May 2021 International Affairs

Sakshi Education

UN watchdog can no longer access nuclear data, says Iran Parliament Speaker
In Iran, Parliament Speaker Mohammad BaqerQalibaf said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) now cannot have access to the records from the cameras monitoring Iran's nuclear activities.

According Iranian state TV, Mr. Qalibaf has said that from May 22 and with the end of the three-month agreement, the agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities agreed under the agreement.

In December, Iran's parliament passed a bill that would suspend part of UN inspections of its nuclear facilities if European signatories did not provide sanctions relief on its oil and banking sectors by February.
Volcano erupts in eastern DR Congo
In Democratic Republic of Congo, a smoking trail of lava from a volcanic eruption appeared to have stopped a few hundred meters short of the city of Goma.

The volcano last erupted in 2002, with some 250 people losing their lives and lava destroying approximately one-fifth of city, including airport runways.
Bangladesh braces to face cyclone Yaas
Bangladesh is bracing to face the cyclone Yaas which is likely to hit its coast on May 26.

The government is preparing cyclone shelter with three times more capacity in view of the COVID 19 situation in the country to accommodate people during the cyclone.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra to hoist the distant cautionary signal 1. It also advised the fishermen not to venture into the deep sea. Those who are in the deep sea, have been advised to return to the coast by Sunday.
UN Security Council calls for 'full adherence' to Gaza ceasefire
United Nations Security Council has called for the full adherence to a cease-fire in the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The UNSC said members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and recognized the important role Egypt, other regional countries, the UN, the Middle East Quartet and other international partners played in this regard. The members of the Security Council mourned the loss of civilian lives during the violence.

The UNSC urged the international community to work together on developing an integrated, robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery.
The UNSC members affirmed their commitment to restoration of peace in the region based on the two-state solution and coexistence of Israel and Palestine within secure and recognized borders.
China's Byte Dance founder & CEO Zhang Yiming steps down
The world of Chinese fintech has been thoroughly shaken in the past half year, be it the last-minute suspension of Ant Group’s IPO, the record fine for Alibaba or investigations into Meituan and Tencent.

Zhang Yiming, the founder and CEO of Chinese tech unicorn ByteDance Ltd, parent company of tik-tok has become the latest Chinese billionaire to continue the trend of stepping down in an increasingly tough and uncertain regulatory environment for Chinese fintechs.
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolves Parliament; fixes general elections in November
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has dissolved Parliament and fixed general elections in November amid a worsening COVID-19 outbreak.

A presidential statement said neither the caretaker Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, nor opposition leader Sher Bahadur Deuba were able to demonstrate a majority to form a new government by the Friday deadline set by Bhandari.
UN announces release of 22.5 M US Dollars for rising humanitarian needs in Gaza
The UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock announced the release of 22.5 million US Dollars towards the response to rising humanitarian needs in Gaza.

The amount includes a 4.5 million Dollars' allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and up to 18 million Dollars from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund.
Nigeria's army chief Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru killed in plane crash
Nigeria's army chief, Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, has been killed in a plane crash.

President Muhammadu Buhari said he was deeply saddened by the demise of the General.

Gen Attahiru, 54, only took up his post in January in an overhaul of the military's top brass.

The Nigerian Air Force said the accident took place as the plane was landing at Kaduna International Airport.

Ten other officers, including the plane's crew also perished.
US President Biden, South Korea’s Moon express willingness to engage North Korea in dialogue
US President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in have stressed the need to engage North Korea in dialogue over its nuclear weapons program urgently.

At a joint news conference, Biden and Moon said the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is their goal.

Biden said both US and South Korea are deeply concerned about the situation.
WHO sets new targets for vaccinating world’s poorest countries to end scandalous inequity in vaccine distribution
WHO sets new targets for vaccinating world’s poorest countries to end scandalous inequity in vaccine distribution.

The COVID-19 pandemic is being perpetuated by a scandalous inequity in vaccine distribution.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that no country should assume that it's out of the woods, no matter its vaccination rate, as long as the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants spread elsewhere.
Russia says, it has ability for 1st time to operate long-range strategic nuclear-capable bombers from its air base in Syria
It had the ability for the first time to operate long-range strategic nuclear-capable bombers from its air base in Syria, says Russia.

Russia is expanding its capabilities and allowing such planes to train in new regions. Russia operates the Hmeymim base on Syria's Mediterranean coast, from which it has launched air strikes in the past in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
UN Chief calls for immediate restoration of constitutional order & rule of law in Mali
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law in Mali, after mutinying troops arrested the country’s leader and other senior officials.

Soldiers had initially staged a mutiny at a base near the capital, Bamako, before subsequently detaining President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and other members of his government, according to media reports.

The UN mission in Mali has also demanded an immediate release of President Bah Ndaw and PM MoctarOuane. In a tweet, the Minusma mission also called for "calm" in the impoverished West African nation.
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan chairs 74th World Health Assembly
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has chaired the 74th World Health Assembly.

Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr Tedros was also present on the occasion.

Chairman of WHO Executive Board Dr Harsh Vardhan noted that the Board called for further efforts to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility.

The Board engaged in discussions on COVID-19 impact on global health. The Board noted various measures taken by the members and underscored the importance of guaranteeing equitable access to COVID-19 medicines and vaccines.

The Board recommended that the 74th World Health Assembly must consider the report on mental health preparedness and response for the COVID-19 pandemic. It also recommended endorsing the updated comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan for the period of 2013 to 2030.
Dutch court orders Shell to deepen carbon cuts in landmark case
In a ruling that could pave the way for legal action against energy firms around the world, a court in the city of Hague, Netherlands, has ordered Royal Dutch Shell to significantly deepen its planned greenhouse gas emission cuts.

The ruling orders Shell to reduce its planet warming carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. Shell currently has a target to reduce the carbon intensity of its products by at least 6% by 2023, by 20% by 2030, by 45% by 2035 and by 100% by 2050 compared with 2016.

The lawsuit, which was filed by seven groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Netherlands, marks a first in which environmentalists have turned to the courts to try to force a major energy firm to change strategy. It was filed in April 2019 on behalf of more than 17,000 Dutch citizens who say Shell is threatening human rights as it continues to invest billions in the production of fossil fuels.
Over a million people die in China due to smoking-related diseases every year: NHC-WHO report
More than a million people in China are killed by smoking-related diseases every year, and the number will double by 2030 if the current smoking trend continues, a report warned on Wednesday. China is the home for the world’s largest number of smokers.

The country has over 350 million smokers. The report, jointly released by China's National Health Commission (NHC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) China Office at a press conference, has highlighted China's smoking situation and its negative effects.

It pointed out that there are currently more than 300 million cigarette smokers in the country.

About 26.6 per cent of Chinese people aged 15 and above are smokers, and of this age group, more than half of men smoke cigarettes, Chinese state news agency reported. The report was released ahead of the 34th World No Tobacco Day, which falls on May 31.
Iran bans cryptocurrency mining for 4 months amid power cuts
Iran has banned the energy-intensive mining of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin for nearly four months. The country is facing major power blackouts in many cities, and the government has blamed the outages on cryptocurrency mining, which is a highly energy intensive process.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the ban on the mining of cryptocurrencies is effective immediately until September 22. As next month's presidential election approaches, the blackouts have been widely criticised by Iranians.

According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, around 4.5% of all Bitcoin mining takes place in Iran, allowing it to earn hundreds of millions of dollars from cryptocurrencies. Iran has accepted crypto mining in recent years, offering cheap power and requiring miners to sell their bitcoins to the central bank. Tehran allows cryptocurrencies mined in Iran to be used to pay for imports of authorised goods. The prospect of cheap power has attracted miners, particularly from China, to Iran.

Generating the electricity they use requires the equivalent of around 10 million barrels of crude oil a year, or 4% of total Iranian oil exports in 2020.
Leonardo, Microsoft team up to help digitalise Italy's public systems
Italian defence group Leonardo and US tech giant Microsoft have teamed up to boost the digital transformation of Italy's public administration and critical national infrastructures. The project will focus on data protection and the use of advanced cloud technologies and solutions.

According to the joint statement released by the two firms, Leonardo will act as system integrator and cyber-security services provider to help digitalise the data centres of the public administration. It added that Microsoft will offer advanced technologies and services for productivity, security, cloud and process automation.

The move comes as the Italian government prepares to create a national cloud hub for public administration's data. The project will be financed using a portion of the European funds earmarked to help country’s economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
French Prez Macron recognises French responsibility in Rwanda genocide
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a visit to Rwanda, said that France recognises its responsibility in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. His comments came during a solemn speech at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where 2,50,000 victims of the mass killings are buried.

Macron said that only Rwandans could forgive France for its role in Rwanda's 1994 genocide, and France did not listen to those who warned it about the impending massacre in Rwanda and stood de facto by a genocidal regime. However, he added that France was not an accomplice to the genocide.

Macron’s visit follows the release in March of a report by a French inquiry panel that said a colonial attitude had blinded French officials. The report added that the government bore a serious and overwhelming responsibility for not foreseeing the slaughter. However, the report absolved France of direct complicity in the killings.

Some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu militias in 100 days of bloodletting that began in April 1994. The genocide ended in July 1994 when the Rwandan Patriotic Front, led by current President Kagame, swept in from Uganda and seized control of the country.
US making plans to evacuate Afghans who worked for American military ahead of Sept's troop pull-out
The US is rapidly making plans to evacuate Afghans who worked for the American military ahead of September's troop pull-out.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Mark Milley said a significant number of interpreters and other employees could be targeted by Taliban militants.

As many as 18,000 Afghan nationals have applied for US visas to immigrate to the US under a special programme.

In April, President Joe Biden said American troops would leave by 11th September, after 20 years of military involvement in Afghanistan.

There are at least 2,500 US troops in the country as part of the 9,600-strong Nato Afghan mission.
UNHRC votes to investigate violence in recent conflict between Israel & Hamas
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to investigate violence in the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The body approved the resolution, brought by a group of Islamic countries, by 24 votes to nine.

The United States has said the decision threatened to endanger progress in bringing calm to the region.

Nine members, including several Western countries, voted against the resolution and another 14 abstained. China and Russia were among those voting in favour.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the move as yet another example of the UN Human Rights Council's blatant anti-Israel obsession.
Bashar Al-Assad to continue to serve as President of Syria after winning election for 4th time
Bashar Al-Assad will continue to serve as the President of Syria after winning the election for the fourth time.

Assad, 55, has been president since 2000.

He succeeded his late father, Hafez, who had ruled Syria for more than a quarter of a century before that.
UNSC to hold meeting on Israel & Palestine
A UN Security Council meeting is set to take place today even as hostilities between Israel and Palestine enters seventh day.

International community has called for an end to the escalating conflict.

US President Joe Biden made a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday.

US envoy Hady Amr has arrived in Tel Aviv to take part in talks with Israeli, Palestinian and UN officials.
China bars foreign curriculum and foreign ownership in private schools
China's State Council has announced tough new laws halting the teaching of foreign curriculum in schools from kindergarten to grade nine (K-9) and prohibiting the ownership or control of any private K-9 schools by foreign entities.

The new laws, which come into effect on Sept.1st, are the latest in a series of measures intended to tighten control of the country's fast-growing education sector.

China currently has private K-9 schools that teach local and foreign curricula.
UN vote on call to stop arms supply to Myanmar postponed
A 193-member U.N. General Assembly vote on a draft resolution calling for an immediate suspension of the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer of all weapons and munitions to Myanmar has been postponed.

It had been delayed in a bid to win more support.
The draft resolution calls on the Myanmar military, which seized power in a coup in February this year, to end a state of emergency, stop all violence against peaceful protesters and respect the will of the people as expressed in the results of an election in November last year.

The United States, Britain and Canada yesterday imposed new sanctions targeting Myanmar’s junta. Only the U.N. Security Council can impose legally binding sanctions or an arms embargo.
India expresses concern at situation along Armenia-Azerbaijan border
India has expressed concern at the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. In response to media queries on recent developments at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

India has called upon the transgressing side to pull back forces immediately and cease any further provocation.

India has always stood for peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes through political and diplomatic means.

Peace and stability in the South Caucasus region is important from the regional security perspective.
Nancy Pelosi calls for US diplomatic boycott of 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for a U.S. diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

China for human rights abuses, saying global leaders who attend would lose their moral authority.

Pelosi, a Democrat, told a bipartisan congressional hearing on the issue that heads of state around the world should shun the games, scheduled for February.

U.S. attempts to interfere in China's domestic affairs over the Olympics were doomed to fail.
China offers to host peace talks between parties in Afghanistan in the wake of US withdrawal
China has offered to host talks between the parties in Afghanistan in an effort to play a greater role in the conflict-hit country and the larger neighboring region.

China stepped up its diplomacy outreach with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the wake of the US troops withdrawal from the war-torn country.

China will back the Afghan government headed by Ashraf Ghani in playing a leading role.
EU to redouble its efforts to end surge in violence between Israeli military and Palestinian militants
The European Union will redouble its efforts to end the surge in violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants and seek progress during a special meeting of its Foreign Ministers today.

The EU also called the weekend destruction of a building housing The Associated Press and other major international media extremely worrying and said safe working conditions for journalists were essential.
Group of scientists slams WHO for their report into origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan
A group of scientists have slammed the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their report into the origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan and demanded a further investigation.

Scientist Lord Ridley said that the WHO's investigation into the origins of Corona virus in China is 'farcical'.

The WHO report on the origins of Corona virus was released in March and concluded that it is extremely unlikely that the virus, which has killed millions across the world, originated in a lab in China.
European Parliament likely to pass motion to freeze European Investment Agreement with China
The European Parliament is expected to pass a motion today pushing to formally freeze the European Investment Agreement with China in the wake of sanctions on EU lawmakers by Beijing.

The draft motion also calls on the European Union (EU) to step up coordination with the US to deal with China.

If passed, the vote is likely to deal a further blow to initial expectations that the deal could enter the ratification process in a few months' time.
China accuses US of provocation in Taiwan Strait
China accused the United States on Wednesday of provocation and threatening the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait as the United States Navy again sent a warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" on Tuesday in accordance with international law.

"The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
World Bank approves 600 million US Dollars for two projects in Bangladesh
The World Bank on Friday approved 600 million US Dollars for two projects in Bangladesh to help over 1.75 million poor and vulnerable people in the country.

The Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Dandan Chen said that in Bangladesh COVID-19 has affected the livelihoods of thousands of people particularly female workers, youth and returnee migrants.

The projects will help empower and mobilize rural poor people, prepare them for the future job market and support entrepreneurial opportunities.

The 300 million-Dollar Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) Project will equip more than one million youth and workers with skills needed for the future of work. The project will also support industries to retrain their workers during and after the pandemic and thus accelerate recovery.

The World Bank Team Leader for the project Md. Mokhlesur Rahman said that the project will help modernize and build resilience of the technical vocational education and training sector of Bangladesh.

The 300 million-Dollar Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement (RELI) Project will help improve the livelihoods of about 7,50,000 poor and vulnerable rural people across 3,200 villages in 20 districts.

The project will also provide immediate and tailored livelihood support to rural people for responding to urgent needs such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Women will constitute over 90 per cent of the project beneficiaries. The project will help organize village groups, build their capacity and finance community plans for savings and micro-loans, as well as climate-resilient infrastructure.
US President Joe Biden signs anti-hate crime legislation
United States President Joe Biden signed an anti-hate crime legislation directing federal law enforcement to address a rise in violent attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the coronavirus pandemic in the USA.

President Biden said that there are simple core values and beliefs that should bring all together as Americans. One of them is standing together against hate, against racism.

The new law seeks to speed up the Justice Department’s review of anti-Asian hate crimes, and designates an official at the department to oversee the effort.

The measure had passed both chambers of Congress by large majority votes.

The new law directs the US Department of Justice to focus on the prosecution of violent crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
World’s largest Iceberg breaks off in Antarctica as Glaciers Retreat
An iceberg of the size of the Spanish island of Majorca has broken off the coast of Antarctica. The measurements of the broken iceberg taken from the satellites and the planes have confirmed that it is now the world’s largest.

The European Space Agency has informed that the Iceberg A-76 calved from the western side of the Ronne Ice Shelf in Antarctica and is now floating on the Weddell Sea.

The broken iceberg is measured around 170 kilometers (105 miles) long and 25 kilometers (15 miles) wide, that's larger than the Long Island in New York and half the size of Puerto Rico.

Icebergs are formed when a large piece of ice breaks off from the ice shelves or the glaciers and start floating in the open water.
BAWG emphasizes importance of enhancing collaboration among astronomers from BRICS countries
BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) has emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration among astronomers from BRICS countries.

India recently hosted the seventh meeting of BAWG meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as well as astronomers from these countries.

The delegates have recommended the networking of existing Telescopes in BRICS countries and creation of regional Data Network. It said that they agreed to develop flagship project in this area.
EU finalises deal with Pfizer-BioNTech for 1.8 billion doses
The European Union's executive arm finalised a third vaccine contract with Pfizer and BioNTech through 2023 for an additional 1.8 billion doses of their COVID-19 shot.

The deal which was agreed on behalf of all 27 EU countries earlier this month, will allow the buying of 900 million doses of the current shots and of a serum adapted to the virus' variants, with an option to purchase an extra 900 million shots.

The deal with Pfizer-BioNTech stipulates that the production of doses must be based in the EU and that essential components are sourced from the region.

It said that from the start of the supply in 2022, the delivery to the EU is guaranteed.
Arctic warming three times more quickly than the planet: Report
The Arctic has warmed three times more quickly than the planet as a whole, and faster than previously thought.

Arctic sea ice looks set to be an early victim of rising temperatures, with each fraction of a degree making a big difference, the chance of it disappearing entirely in summer is 10 times greater if Earth warms by 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels compared to 1.5 C, the goal set by the 2015 Paris Accord.

The alarming finding comes from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) in a report timed to coincide with a ministerial meeting this week of the Arctic Council in Reykjavik, which gathers countries bordering the region.

A glaciologist Jason Box at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said that the Arctic is a real hotspot for climate warming.

In less than half a century, from 1971 to 2019, the Arctic's average annual temperature rose by 3.1 C, compared to 1 C for the planet as a whole.
US calls upon WHO to invite Taiwan for World Health Assembly as observer
The United States has called upon the World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to invite Taiwan to participate as an observer at the upcoming annual meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA), saying there is no reasonable justification for Taipei's continued exclusion from the forum.
US to join New Zealand-led global campaign to stamp out violent extremism online
The United States will join a New Zealand-led global campaign to stamp out violent extremism online, making a policy change two years after the administration of former president Donald Trump declined to participate.

Biden administration spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement yesterday that, the US would join the Christchurch Call to Action to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online.
Sri Lanka approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use
Sri Lanka has approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in the country. The island nation is battling a third wave of the virus.

Sri Lanka is the first country in South Asia to approve the Pfizer vaccine. It has also approved Russia's Sputnik and China's Sinopharm vaccines for emergency use.
Remnants of China’s rocket ‘Long March 5B’ expected to plunge back through atmosphere
Remnants of China’s largest rocket ‘Long March 5B’ launched last week are expected to plunge back through the atmosphere today late evening or in the early hours of tomorrow. At 18 tonnes, it is one of the largest space debris to re-enter the Earth.

The latest prediction for the re-entry location of the Long March 5B rocket body by its Center for Orbital Reentry and Debris Studies (CORDS) was given near the North Island of New Zealand. However, it noted that re-entry was possible anywhere along paths covering large swathes of the globe.
When is International Nurses Day observed?
International Nurses Day is observed every year on May 12 to honour nurses all over the world. The day was celebrated for the first time by The International Council of Nurses- ICN in 1965.

In 1953, an official of the US health, education, and welfare department, Dorothy Sunderland had proposed to President Dwight D. Eisenhower to proclaim ‘Nurses Day’ which he did not approve.

However, in 1974, May 12 was chosen to be celebrated as International Nurses Day. The date is also the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who was born on this day in 1820. She was the founder of modern nursing and is perhaps the world’s most famous nurse. Florence Nightingale was an English nurse, a social reformer as well as a statistician.

The theme for the International Nurses Day 2021 is Nurses: A Voice to Lead- A Vision for Future Healthcare.
UN says India will be world's fastest growing major economy in 2022
United Nations has said that India will be the world's fastest growing major economy in 2022. In its mid-year update of the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP), United Nations projected that the Indian economy will grow at 10.1 per cent in the calendar year 2022.

China has been projected to grow at 5.8 per cent, a slowdown from 8.2 per cent in 2021. The report said that India will register a 7.5-per cent growth rate in calendar year 2021. The mid-year update provides an upward revision for growth projections for India from the UN forecasts released in January.
German regulators tell Facebook to stop processing user data from WhatsApp
In Germany, regulators told social media site Facebook to stop processing user data from its instant messaging service WhatsApp, arguing that the messaging app’s controversial new terms of service are illegal under European privacy law.

Johannes Caspar, Data Protection Commissioner in Hamburg, the city where Facebook has its German headquarters, issued an order banning the social media giant from processing German users' WhatsApp data for three months.

The order is intended to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the many millions of users throughout Germany who give their consent to the terms of use.

It is important to prevent disadvantages and damages associated with such a black box procedure.

Meanwhile, Facebook said that it is mulling its legal options and plans to appeal.

WhatsApp users worldwide have been asked to agree to new terms and conditions by 15th of May that grant Facebook sweeping access to private data.
US: Biden administration approves nation's first major offshore wind farm
In the US, the Biden administration has approved the nation's first major offshore wind farm, billing it as the launch of a new domestic energy industry that will help eliminate emissions from the power sector.

The decision fits with U.S. President Joe Biden's broader agenda to combat global climate change by decarbonizing the nation's economy.

Approval of the Vineyard Wind project, which will be located 23 km off the coast of Massachusetts, is a significant milestone in the more than decade-long effort to permit a commercial-scale offshore wind project in the U.S. waters.

Medical equipments, vials of Remdesivir from Germany, Netherlands, Portugal; Masks from Kazakhstan reached India
An aircraft arrived in India this morning carrying 223 ventilators, 25 thousand vials of Remdesivir and other medical equipment from Germany, 30 thousand vials of Remdesivir from the Netherlands and 5 thousand 500 vials of Remdesivir from Portugal.

India values support of the European Union partners. A shipment of over 5.6 million masks or respirators arrived from Kazakhstan.
Paris city council puts forward plan to drastically reduce car traffic in centre of French capital by 2022 A plan to drastically reduce car traffic in the centre of the French capital Paris by 2022 has been put forward by the city council. The scheme would ban through traffic in four central districts, giving priority instead to cyclists, pedestrians, and public transport.

The council said, low-traffic zones will result in a less polluted, greener, more peaceful and safer city.

During the COVID pandemic, Paris added hundreds of kilometres of cycle lanes.

A consultation on the new pedestrianisation plan with residents of Paris was launched on Wednesday. Residents and businesses would still be allowed to drive in the central area, but through traffic would be banned.
Pablo Picasso's "Woman Sitting Near a Window" sold for USD 103.4 million at Christie's in New York
Pablo Picasso's "Woman Sitting Near a Window (Marie-Therese)" was sold yesterday for USD 103.4 million at Christie's in New York.

The painting, completed in 1932, was sold after 19 minutes of bidding for USD 90 million, which rose to USD 103.4 million when fees and commissions were added.

Christie's had estimated the painting would sell for USD 55 million.

The sale confirms the vitality of the art market despite the COVID-19 pandemic -- but also the special status of Picasso, who was born in 1881 and died in 1973.
WHO approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has given the go-ahead for emergency use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The mRNA vaccine from the U.S. manufacturer joins vaccines from AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson in receiving the WHO’s emergency use listing. In a statement, WHO's CEO Stephane Bancel said, similar approvals for China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines are expected in the coming days and weeks.

The greenlight for Moderna’s vaccine, announced took many months because of delays that WHO faced in getting data from the manufacturer.
Congo declares end of Ebola outbreak that killed six
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared the end of an Ebola outbreak that infected 12 people in the eastern province of North Kivu and killed six of them.

According to the aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres, the outbreak was contained using Merck's Ebola vaccine, which was given to more than 1,600 of the patients' contacts and contacts of contacts.

The cases were genetically linked to the 2018-20 Ebola epidemic that killed more than 2,200 people, the second-highest toll recorded in the disease's history.
Microsoft & Nigerian govt collaborate to create about 27,000 new digital jobs over next 3 years
Tech giant Microsoft and the Nigerian government are collaborating with the aim of creating about 27,000 new digital jobs over the next three years.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a joint statement with the Nigerian government that they will use 1,700 trainers to train five million Nigerians.

They are also planned to improve internet connectivity by installing high speed internet infrastructure in six regions of the country.
US approves major solar energy project in California desert
The US government has approved a major solar energy project in the California desert that will be capable of powering nearly 90,000 homes. The Interior Department said in a statement yesterday, that 550 million dollar Crimson Solar Project will be sited on 2,000 acres of federal land west of Blythe, California.
The announcement comes as President Joe Biden has vowed to expand development of renewable energy projects on public lands as part of a broader agenda to fight climate change, create jobs.

The project will include a battery storage system and will be sited on land designated for renewable energy development by the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
ADB outlines 5 point agenda for lasting recovery in Asia-Pacific region
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said that the Asia and the Pacific regions can emerge from the Coronavirus disaster even stronger than before by focussing on five areas to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.

The Board of Governors during the 54th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa outlined a five point agenda that includes climate action, addressing inequality and gender gap and enhancing regional integration among others.
World’s oldest person pulls out of torch relay for Tokyo Olympics
The world's oldest person, a 118-year-old Japanese woman, has decided not to take part in the torch relay for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics over pandemic fears.

Kane Tanaka, who was awarded a Guinness World Record, was slated to be one of the relay participants in Fukuoka in southern Japan, which will start on May 11.

The Olympic torch relay, which kicked off in March, has been hit by a coronavirus outbreak.

Some celebrities who were due to take part have withdrawn from the relay due to safety reasons amid the
China indefinitely suspends ‘strategic economic dialogue’ with Australia
China's National Development and Reform Commission has indefinitely suspended all activities under the framework of the China-Australia strategic economic dialogue, exacerbating the already strained diplomatic ties between Beijing and Canberra.

The dialogue is jointly held by China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and relevant ministries of the Australian government.

The decision was made based on the current attitude of the Australian Commonwealth government towards China-Australia cooperation.
UN Chief honours Indian peacekeeper Yuvraj Singh, who died in line of duty in 2020
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres honoured Indian UN Peacekeeping officer Yuvraj Singh, who died in line of duty in 2020, during the UN annual Memorial Service 2021.
Permanent Representative of India to UN, TS Tirumurti saluted Singh’s valour and contribution, and conveyed condolences to the family.