in a mainstream video blog. For a considerable length of time, he visited Belarus talking with individuals from ranchers to retired people. Surprisingly blunt, they whined of unavoidable debasement and destitution, an absence of chance and helpless compensation. “I was two when the cockroach came to control,” a man called Vladimir told Mr Tikhanovsky in one video, utilizing the blogger’s moniker for the Belarusian president. “My kid is two now, and I simply need something to change.” “We are here to stop the tyranny,” another man said. That repressed disappointment became open when Belarusians started joining on the side of resistance competitors intending to enlist for the 9 August races. At the point when they were banished, swarms overwhelmed the boulevards out of frustration.

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overnment authorities and inhabitants in Florida were in full arrangement mode on Friday as Hurricane Isaias beat the Bahamas with solid breezes and overwhelming downpours, and drew nearer to the U.S. territory. Isaias was pressing 75-mph twists late Friday evening, down from its pinnacle supported breezes of 80 mph prior in the day. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed a highly sensitive situation in each seaside region of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, extending from Miami-Dade to Nassau provinces, on Friday in anticipation of the tempest. He likewise mentioned President Donald Trump to pronounce a crisis. Friday evening, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northan additionally gave a highly sensitive situation. In the mean time, the National Hurricane Center gave a tropical storm cautioning for segments of Florida’s Atlantic coast. Occupants in Florida were preparing for effect and loading up on basics in front of Isaia’s possible appearance, all while wearing veils - an indication of the intersection of storm season with a worldwide pandemic. Typhoon Isaias fortified into Hurricane Isaias late Thursday and moved toward the Bahamas early Friday, on target to carry overwhelming downpours and wind toward the eastern shore of Florida this end of the week. The National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. update Friday the tempest was 175 southsoutheast of Nassau and 310 miles southeast of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Isaias had most extreme continued breezes of 80 mph and was moving northwest at 15 mph. Typhoon alerts were as a result for the Bahamas on Friday, including hard-hit zones from Dorian in 2019 like the Abaco Islands, in spite of the fact that meteorologists anticipate that the effects should could not hope to compare to the beast storm that slowed down for 24 hours and caused articulate annihilation there a year ago. “Isaias is relied upon to be a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes in the Bahamas and the waterfront

Hurricane beats Bahamas

southeastern U.S. because of flooding and harming winds,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said. This scale is a more nuanced technique the organization acquainted in 2019 with survey the potential harm a tropical framework could cause. It has been a long time since a tropical storm followed through the Bahamas so right off the bat in the season, explicitly preceding the center of August. Erin fortified into a Category 1 typhoon close to Rum Cay in the Bahamas and traveled through the island chain on Aug. 1-2, 1995, as indicated by Colorado State tropical meteorologist Philip Klotzbach. The tempest ignored the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, causing commonly minor harms, before making a beeline for Florida. Isaias’ ongoing reinforcing will enable the tropical storm to produce a track more toward the north. Furthermore, the framework might reinforce much progressively over the extremely warm waters of the Gulf Stream, particularly since Isaias is currently expected to stay away from the enormous land mass of Cuba this end of the week. Forecasters have precluded a track toward the Gulf of Mexico with these turns of events. Conditions will fall apart quickly from south to north over the Bahamas and the eastern piece of the Florida Peninsula this end of the week as Isaias takes a northwestward, at that point toward the north way over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. How far west versus east Isaias tracks and precisely how solid and huge the eye divider becomes will decide the seriousness of conditions in the Bahamas and along the Florida Atlantic coast. Typhoon admonitions stayed

as a result for the Turks and Caicos. The National Guard discharged sensational flood salvage video from Puerto Rico, demonstrating little youngsters and newborn children being pulled from high waters deserted after Isaias’ heavy storms. Portions of the island got in excess of 10 creeps of downpour as Isaias moved only south of the island on Thursday. AccuWeather meteorologists expect Isaias to change in quality during this time with force going from a Category 1 typhoon to a hurricane and maybe as solid as a Category 2 storm for a period. A Category 1 storm has twists running from 74 mph to 95 mph, while a Category 2 typhoon has winds of 96 mph to 110 mph. A hurricane has winds of 39 mph to 73 mph. Isaias will be moving over water that is exceptionally warm this end of the week, with temperatures going from 84 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than adequate to take into account unexpected fortifying. Notwithstanding, wind shear may factor into the tempest’s future into this end of the week and past. Wind shear is the speed up or heading with

editorial

height or over a level separation. At the point when wind shear is solid, typhoons and hurricanes can debilitate and potential tropical frameworks may neglect to create. Since wind shear is never in a consistent state, it can prompt changes in quality, structure and forward speed of typhoons and storms as they move along. “Wind shear can cause Isaias to debilitate for a period into Friday night and maybe again before moving toward the Carolina coast [next week],” Miller said. “The forward speed of Isaias will likewise vary, implying that Isaias’ speed can hinder a piece for a period,” Miller included. In any case, this won’t develop into another circumstance like Hurricane Dorian from 2019, which slowed down over the Bahamas for a considerable length of time. Isaias will continue moving, and it isn’t relied upon to be close to as solid as Dorian. Effect on Florida and the Bahamas might be like or maybe not as serious as that of Matthew from September 2016, gave the eyewall of the tempest doesn’t arrive at a lot of Florida’s east coast. Precipitation and typhoon power winds will keep on propelling toward the north through the Bahamas into Saturday night and are anticipated to arrive at southeastern Florida, including Miami, late Friday night to early Saturday morning and afterward spread toward the north over the Florida Peninsula this end of the week. Oceans and waterfront water levels will likewise work ahead of time of the tempest by approximately 24 hours. Individuals along the coast can expect a reviving breeze ahead of time of the tempest also.

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3 UN envoy to Yemen welcomes pivotal role of kingdom in accelerating implementation of Riyadh Agreement TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Martin Griffiths, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Yemen, welcomed the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accelerating the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council. Griffiths stressed today that the Riyadh agreement represents an important step towards peace, security, and stability in Yemen

Kosovo: Tomáš Szunyog appointed as new EU Special Representative

TL Bureau, Pristina The Council today appointed Tomáš Szunyog from the Czech Republic, as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Kosovo* from 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2021. He will replace Natalya Apostolova who has held the EUSR position since 20 July 2016. The EUSR plays a leading role in promoting a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multiethnic Kosovo, including through strengthening stability in the region and contributing to regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans. The EUSR promotes a Kosovo that is committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage. The EUSR supports Kosovo’s European perspective and rapprochement with the EU in line with the perspective of the region and in accordance with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

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Changes to the advice against non-essential travel to a number of countries in Europe

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is lifting its advice against non-essential travel to Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Czechia. The decision enters into force on 30 July. TL Bureau, Stockholm

Regarding the advice against nonessential travel to all countries that was issued on 14 March 2020 and has since been extended, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided the following: • The advice against nonessential travel to Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Czechia is lifted as of 30 July. • (In a previous decision, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs lifted the advice against non-essential travel to: Andorra, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and the

The Council today appointed Tomáš Szunyog from the Czech Republic, as EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Kosovo* from 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2021. He will replace Natalya Apostolova who has held the EUSR position since 20 July 2016. The EUSR plays a leading role in promoting a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multiethnic Kosovo, including through strengthening

the desired goal of a Nordic region without obstacles to the movement of people. However, it does not mean that the situation is normal again. There are still restrictions on Swedes travelling to our neighbouring countries, and I would therefore urge all travellers from Sweden to keep well informed of the rules that apply. Naturally, all travellers must continue to follow the recommendations to keep a safe distance, wash their hands and refrain from travelling if they have any symptoms,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde. [1] Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia.

TL Bureau, Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed the announcement by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the launch of a peace process and lauded the new truce reached in Afghanistan. In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed the UAE’s support for the peace talks aiming to stop bloodshed of innocent civilians and achieve comprehensive development, welfare, and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan. The Ministry expressed hope that the truce would sustain through confidence-building measures that pave the way for a permanent ceasefire and enhance stability, peace and security in the country

Spokesman of Ministry The United States Health: No coronavirus Applauds the EU’s Action ofcases among pilgrims on Cyber Sanctions TL Bureau, Muzdalifah

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The United States welcomes today’s announcement from the European Union’s High Representative Josep Borrell regarding the body’s first designations under its cyber sanctions framework. The United States and the EU share a vision for an open, interoperable, reliable and secure cyberspace, and for responsible behavior on the international stage. Destructive, disruptive, or otherwise destabilizing activities in cyberspace threaten this vision.

Kosovo: Tomáš Szunyog appointed as new EU Special Representative

TL Bureau, Brussels

Vatican City.) • For other countries in the EU, the EEA (European Economic Area) and the Schengen area [1], and the United Kingdom, the advice against non-essential travel is extended up to and including 12 August 2020. • The Ministry for Foreign Affairs previously issued advice against non-essential travel to countries outside the EU, the EEA, the Schengen area and the United Kingdom, up to and including 31 August 2020. This decision still applies. “The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ decision to lift the advice against travel to Denmark and Norway is a further step towards

UAE Welcomes Peace Talks and New Truce in Afghanistan

stability in the region and contributing to regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans. The EUSR promotes a Kosovo that is committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage.The EUSR supports Kosovo’s European perspective and rapprochement with the EU in line with the perspective of the region and in accordance with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

The United States supports efforts to promote accountability for bad actors’ malicious cyber activities, and the EU’s actions today are an important milestone. We continue to work with the EU, its member states, and many likeminded countries to promote a framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, underpinned by the applicability of international law, adherence to nonbinding peacetime norms, and the development and implementation of practical confidence building measures.

Assistant Minister of Health and official spokesman of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdali, confirmed that no coronavirus cases were recorded among the pilgrims, nor any diseases affecting public health. This came during a press conference held this evening in Makkah with the participation of Lieutenant-Colonel Talal AlShalhoub, security spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj

affairs, Dr. Hussein Al-Sharif, on the health status of pilgrims. The security spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, gave a presentation on the security plan of Hajj rituals and highlighted its success. In turn, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj Affairs, Dr. Hassan AlSharif, thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for the continuous support they give to Hajj affairs and all that concerns pilgrims.

Stricter regulation for tourist fisheries in Norway The Minister of Fisheries and Seafood has decided to make changes to the regulation for tourist fisheries in Norway. The changes will be implemented January 1st 2021.

TL Bureau, Oslo The most important change is that you can only export fish out of the country if you have been fishing at and residing in a registered site for fishing tourism. I hope this will contribute to support the professional segments of the fishing tourist industry, says Minister of Fisheries and Seafood Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen. The export quota is lowered from 20 kilos to 18 kilos of filet, and fish can only be exported maximum twice a year per person. This is a significant

restriction in comparison to the current regulation where one can export 20 kilos once a week. Furthermore, the regulation regarding catch reporting: The duty to provide information to guests for the businesses, is strengthened, and a requirement of digital catch reporting will be introduced within the end of 2021. Additionally, violations of the regulation will be enforced more strictly, for instance either by penalties or deletion from the official registry of fishing tourists. - I want to continue the dialogue

with the industry regarding what terms and conditions should apply to a registered fishing tourist business, as well as raise questions regarding how businesses can deal with leftover fish material in a useful way. We also want to consider the possibility of establishing a daily quota or other forms of regulating the activity levels, in dialogue with the industry, says Ingebrigtsen. The changes in the regulation come as a consequence after a consultation paper with several suggestions have been on a public hearing

Working meeting with Acting Governor of Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev

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SEM Coronavirus: Unmarried partners from third countries may enter Following a meeting on the ecological situation in Usolye-Sibirskoye, Switzerland the President held a separate meeting, via videoconference. from 3 August

with Acting Governor of the Irkutsk Region Igor Kobzev. TL Bureau, Moscow The discussion focused on the socioeconomic situation in the region and its development priorities. Mr Kobzev told the President about the negative consequences of the pandemic and the drop in oil prices, which led to a 10 percent decrease in the Irkutsk Region’s revenue, and the effort with the Finance Ministry on receiving government subsidies to adjust for these losses. In addition, Mr Kobzev said the region needs financial support for hosting the Bandy World Championship between men’s national teams on October 5–11. The President said that such support would be provided and instructed to prepare the relevant written requests. The discussion also touched upon the opening of a Suvorov Military Academy in Irkutsk on the basis of the Irkutsk Higher Military Aviation Engineering Academy

Luxembourg removed from list of travel exemptions for the whole of the UK following data showing a significant change in confirmed cases TL Bureau, London

People arriving in the UK from Luxembourg from midnight tonight (Thursday, 30 July 2020) will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks as the country is removed from the travel exemptions list. Data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England has indicated a significant change in both the level and pace of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Luxembourg. There has been a consistent increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases per 100,000 of the population in Luxembourg since the end of June, with over a tenfold increase in total cases over this time period.

TL Bureau, Bern-Wabern

On 20 July, the Federal Council lifted all coronavirus-related entry restrictions for the first twelve non-EU/EFTA states. Entry into Switzerland from all other third countries for short stays continues to be possible only in exceptional cases. From 3 August anyone with a partner in Switzerland will be able to enter the country if they can provide proof of the relationship. Persons from countries and areas with an increased risk of infection will continue to be subject to quarantine. facilities that were closed 11 years ago. Mr Kobzev recalled the glorious traditions of the officer corps in Irkutsk and said that this year the city of Irkutsk was awarded, by Presidential Executive Order, the honorary title of City of Labour Valour for its substantial contribution to Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. The President

promised Mr Kobzev that he would instruct the Defence Ministry to study this issue. In addition, Mr Kobzev raised the question of creating in the region of a gas chemical complex – the Sayano-Irkutsk backbone development territory, in particular, for producing LNG and supplying it to neighbouring regions, as well as to Mongolia

and China. The construction of this facility depends on Gazprom’s decision to build the Kovykta-Sayansk-Irkutsk gas pipeline under its own investment programme with a view to providing the region with up to 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas from the Kovykta gas condensate field located on the territory of the Irkutsk Region.

TL Bureau, Stenbock House

energy goals and creates new opportunities for other offshore farm developments,” he said. According to Taavi Aas, it is important to build the wind farm together, because it provides an opportunity to apply for support from the European Union for a cross-border project. “This, in turn, makes it cheaper to build other wind farms in the area, as other projects in the same area would also benefit from the grid infrastructure to be built for the farm,” said Aas. The two countries will jointly carry out studies to determine the best location for the construction of an offshore wind farm between Estonia and Latvia in the sea, taking into account wind conditions, plans, existing projects, environmental protection, and all other factors. Once the necessary studies have

been carried out and the permits have been obtained, an auction will be held for the offshore area with a building permit and the winner will be able to build an offshore wind farm there. “An open competition ensures equal treatment of market participants, the lowest possible price of renewable energy for consumers, and the efficient use of our marine resources,” said Aas. “Additionally, a large offshore wind farm will contribute to the region’s security of electricity supply and help attract foreign investors.” The capacity of the proposed offshore wind farm is up to 1,000 MW and the expected completion time is 2030. The wind farm would produce approximately 3.5 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, which is approximately 40 percent of Estonia’s annual electricity consumption.

member states should gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay

China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican should be considered as EU residents for the purpose of this recommendation. The criteria to determine the third

Estonia and Latvia plan to jointly develop an offshore wind farm

Today, the government supported the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Estonia and Latvia by Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas, with which the two countries plan to develop a joint wind farm in the Gulf of Riga. According to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, in order to meet the renewable energy target set for 2030, investments must be made in various renewable energy sources, and offshore wind energy has a growing and increasingly important role to play. “The offshore wind farm area developed jointly by Estonia and Latvia is a unique project that contributes to the achievement of the countries’ renewable

Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Los Angeles TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks rolled through the Los Angeles area early on Thursday morning, but there were no immediate reports of damage. The United States Geological Survey showed that the earthquake struck just over a mile north of Pacoima at about 4:30 a.m. local time. The area shuddered with aftershocks following the quake, which was about five miles deep

WHO Commends Measures Taken by Saudi Arabia to Protect Pilgrims TL Bureau, Geneva

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, congratulated Muslims all over the world on the advent of Eid Al-Adha. He also congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the steps it has taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims as much as possible this year.He praised the measures taken by the Kingdom, noting that it is a perfect example of what countries could do in order to adapt themselves to the new situation, and coexist with the virus and protect the lives of people

Travel restrictions: Council reviews the list of countries for which member states should gradually lift travel restrictions at the external border

TL Bureau, Brussels

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of

countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted. As stipulated in the Council recommendation, this list will continue to be reviewed regularly and, as the case may be, updated. Based on the criteria and conditions set out in the recommendation, as from 31 July

countries for which the current travel restriction should be lifted cover in particular the epidemiological situation and containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations. They are applied cumulatively.

5 315 more people die of COVID-19 TL Bureau, Cape Town

South Africa recorded 315 more deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 121 deaths were recported in the Eastern Cape, 96 in Gauteng, 55 in KwaZulu-Natal, 34 in the Western Cape and nine in the North West. This brings the cumulative number of deaths to 7 812 as of Thursday, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said. The total number of confirmed cases has risen to 482 169 after 11 046 more people contracted the virus since the last report. Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province with 171 574 cases, followed by the Western Cape 94 440, Eastern Cape 77 055 and KwaZulu-Natal 73 919. Free State has recorded 20 398 cases, North West 18 811, Mpumalanga 13 280, Limpopo 8 240 and Northern Cape 4 402. Fifty cases have still not been allocated. A reported 309 601 people have recovered since the outbreak, which translates to a recovery rate of 64%. A total of 2 918 049 tests have been conducted, with 44 886 having been done in the last 24 hours.

SOUTH AFRICA

Infrastructure Commission to fast-track projects valued at R340bn

TL Bureau, Cape Town

Government will in the coming months expedite the implementation of at least 50 infrastructure projects with a total investment value of more than R340 billion. The fast-tracking of the projects forms part of the reconstruction and recovery of the South African economy. This was the key outcome of the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Council of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission on Thursday. President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the meeting, which brought together Ministers, Premiers, Mayors and the South African Local Government Association to ensure the effective integration of the country’s substantial infrastructure programme. President Ramaphosa said the focus of this administra-

tion is to consolidate infrastructure under one roof to ensure effective implementation. “Our experience has been that infrastructure can only be sustainable if there is cooperation and partnership between all three spheres of government and if there is a common intent,” he said. In terms of the Infrastructure Development Act of 2014, the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) acts through its council. The council coordinates the development, maintenance, implementation and monitoring of the National Infrastructure Plan; coordinates the determination of priorities for infrastructure development; designates strategic integrated projects (SIPS) and ensures that infrastructure development, in respect of any SIP, is given priority in planning, approval and

implementation. The council also coordinates the identification of strategic partners with which to conclude agreements that seek to promote the objects of infrastructure development. The council must ensure that infrastructure projects promote economic equality, social cohesion, decent employment opportunities and skills development. In keeping with this mandate, the council agreed to expedite the implementation of projects in prioritised sectors such as human settlements, transport, energy, water and sanitation, agriculture and agro-processing, and digital infrastructure. The council confirmed a new approach to infrastructure build including: • Preventing corruption through transparent tender processes and stronger due diligence;

• Greater involvement of communities in design and implementation; • Emphasis on local employment and procurement, and targeted involvement of SMEs, and • Blended financing through the Infrastructure Fund to mobilise more resources from the private sector, multilateral development banks and development finance institutions. President Ramaphosa emphasised the vital importance of infrastructure development in responding to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring growth and creating jobs. “Extraordinary measures are required to return us to a path of sustainable growth. Central to this effort is infrastructure construction and maintenance, which is the flywheel for economic growth and large-scale job creation,”

operators will be allowed to conduct guided tours in open safari vehicles, subject to directions, including the provision for both social distancing and maximum ventilation. Restaurants to close at 10pm Diners will now be able to enjoy meals at restaurants until 10pm. The curfew was previously 9pm. However, alcohol is still off the menu. The Minister believes that extending operating hours will go a long way in helping to increase the eateries’ revenue. “The impact of the pandemic has been devastating for the sector. Many businesses are at risk and many jobs have already been lost. However, we are doing everything we can to ensure that the impact is minimised,” she said. Kubayi-Ngubane said the changes will come into effect as soon as the new regulations are gazetted. Relief measures In supporting the tourism sector in this crisis period, the Department of Toursim redirected R200 million through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF). Of the 7 284 valid applications submitted, the department could only assist 4 000 businesses

in the tourism and hospitality sector. “Allocation of funds was conducted in line with government policies and ensured that there was an equitable share of resources across all regions of the country, including rural areas and small towns or dorpies,” KubayiNgubane said. However, 3 284 applications were not funded due to depletion of resources, even though some qualified. “Reasons for non-approval ranged from enterprises with an annual turnover of R5 million and above, nontourism enterprises, enterprises not covered under the TRF guidelines like franchise restaurants, applications with the outstanding mandatory document such as a valid tax certificate, and those without supporting documents.” The Minister said letters detailing the reasons for unfavourable considerations are being prepared and will be issued to all unfunded applicants soon. Meanwhile, Kubayi-Ngubane said the department was encouraged by the letters of appreciation from patriotic South Africans, black and white, who did not listen to

the “misleading noise that the relief was specifically for black people”. “This ultimately confused and discouraged even those who qualified for the grant not to apply.” Support for tour guides The department said the announced R30 million financial relief for freelance tourist guides, over two to three months, is underway. However, the processing of payments has taken longer due to some provincial offices closing down after they had positive COVID-19 cases. The department has received a list of 9 380 tourist guides from the provinces. However, some are registered with Unemployment Insurance Fund. “To avoid double-dipping, we have initiated a verification process to ensure that only those who are not receiving income benefits [get aid],” the department said. The first batch of payments to 1 378 verified, eligible beneficiaries has been made and the second group will be paid once the verification process is completed on 31 July 2020. “In addition, we welcome the decision by the Minister of Finance to review and change

the qualifying criteria for the R200 billion COVID-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme, so that more businesses can gain access to the funds. We encourage businesses in our sector to [take] this opportunity,” Kubayi-Ngubane said. She has also welcomed the announcement by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi to extend the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) until 15 August 2020. “This will go a long way for many businesses and employees,” she said. The Minister said since the outbreak, the department has been having regular interaction with various stakeholders. “These interactions, which are almost on a weekly basis, have helped us to gather inputs from all stakeholders on how best to reopen the sector and support the recovery going forward.” The department will formalise the working relationship with sector players through the formation of a task team, which brings together a broad spectrum of private sector players and officials from the Department of Tourism, to work towards reopening the sector and resolving other challenges. – SAnews.gov.za

New leisure travel regulations TL Bureau, Cape Town

Cabinet has agreed to ease restrictions around leisure travel, paving the way for citizens to travel within their provinces of residence. “After the release of the new regulations, individuals will be permitted to leave their homes for leisure purposes within the province where they currently live. “It’s only for intra-provincial travel, not inter-provincial. If you’re in Gauteng, you’re allowed to travel within Gauteng. You can’t go to KwaZulu-Natal,” Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said on Thursday. Accommodation establishments are now permitted to operate for leisure intra-provincially. However, no more than two people may share a room, except for a nuclear family, parents and their children. “Establishments are already legally obliged to require and keep a copy of proof of identity,” the Minister said, adding that short-term home rental or sharing remains closed. Speaking at a briefing on the new regulations affecting the travel and leisure sector, Kubayi-Ngubane said tour

BUSINESS

IFC and TEB Expand Partnership to Support Kosovo’s Women-Owned and Agribusiness SMEs

TL Bureau, Pristina

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has established a €10 million risk-sharing facility with TEB Sh.A., one of Kosovo’s largest banks, to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in particular women-owned SMEs and those operating in agribusiness sector. The facility has been provided under IFC’s Small Loan Guarantee Program (SLGP), a programmatic approach to risk-sharing that aims to strengthen the capacity of financial institutions to finance SMEs in low-income countries. SLGP uses a pooled first-loss structure provided by International Development Association’s (IDA) Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility. In addition, the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) is providing performance-based

incentives up to $281,000 to support lending by TEB Sh.A. to women-owned SMEs. While SMEs dominate the economic landscape in Kosovo, over 50 percent of firms in Kosovo cited access to finance as a major or severe constraint to growth, according to the World Bank Enterprise Survey. An IFC study indicates that 42 percent of women SMEs are financially constrained, and the gender gap is significantly higher than the average gender gap in other IDA-eligible countries. “TEB will continue to offer solutions and finance to SMEs, aimed at encouraging their dynamism and new ideas,” said Dren Krypa, TEB’s deputy managing director. “This partnership with IFC in risk-sharing is a valuable tool to support the growing SME sector in Kosovo, especially for women entrepreneurs.” According to the World Bank,

only 5.3 percent of SMEs in Kosovo are majority-owned by women and another 4.8 percent have some female ownership. TEB is the only bank in Kosovo that offers tailored financing to womenowned SMEs. “We are glad to expand our partnership with TEB Sh.A. and support the bank’s lending to SMEs, enabling entrepreneurs to sustain and grow operations. This is especially important in the current extraordinary times as the businesses have been disrupted by the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vittorio Di Bello, Regional Industry Head in Europe and Central Asia for IFC’s Financial Institutions Group. “IFC expects that this risk-sharing facility will help preserve and create new jobs and demonstrate to the market that lending to womenowned SMEs and agri-SMEs is commercially viable.”

Turnover adjusted for sales days and holidays rose in the retail

sector by 0.4% in nominal terms in June 2020 compared with the previous year. Seasonally adjusted, nominal turnover

TL Bureau, Sofia

fell by 3.6% compared with the previous month. These are provisional findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is supporting the Ministry of Transport of Bulgaria with a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement to improve Sofia Airport’s operations and services to passengers and finance significant upgrades to its infrastructure, including building a new terminal under a concession model. The concession agreement between the Ministry of Transport and SOF Connect, a project company established by Meridiam Eastern Europe Investment, which includes Munich Airport and Strabag, was signed on July 22, 2020. This is the first major airport-sector transaction to close amidst the global pandemic that has grounded many of the world´s commercial planes. IFC was the lead transaction advisor, helping the government of Bulgaria to competitively tender the first major PPP project in Bulgaria over the last decade in accordance with best international practice. The project was implemented in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with funding from the Global Infrastructure Facility, a multi-donor fund created to support public-private partnerships.

The public-private partnership model is expected to contribute to Bulgaria’s economic development by stimulating tourism growth and increasing international trade. This will enable a higher quality of service for passengers and improve the efficiency and quality of cargo handling services. The increased passenger and cargo traffic are projected to have positive spillover effects on the entire economy. Under the PPP model, the private sector is responsible for improving the airport’s operations and quality of service and financing upgrades of the airport’s infrastructure over 35 years before transferring it back to the government. “This landmark project marks the first major airport-sector transaction to close since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the region,” said Wiebke Schloemer, IFC’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. “It is also the first PPP project under the new Concession Law that is expected to further support the development of the private sector in Bulgaria.” IFC has helped governments around the world to competitively tender five airport concessions that benefit over 20 million passengers and attract over $5 billion in private investment to those countries.

artificial intelligence, and machine learning models.” Square Peg is one of Australia’s leading venture capital funds, having backed a range of successful Australian ventures. They will partner with X15 on the sourcing, scaling and financing of Australian fintechs. Zetta Venture Partners is a leading American-based venture capital fund that invests purely in

artificial intelligence companies. CBA has also provided an update on its partnership with Klarna, one of the world’s biggest digital payments providers. Since its launch in January 2020, the Klarna App has been downloaded by more than 270,000 Australians and more than 80 merchants are now live on the platform. Global revenue for Klarna has grown to $750 million for the first half of 2020, and Klarna has seen volume growth of up to 50 per cent year on year during the coronavirus period. Digital banking continues to grow CBA has revealed its latest digital banking numbers which continue to grow. More than 6.1 million customers are now using the CommBank App, up 500,000 from 5.6 million in FY19. More than $1.2 billion is now transacted through the App every day, while daily logins have surpassed 6.3 million. Combined with the Group’s online banking platform, NetBank, digital daily logins rose to a record 10.2 million at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Comyn said: “We know our customers are constantly looking for seamless and innovative ways to do their banking and even more so in the current environment. As Australia’s leading technology

bank, our role is to combine exceptional service with the very best digital experiences and technologies. “Our digital services have helped us to provide fast and effective financial support to our customers affected by the Coronavirus. Since the start of the pandemic, we have connected with more than 7 million customers through the CommBank App and there has been more than 2 million unique views of our coronavirus support page. “In just two weeks, we had messaged 2.6 million customers in App driving engagement with our new Money Plan feature, with 124,000 customers setting up a money plan to support themselves through the coronavirus pandemic. We have also reached 5.8 million customers with Benefits Finder, which has helped save our customers in excess of $153 million in utility bills and additional government payments over the past year. “Additionally, CommSec recorded strong activity, with 400,000 new accounts opened last financial year. This includes the CommSec Pocket App which recorded $180 million invested through more than 100,000 accounts with an average investment of $2,800 per active account.”

FSO - Swiss retail trade turnover rose in June 2020 TL Bureau, Neuchâtel

IFC Supports Bulgaria with Structuring and Tender Process of Sofia Airport Concession

CBA TEAMS UP WITH STRATEGIC PARTNERS TO OFFER NEW DIGITAL SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS

TL Bureau, Parramatta

Commonwealth Bank today announced the appointment of two strategic partners to help deliver new digital banking services to the Group’s 15 million retail and business customers. The new partnerships coincide with the announcement of X15 Ventures’ fourth new venture. CBA has committed US$10 million to the most recent funds for both Square Peg and Zetta Venture Partners to support the sourcing, scaling and financing of local fintechs, as well as the development of emerging artificial intelligence businesses in Australia. CBA’s X15 has also announced its fourth new venture, Backr, which offers a digital, task-based approach to starting a small business, guiding business owners through the process step-by-step, from registering their business name and ABN, to creating a business plan and using simple tools to get them trading quickly and with ease. Commonwealth Bank CEO, Matt Comyn said: “Through Backr, we hope to help thousands of new digitally enabled small businesses get off the ground. This is now more important than ever given the need to drive the economic

recovery. To support this initiative, CBA will deposit $500 into the account of any eligible business launched through Backr, until the end of 2020. “We’re also delighted to welcome Square Peg and Zetta as strategic partners and look forward to working with them to bring new solutions to our customers, harnessing the latest technologies,

FEATURE

IFC To Provide $4 Billion To Boost Healthcare Supplies to Developing Countries Amid COVID-19

TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

The financing will be offered to both existing and new IFC clients, mostly in developing countries. To ensure the platform benefits developing countries, companies based in developed countries that receive funding must commit a share of their supply to developing countries. More than $60 billion would be required to expand supply to meet the surge in demand around the world triggered by the pandemic, including for personal protective equipment and medical equipment, as well as therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines being developed, based on data from the World Health Organization. IFC will work

with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and other partners to mobilize additional financing. The health platform builds on the $8-billion fast-track financing facility that IFC has rolled out to help keep companies in business and preserve jobs in developing countries. In four months, IFC has committed $3.7 billion of the facility to help shore up private sector activity, especially among micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. IFC has fully utilized the $2 billion under the trade-finance envelope of the facility to support client financial institutions to keep liquidity flowing to businesses

that depend on trade. IFC has now committed projects in every region in which the institution operates. IFC’s response is part of the World Bank Group’s effort to take broad, fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic response, increase disease surveillance and improve public-health interventions. IFC is working closely with the World Bank, which is helping developing countries procure medical supplies, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which has committed $6.5 billion to help private-sector investors and lenders tackle COVID-19.

TL Bureau, Grand-Saconnex

TL Bureau, Geneva

This year is the twentieth anniversary of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, and its historic Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. We are half-way through a very difficult year for everyone, and our contemporary challenges have had a severe impact on people’s vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation. IOM was implementing counter-trafficking interventions in accordance with human rights principles long before the Palermo Protocol gave us the clearly defined parameters that we know today. And likewise, our interventions have evolved over time as new forms of trafficking have emerged. We have learned, as have governments, that it is imperative to partner with the private sector, trade unions, supply chain auditors, and recruitment agencies to put in place practices to reduce the risks of trafficking and exploitation. As we embark upon a new decade, the world is now confronted with perhaps our biggest challenge to counter-

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding. Skilled counselling services can ensure that mothers and families receive this support, along with the information, the advice, and the reassurance they need to nourish their babies optimally. Breastfeeding counselling can help mothers to build confidence while respecting their individual circumstances and choices. Counselling can empower women to overcome challenges and prevent feeding and care practices that may interfere

with optimal breastfeeding, such as the provision of unnecessary liquids, foods, and breastmilk substitutes to infants and young children. Improving access to skilled counselling for breastfeeding can extend the duration of breastfeeding and promote exclusive breastfeeding, with benefits for babies, families and economies. Indeed, analysis indicates that increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding could save the lives of 820,000 children every year, generating US $302 billion in additional income. Skilled breastfeeding counselling can be provided by different actors including health care professionals, lactation counsellors and peer support providers, and in a variety of settings– in health facilities or clinics, through home visits or community programmes, in person or remotely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important to find innovative solutions to ensure that access to these essential services is not disrupted and that families continue to receive the breastfeeding counselling they need. This is why UNICEF and WHO, in line with the policy actions advocated by the UNICEF-WHO-led Global Breastfeeding Collective, are

calling on governments to: • INVEST to make skilled breastfeeding counselling available to every woman. Ensuring availability of skilled breastfeeding counselling to every woman will require increased financing for breastfeeding programmes and improved monitoring and implementation of policies, programmes and services. • TRAIN health care workers, including midwives and nurses, to deliver skilled breastfeeding counselling to mothers and families. • ENSURE that counselling is made available as part of routine health and nutrition services that are easily accessible. • PARTNER and collaborate with civil society and health professional associations, building strong collaborative systems for provision of appropriate counselling. • PROTECT health care workers from the influence of the baby food industry. Together, through commitment, concerted action and collaboration, we can ensure that every mother has access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, empowering her to give her baby the best possible start in life.

In an effort to help developing countries fight the coronavirus pandemic with more masks, ventilators, test kits, and potential vaccines, IFC launched today a financing platform to increase the access of those countries to healthcare supplies. The $4-billion Global Health Platform will help address the severe shortage of medical supplies in developing countries. The platform will provide financing to manufacturers of healthcare products, suppliers of critical raw materials, and healthcare service providers so they can expand capacity for products

and services to be delivered to developing countries. IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, will contribute $2 billion from its own account while mobilizing an additional $2 billion from private-sector partners. “As the pandemic surges in developing countries, access to critical healthcare supplies and services is becoming increasingly constrained,” said Stephanie von Friedeburg, Chief Operating Officer of IFC. “IFC’s new platform will provide a lifeline to these countries while helping them build the foundations for more resilient healthcare systems.”

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2020

trafficking – that of a pandemic, that has in addition brought severe restrictions to mobility, impacted livelihoods, and limited access to vulnerable people. COVID-19 has brought a devastating impact upon the household security and health of billions of people all over the world, which inevitably heightens vulnerability and risk of exploitation, whether it is job-seekers taking hazardous journeys, families relying on child labour for survival, or the marriage of young daughters in a desperate attempt to relieve economic strain. Now, as we have always done, the anti-trafficking community must evolve and adapt to this new crisis, finding innovative ways to identify trends, to screen for vulnerabilities, to support States while advocating for human rights and the prevention of abuse, and to seek safe and viable options for those who will remain on the move. Let’s move into this direction together, as united we are stronger!

World Breastfeeding Week 2020 Message

life and real estate

TOURISM RESTARTS

40% OF DESTINATIONS HAVE NOW EASED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

TL Bureau, Madrid

The United Nations specialized agency for tourism has been monitoring global responses to the pandemic from the start of the crisis. This latest outlook, recorded on 19 July, is up from 22% of destinations that had eased restrictions on travel by 15 June and the 3% previously observed by 15 May. It confirms the trend of a slow but continuous adaptation and responsible restart of international tourism. At the same time, however, of the 87 destinations that have now eased travel restrictions, just four have completely lifted all restrictions, while 83 have eased them while keeping some measures such as the partial closure of borders in place. This latest edition of the UNWTO Travel Restrictions Report in addition shows that 115 destinations (53% of all destinations worldwide) continue to keep their borders completely closed for tourism. Responsible restart is possible UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The restart of tourism can be undertaken responsibly and in a way that safeguards public health while also supporting businesses and livelihoods. As destinations continue to ease restrictions on travel, international cooperation is of paramount importance. This

The responsible restart of tourism is underway around the world as growing numbers of destinations ease COVID-19 related travel restrictions and adapt to the new reality. According to the latest analysis from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 40% of all destinations worldwide have now eased the restrictions they placed on international tourism in response to COVID-19.

GEORGIA CHASE OF CHASE INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCES SALE OF MOUNTAIN COTTAGE ESTATE FOR $2.2 MILLION

TL Bureau, Carson City, NV

way, global tourism can gain people’s trust and confidence, essential foundations as we work together to adapt to the new reality we now face.” According to the UNWTO report, destinations with a higher dependency on tourism are more likely to be easing restrictions on travel: Of the 87 destinations that have eased restrictions recently, 20 are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which depend on tourism as a central pillar of employment, economic growth and development. The report also shows that around half (41) of all those destinations that have eased restrictions are in Europe, confirming the leading role of the region for the responsible restart of tourism. Many destinations still in long-

term lockdown Looking at the 115 destinations that continue to have their borders completely closed to international tourism, the report finds that a majority (88) have been completely closed their borders for international tourism for more than 12 weeks. The cost related to the travel restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 has historic dimensions. This week, UNWTO released the data on the impact of the pandemic on tourism, both in terms of lost tourist arrivals and lost revenues. The data shows that by already by the end of May, the pandemic had led to US$320 billion in lost revenues, already three times the cost of the 2009 Global Economic Crisis.

Chase International is pleased to announce the sale of 280 Mill Race Loop, Carson City, NV, for $2,200,000. Representing the seller and the buyer, Georgia Chase. This brand new mountain cottage home is located in the heart of the Clear Creek Tahoe community. Conveniently just steps from all the action of Summit Camp, close to the first tee of the top-rated Coore and Crenshaw Golf course, and the Clubhouse campus area. 280 Mill Race Loop Enjoy magnificent views of dramatic granite formations above the neighborhoods private “Lookout Trail , filtered views of the third fairway, and widespread vistas to the north. This single-story custom mountain retreat provides an open floor plan perfect for entertaining friends and family, or a sunset viewing party on the expansive covered deck. Outfitted with the most up to date smart home technology, a warm and inviting

considerably lower stock levels experienced in some locations across the sunshine state throughout 2019. QLD Sales Office of the Year was awarded to First National Real Estate Benowa. The Top 10 QLD sales offices included: • First National Benowa – QLD Sales Office of the Year • First National Surfers Paradise • First National Cleveland • First National Action Realty Ipswich • First National Real Estate National Investments & Projects (Paradise Point) • First National Palm Beach • First National Centrepoint (Mermaid Waters) • First National Murwillumbah • First National McColms

(Bundaberg) • First National Tweed City (Tweed Heads South) The Top 10 QLD property management departments were: • First National On The Coast (Miami) – QLD Property Management Department of the Year • First National Cairns Central (Parramatta Park) • First National Copas Newnham Property Services (Toowoomba) • First National Springfield (Springfield Central) • First National Palm Beach • First National Sarina • First National Action Realty Ipswich • First National Carolans (Nambour) • First National Browns Plains

• First National Chinchilla Cheryl Kermond of First National Action Realty Ipswich was named QLD Commercial Property Manager of the Year (2ndconsecutive year), and Elle Osborne of First National On The Coast was named QLD Residential Property Manager of the Year. The number one salesperson across all income streams in Queensland was Jamie Bourke (FN Benowa) and the number one residential salesperson was Ryan McCann (FN Cleveland). The Top 10 QLD salespeople included: • Jamie Bourke, First National Benowa • Ryan McCann, First National Cleveland • Russell Rollington, First National Surfers Paradise

environment, and ample living space for homeowners and guests alike. A grand master suite includes an impressive granite fireplace, private deck ideal for enjoying morning coffee and vibrant scenery, a luxurious bathroom featuring a garden tub with a view, expansive shower and large walk-in closet. Two additional en-suite bedrooms on the west side of the home provide privacy and spectacular sunset views. Clear Creek Tahoe is Northern Nevada’s most exciting new mountain community situated on 2, 136 unspoiled acres, just minutes from Lake Tahoe. The vision is bringing together physical amenities creating a stage for a magnificent life experience. The nationally acclaimed Coore & Crenshaw golf course is fully mature. The Lake and Ski House allow members to enjoy 180’ of sandy beach, water sports and shuttle service to Heavenly Ski Resort. Additional amenities include Summit Camp, featuring swimming, tennis, bocce, poolside grille, waterslide, and a sports court.

• Rob Rollington, First National Surfers Paradise • Glenn Ball, First National Action Realty Ipswich • Bob Rollington, First National Surfers Paradise • Aaron Smith, First National Centrepoint (Mermaid Waters) • Bradley McDonald, First National Bayside (Wellington Point) • Rhys Wildermoth, First National Palm Beach • Christine Banks, First National McColms (Bundaberg) A range of specialist awards were also announced, with: QLD Sales Rookie of the Year being awarded to Jodi Bourke from First National Benowa and QLD Property Manager Rookie of the Year being awarded to Coco Townley from First National Browns Plains.

QLD agents received GEM Awards during Instagram Live TL Bureau, Brisbane

First National’s Queensland members were presented with their General Excellence and Marketing Awards in a groundbreaking Instagram Live event, bringing together award recipients from each office around the state to celebrate. The awards, which were to have been hosted at a gala event at the Hilton Brisbane in March, were deferred due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. Instead, award trophies and certificates were delivered in advance to each office, then the network’s awards MCs announced the winners, who opened their awards on schedule and participated in the social media hook-up. The awards celebrated the achievements of the state’s agents throughout 2019, with top 10 individuals and offices now vying for National GEM Awards, which will be announced later in the year. QLD State Chairman, Neil Coupland, says he commends the results that First National’s Queensland agents, property managers and administrators achieved in 2019, given the

SPORTS

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL - ROUND 1 PREVIEW ROUND 1 FIXTURE (all times listed as local time):

Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning Adelaide Thunderbirds v West Coast Fever #SSNFirebirdsLightning #SSNThunderbirdsFever Nissan Arena, Brisbane Nissan Arena, Brisbane Sat 1 August - 1:00pm AEST Sat 1 August - 3:00pm AEST Watch: Nine + Netball Live Official App Watch: Nine + Netball Live Official App Umpires: Georgina Sulley-Beales + Michelle Phippard Umpires: Bronwen Adams + Tayla Favell

GIANTS Netball v NSW Swifts

Melbourne Vixens v Collingwood Magpies

break, will be extra keen to show why they are the reigning premiers. • For this NSW derby, the Swifts will welcome back their captain Maddy Proud who will return to the court after recovering from her ACL injury.

Melbourne Vixens v Collingwood Magpies

• Cross-town rivals the Vixens and Magpies will play this first 2020 Victorian derby in a match closed to the public during their final hours of quarantine. • The Vixens had a strong 2019 season but just missed out on a spot in the Grand Final. They’ve said goodbye to Renae Ingles but will the inclusion of Kate Eddy and Tayla Honey help them make it all the way this year? • Magpies will be entering 2020 with a fresh starting line up after Ash Brazill (injured), Nat Medhurst and Kim Ravaillion (maternity leave) all won’t be wearing the black and white this season. Will the new faces have what it takes, alongside co-captain Madi Browne who will return after 18 months on the sidelines due to an ACL injury.

#SSNGIANTSSwifts #SSNVixensMagpies Nissan Arena, Brisbane Nissan Arena, Brisbane Sun 2 August -1:00pm AEST Sun 2 August - 5:30pm AEST Watch: Nine + Netball Live Official App Watch: Telstra TV + Netball Live Official App Umpires: Michelle Phippard + Tamara Welsford Umpire: Tim Marshall + Andrea Booth TL Bureau, Fitzroy derby. GIANTS Netball v NSW Swifts • The Lightning will be looking for • The GIANTS have some unfinished redemption after its grand final loss ALL TEAM CAPTAINS CAUGHT UP WITH business after just missing out on playing last season and they will be raring to finals last season. They will be led by LIZ ELLIS TO PREVIEW THE ROUND/ go under new coach Kylee Byrne. Jo Harten this season who is a player • The Firebirds ended last season with SEASON - CLICK HERE TO WATCH that will be comfortable in the new just one win to their name. They have Super Shot zone. WHAT YOU NEED TO COVER a young side but with the experience of • The Swifts will finally begin their 2019 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL Gabi Simpson and Romelda Aiken on title defence when they take to the court • Suncorp Super Netball 2020 Media court, and vice-captain Gretel Bueta on this weekend and, with the extended Guide the sidelines, Firebirds will be looking • Champion Data - team, player and to let the league know they are the game stats: https://mc.championdata. CLUB MEDIA CONTACTS real deal. com/super_netball Adelaide Thunderbirds Magpies Netball Adelaide Thunderbirds v West • Suncorp Super Netball season stats: Emmalie Balnaves-Gale Tash Lewis https://supernetball.com.au/stats Coast Fever 0431 236 662 0415 919 621 • Fixture + broadcast details: https:// • The Thunderbirds will hit the court emmalie.bg@netballsa.asn.au tash.lewis@collingwoodfc.com.au supernetball.com.au/fixture with their newly appointed co-captains GIANTS Netball Melbourne Vixens Chelsea Pitman and Hannah Petty. MILESTONES Laura Elliott Laura Macintosh Hannah is the youngest captain in the Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens) will 0448 113 020 0425 744 741 Suncorp Super Netball this season and play her 50th national league match on laura.elliott@gwsgiants.com.au laura.macintosh@netballvic.com.au reappointed captain Chelsea brings a Sunday West Coast Fever NSW Swifts wealth of experience to the role. ROUND 1 Nikki Brown Shane DeBarra • The Fever will want this first win on the 0438 926 086 0424 136 658 board after recording the most draws Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine nikki.brown@netballwa.com.au sdebarra@netballnsw.com last season and just two wins. Coast Lightning Queensland Firebirds Ash McIntosh • A battle to watch out for on court will be Kieran Marsh Sunshine Coast Lightning • With the entire competition now based Thunderbirds’ Shamera Sterling taking 0425 313 025 0422 164 076 out of Queensland, it’s fitting that the on Jamaican team mate and Fever goal media@netballq.org.au amcintosh@sunshinecoastlightning.com.au 2020 season will start with a Queensland shooter Jhaniele Fowler.

Footlongs and Football Are the Perfect MATCH RESULTS: FEVER (74) Pair as the NFL Announces Subway® DEFEAT THUNDERBIRDS (62) Restaurants as Official Sponsor of the NFL TL Bureau, Fitzroy

TL Bureau New York, NY & Milford, Conn

Sandwich lovers and football fans just scored a major touchdown. The National Football League (NFL) today announced that Subway® restaurants, the world’s largest sandwich chain, is now an Official Sponsor of the NFL. As an official multi-year sponsor of the NFL, Subway will have exclusive marketing rights and activation opportunities at key NFL events and experiences. The brand will also sponsor NFL FLAG, the largest U.S. flag football league and support NFL PLAY 60, which is dedicated to keeping youth active and healthy. Subway will align with key teams, players and partners to bring the sponsorship to life. The long-term sponsorship

kicks off this fall with a new ad campaign featuring NFL talent and personalities and restaurant promotions, allowing Subway fans to enjoy two of America’s favorite things – Footlong subs and football. “With NFL fans more excited than ever for the return of football, we are thrilled to have Subway, as an official league sponsor,” said Renie Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer & EVP, NFL Partnerships. “We are also excited for Subway’s partnership in flag football and our Play 60 initiatives. We look forward to working closely with them to help grow the sport of football and make the NFL season better than ever for our fans.” Subway® restaurants are the ideal stop for families and athletes across the globe looking to make better choices and fuel their days and practices with

better options like sandwiches made with delicious ingredients – from freshly-baked bread, to fresh veggies, and a variety of toppings and sauces. “We know Subway fans are football fans and our footlongs have always been the perfect game night food, so we are proud to make the connection official with this multi-year NFL partnership,” said Carrie Walsh, Chief Marketing Officer of Subway. “We are a brand that prides ourselves on making it easier for fans and for athletes to be a little better every day. That’s why we’re excited to add our fresh flavor and make this and every football season, footlong season. With millions of sandwich combinations and more Subway restaurant locations across the country than any other chain, the possibilities for engagement are endless.”

The original is often the best and so it’s been proved as the world’s premier shooter Jhaniele Fowler led West Coast Fever to a 74-62 win against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in their Super Netball season launch. Fowler did most of the damage of her 53 goals from close range on Saturday, barely needing the assistance of netball’s innovative two-point super shot to crush the Thunderbirds at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena. The towering goal shooter said she benefited from “getting netball out of my brain” in a stress free build-up to the game during which she shot two super goals. “I’m just embracing it,” Fowler said of the controversial rule change. Until Wednesday morning, Perth’s Fever were preparing themselves for a season-opening showdown with the Giants in Sydney. But games in NSW were rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Fever instead packing their bags for a Queensland

assignment. Fever goal shooter Fowler was the dominant figure in the first half. Her anticipated duel with Jamaican teammate, Adelaide’s Shamera Sterling, was not the gripping battle the Thunderbirds had hoped for. It was no shame Sterling was unable to tame the 198cm shooter whose strength and body positioning made her almost impossible to stop near the post. The new look Thunderbirds, driven in the centre by Maisie Nankivell, pressured their opponents in the third quarter and stayed in touch thanks to a trio of super shots from Samantha Gooden. Despite at ties fielding five internationals on the court, the Thunderbirds could not stay with the West Australians. It was a rousing return to form Fever goal attack Alice TeagueNeeld who moved with confidence and shot four super goals in her 10-goal tally. Teague-Neeld has in recent years endured the shooting yips but there were no signs of hesitation in the Round 1 performance.

tech/auto

New division and change in ZF’s Board of Management: E-mobility strengthened as one of ZF’s core businesses

TL Bureau, Friedrichshafen

ZF’s Supervisory Board has today appointed Stephan von Schuckmann (46) during its regular meeting as new member to the company’s Board of Management. Von Schuckmann, who currently heads the Car Powertrain Technology Division, will succeed Michael Hankel (63) as of January 1, 2021. Hankel will then retire after 17 successful years with the company. The Supervisory Board also decided to establish a new division out of the previous Car Powertrain Technology and E-Mobility Divisions in order to offer customers electrified driveline solutions under one roof. In the future, ZF will no longer develop components for internal combustion engine drives but will instead focus on long-range plug-in hybrids and purely electric vehicles. Stephan von Schuckmann has been in charge of the Car Powertrain Technology Division based in Saarbrücken, Germany since Autumn 2018. The business administration graduate joined the ZF Group in 2003 and has held various management positions including Commercial Director of ZF Lenksysteme Hungária Kft. in

• Supervisory Board approves the foundation of a new division for electrified drivelines for passenger cars • Michael Hankel retires after 17 years at ZF at the end of 2020 • Stephan von Schuckmann appointed to the Board of Management as of January 1, 2021 Eger, Hungary, and Head of the Global Aftermarket and Small-Series Business Unit at ZF Lenksysteme GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. In 2015, von Schuckmann moved to the Car Powertrain Technology Division as Senior Vice President for Finance, Controlling, IT, and Process Management before taking over as head of the division. Von Schuckmann’s appointment to ZF’s Board of Management from January 1, 2021, coincides with a significant change in the Group structure. At this time, a new division will be created from the two current Car Powertrain Technology and E-Mobility divisions. With this step, ZF will combine its

competencies in order to better address the increasing electrification in passenger cars, improve customer proximity and further accelerate the transformation to plug-in hybrids and electric drives. In the future, ZF will no longer develop driveline components for pure combustion engine vehicles. “With Stephan von Schuckmann as head of the new division and member of the Board of Management, we have gained a leader from our own ranks who knows the car driveline sector extremely well. He will strengthen ZF’s position in the field of e-mobility,” said Dr.-Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman of ZF’s Supervisory Board. Acknowledgements to Michael Hankel

EUROPEAN ROADSHOW: MANCHESTER WELCOMES THE CHIRON PUR SPORT

Extremely sporty but still a piece of art - the new Chiron Pur Sport1 is an uncompromising hyper sports car representing the French brand’s strive for perfection and technological innovation. It has a lot in common with the latest stop on its European Roadshow: Manchester. The English city counts as the northern capital of innovation and art, a major cultural hub known for its music and extensive libraries as well as its beautiful Victorian buildings. And let’s not forget its glorious sporting background, being the home of two of the biggest English football clubs. TL Bureau, Molsheim The Chiron Pur Sport was definitely in its element when visiting Manchester – poised in front of the all new modern National Football Museum adjacent to the historical infamous Printworks and Corn Exchange buildings, this city demonstrates the Bugatti tradition of combining history with innovation. Upon arrival the Bugatti Pur Sport was welcomed to the dealership with a window graphic stating that the Manchester showroom plans to open in January 2021. The Chiron Pur Sport was made to feel at home in a pop up showroom where it joined its brother, the Chiron Sport2 and also the Bugatti Veyron. “Our team based here in the heart of Cheshire were delighted to present a car as impressive and unique as the Pur Sport and to be associated with one of the most iconic and exclusive brands in the world. We have already built up a great relationship with our new colleagues at the home of Bugatti in Molsheim and intend to become one of their leading dealers”, Managing Director

Jon Crossley explains. Although the official showroom opens in 2021, the aftersales facility is already fully operational for existing owners throughout the North of England. With its optimized aerodynamics, shorter gear ratio and completely

new tires, the Chiron Pur Sport is considered the most agile member of the Chiron3 family. It costs 3 million euros net and is limited to 60 units. Production at the company’s headquarters in Molsheim, France, will begin in the second half of 2020.

Dr. Paefgen thanked Michael Hankel, who will leave ZF’s Board of Management on December 31, 2020, for his long-standing commitment: “Michael Hankel has successfully contributed to the realignment of the entire Group. He has shown outstanding commitment to the digitalization of ZF production by introducing smart industry applications. The worldwide introduction of the ZF Production System is a credit to him. He has made a significant contribution to the fact that the company today has a globally efficient production network. On behalf of the company, we wish him all the best for the future.” Michael Hankel joined the Board of Management of the former ZF Sachs AG in Schweinfurt in 2003, where he was responsible for the Chassis Division. In 2007, he became Chairman of the Board of Management of ZF Lenksysteme GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Since 2013, Michael Hankel has been a member of the ZF Board of Management where he is responsible for the Car Powertrain Technology and E-Mobility Divisions, Corporate Production, and key account management for passenger car customers in Europe and North America.

BluE Nexus and Toyota to Strengthen Sales Structure of Electrified Systems to Prepare for Accelerated Adoption of Electrified Vehicles

Toyota to make new investment in BluE Nexus

TL Bureau, Toyota City

BluE Nexus Corporation (BluE Nexus) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that they will collaborate to prepare for the accelerated adoption of electrified vehicles by working together to increase their competitiveness in products related to electrification as well as to fortify their sales structure, including their technical support and services, among others, rendered to their customers. Since its establishment in April 2019, BluE Nexus has been engaged in the development and sales of electric drive modules essential for electrified vehicles and in control calibration services for such modules. Meanwhile, Toyota, applying its strengths as a manufacturer of completed vehicles, has been selling entire vehicle powertrain systems, such as the Toyota Hybrid System, to other companies. As they look toward the accelerated adoption of electrified vehicles,

BluE Nexus and Toyota aim to join forces and use their core competencies, namely Toyota’s control calibration technologies for engines, batteries, and other major peripheral components as well as BluE Nexus’s welldeveloped lineup of electric drive modules, to respond to requests from all types of customers around the world. Additionally, Toyota will provide a new investment contribution, taking a 10 percent stake of BluE Nexus to achieve this goal. Going forward, BluE Nexus and Toyota will work together to establish a sales structure wherein they will be able to mutually apply their core competencies, with BluE Nexus serving as the primary sales contact for electrification systems*and Toyota providing technological support. BluE Nexus and Toyota intend to strengthen their competitiveness in electrification systems and to contribute to the further adoption of electrified vehicles toward realizing a sustainable society.

world

EU Mobility Package introduces North Korea: EU new rules on road transport confirms autonomous sanctions for a year

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The social and market aspects of the EU Mobility Package for road transport have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 31 July 2020, in line with the agreement reached earlier in the negotiations. The Mobility Package clarifies previously ambiguous regulations in the sector and harmonises their application in different Member States. Uniform rules also promote road safety for all road users. \The application of the Mobility Package will begin on 20 August 2020 when the provisions on driving and rest periods enter into force. The rules in the market access regulation and the posting directive will

become applicable 18 months after the entry into force of the legislation, with the exception of special deadlines for tachographs. The Mobility Package aims to harmonise the regulation of the EU’s internal market in road transport, improve the working conditions of drivers and make enforcement more efficient. The package consists of a regulation governing access to the road haulage market and to the profession of road haulage operator or road passenger transport operator; a regulation on maximum work and minimum rest times for drivers and positioning by means of tachographs; and a directive revising enforcement requirements and laying down

rules on posting of drivers. The new rules will introduce special posting rules for drivers in international transport. The aim is to improve the working and social conditions of drivers in international transport and to ensure that road haulage operators have equal freedom to provide their services in the EU’s internal market. Special rules will apply on cabotage and international transport. Cabotage means transport operations within the borders of one state using a vehicle registered in another country. However, transit operations, bilateral transport operations and bilateral transport operations involving two additional activities of loading or unloading are excluded from the scope of application.

TL Bureau, Brussels

The Council today confirmed the list of individuals and entities subject to the EU’s autonomous sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).As a consequence, the existing restrictive measures - travel ban and asset freeze - imposed on the listed persons and entities will continue to apply for one year, until the next annual review. The 57 listed individuals and 9 listed entities are subject to the above sanctions for contributing to the DPRK’s nuclear-related, ballistic-missile-related or other weapons of mass destructionrelated programmes or for sanctions evasion. he EU’s sanctions against the DPRK are

the toughest against any country. They were adopted in response to the country’s nuclear weapon and ballistic missile development activities, which are in breach of numerous UNSC resolutions. The EU has transposed all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and has in place its own autonomous sanctions regime with regard to the DPRK, which complements and reinforces the sanctions adopted by the UN. The UN has imposed sanctions on 80 persons and 75 entities.The EU has repeatedly expressed its strong conviction that lasting peace and denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula must be achieved by peaceful means,and that the diplomatic process must be continued as the only way towards realising that goal.

On Sanctioning Human Rights New mobile app to help notify Canadians of Abusers in Xinjiang, China potential COVID-19 exposure now available

TL. Bureau, Washington D.C.

The Chinese Communist Party’s human rights abuses in Xinjiang, China against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities rank as the stain of the century. The Trump Administration has led the world’s effort to impose tangible costs on the PRC’s continuous campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, intrusive surveillance, forced labor, forced population control, involuntary collection of biometric data, and genetic analyses targeted at these groups. Today, we are continuing that record of principled action. On July 9, 2020, the United States

designated Chen Quanguo, the current First Party Secretary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary organization subordinate to the CCP, for his connection to serious human rights abuse in Xinjiang. Following his arrival in the region, Chen Quanguo began implementing a comprehensive surveillance, detention, and indoctrination program in Xinjiang, targeting Uyghurs and members of other ethnic minorities. The XPCC has been directly involved in implementing these measures. Today, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on the XPCC.

Indian PM addressed Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2020

TL Bureau, New Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2020 on 1st August via video conferencing. He will also be interacting with students on the occasion. The Smart India Hackathon is a nationwide initiative to provide students with a platform to solve some of the pressing problems we face in our daily lives, and thus inculcate a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem-solving. It has proved to be extremely successful in promoting outof-the-box thinking in young

minds. The first edition of Smart India Hackathon 2017 saw participation of 42000 students which increased to 1 lakh in 2018 and to 2 lakh in 2019. The first round of Smart India Hackathon 2020 saw participation of more than 4.5 lakh students. The Grand Finale of the software edition this year is being organized online by connecting all the participants throughout the nation together over a speciallybuilt advanced platform. More than 10,000 students will be competing to solve 243 problem statements from 37 central government departments, 17 state governments and 20 industries.

TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario

Over the past several months, Canadians have been following public health advice and doing their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Now, as we take steps to ease restrictions and safely restart our economy, we need to continue to work together to contain the virus and keep Canadians safe and healthy. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, today announced that COVID Alert, a new national mobile app, is now available to Canadians for free download. The app, first developed in Ontario, helps notify users if they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Use of COVID Alert is voluntary, and serves as another tool to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Once the app is fully functioning in their province or territory, users

who test positive for COVID-19 will receive a one-time key from their health authority that they can enter into the app. When the key is entered, COVID Alert will notify other users who may have come in close contact with that person for at least 15 minutes in the past 14 days, so they can contact their local public health authority for guidance. To safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of all Canadians, the app uses strong measures to protect any data it collects, and does not track a user’s location or collect personally identifiable information. The Privacy Commissioners of Canada and Ontario were consulted on the development of COVID Alert, to ensure the highest level of privacy for Canadians using the app. The Government of Canada has been working in close partnership with the Province of Ontario to launch the COVID Alert app.

FDFA - Ignazio Cassis: “Switzerland is on the move, because we are on the move”

Health authorities in Ontario will be the first to begin distributing one-time keys. The Government of Canada is also working with the other provinces and territories to bring their jurisdictions on board in the coming weeks and months. An expert Advisory Council will ensure the app meets the highest standards in public health outcomes, privacy, and technology. The members of the Council reflect Canada’s regional and cultural diversity, and cover a wide range of expertise, including health, privacy, data governance, science, and innovation. Their advice will inform the implementation and rollout phases of the app. The new COVID Alert app is just one example of how the Government of Canada is working with the provinces, territories, and other partners to protect the health of all Canadians, and support efforts to restart the economy gradually and safely.

Health Ministry: More Than 235,000 Recovered from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

TL Bureau, Bern

TL Bureau, Riyadh

To mark Swiss National Day on 1 August, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, paid a surprise visit to the more than 400 young people at a summer camp at the National Youth Sports Centre in Tenero, Ticino. Mr Cassis expressed his pride and confidence in the young people from all of Switzerland’s language regions. Their joy of playing and their urge to be active are a symbol of the joie de vivre of a country that is looking ahead after a long period of lockdown.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement today that 1,686 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 275,905 cases, including 37,381 active cases receiving necessary medical care. Of these, there are 2033 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable. As many as 4,460 cases have recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 235,658, the Ministry of Health said, adding that 24 new deaths have been reported, bringing the total deaths to 2,866