The Life News UK. June 16, 2020

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Vol. 02 Issue 21 June 16, 2020

Ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan sentenced for 16 years for espionage by Russia

TL Bureau, Moscow

A Russian court on Monday sentenced previous U.S. Marine Paul Whelan of surveillance and condemned him to 16 years in jail, a choice that is required to excite stewing strains between the Kremlin and Washington.

Whelan, 50, was captured in December 2018 while in Moscow for a wedding possessing a blaze drive that supposedly contained Russian state insider facts.

The previous U.S. Marine, who additionally holds British, Canadian and Irish visas, has denied the claims. After the decision was declared, he called the preliminary “political theater.”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo requested Whelan’s “prompt discharge” and said the

United States was “offended” by his conviction, expressing he was denied of a reasonable preliminary ensured to him by Russia’s global human rights commitments.

“The treatment of Paul Whelan on account of Russian specialists has been horrifying,” Pompeo said in an emphatic explanation.

“Russia neglected to give Mr. Whelan with a reasonable hearing before a free and fair court; and during his confinement has put his life in danger by overlooking his long-standing clinical condiction; and unconscionably kept him separated from loved ones.”

Whelan’s sibling David Whelan said in an announcement discharged following the decision was reported that they anticipate that Paul’s safeguard should document an intrigue.

“It was the Russian lawful framework that was seen as liable of foul play. The court’s choice only finishes the last bit of this messed up legal procedure.

We had trusted that the court may give some freedom at the same time, at long last, Russian adjudicators are political, not legitimate, substances,” he said.

Rebecca Ross, representative for the U.S. Government office in Moscow, said Paul Whelan was indicted and condemned during a mystery preliminary that started in March during which no proof was delivered. She called it “a deplorable infringement of human rights and universal legitimate standards.”

“The United States requests that U.S. resident [Paul Whelan] be discharged quickly,” Ross cited U.S. Minister John Sullivan as having said. “His conviction is a joke of equity. The world is viewing.”

In the days paving the way to the decision’s declaration, Sullivan had leveled analysis at the court, with Ross citing him on Twitter as having called the preliminary neither straightforward nor reasonable.

The admonition came days after Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean pioneer Kim Jong Un, considered South Korea an “adversary” and compromised military power.

“In the event that I drop a trace of our next arrangement the [S] outh Korean specialists are on edge about, the privilege to making the

following move against the foe will be depended to the General Staff of our military,” she said in KCNA on Saturday.

Pyongyang has been giving furious articulations and dangers against Seoul normally for almost fourteen days, evidently activated by the longstanding act of North Korean turncoats sending data pamphlets over the outskirt through inflatables.

South Korean authorities have moved to get control over the turncoats, with the legislature reporting last Wednesday that it would squeeze charges against two dissident gatherings for sending the pamphlets, while police and the coast watch have ventured up watches at fringe territories.

North Korea has just cut off interchanges lines with the South, cutting off channels at the between Korean contact office in the fringe city of Kaesong just as military

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North Korean Military threaten to infringe non military occupied areas

TL Bureau, Pyongyang

North Korea’s military cautioned Tuesday that it was getting ready activity plans against South Korea, including progressing into fringe zones that had been disarmed under a between Korean understanding marked in 2018, as strains that started over a flyer crusade by deserters keep on rising.

“Our military is keeping a nearby watch on the current circumstance in which the north-south relations are turning more regrettable and more awful, and preparing itself completely for giving a definite military assurance to any outer measures to be taken by the Party and government,” the general staff of the Korean People’s Army said in an announcement conveyed by state-run media.

Military pioneers are “reading a move plan for making measures

to make the military development again into the zones that had been disarmed under the north-south understanding, transform the bleeding edge into a fortification and further uplift the military carefulness against the south,” proceeded with the announcement in the Korean Central News Agency.

and presidential hotlines.

Pyongyang has additionally stood up irately against the United States as of late, notice Washington against interfering in between Korean issues and denouncing what it called an “unfilled guarantee” from President Trump on Friday on the second commemoration of the notable highest point among Trump and Kim Jong Un. Atomic exchanges between the United States and North Korea have been at a stop since a second TrumpKim highest point, held a year ago in Hanoi, Vietnam, neglected to deliver a concurrence on issues, for example, sanctions help for the North and a schedule for continuing with denuclearization.

Following a 17-month rest, Pyongyang restarted trial of short-run rockets in the last 50% of 2019 and has proceeded with the dispatches in 2020.

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C

ountless protesters strolled through midtown Atlanta to the State Capitol on Monday following the death of Rayshard Brooks, an African-American man who was killed by a city cop three days back.

The event follows quite a while of battles about the United States that were pushed by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis during a catch on Memorial Day. Streams, 27, spent on Friday after he was shot near an Atlanta pass through diner. Video from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation appears to show Brooks taking an immobilizer from an authority, getting away and trying to shoot the immobilizer at authorities before he is shot.

Sunday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner requested Brooks’ downfall a homicide and said he gave of two shot wounds to the back.

The NAACP of Georgia made the “Stroll on Georgia” to ask state authorities - returning to the Capitol unprecedented for a fourth of a year due to the coronavirus pandemic - to help a movement of expansive changes anticipated conclusion “principal bias in the criminal value system and voter disguise in Georgia.”

Protesters moved toward Georgia overseers to invalidate the state’s “Inhabitants Arrest” and “Hold quick” goals and confine a measure to clearing the State Election Board of commitment in ensuring Georgia locales consent to government throwing a polling form laws.

“We will accept command over the Capitol every single day until they complete their duty,” the Rev. James Woodall, pioneer of the Georgia NAACP, said at a show before the walk.

Lloyd Pierce, lead mentor of the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association, said Floyd’s passing didn’t stun him.

“I’ve believed it to be 44 years as a dim man in this country,” he expressed, “and it’s time since we cause to see that.” Cut required the invalidation of the Citizen’s Arrest goals, which has been on the state’s books since the Civil War. Under the law, a private inhabitant can catch someone if a bad behavior is presented that the occupant has brief data on. It was refered to by the three Georgia men accused in the vigilante-style executing for Ahmaud Arbery in February.

Streams’ widow, Tomika Miller, and different family members in like manner held a news gathering Monday in which they said they are looking for subsequent to something positive to happen to his end.

“Rayshard has a family who treasures him, who may have upbeat come and got him so he could be here with us today,” said his niece, Chassidy Evans.

“Notwithstanding the way that we are hurt, we are incensed. When does it

Worldwide protest and another shot down as a part of racism against humanity as superiority Vs inferiority

stop? We are not only contending for value, we are contending for change.”

Specialists in Georgia managed on Sunday the purpose behind Rayshard Brooks’ end was wrongdoing as fallout from his killing showed up at the most noteworthy purpose of the Atlanta Police Department.

Streams, a 27-year-old dull man, was killed Friday at around 10:30 p.m. before a Wendy’s drive-through restaurant when a white cop began giving after an experience between the two.

Likewise on Saturday, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields gave up and protesters filled the streets of Atlanta, shutting down all ways of the southbound midtown connector at University Avenue and torching the restaurant.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office chose after an assessment performed Sunday that Brooks kicked the basin of two gunfire wounds to the back, realizing organ mischief and blood hardship.

RELATED Minnesota authorities split on police change as Minneapolis pioneers consolidate Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said people from his staff saw Brooks’ analyzation and that he intends to choose a decision by midweek on whether to carry charges against the cops drew in with the shooting.

“Since this is a homicide assessment, there are a couple of particular essentials that must be met before we can show up at a decision,” Howard said in a declaration. “That consolidates the certification of the ballistics being referred to and getting a starter report from the Medical Examiner.”

Two eyewitnesses to the shooting have been implied the lead investigator’s office for tending to by a close by legal advisor and Howard said a decision on charges won’t be made before conversing with them.

His office was also encountering issues getting all bodycam and dashcam film of the shooting from the Atlanta Police Department, he said.

“We are working relentless to convey this assessment to an end, and it is my might want to have the alternative to report our decision midweek,” he said.

Garrett Rolfe, the cop who shot Brooks and who had been with the division since October 2013, has been released, Atlanta Police Spokesman Carlos Campos confirmed to WSB and WXIA-TV. The other authority on the scene, Devin Brosnan, who joined

the workplace in September 2018, has been determined to administrative commitment.

The employments of the authorities during the event were not given by the workplace.

Video released Saturday evening by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation appears to show Brooks taking a Taser from an official, running from police and a short time later ending it at them. An authority by then brings fire back.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had proposed the ending of the official who butchered Brooks.

“While there may be a conversation about whether this was an appropriate usage of deadly force, I relentlessly acknowledge there is a sensible capability between what you can do and what you should do,” Bottoms said.

She furthermore recognized Shields’ resignation.

“Out of a significant and withstanding love for this City and this division, I offered to move aside as police chief. APD has my full assistance, and Mayor Bottoms has my assistance on the future course of this division,” Shields said in a declaration released Saturday night.

As demonstrated by Bottoms, Shields will remain with the workplace and associate supervisor Rodney Bryant will transform into the between time chief while the city searches for a replacement.

Howard uncovered to CNN that Brooks did “not seem to acquaint any kind of peril with anyone, consequently the way that it would raise to his death just has all the earmarks of being illogical.

editorial

In case that shot was released for no good reason other than to extra such authority’s existence or hinder injury to him or others, by then that shooting isn’t bolstered under the law.”On Friday night, authorities responded to reports that a man was dozing even under the least favorable conditions conceivable time in the drive-through of a Wendy’s. Rivers besieged a field balance test and told police he didn’t have a weapon, according to the video. Exactly when the authorities endeavored to capture Brooks, there was a fight. Finally, he was shot.

Streams kicked the pail at Grady Memorial Hospital, according to the GBI. “All of you expelled him from his significant other and kids,” a dissident told WSB-TV. “That child wasn’t breaking no bad behavior. He went to get something to eat and fell asleep.”

Streams has three young ladies - 1, 2 and 8 - and - a 13-year-old stepson, as showed by his legal counselors.

Earlier in the day, Brooks was with his most settled young lady before an orchestrated birthday festivity Saturday.

Another protester expressed: “I thought Atlanta was higher than that. I thought we was more prominent than that. I essentially need to make enough uproar that they research the condition.”

Other than setting the Wendy’s on fire, bandits in like manner assaulted a convenience store early Sunday.

Before 2 a.m., police told protesters they should leave the zone. A highrepeat sound was used to drive off the couple of people left in the union.

At any rate 36 people were caught identified with the trouble, an Atlanta Police agent told CNN. This is the third hardly any long periods of displays calling for police change amidst superfluous force. On May 25, George Floyd passed on when Minneapolis official Derek Chauvin stooped on his neck for around nine minutes. Chauvin was thusly ended and blamed for second-degree murder.

Three unique authorities on the scene moreover lost their positions and manage wrongdoing arraignments.

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3

Canadian National Public Service Week from June 14 to 20

TL Bureau, Ottawa

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement for National Public Service Week, which runs from June 14 to 20, 2020: “Every year, the Government of Canada marks National Public Service Week, in recognition of the important role federal public servants play in making this country a better place.

“This year has been one of the most challenging in living memory, and has underlined the contribution of the federal public service and its devotion to serving Canadians every day. This rings especially true in uncertain times.

“Since the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, public servants have quickly mobilized

to deliver emergency financial and economic assistance, support enhanced testing and research activities for the virus, and assist Canadians stranded abroad who wanted to come home.

“As many of their colleagues worked on these urgent measures, other federal employees were ensuring that our food supply was safe and reliable, that our borders were secure, and that our transportation systems remained efficient.

“Public servants were also there for Canadians when our country was tested by other difficult events this year, such as the historic snowstorm in Newfoundland and Labrador and the spring floods in Fort McMurray, Alberta. They also took part in the Government of

Canada’s efforts to assist the families and loved ones of the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752.

“Public servants have demonstrated their dedication, professionalism, and creativity through and through. Our public service needs the right people to continue to serve Canadians well. This means recruiting and retaining talented people from a diversity of communities across the country.

“To federal public servants, I say thank you. This has been a challenging year for our country, and the important work you do every day to serve Canadians will also be on display during this week’s virtual events which have been planned with everyone’s safety in mind.”

The Government announced today two senior appointments

TL Bureau, Hong Kong

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, “The two appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills.

I have every confidence that they will serve the community with professionalism in their new capacities.”

Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below: Mr Andrew Lai Chi-wah Mr Lai joined the Administrative Service in July 1992 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2018. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the Housing Department, the Civil Service Bureau and the Home Affairs Department. He was Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Technology from February 2009 to April 2012 and Deputy Director of Environmental Protection from April 2012 to July 2016, and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) since August 2016.

Mr Daniel Cheng Chung-wai

world

A sustainable economic recovery the main theme at EU cohesion ministers’ meeting TL Bureau, Helsinki

Ministers of the EU Member States responsible for cohesion policy will hold a video conference on 15 June 2020 to discuss ways of promoting the recovery of the EU economy from the COVID-19 crisis with regional and structural policy programmes.

State Secretary Kimmo Tiilikainen will represent Finland at the meeting on behalf of Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

The meeting will focus on proposals made in the recovery plan announced by the European Commission on 27 May 2020 regarding measures to be implemented in the current and future cohesion policy programmes.

At the heart of the plan are the European growth strategy, Green Deal, and digitalisation. Ministers will discuss ways to support the rapid recovery of the economy and long-term sustainable growth.

“The EU economy is struggling.

To alleviate the situation, structural funds can be used to invest in

regional and national recovery plans to start economic recovery within the entire internal market,” says State Secretary.

The European Commission published its recovery plan, alongside the multiannual financial framework, on 27 May. The Commission is striving for a low carbon, digital transition and seeks to support companies to build a bridge beyond the crisis.

The recovery plan proposed by the Commission amounts to EUR 1,850 billion in total.

The plan consists of two parts: a new proposal for the multiannual financial framework (EUR 1,100 billion) and the new EU recovery instrument (EUR 750 billion).

According to the Commission’s proposal, both funding sources would be used to support EU’s regional and structural policy.

No decisions will be made at the informal meeting. The European Council will hold its first discussion on the recovery plan on 19 June.

The European Council will make its unanimous decision later.

Government’s draft legislation on the reform of healthcare, social services and rescue services circulated for consultation

TL Bureau, Helsinki

Mr Andrew Lai Chiwah, Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), will take up the post of Director of Lands on August 5, 2020; and

Mr Daniel Cheng Chung-wai, Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food), will take up the post of Director of Administration on July 20, 2020.

Mr Cheng joined the Administrative Service in July 1989 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2018. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Finance Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, the former Planning and Lands Bureau and

the former Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau. He was Principal Assistant Secretary for Education and Manpower (Manpower Infrastructure) (later renamed Principal Assistant Secretary for Education (Further Education)) from March 2006 to July 2010 and Deputy Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs from July 2010 to September 2016, and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Food and Health (Food) since September 2016.

FSO - Supplementary accommodation: 0.7% increase in overnight stays in 2019, but decrease in demand for holiday homes

TL Bureau, Neuchâtel

15.06.2020 - In 2019, supplementary accommodation posted a total of 16.7 million overnight stays, i.e. an increase of 0.7% compared with 2018. With 11.4 million units, Swiss visitors represented more than

two-thirds of demand (68.6%), i.e. a rise of 2.4%. Foreign visitors registered a 2.8% decrease with 5.2 million units. With 4.4 million overnight stays (-3.8%), European visitors accounted for the majority of stays by foreign guests. These are the final results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior request comments on the draft government proposal concerning the health and social services reform and the organisation of rescue services from the municipalities and joint municipal authorities of mainland Finland and other parties mentioned in the request for comments. The deadline for submitting comments is 25 September 2020.

In line with the draft proposal, 21 health and social services counties would be established in Finland and entrusted with the health, social and rescue service duties that are currently the responsibility of municipalities.

In Uusimaa, the responsibility for organising healthcare, social welfare and rescue services

would differ from elsewhere in Finland so that in addition to the four health and social services counties in Uusimaa, the City of Helsinki would be responsible for organising services. In addition, the joint county authority for the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa would be responsible for organising healthcare as provided for in the relevant act and in the agreement on the organisation of services in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa.

Promoting health and wellbeing would continue to be the responsibility of municipalities, but work in this field would be carried out in cooperation with the counties. Environmental healthcare would continue to be the responsibility of municipalities.

The tasks of school social workers and school psychologists in student welfare would be transferred to the health and social services counties.

Prime Minister Marin talks with French President Macron

TL Bureau, Helsinki

On Monday 15 June, Prime Minister Sanna Marin had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, where they discussed the videoconference of the members of the European Council to be held on Friday 19 June. This

will be European Council’s first discussion on the Commission’s proposal for a recovery package to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recovery package would consist of a revised Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), i.e. long-term budget, along with a new recovery instrument.

4 Indonesia reports 1,017 new coronavirus infections, 64 deaths TL Bureau, Jakarta

Indonesia reported on Monday 1,017 new coronavirus infections and 64 more deaths, the highest COVID-19 death toll in a single day in the Southeast Asian nation to date, Reuters reported.

Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said the total number of cases in Indonesia had now reached 39,294, while fatalities had increased to 2,198.

FSO - Producer and Import Price Index fell in May 2020 by 0.5% TL Bureau, Neuchâtel

15.06.2020 - The Producer and Import Price Index fell in May 2020 by 0.5% compared with the previous month, reaching 97.6 points (December 2015 = 100).

This decline is due in particular to lower prices for pharmaceutical and chemical products as well as for petroleum products. Compared with May 2019, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 4.5%.

These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

world

Iraq: UN started probe into ISIL atrocities making ‘real progress’, Security Council

TL Bureau, UN HQ

Karim Asad Ahmad Khan told the Security Council that the Team has already identified 344 alleged Da’esh perpetrators, the Arabic name for the extremist group, involved in the 2014 massacre of Yazidis in the Sinjar district of northern.

The team has also identified at least seven categories of crimes for which Da’esh suspects could potentially be prosecuted in connection with the mass killing of unarmed cadets and military personnel at the Tikrit Air Academy six years ago.

Meanwhile, in Mosul, two mass grave excavations that got underway in March, in cooperation with Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Government authorities, are set to form a key pillar for investigations in the months to come, he added.

“In the 20 months since our arrival in Iraq, real progress has been made”, said Mr. Khan as he presented the Council with the fourth report from the team which serves officially to “Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD)”.

Breakthroughs in identifying and using new sources of evidence have opened the way to fulfilling international pledges of justice for the victims and survivors of the terrorist group, he said, which

imposed a self-styled Islamist Caliphate on both Iraq and parts of Syria, before being militarily defeated.

If fully harnessed, these new sources will have the potential to mark a paradigm shift in the prosecution of ISIL members for the crimes they committed in Iraq, he stated.

“But we must not allow our focus to shift”, he added. “It is essential that we continue to demonstrate the same urgency of action that is being demanded by survivors in Mosul, Baghdad, Sinjar, the Nineveh Plains and elsewhere in Iraq.” The Council, through resolution 2379 (2017), established UNITAD to support domestic efforts to hold Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ Da’esh) accountable by collecting, preserving, and storing evidence in Iraq of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Mr. Khan, a barrister and Queen’s

Foreign Secretary statement on sentencing of Paul Whelan

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, comments on the sentencing of Paul Whelan in Russia.

TL Bureau, London

Following the verdict and sentencing of Paul Whelan today (15 June 2020) in Russia, the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said: I am deeply disappointed by today’s verdict and sentence against Paul Whelan. I have serious reservations about the legal process. We will continue to provide consular support to him and his

family, and press the Russian authorities to respect Paul’s

basic rights, which include a fair trial and appeal process.

India’s UPDATES ON COVID-19 TL Bureau, New Delhi

During the last 24 hrs, 7419 COVID-19 patients were cured.

A total of 1,69,797 patients, so far, have been cured of COVID-19.

The recovery rate rises to 51.08%, which is indicative of the fact that more than half of positive cases have recovered from the disease.

Currently, 1,53,106 active cases are under medical supervision.

ICMR‘s testing capacity for detecting the novel Coronavirus in infected persons is continuously being ramped up. The number of government labs has been increased to 653 and private labs has been increased to 248 (a total of 901).

The break-up is as follows:

Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 534 (Govt: 347 + Private: 187) TrueNat based testing labs : 296 (Govt: 281 + Private: 15) CBNAAT based testing labs : 71 (Govt: 25 + Private: 46) In the last 24 hours, 1,15,519 samples were tested. The total number of samples tested thus far is 57,74,133

Counsel from the United Kingdom with more than 25 years’ experience as an international criminal law and human rights lawyer, was appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres in May 2018 to lead the effort.

Briefing the Council via videoteleconference, Mr. Khan said that UNITAD – “working with creativity and focus” – is ensuring that the momentum it has created is not lost even in the face of challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Through close cooperation with the Iraqi judiciary, the Team has obtained more than two million call data records from Iraqi mobile phone service providers relevant to its investigation of crimes against the Yazidi community, he said.

Similar data has been gathered in connection with the Tikrit Air Academy massacre, he said, explaining how it can be used to locate where persons of interest might have been at a given point

in time, retrace the movements of additional suspects and build a incontrovertible picture of events at major crime scenes.

In addition, Iraq mobile phone service providers have also agreed to preserve all call data records from 2014 that might be relevant to UNITAD’s investigations.

Forensic advances Meanwhile, the forensic extraction of data from mobile phones, laptops and other devices seized from ISIL by the Iraqi military has revealed details – and videoabout the group’s inner workings.

But creating an archive of ISIL atrocities is not enough, Mr. Khan emphasized. “Our commitment to the communities of Iraq will only be satisfied when justice is delivered in court, when the survivors of ISIL atrocities are able to see their abusers held accountable in accordance with the rule of law, based on incontrovertible evidence collected in line with international standards.”

Ministry of Health: 4507 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Saudi Arabia

TL Bureau, Riyadh

The Ministry of Health said in a statement today that 4507 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 132048 cases, including 43147 active cases receiving necessary medical care. Of these, there are 1897 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest

is stable. As many as 3170 cases have recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 87890.

The Ministry of Health said that 39 new deaths have been reported; bringing the total deaths to 1011.

The Ministry called on whoever has symptoms or would like to check-up, to use the selfassessment service in MAWID application, and inquire or consult the Health Center (937) around the clock

Jordanian Foreign Minister Phones His Kenyan Counterpart

TL Bureau, Amman

Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Al-Safadi made a telephone call today with his Kenyan counterpart Raychelle Omamo.

During the telephone conversation, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, ways to enhance solidarity to combat

coronavirus COVID-19 and its repercussions, follow-up of implementing the agreements as well as the necessary steps to activate commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries. The two ministers also reviewed the latest regional and international developments, particularly with regard to the Palestinian cause.

5

UK

Loneliness Minister: Write letters Chancellor visits one of thousands of shops set to people isolating at home to open on Monday Public urged to reach out to vulnerable groups this Loneliness Awareness Week.

TL Bureau, London

People should consider writing letters and cards to those still isolating as lockdown measures ease to ensure they don’t feel forgotten, the Loneliness Minister urged today (15 June).

Baroness Barran is encouraging the public to reach out to friends, family and neighbours who are elderly or otherwise clinically vulnerable. This includes those who are pregnant, aged 70 or older or with an underlying health condition.

This builds on the Prime Minister’s announcement last week that single adult households – those living alone or single parents with children under 18 – can now form a “support bubble” with one other household, meaning they can visit and stay overnight. This move will particularly support those who live by themselves, who are

lonely and struggling with being unable to see friends and family.

As part of the #Let’sTalkLoneliness campaign, which launched a year ago today, the Government is offering helpful advice to tackle loneliness, such as ways to reach out to someone who might be feeling lonely, how to volunteer safely, joining an online group, and signposting to sources of support.

A government partnership with the Post Office and Royal Mail will see a “Let’s Talk Loneliness” postmark stamped on most letters delivered during Loneliness

Awareness Week (15-19 June), to raise awareness of loneliness and help tackle the stigma.

To mark the week, the Loneliness Minister will also be writing letters to check in on friends and family, and is encouraging the public to do the same and make connections.

This follows new research from the Royal Mail which shows that nearly three quarters of people (74%) feel that writing letters has positive mental health benefits.

Today, the Government has also announced the organisations who will receive a share of £5 million to reduce loneliness, which was pledged as part of the Chancellor’s £750 million support package for charities. The successful organisations are providing vital support for a wide range of vulnerable people at risk of loneliness at this time, including the elderly, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Space Rocket Challenges for the engineers of tomorrow

TL Bureau, London The challenges, taking place between 16-30 June, will give participants the chance to design their own space rocket, make a rocket at home and learn more about the UK’s space sector.

There will be three challenges that are open to all ages and include: a Space Rocket design competition, Launch and Land challenge – as part of NPL’s regular Measurement at Home series, and a space-themed quiz.

Entries are welcome from individuals, teams, families, schools - anyone who can stretch their imagination to infinity and beyond. Experts at NPL and UK Space Agency will judge all entries and prizes, including a 3D-printed model of the winning rocket design and a tour of British Aerospace Manufacturer, Reaction Engines’ facility in Oxfordshire.

Professor Richard Crowther, Chief Engineer, UK Space Agency said: The UK has played a pioneering role in space science for over 50 years and today our ambition is to be Europe’s leading small satellite launch destination. We look forward to seeing the creativity and imagination of these young engineers. Perhaps one day they could be designing the rockets we see launching from UK spaceports, propelling us into a new era of space exploration.

As the UK’s National Measurement Institute, NPL recognises the importance of promoting STEM activities and inspiring the next generation.

The UK Space Agency supports STEM-based activity addressing the skills needs of the space sector and to raise awareness of the UK’s space programme and STEM subjects in general.

The UK Space Agency is partnering with The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the launch of a new STEM initiative, Space Rocket Challenges.

Andrew Hanson MBE, Outreach Manager, NPL said: We’ve been running NPL Water Rockets for over 20 years, and in 2020 are super-excited to be teaming up with UKSA with several novel twists to engage a wide audience taking creative engineering into space. NPL’s outreach activity, whilst offering fun and engaging ways of interacting with STEM, is also key to raising the importance of STEM education and the relevance of measurement science to our everyday lives.

The restrictions faced by everyone in the last few months means NPL is unable to run the 21st NPL Water Rocket Challenge in the usual format, but by turning it into a virtual rocket-based event, NPL hopes participants can still have fun, learn about science and the UK’s space sector and compete to win great prizes.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited a Waterstones in London to see some of the measures they’ve put in place to ensure they are ready to welcome customers again.

TL Bureau, London the Chancellor visited a Waterstones, one of the thousands of shops opening their doors again nearly 7,000 high streets will reawaken on Monday as non-essential retail can open as part of the government’s plan to gradually and safely reopen the economy non-essential retail employs 1.3 million people and provides £46.6 billion to our economy every year Together, the non-essential retail sector employs 1.3 million people in high streets up and down the country and provides £46.6 billion to our economy every year. They’re able to reopen thanks to the ongoing efforts of people across the country to meet the Five Tests set out by the Prime Minister.

Waterstones is one of the many shops set to open their doors again from Monday provided they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines, such as limiting the number of customers allowed inside and frequently cleaning objects and surfaces. Waterstones have installed sneeze guards

and sanitiser stations, and browsed books will be removed and quarantined.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer said: From Monday, shops selling books, clothes, and electronics are able to open for business for the first time in more than two months, as part of our plan to gradually and safely reopen the economy.

There are nearly 7,000 high streets across the country, each providing a valuable service to their community.

They will be vital in helping kickstart the economy as we recover from the virus.

The retail sector employs more people than any other sector in the UK and more than 10 million people live within 200 metres of a high street.

Kate Skipper, Waterstones’ Chief Operating Officer said: We are delighted to be reopening on 15 June as we bring our shops safely out of hibernation. We can’t wait to welcome booklovers back to their natural habitat as we return to serving our customers within their communities.

Baroness Laura Wyld appointed as Non-Executive Board Member to DCMS.

TL Bureau, London

Laura Wyld’s career has spanned business, public life and the voluntary sector. Her private sector work has included advising some of the UK’s most high-profile business leaders on communications, strategy and diversity and inclusion. She has also served as a Council Member at the Institute of Directors.

From 2013 until 2016 she was Head of Appointments for the Prime Minister, which included helping to drive the Government’s diversity plan. She is currently a

Non-Executive board member at Ofsted, a Trustee of The Urology Foundation and a member of the House of Lords Public Services Select Committee.

6

7

BUSINESS

IFC Report Details Size and Potential of HardCurrency Bond Market in Emerging Economies

TL Bureau, Washington D.C

More than 800 financial institutions in emerging markets issued nearly $1.5 trillion in hardcurrency bonds from 2009 through the first half of 2019. This finding is included in a new report issued today by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, which shows the increasing size and potential diversity of the fixed-income market in emerging markets. The “Emerging Markets: Assessment of Hard-Currency Bond Market” report finds that banks and nonbank financial institutions in 60 emerging-market countries have a total of $648 billion in hard-

currency bonds outstanding as of June 30, 2019. While relatively small compared to the more than $100 trillion global bond market, this segment is sufficiently large and diversified to support new investment strategies and instruments.

Hard-currency bonds in this report are broadly defined as bonds denominated in euros or U.S. dollars with a maturity equal to or longer than one year.

The report suggests that many financial institutions that currently issue hard-currency bonds are well positioned to become first-time issuers of green or other social bonds. The report also finds

that since nearly half of the hard-currency bonds issued by financial institutions in emerging markets have a three- or five-year maturity, these institutions are expected to continuously issue new bonds. This can pave the way for new issues of green bonds to finance institutions’ green loan portfolios, which will be critical as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This report provides insight into the market for hard-currency bonds in emerging markets, and the potential for financial institutions to issue more targeted instruments, such as green bonds,” said Paulo de Bolle, Global

Business Secretary leads economic recovery roundtables

Business Secretary Alok Sharma chaired a series of economic recovery roundtables that brought together businesses, business representative organisations, regulators and leading academics.

TL Bureau, London Business Secretary Alok Sharma chaired a series of economic recovery roundtables over the last week (10-13 June), bringing together businesses, business representative organisations, regulators and leading academics.

Discussions focused on the measures necessary to support economic recovery and ensure we have the right opportunities in place for growth across the country over the next 18 months and beyond.

The organisations that participated in the roundtables are set out below, alongside the questions that participants were asked to address.

The outputs from these roundtables

will feed directly into the government’s work on economic recovery. This initiative builds on the close engagement between the UK’s business community, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and across Whitehall as we have responded to the pandemic.

In addition to the roundtables listed below, ministers are also engaging

with trades unions representatives on these important issues.

BEIS has also been accepting written submissions from other parties and individuals interested in the initiative. If you or your organisation would like to submit your ideas and insights in relation to the below questions, please email economic.recovery@beis. gov.uk.

Director of IFC’s Financial Institutions Group. “Banks and other financial institutions may see green and social bonds as a way of meeting environment goals, mitigating negative health and socioeconomic impacts, building sustainable financial systems, and transitioning into a more balanced world economy.”

An earlier report produced jointly

by IFC and Amundi, Europe’s largest Asset Manager, finds that the global green bond market grew at a faster rate in 2019 with a record issuance of $240 billion. Emerging market green bond issuances rose 21 percent to $52 billion, bringing

the amount outstanding to US$168 billion. These findings signal that investor appetite for green bonds continues to grow, and emerging market issuers are likely to benefit from increasing demand. The Hard Currency Bond Market report is produced in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of Luxembourg, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Cooperation SECO, as part of the IFC-managed Green Bond Technical Assistance program, which aims to stimulate the supply of green bonds issued by financial institutions in emerging markets.

The cost of Queensland’s closed border

TL Bureau, Brisbane

The border closure is costing the Queensland economy $16.7 million per day Clarity and confirmation of when Queensland’s border will open is crucial. As internal modelling by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) finds the border closure is costing Queensland tourism operators $17 million per day.

CCIQ’s economic and policy advisor Jack Baxter explains the confusion and no clarity from Premier Palasczuck on confirming the exact date when the border will open is causing distress and strain on businesses, with the potential to prolong the enormous financial burden. “It’s beyond disappointing that the Premier has not confirmed a border reopening date.

“Knowing a date is desperately needed, as our modelling makes it very clear, Queensland businesses are losing close to $17 million per day due to Queensland’s borders being closed to interstate travel.

“Small business owners, especially those in the tourism, accommodation, hospitality and retail industries, are watching their life’s work waste away.

“Right now, businesses need certainty and clarity, as they have been pushed to their limits due to months of uncertainty.

“Businesses small and large alike need a lead in time to be operational.

“The longer the delay in announcing a date, creates more unnecessary uncertainty and gives businesses less time to prepare to be back up and operational. Meaning they are at risk of not be ready to trade, potentially missing out on crucial revenue. “This ongoing confusion could be eliminated today by committing to a reopening date,” Mr Baxter said.

Last week, CCIQ released findings from the most recent SuncorpCCIQ Pulse survey, which shows 90% of businesses said their sales and revenue projections had fallen as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.

EARLY SIGNS POINT TO ECONOMIC STABILISATION AND RECOVERY

Latest data from CBA’s Global Economic and Markets Research team indicates a stabilisation and recovery is underway in household spending with some big changes in May.

TL Bureau, Parramatta The staged re-opening of the economy and the implementation of fiscal support policies are noticeably influencing household spending – according to the latest monthly Commonwealth Bank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) series, which includes data to the end of May 2020.

Commonwealth Bank Chief Economist Stephen Halmarick said: “We are seeing some big changes taking place in household spending that provide early signs of stabilisation and recovery in some parts of the Australian economy, largely driven

by changes in government policy.

“Data up to the end of May 2020 showed retail spending intentions

jumped higher on the month, consistent with our CBA credit and debit card spending data.

Improvement was also seen in entertainment spending intentions.

After big falls in April, spending

intentions stabilised for home buying and travel. Health and fitness spending intentions also stabilised after recent gains, while some weakness was evident for education spending intentions and motor vehicle spending intentions.

Mr Halmarick says home buying spending intentions stabilised in May due to an increase in mortgage applications as house prices fell.

“This was especially the case for owner-occupiers looking to lock in low fixed rate mortgages. Online Google searches related to home buying decreased in previous months and is in line with house price falls for the month.”

8

FEATURE

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020

TL Bureau, Canberra

The Morrison Government is committed to ending the abuse of Australia’s seniors in all its forms.

Coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a new awareness campaign has today been launched to highlight the issue and assist those experiencing physical, emotional and financial abuse to get help.

The one-minute video titled ‘Elder Abuse: Everyone’s Business’, was developed by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and builds on the many existing initiatives the Government is delivering through the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of

Older Australians.

‘Elder abuse is everyone’s business and its incumbent on all of us to speak up if we witness or suspect it is occurring to someone we know or love,’ Attorney-General Christian Porter said.

‘The video also highlights the many avenues of support that are available to those experiencing abuse, including the COMPASS website and 1800 ELDERHelp line, which has provided direct assistance to more than 500 individuals since its launch late last year.’

Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck said there had never been a more important time to raise awareness

about this important issue.

It follows the Federal Government announcement it would implement a Serious Incident Response Scheme to protect vulnerable and senior Australians from abuse and neglect.

The initial $23 million investment, announced yesterday, will be rolled out from July 1, 2021.

‘The Federal Government continues to take important steps towards the ongoing protection and welfare of vulnerable and senior Australians,’ Minister Colbeck said.

‘Any abuse of a care recipient is unacceptable and that is why we committed to implementing a Serious Incident Response Scheme for residential aged care

in the 2019-20 Budget.

‘These are significant steps forward but we know there is still work to do - as revealed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s interim report.’

Minister Colbeck said efforts to strengthen the protections of senior Australians in aged care continued with the monitoring of the quality standards through the independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

The Government also funds the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) to provide free, confidential and independent advocacy support to older people and their representatives receiving, or seeking to receive,

Government-funded aged care services. OPAN will also continue elder abuse prevention as part of their aged care advocacy services.

The Federal Government remains committed to working with States and Territories to consider reforms to enduring power of attorney laws, and will consider the issue of registration of enduring instruments when the Council of Attorneys-General meets next month. ‘Improved safeguards around the use of enduring powers was a key recommendation of the Australian Law Reform Committee’s 2017 elder abuse report, and the government supports ongoing discussion in this important area’, the AttorneyGeneral said.

Stanford researchers develop artificial synapse that works with living cells

Researchers have created a device that can integrate and interact with neuron-like cells.

This could be an early step toward an artificial synapse for use in brain-computer interfaces.

BY Taylor Kubota California In 2017, Stanford University researchers presented a new device that mimics the brain’s efficient and low-energy neural learning process. It was an artificial version of a synapse – the gap across which neurotransmitters travel to communicate between neurons – made from organic materials. In 2019, the researchers assembled nine of their artificial synapses together in an array, showing that they could be simultaneously programmed to mimic the parallel operation of the brain.

Prof. Alberto Salleo and graduate student Scott Keene in the lab Now, in a paper published June 15 in Nature Materials, they have tested the first biohybrid version of their artificial synapse and demonstrated that it can communicate with living cells. Future technologies stemming from this device could function by responding directly to chemical signals from the brain. The research was conducted in collaboration with researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology – IIT) in Naples, Italy, and at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.

“This paper really highlights the unique strength of the materials that we use in being able to interact with living matter,” said Alberto Salleo, professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford and co-senior author of the paper. “The cells are happy sitting on the soft polymer.

But the compatibility goes deeper: These materials work with the same

molecules neurons use naturally.”

While other brain-integrated devices require an electrical signal to detect and process the brain’s messages, the communications between this device and living cells occur through electrochemistry – as though the material were just another neuron receiving messages from its neighbor.

How neurons learn The biohybrid artificial synapse consists of two soft polymer electrodes, separated by a trench filled with electrolyte solution – which plays the part of the synaptic cleft that separates communicating neurons in the brain. When living cells are placed on top of one electrode, neurotransmitters that those cells release can react with that electrode to produce ions. Those ions travel across the trench to the

second electrode and modulate the conductive state of this electrode.

Some of that change is preserved, simulating the learning process occurring in nature.

“In a biological synapse, essentially everything is controlled by chemical interactions at the synaptic junction.

Whenever the cells communicate with one another, they’re using chemistry,” said Scott Keene, a graduate student at Stanford and colead author of the paper. “Being able to interact with the brain’s natural chemistry gives the device added utility.”

This process mimics the same kind of learning seen in biological synapses, which is highly efficient in terms of energy because computing and memory storage happen in one action. In more traditional computer

systems, the data is processed first and then later moved to storage.

To test their device, the researchers used rat neuroendocrine cells that release the neurotransmitter dopamine. Before they ran their experiment, they were unsure how the dopamine would interact with their material – but they saw a permanent change in the state of their device upon the first reaction.

“We knew the reaction is irreversible, so it makes sense that it would cause a permanent change in the device’s conductive state,” said Keene. “But, it was hard to know whether we’d achieve the outcome we predicted on paper until we saw it happen in the lab. That was when we realized the potential this has for emulating the long-term learning process of a synapse.”

A first step This biohybrid design is in such early stages that the main focus of the current research was simply to make it work. “It’s a demonstration that this communication melding chemistry and electricity is possible,” said Salleo. “You could say it’s a first step toward a brain-machine interface, but it’s a tiny, tiny very first step.” Now that the researchers have successfully tested their design, they are figuring out the best paths for future research, which could include work on brain-inspired computers, brain-machine interfaces, medical devices or new research tools for neuroscience. Already, they are working on how to make the device function better in more complex biological settings that contain different kinds of cells and neurotransmitters.

Additional Stanford co-authors include Armantas Melianas, a postdoctoral research fellow in materials science and engineering, and Yaakov Tuchman, graduate student in materials science and engineering. Claudia Lubrano of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and Università di Napoli Federico II is co-lead author of this paper.

Yoeri van de Burgt of Eindhoven University of Technology and Francesca Santoro of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia are co-senior authors. Additional co-authors of this paper include researchers from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy), Eindhoven University of Technology (The Netherlands and Cicci Research (Italy).

9

Green number plates get the green light for a zero-emission future

Introduction of green number plates plus a multi-million pound investment for electric vehicle research helping accelerate a zero-emission future for the UK. TL Bureau, London green number plates for electric vehicles to be introduced across the UK from autumn £12 million investment also announced for groundbreaking zero-emission vehicle research cleaner, greener transport will help people to travel safely and drive a green economic recovery as the country rebuilds Green number plates are set to be rolled out from autumn, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed today (16 June 2020), under plans to drive a green economic recovery.

As part of the government’s plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, drivers will be encouraged to make the switch to electric vehicles through the introduction of green number plates. The plates will make it easier for cars to be identified as zero emission vehicles, helping local authorities design and put in place new policies to incentivise people to own and drive them.

For example, drivers could benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper parking and cost-free entry into zeroemission zones where those with a green number plate will be recognised as eligible.

The plates will be identifiable by a green flash on the lefthand side and will be available for zero emission vehicles only.

Example of front and rear green number plates.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: A green recovery is key to helping us achieve our net zero carbon commitments while also promoting economic growth. Green number plates could unlock a number of

incentives for drivers and increase awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads, showing people that a greener transport future is within our grasp.

We’re supporting small businesses to develop the transport tech of the future through a multi-million pound investment, ensuring that UKbusinesses remain at the forefront of low carbon innovation and research.’’

This follows the conclusion of a consultation, inviting comments from the public, local authorities and industry stakeholders from a range of sectors including motoring and consumer groups and vehicle manufacturers on how best to introduce green number plates.

To further accelerate the government’s plans to drive a green recovery, £12 million funding for ground-breaking research into the zeroemission market has also been announced to develop greener vehicles and help improve

vehicle charging technology.

The funding, made available through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and delivered through Innovate UK, will see £10 million for a new Zero Emission Vehicle Innovation Competition.

This will invite applicants to bid for project funding to support advancements in both battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as charging infrastructure. OLEV is also providing £2 million to UK small and medium businesses to support their research into zero-emission vehicles in areas such as battery technology, which could be used by major vehicle manufacturers in future electric vehicle production.

The funding will help these businesses to drive local economic growth through research and development projects in areas including charging infrastructure and zero emission vehicles, which could in turn create over 6,000 skilled jobs.

life and real estate

Bula! – Air New Zealand assists with repatriation services to and from Fiji Air New Zealand has begun services to and from Nadi Fiji to assist the Fijian government in repatriating Fijian citizens.

TL Bureau, Auckland Flight NZ952 took off from Auckland just after 11.00 this morning with Fijian passport holders on board, bound for Nadi, Fiji arriving in Fiji just after 2.00pm local time. A return service is also expected to repatriate New Zealanders who have been in Fiji since Covid-19 travel bans were implemented.

The repatriation flights to Fiji are being carried out in accordance with the Travel Advice issued by the Government of Fiji. On arrival in Fiji, all passengers are required to enter a government-designated quarantine facility for 14 days and will then be required to complete a further 14 days home isolation.

Air New Zealand’s Country Manager Fiji, Zeena Sahib says the airline is very happy to be supporting the Government of Fiji

with the safe return of Fijians to their home country.

“There are a number of Fijian passport holders who have been in New Zealand for an extended period of time due to COVID-19 related border restrictions. Air New Zealand is very pleased to be assisting the Fijian government with ensuring their safe return home.”

Customers who wish to travel to Fiji, and who meet border restrictions for entry, are advised to contact Air New Zealand at groups@airnz.co.nz to arrange travel.

Customers already booked on an Air New Zealand flight to Fiji who do not meet entry requirements are encouraged to visit the Covid-19 FAQs section of the Air New Zealand website where they will automatically be able to put their flights into credit.

Tourism business survival grants open

TL Bureau, Perth Tourism WA’s Tourism Business Survival Grant Program is now open for online applications to support tourism businesses that can demonstrate extreme hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grants of $25,000 to $100,000 are available from a $4 million funding pool through a competitive application process.

The program aims to ensure a viable tourism industry in Western Australia, enabling the survival of businesses that attract visitors to the State.

Successful applicants can use the funding for a range of recovery costs including fixed costs and overheads, equipment deployment and activation, staff recruitment and training, reinstating supplychain requirements and licenses and marketing activities.

Emirates announces four flights to Cairo to help Egyptians get home

TL Bureau, Dubai

To help stranded Egyptians get home, Emirates plans to operate four flights between Dubai and Cairo on they already made trip on 14 and 18,19 and 21 June. Customers can also connect to these flights in Dubai from any destination on Emirates’ current network of 30 destinations in the GCC, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Flights can be booked on emirates.com,

via travel agents, Emirates sales office and contact centre.

Only Egyptian citizens and those who meet the entry requirements of the destination will be allowed

to board. Passengers will be required to comply with all requirements of the destination country.

Health and safety first: Emirates has implemented

a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

Travel restrictions: Customers are reminded that travel restrictions remain in place, and travellers will only be accepted on flights if they

comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries.

Travellers from the UAE should arrive at Dubai International airport Terminal 3 for check-in, three hours before departure. Emirates’ check-in counters will only process passengers holding confirmed bookings.

Customers can find more information about Emirates’ flights and current services at: http://emirates.com/ wherewefly

10

SPORTS

WNBA Announces Plan WA BASKETBALL – RETURN TO SPORT UPDATE To Tip Off 2020 Season TL Bureau, Perth

TL Bureau, New York

After significant discussions with the league’s key stakeholders, including the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), the WNBA today announced elements of plans to return to the court to begin the WNBA 2020 season. The league is finalizing a partnership that would make IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the Official Home of the 2020 WNBA season highlighted by a competitive schedule of 22 regular-season games followed by a traditional playoff format.

Beginning in July, IMG Academy will be the home for each of the league’s 12 teams and serve as a single site for training camp, games and housing. The top priority continues to be the health and safety of players and staff, and the league is working with medical specialists, public health experts, and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place. Due to the fluid situation resulting from the pandemic, the league and players will continue to review the appropriate health and safety protocols and make necessary changes to the plan prior to arriving on site for the start of training camp and throughout the season.

“We are finalizing a season start plan to build on the tremendous momentum generated in the league during the offseason and have used the guiding principles of health and safety of players and essential staff to establish necessary and extensive protocols,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “We will continue to consult with medical experts and public health officials as well as players, team owners and other stakeholders as we move forward with our execution plan. And, despite the disruption caused by the global pandemic to our 2020 season, the WNBA and its Board of Governors believe strongly in supporting and valuing the elite women athletes who play in the WNBA and therefore, players will receive their full pay and benefits

during the 2020 season.”

“As home to some of the world’s leading athletes, coaches and performance experts, IMG Academy is thrilled to partner with the top basketball players in the world and the entire WNBA family,” said Tim Pernetti, Executive Vice President, IMG Events & Media. “We are truly looking forward to becoming the Official Home of the 2020 WNBA Season and working closely with the league in providing our bestin-class training and competition environment.”

Throughout this unique season format where all players will be at the same place, at the same time, a first in the league’s history, the WNBA will build on its commitment to social justice and will support players in launching a bold social justice platform as a call to action to drive impactful, measurable and meaningful change. The WNBA 2020 season will include a devoted platform led by the players that will aim to support and strengthen both the league and teams’ reach and impact on social justice matters.

As recently announced, this began with the WNBA making donations from sales of its “Bigger Than Ball” women’s empowerment merchandise to the Equal Justice Initiative. “The WNBA opposes racism in all its forms, and George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are the latest names in a list of countless others who have been subject to police brutality that stems from the systemic oppression of Black Lives in America, and it is our collective responsibility to use our platforms to enact change,” said Engelbert.

“In our discussions with the league, we emphasized and they

agreed that a strong commitment to a 2020 season will give the WNBA the chance to show the world that it’s taking the steps needed to secure our livelihood and well-being, while also providing the opportunity to amplify our collective voice,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike.

“We have always been at the forefront of initiatives with strong support of #BlackLivesMatter, #SayHerName, the LGBTQ+ community, gun control, voting rights, #MeToo, mental health and the list goes on. This is not only necessary from a humanitarian perspective, but it may be one of the biggest opportunities that this league has and will ever have.”

“As in recent CBA negotiations, the WNBPA Executive Committee worked tirelessly to represent the interests of all players as the league planned to launch a 2020 season,” said WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson. “Our society has learned or perhaps has been reminded of an important lesson: women are integral to the economic stability of their families and their communities. The league and the teams’ commitment makes a statement.”

Under the current plan, teams will report to IMG Academy in early July and regular-season action will tip off in late July after a team training camp period. Although the WNBA 2020 season will be played without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league will continue to build on the current momentum around the WNBA and the players, while offering fans a front row seat at home thanks to broadcast partners ESPN, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV and their ongoing commitment to women’s sports.

Basketball WA is pleased to confirm that community basketball training can resume in a limited capacity indoors in groups no more than 20 with no contact from Monday, May 18, 2020 in Western Australia.

This encouraging step towards the full return of basketball in WA has been made possible by the easing of social distancing restrictions and group gatherings, as announced on Sunday by WA Premier Mark McGowan.

Under the State Government’s COVID-19 WA Road Map, 18 May represents the date that Phase 2 conditions will be applied to WA communities, which will allow for a return to non-contact indoor training.

However, it is critical to understand that training during this phase is limited to one group of 20 per indoor venue. The WA Government COVID Safety Plan – Sport and Recreation outlines this requirement HERE which also outlines allowed usage of outdoor courts. See also the basketball in WA return to play ROAD MAP. We have included a CHECKLIST for associations to complete before they consider beginning training and we need to make sure that all hygiene and social distancing protocols are met in everything we do. Over the coming days all Associations in WA will need to start their planning and preparation if they seek to return to training from 18 May. This will include clarification on the number of spaces in your venue where there are multiple rooms. We are working with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to provide more guidance on this. Associations should also complete the WA Government’s COVID Safety Plan before they can recommence any basketball activities. It is important that everyone involved with community basketball in Western Australia clearly understands the requirements for a safe return to training, so that basketball continues contributing to positive community health outcomes, while also increasing the possibility of a full return to play sooner. It is also important to note that although a return to non-contact training in small groups will be permitted, it is still expected to be some time

before basketball returns to play, with a number of Government restrictions required to be lifted before this occurs.

DOMESTIC COMPETITIONS Domestic competitions remain suspended. Domestic Competitions should be able to return under set conditions and protocols once Western Australia enters into Phase 3 of the WA Government COVID-19 roadmap. It is hoped that this will be in mid-June, but once the government has announced this date, we will confirm this timeframe with Associations and ensure they receive appropriate advice. Further safety protocols will be provided at that point in time, so that we can progress further with basketball training and competition.

SBL COMPETITION AND DIVISION 1 The SBL and Division 1 2020 seasons have been cancelled. A return to competition with any spectators will not be allowed in Western Australia until Phase 4 of the WA Government COVID-19 roadmap and there is no indication of this being able to occur before at least September. In this case, after ongoing consultation with the Clubs, it has been decided to cancel the season that had been planned and fixtured for 2020.

Basketball WA will however, work with the Associations in the coming weeks to determine what type of competition can be run for this group of players. Basketball WA has every intention of providing the opportunity for this group of players to compete at some level in 2020 and we will be guided by government and Associations in when and how we will be able to do this.

WABL COMPETITION To safely and effectively run a WABL competition Basketball WA believe that we need to be able to effectively operate at a capacity that allows multiple games at the same venue with squads of 10 players.

Once again, we will be guided by government as to when this can occur, but our current expectation is that the WABL competition will be able to commence on the final weekend of the July School Holidays.

We will do everything we can to work with government at State and local level and our Associations to make this happen.

strong support through this and a range of other measures.

“I am also incredibly proud of the work our own team has been doing day in-day out, together with our sport partners to work through these challenging times. This is fantastic news for those athletes and coaches who have just returned to training and striving for success in the green and gold next year and beyond. “Sport is a foundation of the Australian way of life and at

the ASC, we are passionate about helping athletes - at all levels - be the best they can.”

Over $3.9m will be directed towards supporting technology and innovation through key sporting infrastructure, including projects for Australia’s swimmers, paddle and winter sport athletes, along with an infrastructure funding pool, managed by the AIS and enabling a wide range of smaller sports to access the very best in sports technology.

Australian athletes receive over $50m in funding

TL Bureau, Canberra

The Board of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has welcomed the Federal Government’s $54.5 million investment in high performance sport, announced today by Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck. With just over a year to go until the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games, the investment is recognition

of the hard work of Australia’s high performance athletes, coaches and support staff, along with the efforts of the ASC and AIS in assisting national sporting organisations (NSOs) in particular through the challenges of COVID-19.

With $50.6m allocated over two years, the funding enables the AIS to maintain baseline support for NSOs, thereby providing certainty for Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, and athletes looking toward the

2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Birmingham Commonwealth Games. ASC Chair John Wylie said the additional investment is a huge boost for Australia’s high performance system. “No sector has been immune to fallout as a result of COVID-19 but our Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports have been doing it really tough,” Wylie said.

“I’d like to thank Minister Colbeck and the Federal Government for the

11

tech/auto

Tokuyama and Toyota Start Verification Tests in Japan for Stationary Fuel Cell Generator that Uses By-product Hydrogen

TL Bureau, Shunan City, Yamaguchi

Tokuyama Corporation (Tokuyama) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announce that they have commenced verification tests, using by-product hydrogen, of a stationary fuel cell generator (FC generator) that makes use of the fuel cell system (FC system) installed in the Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). The FC generator has been set up within the Tokuyama Factory grounds in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The tests are scheduled to continue until the end of March 2022.

By using components from the Mirai FC system, such as the FC stack, power control unit (PCU), and secondary battery, Toyota seeks to produce a highperformance generator at a reasonable price. Development on the FC generator was carried out jointly by Toyota and Toyota Energy Solutions, Inc. The newly introduced FC generator is based on the FC generator with a rated output of 100 kilowatts that has undergone verification tests since September 2019 at Toyota’s Honsha Plant grounds in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The rated output has been changed to 50 kilowatts, and other enhancements have been made, such as adjusting the component layout to improve maintenance.

A feature of the new tests is the use of hydrogen generated as a

by-product in the manufacture of sodium hydroxide by Tokuyama, using the chloralkali process as fuel for the FC generator.

Tokuyama will be responsible for the steady supply of byproduct hydrogen, and the electricity produced by the FC generator will be supplied to the Tokuyama Factory at a rated output of 50 kilowatts.

Toyota will verify and evaluate aspects including the energy efficiency―the amount of electricity generated per unit of hydrogen―the stability of the generated output, durability, ease of maintenance of the generator, and the impact of salt-air damage from the sea breezes. In addition, the tests will be used to estimate the impact on power generation from the use of by-product hydrogen, and the economics of this in comparison with purchasing from an external source.

Moving forward, Tokuyama will consider a business model, which contributes

EXCLUSIVE EUROPEAN ROADSHOW LEADS THE CHIRON PUR SPORT TO HAMBURG Since its world premiere in March, customers and fans around the world have been impatiently waiting to admire the Chiron Pur Sport1 live. After Paris and London, the newest member of the Chiron2 family is now heading to Northern Germany. The next stop of the exclusive European roadshow is the city of Hamburg.

TL Bureau, Molsheim Precise, agile, extreme – when coming out of curves, the Chiron Pur Sport seems to be flying.

Therefore, Bugatti’s official showroom in Hamburg, located near the airport, is the perfect place to be. Bugatti Hamburg has been represented by the Kamps Group since 2009, a successful player in the automotive business for more than 60 years and an expert in super sports cars and luxury automobiles. Hamburg is

one of four dealer locations in Germany. Being the northernmost Bugatti partner in Europe, its customer base ranges from the north of Germany to Scandinavia.

Equipped with exclusive furniture from the Bugatti Home Collection, the showroom offers an ambience in the unmistakable style of the Bugatti brand, where customers can finally see the Pur Sport with their own eyes after its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show had to be canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Basic Specifications of FC Generator

to the local community, as one of the leading Japanese comprehensive chemicals manufacturers with the capacity to supply highly pure by-product hydrogen. In order to expand use of the FC generator, Toyota will consider research and development, and business models for improving

the generator’s product appeal, through the expansion of the FC generator output lineup, and by enhancing its energy efficiency and durability, making it more compact, and reducing costs.

Through these tests, Tokuyama and Toyota will further advance efforts aimed at the realization of a hydrogen society.

Width x Depth x Height 2.9 x 1.5 x 2.7 m Weight Approximately 3.5 tons Main FC systems taken from the Mirai FC stack, PCU, secondary battery, air compressor Rated output 50 kW Power generation efficiency (transmission end) Goal of 50 percent or more Rated voltage / number of phases / frequency AC 210 V / three-phase three-wire / 50/60 Hz Fuel cell type Solid polymer electrolyte Hydrogen purity Pure hydrogen (99.97 percent) Start-up time 40 seconds (time to reach rated output)

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HIL India Ltd. supplies 25 MT Malathion 95% ULV Insecticides to Iran for Locust Control Programme TL Bureau, New Delhi

HIL (India) Limited, a PSU under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and one of the leading manufacturer of insecticides in the country has supplied 25MT Malathion 95% ULV to Iran under Government-to-Government initiative for Locust Control Programme. India had recently approached Iran and Pakistan for coordinated response to counter desert locust menace in the region. Iran has expressed its willingness to the proposal and accordingly Ministry of External Affairs placed an order with HIL (India) Limited, to

manufacture and supply 25 MT of Malathion 95% ULV to Iran.

The consignment is expected to reach Iran by 16th June 2020.

As per the reports of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the hopper stage population of locust is building up in SistanBaluchistan Region of Iran, which shall migrate to India in coming months leading to further crop devastation. Government of India has taken an initiative to counter the locust menace at its breeding ground itself and approached Iran for coordinated efforts.

Desert Locust after severe crop devastation in Horn of Africa, East Africa and Arabian Peninsula

has entered into India in March/ April 2020 and it has affected the field crop, horticulture crops and other plantation in the State of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The country is experiencing worst locust invasion, which was last observed more than 25 years back.

HIL (India) Limited is also supplying Malathion 95% ULV to Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Locust Control Programme in the country. From 2019 till date Company has supplied more than 600 MT of Malathion 95% ULV for this programme .

The United States Condemns Maduro’s Latest Step to Rig the Next Venezuelan Election TL Bureau, Washington D.C. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State said about Venezuela’s election that Free elections are the path out of Venezuela’s deep political crisis. Unfortunately, on June 12, the Maduro regime-controlled

Supreme Court continued to manipulate the Venezuelan Constitution by illegally naming a new, regime-aligned National Electoral Council (CNE).

Venezuelans deserve an independent CNE. The Venezuelan Constitution gives the democratically elected National

Assembly the responsibility of electing the CNE members.

Without following this process, elections that represent the will of the people are impossible.

The regime has selected a CNE that will rubber-stamp its decisions and ignore the conditions required for free elections.

Use of powers under the Emergency Powers Act to end – state of emergency to be lifted today, 16 June

TL Bureau, Helsinki

Based on the situational assessment received on Monday 15 June, the Government has determined that the COVID-19 epidemic can be managed using the regular powers of the authorities. In its plenary session today, the Government issued decrees repealing the use of powers under the Emergency Powers Act and announced that the current situation in the country no longer constitutes a state of emergency as referred to in section 3 of the Emergency

Powers Act. The decrees repealing the use of powers under the Act and the end of the state of emergency will enter into force tomorrow, on Tuesday 16 June.

From an international perspective, Finland has succeeded well in combating the COVID-19 epidemic.

The number of diagnosed cases and deaths has remained lower in Finland than in many of its peer countries. The restrictive measures imposed and the recommendations issued have been effective in curbing the epidemic and protecting risk groups.

Arab League Condemns Turkish Military Operation in Northern Iraq TL Bureau, Cairo Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned today the military operation launched by Turkey in the regions of Northern Iraq for allegedly chasing elements of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, stressing that the Turkish military interference represents an attack on the Iraqi sovereignty, and without coordination with the government in Baghdad. The Arab League affirmed that Ankara underestimates the

international law and its relations with its Arab neighbors.

A statement issued by the Arab League General Secretariat today said that the Arab League’s council had adopted a resolution last March condemning the ongoing Turkish interferences in the Northern Iraq under the title “Taking a unified Arab Stance towards the Turkish forces’ violation of Iraqi sovereignty” and the Arab countries unanimously approved this decision except one country had reservations about it

Norwegian exports Secretary Pompeo’s Participation in the EU Foreign Affairs Council of defence-related products in 2019 TL Bureau, Washington D.C.

TL Bureau, Oslo

Today, the Government presented the annual white paper on exports of defence-related products. In 2019, Norwegian companies exported arms and military equipment worth around NOK 4.4 billion, as compared with NOK 4.8 billion in 2018.

The total value of exports of defence-related products and services, technology and dualuse items for military use from Norway in 2019 was just under NOK 5.6 billion.

‘Norway maintains a higher level of transparency about defence-related exports than most countries. This applies to access to information both about the exports themselves and about the Ministry’s processing of export licence applications for defence-related products.

The Government considers it important to continue to ensure this level of transparency,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

The value of exports of arms, ammunition and other military equipment was around NOK 4.4 billion in 2019, which is 8 % lower than in 2018. The export value of dual-use items

for military use was NOK 739 million, which is a drop of 34 %. The total value of exports of defence-related services, repairs, production rights and brokering services was NOK 745 million, an increase of 44 %. Overall, exports of defence-related products and dual-use items for military use decreased by 11 %. If exports of defence-related services, repairs, production rights and brokering services are also included, the total decrease was 6 %. In 2019, 29 export licence applications were denied.

The main importers of defencerelated products from Norway are still other NATO countries, Sweden and Finland. In 2019, exports of arms and ammunition to these countries accounted for about 90 % of total defencerelated exports. Exports of other military equipment to these countries accounted for 87 % of the total in 2019. There will be natural variations in the figures for specific years, depending on when deliveries take place. The deliveries may be unevenly distributed over the contract period and the export value will therefore vary from year to year.

Office of the Spokesperson said, “Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today by video conference with EU High Representative Josep Borrell and EU member state foreign ministers during the Foreign

Affairs Council (FAC). Secretary Pompeo, High Representative Borrell, and the ministers discussed the importance of the Transatlantic partnership in rebuilding our economies post-COVID, as well as upholding our shared commitment to democratic values that serve as a

bulwark against Russian and PRC attempts to undermine democratic societies. The Secretary highlighted joint U.S. and EU resolve to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and our insistence that Russia cease its aggressive actions in the Donbas region.”

WHO airlifts over 80 tons of emergency medical supplies from Iraq to meet increasing health needs in northeast Syria

TL Bureau, Geneva

The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched more than 80 tons of urgently needed emergency medical supplies to support the health system in northeast Syria. The 3-cargo consignment was airlifted from Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to Damascus from 10 to 12 June.

“I commend the endeavour of all colleagues who worked hard to ensure the successful delivery of these lifesaving health supplies. The supplies will support the provision of health care in crisis-affected areas northeast Syria for hundreds of thousands of people in need and ensure access to essential health care services,” said Dr Adham R. Ismail, WHO Representative in Iraq. “WHO Iraq has been active

in coordinating cross-border support to Syria for more than a year now and we will continue to assist to relieve suffering and to save lives in neighbouring Syria despite immense challenges,” Dr Ismail added.

“I am proud to be part of WHO, an Organization that works across the globe to support those in need.

These shipments demonstrate the success of collaborative work between our offices in Iraq and Syria. I would like to thank all colleagues who contributed to the successful delivery of this shipment, which will boost the provision of essential health service delivery in conflict-affected areas of northeast Syria,” said Dr Akjemal Magtymova, WHO Representative in Syria. “Also, we would like to express our immense gratitude to the World Food Programme

for airlifting the shipment. This joint intercountry collaboration reflects the great teamwork and humanitarian spirit that spans the United Nations system, a spirit which we all share and work hard towards maintaining,” she added.

The cargo includes a variety of health kits ranging from trauma kits sufficient to manage 4300 cases to 11 cholera kits, 30 noncommunicable diseases kits, 26 surgical kits and 478 inter-agency emergency health kits providing medicines, medical supplies and consumables enough to treat over one million people.

The consignment is part of the humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis funded through the generous contribution of the European Commission’s Department for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO).

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