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Economy

‘Sword of Damocles’ hangs over global economy’

The index that measures changes in the international prices of a basket of food commodities hit 140.7 in February, an all-time high in real terms since 1961…reports Asian Lite News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that “a sword of Damocles hangs over the global economy” because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, adding that developing countries were most at risk.

Calling the war “an assault on the world’s most vulnerable people and countries”, Guterres on Monday drew a dismal picture of the global situation.

“Food, fuel and fertilizer prices are skyrocketing. Supply chains are being disrupted. And the costs and delays of transportation of imported goods e when available e are at record levels.

“The FAO’s (Food and Agriculture Organisation’s) global food prices index is at its highest level ever,” the UN chief said,adding that and all these could portend political instability and unrest around the world.

The index that measures changes in the international prices of a basket of food commodities hit 140.7 in February, an all-time high in real terms since 1961.

Gutteres also announced the formation of a Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance in the UN Secretariat to deal with these threats.

“We will be consulting with Member States willing to champion the actions needed to carry forward the global emergency response that will be required for these looming crises.

“This war goes far beyond Ukraine” hitting the recovery from the two-year onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Even before the conflict, developing countries were struggling to recover from the pandemic e with record inflation, rising interest rates and looming debt burdens (and) their ability to respond has been erased by exponential increases in the cost of financing.

“Now their breadbasket is being bombed. Russia and Ukraine represent more than half of the world’s supply of sunflower oil and about 30 per cent of the world’s wheat,” he added.

ALSO READ-India’s semiconductor hub dream looms over Ukraine crisis

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-Top News World News

WHO: Covid Exposes Unequal World

The GPMB report called for a renewed global social contract for health emergencies that works collectively, across countries, sectors, and communities…reports Asian Lite News.

Covid-19 “has exposed a broken world that is inequitable, unaccountable, and divided”, resulting in its failure to put an end to the pandemic that has so far killed 4.95 million globally, according to a report by a World Health Organisation (WHO) panel on Tuesday.

The report was launched by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), an independent body set up by the WHO and the World Bank in 2018 to prepare for pandemics, in Berlin.

It stated that from the time the pandemic began, almost two years ago, the world continues to “struggle” to mitigate its impact.

While in the first year, countries “collectively failed” to take serious preparations and act rapidly, in the second they exhibited “profound inequality” as the world leaders failed to interconnect, making “the world more interdependent than ever”.

The world continues to be “fragmented by growing nationalism, geopolitical tensions, and deep inequalities”, said the report.

“As of October 2021, as many as 17 million people will have died due to Covid-19. More than 1.5 million children around the world have lost a parent or a grandparent… Behind each death, there is a human story, a loss of potential, and an enormous gap left in a community… While this disaster should have brought us together, instead we are divided, fragmented, and living in worlds apart,” said Elhadj As Sy, Co-Chair at GPMB, in the report.

Although the speed of vaccine development is a matter of pride, but “we must feel deep shame over multiple tragedies — vaccine hoarding, the devastating oxygen shortages in low-income countries, the generation of children deprived of education, the shattering of fragile economies and health systems”, he added.

The GPMB report called for a renewed global social contract for health emergencies that works collectively, across countries, sectors, and communities.

It also framed an action plan to help build a world prepared for future pandemics. The plan includes building a strong WHO with greater resources, authority, and accountability; creating an agile health emergency system that can deliver on equity; and establishing a collective financing mechanism for preparedness.

“We must reject pessimism, recognise our common humanity and growing interdependence, and create a global health ecosystem that serves everyone. Together we must move from worlds apart to a world prepared,” As Sy said.

ALSO READ-Covid testing, vaccination drop in Afghanistan: WHO

READ MORE-No approval for Covaxin yet, WHO seeks clarifications

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Afghanistan UK News World News

UK parliament to reconvene over Afghanistan crisis

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also held an emergency COBRA meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, Downing Street has said…reports Asian Lite News.

The UK Parliament will be recalled on Wednesday from their summer recess to debate the British government’s response to the crisis in Afghanistan as Taliban has captured Kabul and entered the Presidential Palace, the House of Commons confirmed.

MPs will return to Westminster for a session from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. over the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan amid the withdrawal of US, British and NATO troops, reports Xinhua news agency.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also held an emergency COBRA meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, Downing Street has said.

COBRA is shorthand for the Civil Contingencies Committee that is convened to handle matters of national emergency or major disruption.

After the meeting, Johnson told reporters that the US decision to pull out of Afghanistan has “accelerated things”, and added “no one wants Afghanistan to become a breeding ground for terror”.

The UK has deployed 600 troops to Afghanistan to help evacuate British nationals and local interpreters.

British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace on August 13 had said the US decision to pull its troops out of Afghanistan was a “mistake”, which has handed the Taliban “momentum” in the country.

“Of course I am worried, it is why I said I felt this was not the right time or decision to make because, of course, Al Qaeda will probably come back, certainly would like that type of breeding ground,” he told Sky News.

After days of capturing provincial capital cities, the Taliban started entering Kabul from all sides on Sunday morning.

Though the Taliban had earlier said that there is no plan to enter the Afghan capital militarily, the security vacuum in Kabul made them direct their fighters to enter and occupy the empty police outposts and police districts.

As Afghan President Ashraf Ghani along with his close aides and the first lady left Kabul for Tajikistan, the Taliban also managed to enter the Presidential Palace or Arg.

ALSO READ-India opens doors for Afghan Sikhs and Hindus

READ MORE-Sindhis, Balochs stage anti-Pak protest in London

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-Top News Afghanistan USA

Will keep pressure on IS, Al Qaeda in Afghanistan: US General

The top US official’s remarks come as the Taliban have intensified attacks since the official withdrawal of US troops….reports Asian Lite News

Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of the US Central Command, has said that Washington will seek to “keep pressure” on the Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda terror groups in Afghanistan, a media report said on Monday.

“We will still do everything we can to keep pressure on the IS and Al Qaeda, from our over-the-horizon locations,” TOLO News quoted quoted McKenzie as saying in an interview with Military Times.

“That is a task I’ve been given. Those are plans I’m in discussion with now with the Secretary of Defense. How we will do that, I’ve said before, that will be a very difficult thing to do,” he added.

Regarding a recent UN report warning that the Taliban appeared poised to take back control of Afghanistan, McKenzie said: “We still intend to support the Afghan military from just over the horizon. We’re still going to support them with funding.

“We’re going to try very hard to support the Afghan air force over the horizon; some things will come out of the country to be worked on.

“I don’t want to minimise this, because I think they’re going to be tested, but we will continue to support them, just not in the way we are supporting them now.”

ALSO READ: The way forward for Afghanistan

Asked if the US would provide any combat support to Afghan forces if major cities such as Kabul were at risk of being overrun, McKenzie said: “Those are actually policy decisions, not military decisions. Right now what we’re planning to do after we withdraw is keep pressure on Al Qaeda and IS, and that would be what we’d be doing, going back into Afghanistan.”

The top US official’s remarks come as the Taliban have intensified attacks on provincial capitals, districts, bases and checkpoints since the official withdrawal of the US and other NATO troops in Afghanistan on May 1.

At least 15 districts have fallen to the Taliban since May 1, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of Afghans.

According to a UN report, the Taliban were able to capture five districts in the past year, four of which were recaptured by the government within several days.

The withdrawal of international troops is due to be completed by September 11 at the latest.

ALSO READ: Blackout in Afghanistan as power pylon destroyed in blast

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-Top News Asia News Europe

Aid continues to pour in from East Asia, Europe

Continuing to stand beside its partner India, Japan flew in 2 aircraft of life-saving equipment that included oxygen concentrators, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)…reports Asian Lite News.

Global aid continues to pour in as India battles a massive second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Major consignments of medical supplies and equipment were received from South Korea, Japan, France, Italy and UK on Thursday, including oxygen concentrators, ventilators and rapid testing kits.

Continuing to stand beside its partner India, Japan flew in 2 aircraft of life-saving equipment that included oxygen concentrators, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Aid from Britain (MEA)

“Cooperation with Japan continues. 2 aircrafts carrying a total consignment of 100 oxygen concentrators arrive from Japan. 4 aircrafts in 2 days from Japan have delivered a cumulative of 200 oxygen concentrators. Appreciate this continuing support from our partner Japan,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Another East Asian partner, the Republic of Korea, sent a shipment of 10,000 rapid testing kits that were received by India on Thursday.

“Our continuing cooperation with Republic of Korea. Welcome the shipment of 10,000 rapid testing kits from Republic of Korea that arrived today,” said another tweet by the Bagchi.

Republic of Korea gifts 200 oxygen concentrators (Photo:MEA)

Two ISO containers arranged by France and facilitated by Qatar on board INS Trikand also reached Mumbai.

“A partnership across the seas brings tangible benefits on ground 2 ISO containers arranged by France, facilitated by Qatar & transported by @indiannavy on #INSTrikand reach Mumbai (India). Kasturba Hospital, Mumbai receives LMO. Others to also benefit,” the MEA Spokeperson’s tweet said.

A gift of 1,200 oxygen cylinders from British Oxygen Company arrived from UK on Thursday. This is in addition to the 1,350 oxygen cylinders that arrived from the UK on Tuesday. This is part of UK’s generous contribution of 5,000 oxygen cylinders.

“Welcome the gift of another 1200 oxygen cylinders from British Oxygen Company that arrived from the UK today. Appreciate the logistical support from Qatar Airways for this shipment,” the MEA Spokesperson mentioned.

Government of India has been receiving international donations and aid of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since April 27 from different countries and organisations to augment its efforts in fighting the unprecedented surge in COVID in the country, said an official statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Cumulatively, 9,294 Oxygen Concentrators; 11,835 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; 6,439 ventilators/Bi PAP; nearly 4.22 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched through road and air, from April 27 to May 12.

Major consignments received on Thursday from Kuwait, Singapore, Gilead, Switzerland, Spain and Egypt included 86,595 vials of anti-viral Remdesivir, 4,802 oxygen cylinders, 10 oxygen concentrators and 141 Ventilator/ BiPAP/ CPAP.

Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise.

The Union Health Ministry is comprehensively monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations.

This cell started functioning from April 26 this year. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since May 2. (INN)

ALSO READ-UK reopens quarantine-free travel to select countries

READ MORE-World’s largest cargo plane, carrying UK aid, lands at Delhi

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Bollywood COVID-19 Lite Blogs

Ahana joins ‘Find a bed’ initiative by young students

Aahana hoped that the “initiative by the young students of IIMUN (India’s International Movement to Unite Nations) is not only going to save lives but will also help thousands of people in distress”…reports Asian Lite News.

Each and everyone in our society is ready to lend support to people in the tough time. It is great to hear that students or youngsters take good initiatives. Actress Aahana Kumra has extended support for an initiative that aims at providing a one-stop solution to locate a bed at a Covid centre. The movement, named Find A Bed, has been initiated by over 20,000 students across 160 cities and Aahana is its cause ambassador.

“As India grapples with the toughest times, Find A Bed is an initiative for anyone who has mild symptoms of Covid-19 but cannot quarantine at home, may not need to be hospitalised but have to find a bed at a Covid centre,” said Aahana.

Aahana hoped that the “initiative by the young students of IIMUN (India’s International Movement to Unite Nations) is not only going to save lives but will also help thousands of people in distress”.

On the work front, Aahana will be seen in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film “India Lockdown” and in the remake of the French television drama “Call My Agent!”. The actress also has a role in the period drama “Shamshera” starring Ranbir Kapoor.

ALSO READ-BAME Councillors Join Covid Campaign

READ MORE-Gurmeet launches makeshift hospital to help people

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-Top News USA

Kamala pledges additional aid to tackle migrant crisis

The pledged aid package offers $255 million in relief funds to mitigate the damage from persistent drought as well as food shortages …reports Asian Lite News

The Unites States Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged an additional $310 million humanitarian aid for Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in order to tackle wave of migration from those countries to the US, according to media reports.

The vice president had held virtual discussions with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei regarding the funding on Monday.

According to reports, Harris spokeswoman Symone Sanders said the leaders discussed the need for long-term economic growth to create jobs and stop the flow of migrants to the U.S., which has caused an early political and humanitarian crisis for President Joe Biden.

The aid package includes $255 million in relief funds to mitigate the damage from persistent drought as well as food shortages and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Harris’ office.

Also read:We are determined to help India, says Biden

The money would also fund safety precautions for refugees and asylum seekers and provide health and disaster-relief services to people in those three countries.

Another $55 million in Department of Agriculture funds would go to strengthen Guatemala’s farming industry and expand access to daily meals and literacy programs in Guatemala and Honduras, Harris’ office said, according to media reports.

Biden chose the vice president to lead the diplomatic response to the migration crisis by engaging with Central American governments.

The new role of Harris resembles that of Biden when he was vice president and asked by then President Barack Obama in 2014 and 2015 to lead diplomatic efforts in the Northern Triangle after a surge of unaccompanied minors from those countries began arriving in the United States.

Also read:Time to prepare for next pandemic: Kamala