The Life News UK. Feb 16, 2021 by The Life News

News from World, Worldwide readership. Vol. 03 Issue 36 Feb. 16, 2021

Saudi woman sentenced for Dozens dead, hundreds missing killing Bangladeshi maid after boat capsizes in DRC

TL Bureau, Riyadh

A criminal court in Saudi Arabia has given capital punishment to a Saudi lady for executing her Bangladeshi housekeeper in a decision rights bunches say was an uncommon illustration of a business being seen as liable of manhandling a transient labourer in the Middle East country.Ayesha al-Jizani was condemned on Sunday to death by the court for killing Abiron Begum in March 2019, somewhere in the range of two years after Begum went to the Gulf state looking for betterpaid work, a Bangladeshi government official said.

Begum’s family members encouraged the Bangladeshi government to make a move against the representatives who “deceived” Begum, 40, into taking the work in Saudi Arabia four years prior. “(She) needed to travel to another country to bring in more cash so she could pay for her matured guardians,” Ayub Ali, Begum’s brother by marriage, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “They began tormenting her fourteen days after she left. She would call us and cry … we asked the merchants here to bring her back, yet nobody tuned in to us.

TL BUREAU, Kinshasa

Many individuals kicked the bucket after a boat conveying many travellers overturned in the Congo River, authorities said. Steve Mbikayi, the Democratic Republic of Congo serve for philanthropic activity, said by means of Twitter on Monday that the boat, over-burden with 700 individuals, overturned in Mai-Ndombe area in western DRC on Sunday night. At any rate, 60 bodies have been recuperated while many individuals are as yet missing, he said, adding exactly 300 survivors have been found.

“We identify with the deprived families and request sanctions against each one of those mindful,” he said. Mbikayi revealed to Al Jazeera on Monday that the boat, what left from the capital Kinshasa, sunk close to Longola Ekoti town in transit to Equateur region in northwestern DRC.

“The primary driver of the sinking stays the overburden of products and the overabundance number of travellers in the whaling boat,” he said. Exploring the boat around evening time may have likewise played a factor in its sinking, he added.

UN warns Myanmar military and generals Photo: UN

TL Bureau, Yangon The United Nations has cautioned the Myanmar military of “extreme outcomes” in the event that it reacts cruelly to the fights that have occurred the nation over after the February 1 overthrow, as the junta chiefs defended again on Tuesday the

capture of force from regular citizen control. “Ms Schraner Burgener has strengthened that the privilege of the serene gathering must completely be regarded and that demonstrators are not exposed to responses,” UN representative Farhan Haq said in New York, alluding

to the UN uncommon agent who addressed the delegate top of the junta. In a record of the gathering, Myanmar’s military said Soe Win, the system’s second in order, had examined the organization’s arrangements and data on “the genuine circumstance of what’s going

on in Myanmar”. Regardless of the UN notice, the representative of the upset chiefs later said the military’s move to make over force was defended on the grounds that misrepresentation in a November political race was not tended to, adding that it would hand back force after

another political decision. “Our goal is to hold a political decision and hand capacity to the triumphant party,” Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said on Tuesday, without determining when the political decision would be held. It has forced a highly sensitive situation for one year.

anada, the United States and an alliance of 56 different countries and the European Union on Monday supported an affirmation reprimanding the act of states selfassertively keeping far off nationals with the end goal of political influence. The non-restricting Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations was dispatched by Canada during a virtual question and answer session on Monday with Marc Garneau, Canada’s clergyman of international concerns, expressing the number of nations to support the revelation is a demonstration of its significance. “This illicit and indecent practice puts residents of all nations in danger and it subverts the standard of law,” Garneau said. “It is unsuitable and it should stop.” Delivery from the Canadian government expresses the affirmation “expects to secure residents of all nations who live, work and travel onboard to more serious danger.” Self-assertive captures and confinements disregard Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was marked, endorsed and promotion by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. Canada said it will keep on squeezing for activity on consummation subjective confinement as it lobbies for the arrival of two residents kept by China in late 2018, apparently in counter against Ottawa for capturing a Chinese public in line with the United States. Michael Spavor, a Canadian money manager with

U.S., CANADA and 56 countries denounced arbitrary detention

binds to North Korea, and Michael Kovrig, a previous Canadian ambassador, were confined in China not long after Canadian specialists keeping Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, in line with the United States, which had given a warrant for her capture on charges of bank misrepresentation to disregard U.S. international embargoes on Iran. China has recommended the two kept Canadians could be delivered if Ottawa would stop the removal of Meng to the United States, an interaction that has been impeded in the suit. Zhao Lijian, China’s unfamiliar service representative, told journalists in June, that if Canada halted the removal of Meng it could “open up space for the goal to the circumstance of the two Canadians.” Executive Justice Trudeau reacted, saying to heel to China, or some other nation would put Canadians who travel at more serious danger of subjective capture and confinement. Kenneth Roth, the leader overseer of Human Rights Watch, called China out by name during the virtual public interview on Monday, expressing its confinement of Spavor and Kovrig “encapsulate this abhorrent practice.” Chinese Embassy in Canada on Monday communicated its “solid disappointment and firm resistance” to the

assertion, berating Ottawa for having “orchestrated” for Roth to blame China for self-assertive confinement and blaming it for discretionarily keeping Meng. “On the one hand, the Canadian side cases that it maintains the standard of law and contradicts subjective detainment. Then again, it goes about as an accessory of the U.S., and helps the U.S. to utilize Meng Wanzhou as a negotiating concession to abuse Chinese undertakings,” a representative from the government official said in an explanation. The Global Times, a Beijing state-run newspaper, referring to anonymous specialists, revealed the revelation as “a poorly considered assault intended to incite China.” Amal Clooney, who is a prime supporter and

editorial

president alongside entertainer George Clooney of The Clooney Foundation for Justice, invited the assertion during the virtual meeting on Monday however called for it to be joined by monetary and make a trip authorization to be forced against those discovered answerable for submitting subjective confinements. “We ought to be attempting to end self-assertive confinement taking all things together conditions,” she said. “Above all, this statement ought to be joined by authorization measures to give it teeth so selfassertive confinement pulls in genuine outcomes that ensure the kept and rebuff the detainers.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it is totally inadmissible for nations to deal with individuals like a negotiating tool or a human pawn. “It’s an ideal opportunity to send a reasonable message to each administration that self-assertively confines unfamiliar nationals and attempts to utilize them as an influence: this won’t go on without serious consequences by the inward local area,” he said in a proclamation.

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3 US State Secretary Makes Phone Call to his Irish Counterpart TL Bureau, Washington

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a phone call to Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney. During the conversation, they discussed the relation between the two countries as well as the latest challenges and priorities, including Covid-19, climate change, and Iranian-related controversial issues.

Morocco to further Extend Precautionary Measures’ Period for Two Extra Weeks TL Bureau, Rabat

The Moroccan government decided to prolong the precautionary measures’ period, adopted in 13 January, for two extra weeks, beginning from tomorrow, Tuesday. The decision was made on the background of Coronavirus spread, worldwide, and emerging new variants. It falls also in line with the endeavors exerted to contain Coronavirus spread and mitigate its negative fallouts. Among the precautionary measures are imposing night curfew, closing cafes, restaurants and shops by 20:00 PM (local meantime), in addition to preventing parties, public as well as private gatherings.

Tunisia Reports 305 New COVID-19 Cases

TL Bureau, Tunis Tunisia reported 305 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 31 new deaths, during the past 24 hours. In a statement issued, the Tunisian Ministry of Health said that total number of COVID-19 cases reached 223,549 cases, and the total number of deaths increased to 7575.

New Ebola outbreak declared in Guinea

TL Bureau, Brazzaville/Conakry

Health authorities in Guinea today declared an outbreak of Ebola in the rural community of Gouéké in N’Zerekore prefecture after three Ebola cases were confirmed by the national laboratory, marking the first time the disease has been reported in the country since an outbreak ended in 2016. Initial investigations found that a nurse from the local health facility died on the 28 January 2021. Following her burial, six people who attended the funeral reported Ebola-like symptoms and two of them have died, while the other four have been hospitalized. Guinea was one of the three mostaffected countries in the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak which was the largest since the virus was first discovered in 1976. “It’s a huge concern to see the resurgence of Ebola in Guinea, a country which has already suffered so much from the disease. However, banking on the expertise

and experience built during the previous outbreak, health teams in Guinea are on the move to quickly trace the path of the virus and curb further infections,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “WHO is supporting the authorities to set up testing, contact-tracing and treatment structures and to bring the overall response to full speed.” During the West African outbreak, WHO and partners supported Guinea to build up its capacity to respond to Ebola and the country has developed crucial expertise. Guinean health workersplayed a key role in supporting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with its recent outbreaks, with teams of vaccinators helping to train health workers in the DRC. WHO staff are already on the ground. In addition to surveillance they will help with ramping up infection prevention and control of health facilities and other key locations and reaching out to

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Greek Foreign Minister Dendias

TL Bureau, Washington D.C

Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias today. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Dendias emphasized their commitment to further strengthening U.S.-Greece bilateral relations, including through the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue and the 3+1 process with Cyprus and Israel, and close cooperation on defense, energy diversification, and stability in the

broader Eastern Mediterranean region. Secretary Blinken welcomed Greece’s sustained leadership in advancing the Transatlantic and European integration of the Western Balkans. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister reaffirmed the historic importance of North Macedonia’s NATO accession. The Secretary voiced support for ongoing exploratory talks between NATO Allies Greece and Turkey and congratulated Greece on the occasion of the Greece Bicentennial celebrations this year.

communities to ensure they take a key role in the response. WHO is also supporting the country to procure the Ebola vaccine which has proven instrumental in controlling outbreaks in the DRC. Samples of the confirmed cases have been sent to the InstitutPasteur in Senegal for a full genome sequencing to identify the strain of the Ebola virus. With the epicentre of the current outbreak in a border area, WHO is already working with health authorities in Liberia and Sierra Leone to beef up community surveillance of cases in their border districts as well as strengthening their capacity to test for cases and conduct surveillance in health facilities. WHO is reaching out to Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal and other countries at risk in the sub-region.During the West Africa Ebola outbreak there were 28 000 cases, including 11 000 deaths. The outbreak started in Guinea and then moved across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia

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NATO Secretary General holds virtual press conference ahead of Defence Ministers meeting

TL Bureau, Brussels NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed this week’s meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in a press conference on Monday (15 February 2021). The NATO 2030 initiative will be high on the agenda, with Mr. Stoltenberg to present ministers a set of proposals to begin preparations for this year’s summit. Ministers will also address NATO’s missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, review progress toward fairer burden-sharing, and meet with partners Finland, Sweden, and the European Union.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken Video Remarks on the Declaration Against the Use of Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations TL Bureau, Washington D.C Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State I’m honored to participate in the launch of this initiative, and I’m grateful to Canada for their leadership. Arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations is a serious problem. Put simply, this is when someone traveling or living abroad – for example, a businessperson, a tourist, or someone visiting family – is detained by the government and falsely charged or sentenced because of the country on their

passport. Then they’re used to gain leverage in state-to-state relations. They become a bargaining chip – a human pawn. It’s completely unacceptable. And it’s already prohibited under international human rights conventions. But some countries still do it, and we as a global community have to stand against it. This kind of arbitrary detention goes against the human rights of the people being held. It brings anguish to their families. And it’s a threat to anyone who travels, works, or lives abroad.

COVID-19 blog, 15 February: 412 new Secretary Blinken’s Call with positive test results have been Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu added in the past 24 hours TL Bureau, Washington D.C

TL Bureau, Tallinn

The last 24 hours have seen 2,968 tests being analysed in Estonia in relation to coronavirus, of which the results of 412 (13.9%) of the initial tests were positive. Based on the data in the population register, the highest number of new positive test results came from Harju County, where 228 further individuals were found to have been infected. A total of 166 of the new cases from Harju County were from Tallinn. A further fifty-two new positive coronavirus test results were added from IdaViru County, thirty-three from Tartu County, twenty from

Pärnu County, sixteen each from Rapla County and Lääne-Viru County, and thirteen from Võru County. A further eight new cases were added from Valga County, six each from Jõgeva County and Saare County, three each from Põlva County and Viljandi County, and two from Järva County. No new cases were added from Hiiu County of Lääne County. On six occasions the places of residence of those individuals who tested positive were not specified in the population register. The number of cases for every 100,000 people in the last fourteen days is 626.2, and 12.2% of all initial tests have been found to be positive.

Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke by phone with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu today. Secretary Blinken emphasized the longstanding

importance of the U.S.-Turkish bilateral relationship, our shared interest in countering terrorism, and the importance of democratic institutions, inclusive governance, and respect for human rights. Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation and support for a political resolution to the conflict in Syria. The Secretary

expressed condolences for the deaths of Turkish hostages in northern Iraq and affirmed our view that PKK terrorists bear responsibility. Secretary Blinken urged Turkey not to retain the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The Secretary also voiced support for ongoing exploratory talks between NATO Allies Turkey and Greece

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Irish Minster for Foreign Affairs and Defence Coveney TL Bureau, Washington D.C Office of the Spokesperson The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke on Saturday with

Irish Minster for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Coveney reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship and extraordinary people-to-people ties between the United States and

Ireland. They discussed Ireland’s role on the UN Security Council and as a Transatlantic partner as well as shared challenges and priorities, including COVID-19, climate change, Iran, and countering malign influences

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Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup video conference of 15 February 2021

TL Bureau, Brusells

Good evening to all of you. Before I debrief you on today’s Eurogroup, let me mention that we had the chance to welcome two new colleagues to our meeting today the new Italian minister, Daniele Franco, whose government was just sworn in this weekend, and indeed, it was his first day in his new role. And the new Estonian minister, Mrs. Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, who presented the policy priorities of the new Estonian government. The Commission also presented its assessment on the updated draft budgetary plan that Lithuania presented after the formation of their new government in December. So moving to the substance of the meeting, the Eurogroup continues to engage very closely in the health and economic situation of the euro area. We started today with an update on the health situation from Dr. Mike Ryan and Dr. Bruce Aylward of the World Health Organisation, which informed our discussions on the economic situation. The faster we can overcome this pandemic, the quicker we can deal with its economic consequences. Dr. Ryan and Dr. Aylward both emphasised that a high level of uncertainty remains, especially with regard to the circulation of the virus and the emergence of new variants. But they also highlighted the huge progress that has been made in terms of testing, treatment and vaccination since coronavirus emerged one year ago. The steady progress of the vaccination campaigns in particular raises the prospect of gradual change. The commission’s economic forecast confirms that economic growth is expected to resume in the spring after a very challenging winter. The forecast is

premised on a gradual opening up of the economy in the first half of the year, and an acceleration of growth in the second half of the year. This gradual recovery will of course be supported and reinforced by the joint Recovery Fund. The RRF, which will enter into force on the 18th of February, will play an important role in ensuring a sustained and robust economic recovery as opposed to just a temporary rebound. But the situation remains serious. The level of employment is clearly well below where we want it to be. And while COVID-19 has affected every part of the economy of the eurozone, it has been a particular challenge for young women and men, but also those who are employed in contact-intensive parts of our economies. This reaffirms the need to continue protecting our citizens from this pandemic and for supportive economic policies to remain in place for as long as they are needed. There is an inherent risk of withdrawing support too early, as opposed to withdrawing it too late. In light of the uncertainty and challenge, there continues to be a great need to coordinate our monetary and our budgetary efforts. From a Eurogroup perspective, it is important that we approach national budgetary preparations in a coordinated manner to help shape our policy decisions, particularly as the process of vaccination gathers steam and our recovery slowly begins. And we have learnt so much in dealing with this disease. It is good to note that lockdowns were more targeted the second time round and that many businesses and households have been able to adapt to changing and very challenging circumstances. And when we start to emerge from the health crisis, our policy response will need

Timo Sysiö appointed as Press Counsellor in Beijing

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has appointed Timo Sysiö to the post of Press Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Beijing. The three-year term will start on 1 August 2021. Sysiö will move to Beijing from the Embassy of Finland in Ankara, where he is currently Second Secretary responsible for communication, country branding and Team Finland coordination. Sysiö has studied and worked in East Asia and Southeast Asia for over ten years. In 2017, he worked as Event Coordinator for the Suomi Finland 100 Singapore (SF100SG) programme and as Consular Services Coordinator

at the Embassy Beijing. Sysiö has graduated with a Master of Arts degree at the University of Hong Kong. “I’m looking forward to being able to use my professional skills in the geographical area that is close to my heart. As part of the strong Team Finland network in China, I will work to increase our visibility especially in sectors which have an influence also on Finland’s economy and society,” Sysiö says. The Press Counsellor is responsible for communications and tasks related to country image. The Press Counsellor also takes part in Team Finland activities and works in close cooperation with the Consulates General of Finland in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

to adapt gradually. It’s something we will be talking about regularly in the coming months because we all have an interest in a successful and a united return to growth. We will soon be issuing the schedule that we have agreed for the discussions that we will be having on budgetary policy. And my aim is to reach a common understanding on the appropriate budgetary stance by the summer so that we can guide our budgetary discussions for next year. The second main topic on our agenda concerned the international role of the euro. This discussion took place on the basis of the Commission communication of 19 January on the European economic and financial system. The aim is to reduce our dependence on other currencies and to strengthen our autonomy in various situations. At the same time, an increased international use of our currency also implies potential trade-offs which we will continue to monitor. Ministers also agreed that our actions to support the international role of the euro should be broad-based, encompassing progress on amongst other things, Economic and Monetary Union, Banking Union, Capital Markets Union and the implementation of Next Generation EU. During the discussion, ministers also emphasised the potential of green bond issuance to enhance the use of the euro by the markets while also contributing to achieving our climate transition objectives. Let me emphasise in conclusion that this discussion is not about rivalling other currencies, but it is instead about increasing the resilience of our own currency and giving our firms and our citizens greater choice and security. We’ll be coming back to some of these issues soon to prepare a Leaders’ discussion on this topic in March.Finally, we took

stock of the state of play with the solvency of the corporate sector. The support that we have put in place at the national level and the framework we have agreed at the European level have all helped to keep many businesses afloat during lockdowns. This has been a success story, but we are aware that difficult times could lie ahead. Most businesses certainly have a bright future, but of course, many businesses are going to need time to repair their balance sheets and unfortunately, there could be some that will not be viable in the longer term due to changing health circumstances, and what that will mean for how economies are structured. As the recovery phase is kicking in, we will move to a phase of more targeted measures with the difficult question of how to identify viable firms that will still need our support. Our insolvency frameworks will need to be adaptable in order to minimise economic damage. And this is a discussion that we will return to in April. To conclude today’s discussions did acknowledge the many challenges that we are still responding to, that we are still working hard to overcome. It does come down to 3 Cs - certainty, coordination and consensus. In the face of health and economic uncertainty, we are working hard to redouble our coordination efforts to further create a consensus to help the euro area navigate through the uncertainty created by this pandemic. We will be intensifying our efforts to do this in 2021, given the value of this consensus in 2020, and I look forward to working closely, in particular with Commissioner Gentiloni and his colleagues in the Commission and all members of the Eurogroup to help us put in place the strongest policy framework to respond back to challenges which we will overcome

Human rights and sustainable development 314 New at the core of a call for proposals for Confirmed international non-governmental organisations Covid-19 Cases,

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs allocates development cooperation funds for use by INGOs. To be eligible for support, the organisations’ development cooperation activities must promote the attainment of Finland’s development policy priorities, the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the realisation of human rights. Additionally, development cooperation projects carried out by INGOs must take into account the human rights-based approach to development. Human rights are an important part of Finland’s foreign and

development policy; Finland is committed to promoting them. The call for proposals includes many themes that advance the realisation of human rights. Applications should focus on the following themes: promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights promoting tax justice and transparency in Sub-Saharan Africa ending impunity for human rights violations supporting human rights defenders strengthening the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights business and human rights promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights in Afghanistan to reduce maternal mortality.

previous generations, it is our duty to protect, promote, and practice these values everyday, so they can continue to bring us together and guide those who will come after. “The past year has been difficult for many of us, but it has also shown us the courage, empathy, and generosity of Canadians – and

together, we have remained strong and determined. All Canadians have made sacrifices, shown compassion, and helped their communities. Their actions to protect other people’s health and safety are a testament to the values that make us Canadians, and the values embodied in our flag.

Statement by the Prime Minister on National Flag of Canada Day TL Bureau, Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Flag of Canada Day: “Today we celebrate the 56th anniversary of our national flag, a Canadian symbol that unites us from

coast to coast to coast, and around the world. “Every day, the Maple Leaf flies in our communities, at Canadian diplomatic missions around the world, and on Parliament Hill. It represents the ideals of peace, justice, diversity, and equality that are central to our Canadian identity. As it was for

341 Recoveries Reported, in Saudi Arabia TL Bureau, Riyadh The Ministry of Health announced, in a statement here today, that 314 new confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) have been reported, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 373,046, including 2,682 active cases undergoing treatment. Of these, there are 472 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable. It added that 5 new deaths have been reported; putting the tally of fatalities, at 6,438. Meanwhile, as many as 341 cases have recovered, raising recoveries’ toll to 363,926. On the other hand, 49,060 new laboratory tests were conducted, in the last 24-hour, across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Culture Secretary appoints Blondel Cluff CBE as Future threats and Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund opportunities: competition

TL Bureau, London

The role will see her set the longterm strategic direction for the largest funder of community activity in the UK, working with charities to enable people and communities to thrive. During 2020 it distributed over £650 million, thanks to National Lottery players, delivering support to more than 13,000 community groups as part of the coronavirus response. Beneficiaries ranged from radio shows for patients in hospital to aid their recovery, to online music sessions for children and young people, helping tackle lockdown loneliness. Growing up within a family from Anguilla, Blondel has been a solicitor for more than 35 years, holding a number of high level public roles focused on communities, education, health and heritage over the past two decades. She was co-opted to the Prime Minister’s Commission on Race

Blondel Cluff CBE and Ethnic Disparities, with a focus on education, and is a member of the Windrush Cross Government Working Group, led by the Home Office. Blondel recently retired from diplomatic service, having represented the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, supporting the territory through Hurricane Irma, constitutional reform and in its preparations for Brexit as a border nation of the EU. She remains as CEO of the West India Committee, a UK

Blondel Cluff CBE has been appointed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden as the next Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund.

registered charity and Royal Charter institution that is the custodian of a UNESCO inscribed library and collection on the Caribbean and is a Consulting NGO of UNESCO on small island developing nations and heritage. During the past six years, she has served as chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s London and South Committee and also chaired the London Committee of its predecessor, the Heritage Lottery Fund.

UK backs Canadian initiative against arbitrary detention

TL Bureau, London

The United Kingdom is doing more to safeguard the rights of British people abroad, by joining a new Canadian-led initiative to condemn and deter the practice of arbitrary detention. Today’s declaration, welcomed by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, increases the diplomatic pressure on those who choose to detain foreign and dual nationals with no legal basis. The UK joined over 55 like-minded allies in committing to enhance international cooperation to end the practice of arbitrary arrests, detentions or sentencing, often used to exercise leverage over foreign governments. This declaration enhances international cooperation and sends a collective show of strength to those countries who carry out this unacceptable

The UK joins over 55 like-minded allies in committing to enhance international cooperation to end the practice of arbitrary arrests, detentions or sentencing.

practice. It also reaffirms the essential rights provided under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, including the provision to allow consular access to detained nationals. The UK government already works publicly and privately

to condemn the use of arbitrary detention, to support those who have been detained without access to a fair trial and to ensure accountability for those perpetrating this abhorrent act. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: The practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals as leverage over another government is indefensible and the UK will not tolerate it. Depriving someone of their liberty with no legal basis violates fundamental human rights. The UK is proud to stand on solidarity with over 55 other countries to bring this unacceptable practice to an end. This Declaration shouldn’t be seen as a single action.

Tribute to Dame Fiona Caldicott from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock pays tribute to Dame Fiona Caldicott, the National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care. TL Bureau, London It is with great sadness that the government has learned of the death of Dame Fiona Caldicott, National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said: I would like to pay tribute to Dame Fiona Caldicott whose death has been announced by her family. Dame Fiona spent her entire career serving the NHS and medicine, working as a clinician in the early part of her career and latterly as the National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care. In this role she was a phenomenal advocate for the public and was instrumental in making sure that the NHS treats the public’s health

data with the respect it deserves. The fact that every NHS organisation in the country now has its own Caldicott Guardian to protect the confidentiality of people’s data is testament to all that Dame Fiona achieved.

for students Submit your essay to Dstl, with a chance

to present to senior government officials and a £250 prize for the winner.

Future city TL Bureau, London The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has launched a quest to uncover visions of the future from the brightest student minds in the UK. Entrants must answer the question: what do you believe to be the future threats or opportunities facing UK defence and security over the next 25 years? The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students currently based at UK academic institutions. The 5 finalists will be invited to (virtually) present their essay to a panel of senior current and former government officials, before the final winner is revealed. The winner will receive £250 prize and the top 5 will receive certificates of commendation. The top 10 essays may be published in a journal style publication. How to enter Submit your essays to futuresessaycompetition@dstl. gov.uk The competition closes on 16 May 2021 and the virtual

presentation and announcement of winners will take place in June. All entrants who place within the top 10 will be asked to submit a picture of their student ID for verification. Essay guidance Topic: what do you believe to be the future threats or opportunities facing UK defence and security over the next 25 years? Your essay can focus on a particular theme or act as an opinion piece. Suggested themes include, but are not limited to: emerging technology and the legal, ethical, technical, moral or policy implications societal reactions to advancements in technology or changes in policy how does technology affect policy or industry emerging misuse of technology individual privacy strategic advantage and competition prosperity and economic strength alliances and international relations global norms across all domains (including cyber and space) digital freedoms pandemic and future policy data technology There is a 2000 word limit (10% allowance).

The most vulnerable and health and care workers offered COVID-19 jab as government hits target to protect those most at risk

TL Bureau, London

The most vulnerable and those who care for them have been offered a COVID-19 vaccine as government target met on Sunday People in this group account for 88% of COVID-19 deaths Over a quarter of UK adult population have been vaccinated with first dose As of Sunday 14 February, all care home residents and staff, health and social care workers, people aged 70 and over, and the clinically extremely vulnerable have been offered a vaccine. These groups account for 88% of deaths from COVID-19, meaning potentially

tens of thousands of lives will be saved. The health service across the UK has been working tirelessly to vaccinate those most at risk as quickly as possible after the government secured effective vaccines early and they passed stringent safety tests at the end of last year. Since then the UK vaccination programme has accelerated with nearly 1,000 vaccines being administered a minute at one point and a record 598,389 first doses delivered in one day on 31 January. More than 15.3 million people in the UK – more than a quarter of all adults – have now been vaccinated with their first dose.

7 New CommSec tool supports investors to grow their investment knowledge TL Bureau, Paramatta

CommSec has seen a 200 per cent increase in investors seeking executional information via the website, such as ‘how to place a trade’, over the last 12 months. Regardless of one’s experience level, there is always more to learn. This is particularly relevant for those investors who started their investment journey during a year of unprecedented trading activity. According to CommSec data, the number of first-time traders more than doubled since February 2020 (18 per cent compared to 8 per cent preCOVID 19). The majority of these

New CommSec Learn program arms investors with knowledge to make informed investment decisions.

new CommSec customers (83 per cent) were under 44 years of age – a 17 per cent increase compared with pre-COVID trends. First time traders contributed around 10 per cent of total trades since February 2020, compared with 4 per cent before COVID.

Amman Stock Market Rises TL Bureau, Amman

BUSINESS

IFC and Marrakech-Safi Join Forces to Boost the Region’s Investment Potential TL Bureau, Marrakech IFC is expanding the scope of its support to subnational entities in Morocco through a new partnership with the Wilaya of the Region of Marrakech-Safi and the Regional Investment Center to attract more investment and improve the business environment in the region. Like many other regions in the world, Marrakech-Safi, a major economic center in Morocco, has been hard hit by the COVID-19-induced downturn in tourism, a key industry in the region. Through the partnership, IFC will support the Marrakech-Safi Regional Center for Investment, which serves as the service centre for the private sector in the region via business creation, investment promotion services

The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) on Tuesday opened trading with a rise to 1,731 points, compared to its last session closure of 1,728 points, Jordan News

Agency (Petra) reported. According to ASE sources, the general index fluctuated during the first 15 minutes of today’s session between 1,728 and 1,732 points with a trading volume of JD 2.3 million.

Japanese GDP Falls by Almost 5% in 2020 Due to Pandemic

New CommSec tool supports investors to grow their investment knowledge

TL Bureau, Tokyo

Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 4.8% in 2020 compared to one year earlier, due to decreased internal demand amid the pandemic, Japanese government announced Monday, according to Russian News Agency (TASS). This is the deepest decrease of GDP since 2008, when it fell by 5.7% amid the global financial crisis. In 2020, personal consumption, which defines about 60% of the GDP, decreased by 6%, while exports decreased by 12.3% due to global recession of demand. Meanwhile, the situation began to improve by the end of the year: in October-December, Japanese GDP increased by 12.7%, the government disclosed.

New CommSec Learn program arms investors with knowledge to make informed investment decisions. TL Bureau, Paramatta

and business environment improvement. There will be a special focus on promoting the region as an investment destination and reducing payment delays for businesses whose liquidity has been further constrained by COVID-19. Morocco’s decentralization agenda has put regions in the driver’s seat as they use devolved powers to access financing and implement development projects and improve service delivery to individuals and businesses. IFC supports this process in three ways: financing and providing technical advisory services for priority infrastructure projects, structuring and implementing public-private partnerships, and improving the business climate. Last year, IFC provided financing packages

to the regions of CasablancaSettat and Fes-Meknès for infrastructure development and to help respond to the pandemic. “The private sector has a critical role to play in reigniting economic growth,” said Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. “Our partnership with the Wilaya of Marrakech-Safi and with its Center for Regional Investment will help nurture the region’s business environment in the post-COVID landscape to spur an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient recovery.” The project, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, is being delivered in partnership with the government of Switzerland. IFC has been present in Morocco since 1963, leading innovative projects for private sector development.

Egyptian Stock Exchange Lose 1bln Pounds, Main Index Rose

TL Bureau, Cairo

The indices of the Egyptian Stock Exchange took opposing directions on the trading closing here today, amid buying spree by the Egyptians and Arab investors, against selling transactions by the foreign institutions. The market capitalization for the listed companies’ shares in the stock exchange lost as much as 1 billion Egyptian pounds to close at a level of 705.4 billion Egyptian

pounds, amid a total transactions totalled 4.3 billion Egyptian pounds, including the main market traders’ transactions and transfer of ownership deals. Egy X 30, the main index of the stock exchange rose 0.17 per cent to the level of 11,526.77 points, while the index Egy X 70 of the small and mediums size shares slumped 1.57 per cent to the level of 2,401.2 points and the broader index Egy X 100 plummeted about 1.07 per cent to the level of 3,431.99 points.

Saudi Aramco begins Using Latest Data Diode to Prevent Cybersecurity Threats TL Bureau, Dhahran Saudi Aramco has launched the first domestically produced information security technology, known as “Data Diode” that protects networks against cyber breaches and greatly exceeds traditional protection techniques. This comes as a continuation of the vital role Saudi Aramco plays in maintaining

the balance of the world’s energy supply. Saudi Aramco is exerting efforts to develop the information security infrastructure to prevent any breach that could result in severe economic or social impacts globally. It also works to reach high levels to protect cybersecurity, after the succession of hacks that threaten cybersecurity globally and target devices, IOT and cloud technologies.

Capital Markets Recovery Package: Council adopts first set of measures to help companies access funding

TL Bureau, Brusells

The Council today adopted targeted amendments to the markets in financial instruments directive (MiFID) II and the prospectus regulation to facilitate the recapitalisation of EU companies on financial markets in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Together with adaptations to the EU’s securitisation framework, the measures form part of the Capital Markets Recovery Package agreed between the

Council and the European Parliament at the end of last year. The aim of the package is to make it easier for capital markets to support economic recovery from the pandemic. MiFID II amendments The MiFID II rules have been amended to simplify information requirements in a targeted manner, while safeguarding investor protection. The changes reduce, for instance, the information on costs and charges that must be provided to professional investors and eligible counterparties. Paper-

based investment information will also be phased out, except for retail clients if they ask to continue to receive it. The new rules will also allow banks and financial firms to bundle research and execution costs when it comes to research on small and mid-cap issuers. This will help to increase research on such issuers and their access to funding. Other changes include adaptations to the position limit regime for commodity derivatives to support the emergence and growth of euro-denominated

commodity derivatives markets. EU recovery prospectus The prospectus regulation has been amended mainly to establish a new ‘EU recovery prospectus’. This shorter prospectus will make it easier for companies to raise capital to meet their funding needs, while ensuring adequate information is provided to investors. The recovery prospectus will be available for capital increases of up to 150% of outstanding capital within a period of 12 months. The new regime will apply until the end

of 2022. Next steps The texts of the legislative acts adopted today will be signed on 16 February and are expected to be published in the Official Journal before the end of February. Amendments to MiFID II will enter into force on the day following their publication and member states will be required to transpose them into national law within nine months of that date. The measures will become applicable 12 months after the entry into force of the directive.

FEATURE

Explosion on Afghan-Iranian Border Damages IOM Reception Centre, Stalls Services to Afghan Returnees

TL Bureau, Herat

A catastrophic fire on the border between Afghanistan and Iran, which killed at least 40 people, injured 17 others and caused USD hundreds of millions worth of destruction on Saturday, also damaged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Islam Qala Reception Centre. The facility provided humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of returning Afghans in 2020. The fire at the Islam Qala border point, located 120 kilometres to the west of Herat city, was sparked when small arms fire ignited hundreds of oil tankers parked at the border crossing’s customs depot, causing multiple explosions. An initial assessment of the reception facility for returnees revealed extensive damage to the roof and ceiling. A more detailed structural assessment is to be carried out in coming days. Neither IOM staff nor returning migrants were injured in the blaze. “Fortunately, all returnees who registered that day at our reception centre already had moved onward to their next destination before

Thousands of returnees arrive at IOM’s Islam Qala Reception Centre every month for services. The extent of the reception centre’s fire damage is being assessed. Photo: Nick Bishop/IOM. the fire began,” explained Nick Bishop, programme manager of IOM’s cross-border return response. Rates of return have significantly increased over the past year as COVID-19 caused many Afghans working in neighbouring Iran to lose jobs and livelihoods. 2020 was the largest return year on record, with nearly 860,000 undocumented Afghan

migrants coming back from Iran. Approximately 15,000 people cross the Islam Qala border point daily, while nearly 1,500 per day are in need of humanitarian assistance. “We hope to rapidly repair all damage to the reception facility as soon as possible and continue vital humanitarian services to Afghans returning through this major transit route, but we will

require increased support to do so,” Bishop added. Presently, IOM in close partnership with the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) assists an estimated 500 returnees with severe needs each week with services such as COVID-19 screening, provision of emergency items, mental health and psychosocial counselling

and onward transportation support. Some also receive hot meals. In 2021, IOM is seeking USD 29.7 million to support the anticipated return of 654,000 Afghan undocumented migrants. The Organization is taking extraordinary action to ensure that humanitarian assistance can continue. MoRR staff will refer people in need here to IOM’s Transit Centre in Herat until IOM staff return, pending a full assessment of the damage sustained and a review of the security situation. Until then, IOM staff will continue their work from IOM’s largest transit facility in Herat. IOM anticipates rates of return through Islam Qala will drop significantly in the coming days as migrants on their return journeys from Iran are now being diverted to the major border crossing at Milak, in Nimroz province, located more than 1,000 kilometres to the southwest. On 14 February, over 2,000 undocumented migrants crossed at the Milak crossing, a trend that may escalate over the coming days until the Islam Qala border resumes full functionality.

WHO lists 2 additional COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use and COVAX roll-out

AstraZeneca/Oxford-developed vaccines to reach countries in the coming weeks

TL Bureau, Geneva

The World Health Organization (WHO) today listed two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for these vaccines to be rolled out globally through COVAX. The vaccines are produced by AstraZeneca-SKBio (Republic of Korea) and the Serum Institute of India. WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines. “Countries with no access to vaccines to date will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk, contributing to the COVAX Facility’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

‘But we must keep up the pressure to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere and facilitate global access. To do that, we need two things – a scale-up of manufacturing capacity, and developers’ early submission of their vaccines for WHO review.” The WHO EUL process can be carried out quickly when vaccine developers submit the full data required by WHO in a timely manner. Once those data are submitted, WHO can rapidly assemble its evaluation team and regulators from around the world to assess the information and, when necessary, carry out inspections of manufacturing sites. In the case of the two AstraZeneca/ Oxford vaccines, WHO assessed the quality, safety and efficacy data, risk management plans and programmatic suitability, such as cold chain requirements. The process took under four weeks. The vaccine was reviewed on 8 February by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), which makes

recommendations for vaccines’ use in populations (i.e. recommended age groups, intervals between shots, advice for specific groups such as pregnant and lactating women). The SAGE recommended the vaccine for all age groups 18 and above. The AstraZeneca/Oxford product is a viral vectored vaccine called ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]. It is being produced at several manufacturing sites, as well as in the Republic of Korea and India. ChAdOx1-S has been found to have 63.09% efficacy and is suitable for low- and middleincome countries due to easy storage requirements. WHO emergency use listing The emergency use listing (EUL) procedure assesses the suitability of novel health products during public health emergencies. The objective is to make medicines, vaccines and diagnostics available as rapidly as possible to address the emergency, while adhering to stringent criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. The assessment weighs the threat posed by the emergency as well as the

benefit that would accrue from the use of the product against any potential risks. The EUL pathway involves a rigorous assessment of late phase II and phase III clinical trial data as well as substantial additional data on safety, efficacy, quality and a risk management plan. These data are reviewed by independent experts and WHO teams who consider the current body of evidence on the vaccine under consideration, the plans for monitoring its use, and plans for further studies. As part of the EUL process, the company producing the vaccine must commit to continue to generate data to enable full licensure and WHO prequalification of the vaccine. The WHO prequalification process will assess additional clinical data generated from vaccine trials and deployment on a rolling basis to ensure the vaccine meets the necessary standards of quality, safety and efficacy for broader availability. WHO also listed the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for emergency use on 31 December 2020.

life and real estate

Stanford constitutional scholar Jack Rakove discusses second Trump impeachment trial

BY Ker Than, California

While it might be tempting to compare the second impeachment of President Donald Trump to past U.S presidential impeachments, including Trump’s first, in order to predict how this one will conclude, history suggests any such exercise would be futile, according to Stanford U.S. historian and constitutional scholar Jack Rakove. “At least from a historian’s vantage point, it is difficult if not impossible to derive a coherent theory or doctrine about how impeachments should operate,” Rakove said. “Each one has its own political dynamics that tend to overwhelm our desire to treat impeachment as the equivalent of a legal problem.” Here Rakove addresses what the Founders wanted to safeguard their fledgeling nation against when they created the impeachment process; unpacks the meaning of the “high crimes and misdemeanors” charge against Trump, and explains why he thinks the articles of impeachment are a useless element of the Constitution when presidents are concerned. Rakove is the William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, Emeritus, and a professor emeritus of political science in the School of Humanities and Sciences. His research focus includes the origins of the American Revolution and Constitution, the political practice and theory of James Madison, and the role of historical knowledge in constitutional litigation. He is the author of eight books, including Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution (Alfred Knopf, 1996), which won the Pulitzer Prize for history. What did the Founding Fathers intend when they created the articles of impeachment? What were they afraid of, and how is that fear reflected in the proceedings we see today? Any time we think about the origins of the two impeachment clauses (Art. I, Sect. 3; Art. II, Sect. 4), it is important to recognize what a novel institution the presidency was. None of the framers of the Constitution could readily predict how the whole system of the presidential election would work. They were uncertain whether the presidential electors would be able to make a decisive choice, or what would happen if a contingent choice of the president had to be made by the House of Representatives. Given that uncertainty about the political sources of presidential

Jack N. Rakove (Image credit: L.A. Cicero)

power, it made sense to create a mechanism that would make it possible to remove a president when circumstances warranted. Impeachment was the remedy they adopted to deal with especially controversial behaviour. But there was another reason why the framers were drawn to the idea of impeachment: Their political thinking was driven, even dominated, by an abiding fear of corruption, unbridled ambition and unchecked power. They actively worried that presidents who would individually possess the entire “executive power of the United States” would act corruptly, for selfish advantage or traitorous motives. Was there anything of note for you in the single article of impeachment against President Trump? I think the penultimate paragraph is a masterpiece of prosecutorial precision and constitutional principle. On various occasions, I have written about the presidential election of 1800-01, which we routinely celebrate as the nation’s first peaceful transfer of power after the hotly contested political strife of the 1790s. It would never have occurred to me, a practising historian for a good half-century now, that I would ever witness an American election where this fundamental principle would be threatened. There is no other way to characterize the events of Jan. 6, and the two months leading up to them, as anything other than a fundamental threat defying and undermining this essential element of democratic governance. The conclusion to the article of impeachment captures this succinctly. President Trump is charged with “high crimes and misdemeanours” for inciting the mob that assaulted the Capitol. What does this phrase actually mean? The phrase originated in 14thcentury English history, and would easily have covered many of the impeachments that were part of the stuff of the great

Stanford scholar Jack Rakove reflects on the start of the unprecedented impeachment trial of a former president and discusses the importance of seeing this case to its end even if few experts doubt the final outcome.

17th-century constitutional quarrels between Stuart kings – the first monarchs of the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland – and their parliamentary opponents, when impeachment was at its heyday. The framers knew that history very well, and they had no further need to discuss exactly what they thought “high crimes and misdemeanours” would mean in the new American republic. “High crimes and misdemeanours” are a narrower phrase than “malpractice” or “maladministration,” two other phrases that had been proposed by the Founding Fathers. It implies harm greater than the neglect of duty or gross incompetence – charges that one can readily level against Donald Trump. The implication remains that some concrete harm has been done to the body politic or the constitutional system. The perpetrator could be subject to later legal prosecution, but the immediate concern was to have a basis for removing the offender from the office so that the commission of the harm will end. If the motive or consequences seemed grave enough, it would be perfectly plausible to disqualify the perpetrator from holding any future public office. How does this impeachment trial compare to past presidential impeachments, including Trump’s first impeachment? I testified in the House Judiciary Committee hearings on the impeachment of Bill Clinton that took place in November 1998. One point I made then, and still believe, is that it is hard to develop any coherent doctrine of presidential impeachments. The individual cases are too idiosyncratic in their facts to be easily compared. Andrew Johnson should certainly have been impeached for his active efforts to subvert the Reconstruction of the South after the Civil War, which I always told my Stanford students was the

greatest tragedy in American constitutional history. But the source of his eventual impeachment in 1868, which narrowly failed conviction, was constitutionally problematic – a trivial footnote to Johnson’s greater failure. Richard Nixon’s impeachment proceedings and resignation prior to trial made perfect sense. He was obviously complicit in an obstruction of justice, following the Watergate burglary. On the other hand, Bill Clinton’s impeachment made little sense at all. It originated in an incident that took place prior to his presidency and eventually involved testimony relating to his sexual relations, which are necessarily a private act. Trump’s two impeachments, like Nixon’s, also make perfect sense. The first one manifestly involved an act of bribery, which the impeachment clause explicitly invokes; the second one manifestly involved a high crime and misdemeanour because it actively sought to subvert not only a presidential election but the authority of the constitutional system. Few experts think Trump will be convicted this time either. If the outcome is already a foregone conclusion, is the impeachment trial still useful from a constitutional or historical perspective? It is useful insofar as it is likely to demonstrate that the impeachment clauses simply do not work and have become a useless element of the Constitution, at least as far as they relate to the president. Taking a truly long-term view, one could conclude that the framers of the Constitution (1) borrowed a procedure from English history that, in its 17thcentury heyday, was a highly politicized process; (2) applied it to the novel institution of the presidency because there was so much uncertainty about how that office would function and because they shared the reigning 18th-century assumptions about the corrupting nature of power; but (3) also left it to posterity to determine, in a small set

of idiosyncratic situations, whether this device for the removal and disqualification of elected officials would actually work. The short answer seems to be that it will not – though as a historian I will patiently wait to see what happens. The House impeachment managers have some time to adduce an enormous amount of damning material, so we have to wait to see what effect its presentation will have. What will you be looking out for as the case proceeds? The most important question, and arguably the only real one, is whether Republican senators take seriously their duties to the Constitution, which they have solemnly sworn to preserve, protect and defend. One is sceptical, but as a historian, in my later years, my philosophical position is that we should never predict what the next day will bring. The charges levelled against Trump do not seem to pose an ambiguous case, but we could make the same statement about the circumstances in the first Trump impeachment. So perhaps that means the real problem that confronts us does not revolve around the efficacy of the impeachment clauses but pivot instead on the true nature and character of the Republican Party. Is there anything else you would like to add? There is one last historical explanation that bears mentioning here. Of all the major differences between our political world and that of the framers, the most important, I believe, pivots on the modern professionalization of political careers and the intense desire of incumbents to secure reelection, term after term after term. James Madison hoped that members of Congress would serve more than one term and develop into skilled legislators, but he correctly expected that most members would rotate in and out of Congress. Read through his essays in The Federalist, especially those devoted to Congress, and you will see that Madison makes only one passing reference to the idea that the desire of Congress members to be re-elected would have some impact on their behaviour. But he never would have assumed that this desire or ambition would become the independent variable that would control congressional behaviour. By contrast, any political scientist operating today would make that desire the dominant factor in explaining congressional behaviour.

New equipment, training grants back Victorian sports clubs

TL Bureau, Melbourne

Grassroots sports clubs across Victoria are being urged to apply for a share of millions of dollars in funding available to buy equipment and uniforms, boost administrative skills and improve operations. Applications are now open for the latest round of the Victorian Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program. The Victorian Budget 2020/21 added a further $6 million to the popular program, building on more than $1.8 million kicked in by the Government for more than 1,200 clubs across the state last year. The grants provide clubs with up to $1,000 for new uniforms and equipment, up to $5,000 for training coaches, officials and volunteers and up to $5,000 to improve club operational effectiveness. A COVID Recovery category is also being delivered that will provide up to $5,000 to help sports get back on their

SPORTS ORIGIN DIAMONDS COACH STACEY MARINKOVICH AVAILABLE TL Bureau, Fitzroy

feet after the pandemic. The grants will help people of all ages and abilities take part in grassroots sport no matter where they live and provide a great boost for clubs who are looking to get their operations back on track following a disrupted 2020. Recipients in previous rounds of funding included the Benalla Hockey Association which won $1,000 to purchase

new uniforms and first aid kits for junior teams and the Sunbury Football Netball Club which is receiving $5,000 to develop a strategic plan to identify priorities relating to membership, participation and promotion. The Sporting Club Grants Program is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to make sport more accessible and inclusive,

stimulate local economies, build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities and increase local participation. Since 2014, the Government has provided more than 4,950 sporting club with grants totalling more than $6.8 million. For more information on the grants and how to apply visit the Sporting Club Grants Program.

Origin Australian Diamonds Coach Stacey Marinkovich will be available to media tomorrow from hotel quarantine in Christchurch ahead of the Constellation Cup test series. The Origin Diamonds completed a twoday training camp in Sydney over the weekend, with the camp being the first time the entire new squad were together on court. All Origin Diamonds athletes and staff then travelled to New Zealand on Monday morning where they entered 14 days hotel quarantine. The Constellation Cup tour will see the Origin Diamonds take on their greatest rivals, the New Zealand Silver Ferns, in a fourmatch test series being played at Christchurch Arena on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd March and then at Trustpower Baypark in Tauranga on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th March.

IOC Executive Board proposes Olympic Agenda 2020+5 as the strategic roadmap to 2025 TL Bureau, Lausanne

Olympic Agenda 2020+5 builds on the results of Olympic Agenda 2020 which, in the six years since it was adopted in December 2014, has had a profound impact. It has strengthened the IOC and the Olympic Movement by introducing changes intended to make the Olympic Games fit for the future; safeguarded the Olympic values; and strengthened the role of sport in society. These achievements have laid solid foundations for the future (see IOC press release from 11 December 2020 and the full Closing Report of Olympic Agenda 2020). Now, as the world continues to battle the global health crisis and its likely consequences for society at large, the IOC and the Olympic Movement need to seize on the successes of Olympic Agenda 2020 and continue to drive change for tomorrow. The 15 recommendations that make up Olympic Agenda 2020+5 have been developed though an inclusive and collaborative process. They are based on key trends that have been identified as likely to be decisive in the postcoronavirus world. They are

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed a new strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020+5, to the upcoming IOC Session. It consists of 15 recommendations. The new roadmap follows Olympic Agenda 2020 and will guide the work of the IOC and the Olympic Movement for the next five years. Olympic Agenda 2020+5 will be submitted to the IOC Members for discussion and adoption at the 137th IOC Session in March this year. The title, Olympic Agenda 2020+5, has been chosen to reflect the fact that this new roadmap is the successor to Olympic Agenda 2020 and will guide the work of the IOC and the Olympic Movement until 2025.

also areas where sport and the values of Olympism can play a key role in turning challenges into opportunities. The key trends include: • the need for greater solidarity within and among societies; • the growth in digitalisation, while keeping in mind the need to expand digital capability to the currently digitally underserved; • the urgency of achieving sustainable development; • the growing demand for credibility, both of organisations and institutions; and

• the need to build resilience in the face of the financial and economic consequences that will result from the COVID-19 pandemic and which will influence priority-setting among governments and enterprises Each of the 15 recommendations, which have been inspired by these trends, are tangible with key deliverables. The recommendations call upon the IOC and the Olympic Movement to: • Strengthen the uniqueness and the universality of the

Olympic Games • Foster sustainable Olympic Games • Reinforce athletes’ rights and responsibilities • Continue to attract best athletes • Further strengthen safe sport and the protection of clean athletes • Enhance and promote the Road to the Olympic Games • Coordinate the harmonisation of the sports calendar • Grow digital engagement with people • Encourage the development

of virtual sports and further engage with video gaming communities • Strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the UN Sustainable Development Goals • Strengthen the support to refugees and populations affected by displacement • Reach out beyond the Olympic community • Continue to lead by example in corporate citizenship • Strengthen the Olympic Movement through good governance • Innovate revenue generation models Commenting on Olympic Agenda 2020+5, IOC President Thomas Bach explained: “When we adopted Olympic Agenda 2020 in 2014, we did so under the adage of ‘change or be changed’. This still holds true today. The world around us has continued to evolve. Nothing illustrates this better than the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for society. As challenging as the circumstances may appear right now, if we draw the right conclusions, we can turn these into opportunities.

tech/auto

Automobili Lamborghini earns “Top Employer Italy 2021”

certification Lamborghini has received the award for the eighth year running A people-focused strategy in the year of the pandemic Innovative digital programs, tools for more flexibility and for income support,

TL Bureau, Sant’Agata Bolognese

For the eighth year running, Automobili Lamborghini has received the “Top Employer Italy 2021” award from the Top Employers Institute, an agency that acknowledges companies that apply the highest quality standards to how they manage their human capital. This award once again acknowledges Lamborghini’s efforts to promote a corporate culture revolving around its people. Umberto Tossini, Chief Human Capital Officer at Lamborghini, commented: “In a year dominated by the pandemic, this award is even more poignant. Our company reacted promptly to the challenges presented by the emergency, considering our people as the absolute priority and implementing actions dictated by an absolute sense of responsibility towards the company and the country. Investing constantly in the wellbeing and growth of our people drives their sense of motivation, which plays a vital role in meeting company targets and gives us all common values and perspectives.” Today, Lamborghini employs more than 1,800 people, an increase of 10% in 2020 and of 70% over the last five years. Keeping the focus on people using digital technology, tools for flexibility and income support, and actions of social responsibility Several projects were put in place during 2020. In addition to the innovative projects already

launched to promote diversity, inclusion, equal parenting rights and equal pay for men and women with equivalent qualifications and duties, the company started several new programs in 2020 with the support of union representatives, offering a tangible response to the emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19. Significant investments in digital technology were made, implementing a program designed to help maintain relations with the company and guarantee the continuity of training during the lockdown. The digital project “Fermarsi e Formarsi” - Stop and Train - has tips and advice on making the best use of time spent in quarantine, such as free training courses and ideas for personal wellbeing: this included webinars taken by panels of experts who were called on to support the psychological and physical wellbeing of employees,

as well as the construction of the “Lamborghini Learning Place” e-learning platform, a virtual space focusing on developing individual skills. Inclusion has always been the backbone of the corporate culture at Lamborghini, which led to the development of courses with simultaneous translation into Italian Sign Language so that hearing-impaired colleagues are also involved. Along with these ideas, Lamborghini developed and launched an App for Lamborghini employees, to which they directly contributed with the aim of achieving an increasingly inclusive approach and taking in all areas of the company. Today, digital ecosystems mean people can be close even when socially distancing; at Lamborghini it also meant the company’s fitness program – LamboFIT – did not have to be abandoned and was adapted to become a streaming format catering for all needs.

As regards Work-Life Integration, various tools were put in place for greater flexibility to support the income of employees and their work organization. Nonstop dialog with social partners, running in parallel with the efforts of the Joint Committee handling the COVID-19 emergency, resulted in a much stronger focus on remote working; the Results Bonus being paid earlier than usual; and access to benefits worth up to 80% of pay for days taken off because of COVID, as well as seven extra days. Staff were allowed to take 80 extra holiday hours, that they can make up at a later date, with the possibility of converting part of their YearEnd Bonus into paid leave. To

support employees experiencing more serious difficulties, the Hours Solidarity Bank was launched, putting a special focus on temporary workers by extending their contracts for up to six months in order to neutralize the effects of the lockdown. During the temporary suspension of the company’s operations for 70 days last spring, Lamborghini launched several important projects for social responsibility, such as converting some of its production departments to make medical face masks and visors for St. Orsola Hospital in Bologna and working with SIARE Engineering International Group to co-engineer and manufacture breathing simulators.

Draft government proposal for family leave reform completed

TL Bureau, Helsinki

The Government has completed and published its draft proposal for the family leave reform. The draft proposal will be circulated for comments between 19 February and 2 April 2021. “The family leave reform is, first and foremost, about promoting the interests of the child. The new family leave model will treat every child equally, irrespective of the type of the family. It would encourage families to share childcare responsibilities more equally, thus giving both parents a good start for building a close relationship with their child,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health AinoKaisa Pekonen. The Government has made specifications to the model of daily allowance days, giving each parent a quota of 160 daily allowance days (There are six daily allowance days per week). In all, the parental allowance would be paid for 12.8 months per child. Parents would be allowed to transfer up to 63 daily allowance days of their quota to the other parent. For the final stage of pregnancy, there would be a pregnancy allowance of 40 daily allowance days. This would mean that all in all, daily allowance days would amount to more than 14 months. Single parents would have the right to use the parental allowance quotas of both parents. Twins, triplets and other multiplebirth children would form the only exception to this model — the quota of daily allowance days for their parents would increase by 78 daily allowance days per second child and every child thereafter.

Under the new model of family leave, parents could use daily allowance days until the child reaches the age of two. Daily allowance days could be used in several periods. Only pregnancy allowance days would have to be used in a single continuous period and started 14–30 days before the estimated due date. All parents who have custody of their child would have an equal right to daily allowance regardless of whether they are biological or adoptive, custodial or non-custodial and regardless of the gender of the parent. As a result of the reform, the total number of family leave days would increase slightly from the current level. Family leaves now consist of the mother’s maternal allowance period (105 working days or approximately 4.2 months) which starts before the estimated due date , the father’s paternal allowance period (54 working days or approximately 9 weeks) and the parental allowance period which may be taken by one of the parents or shared between the parents (158 working days or approximately 6.3 months). Investment in parenthood and wellbeing of families and children The aim of the reform is to encourage parents for a more balanced use of family leaves. This would mean above all that fathers would use their right to family leaves more than they do at present. If this objective was reached, the overall costs of family leaves to society would increase together with the total number of daily allowance days used by fathers. “We will implement a family leave reform that supports the

wellbeing of families. The reform will be an investment. It is about the income of families at an important stage of their lives, ” says Minister Pekonen. Towards a more equal working life The reform would implement both the objectives of the Government Programme and the changes resulting from the EU’s Work-life Balance Directive. These changes would aim to promote gender equality in working life and facilitate the reconciliation of work and family life. “Gender equality in working life is influenced not only by laws and regulations but also by attitudes. We want to encourage fathers to take more family leave than they do at present. A more equal sharing of family leaves between both parents would benefit many families and the whole society as equality progresses,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen. The key amendments to the Employment Contracts Act are related, for example, to the names of family leaves and periods in which parental leave could be taken. As a new element, the reform would introduce the right to carers’ leave, which is based on the Work-life Balance Directive. It is intended for situations where, for example, a relative needs help suddenly. Each worker would have the right to take unpaid carers’ leave for up to five days per year. Reform would be taken into account in early childhood education and care In future, the right to early childhood education and care would start at the beginning of the calendar month when the child turns nine months. The right to the same early childhood education and care place would be maintained when the

child stays at home with the parent during the parental leave and does not attend early childhood education and care for that reason. The requirement for this would be that the period of absence lasts without interruption for a maximum of 13 weeks and the early childhood education and care place has been informed of the period of absence beforehand. By amending the Act on Client Fees in Early Childhood Education and Care, it would be possible to make sure that no client fees would be charged for this period. “In future, children would maintain the right to same early childhood education and care place that they attended before, even if their parents decided to use their family leaves more flexibly. Continuous and safe relationships are important preconditions for the development and wellbeing of children, and this will also be ensured as part of the family leave reform,” says Minister of Education Jussi Saramo. Reform prepared through cooperation A working group led by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health prepared the family leave reform, and a working group led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was responsible for the preparations related to the Employment Contracts Act. The working group of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health included representatives not only from the relevant ministries and agencies but also from labour market organisations. The working group carried out its work within the framework of the Government Programme. It was not, however, able to reach full consensus on all issues.

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S. Korea Signs Deals with Novavax, Pfizer to Secure Additional Vaccines for 23 Mln People TL Bureau, Seoul

South Korea has secured additional new coronavirus vaccines for 23 million people by signing contracts with U.S. drugmakers Novavax and Pfizer, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Tuesday, according to Yonhap News Agency. Through the deals, Novavax will provide vaccines for 20 million people, which are expected to be ready for inoculation by the second quarter, and Pfizer will ship vaccines for 3 million also during the second quarter, Chung said during an interagency meeting on the nation’s coronavirus response at the government complex in Sejong. Following the new deals, the government has secured COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate 79 million people under the World Health Organization’s global vaccine COVAX Facility project and separate contracts with foreign drug firms.

Number of COVID-19 Cases in India Rises by 9,121 TL Bureau, New Delhi

India has confirmed 9,121 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, with the total number of those infected having reached 10,925,710, the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. The death toll from the disease has reached 155,813 people, with 81 new fatalities being recorded over the past day

Study explores combined effects of Aliens Act amendments – many recommended measures now under preparation

TL Bureau, Helsinki

A study commissioned by the Government investigated the combined impacts of the amendments made to the Aliens Act in 2015–2019 on the status of people applying for and receiving international protection and on the realisation of the best interests of the child. The decision to carry out the study was based on an objective set in the Government Programme, which states that the Government will investigate the effects of amendments to the Aliens Act and application practices on legal protection. The aim was to obtain an overall picture of the situation and produce recommendations for measures. The research group submitted its report to Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo on 16 February. According to the study, the legislative amendments made to improve the efficiency of the asylum process have weakened the position of applicants, as they seem to have increased the need for appeals and subsequent applications. There are now fewer different types of residence permits available: humanitarian protection, which

was previously a category of residence permit in Finland, has been discontinued, and temporary residence permits are longer issued to people who have the opportunity to return to their country of origin with support on their own initiative. Since not all people without a residence permit choose to leave the country, and since it may not be possible to remove them through official measures, various marginalised groups have emerged. The study finds that the many changes made to the Aliens Act have made it increasingly difficult to understand as a whole. Based on their observations, the researchers recommend ten measures that would, for instance, improve the status of people staying the country without the right of residence, safeguard children’s best interests and develop human and child rights impact assessments in legislative drafting. Further recommendations include securing financing for central operators and increasing training in the field. The researchers also recommend assessing the need for an overall reform of the Aliens Act. “We at the Ministry of the Interior will now

examine the recommendations carefully and agree on further action. The study provides us with valuable information that we can also use in political decision-making,” says Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. “I see the issues raised in the study to a large extent as questions of the rule of law: it is about the realisation of the rights of the most vulnerable people, such as the right to life, family life and legal protection. These are issues we need to take care of. The recommendations also support work that is largely already under way. Now it is important to bring this work to completion so that we can safeguard people’s fundamental rights,” Ohisalo continues. Combating parallel society and realising children’s best interests are topical targets for development Since the beginning of 2020, the Ministry of the Interior has explored comprehensive ways to prevent the emergence of a “parallel society”. This work is linked to the updated Action Plan for the Prevention of Irregular Entry and Stay in Finland, which will be completed in early 2021. The legislation on family reunification

is currently being examined from the perspective of safeguarding the best interests of the child. The Ministry of the Interior is preparing an amendment to the Aliens Act aiming to lift the requirement for sufficient financial resources for minor sponsors who have been granted a residence permit based on international protection. The Finnish Immigration Service has also made efforts to develop its decision-making with regard to minors and ensure adequate assessment of children’s best interests so far, and its practices are continuously subject to oversight of legality. Sufficient resources needed to ensure that the Finnish Immigration Service functions effectively and smoothly In recent years, changes in migration trends and the tasks of the authorities have made it difficult to determine the level of resources needed for the Finnish Immigration Service. The Ministry of the Interior is currently carrying out a project on the Immigration Service of the Future, which aims to ensure that the service corresponds to the needs of its clients and society. The project will continue until the end of 2021.