Junior Digest

WASHINGTON, February 15,2022: US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly won a more than $1 billion US army contract for the manufacture and distribution of the monoclonal antibody drug bebtelovimab in support of the national emergency response to COVID-19, the Defense Department said in a press release.

Last week, the food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency authorization to bebtelovimab, an antibody that neutralizes the Omicron variant.

The company announced last week that the US and Eli Lilly had struck a deal to supply up to 600,000 doses of bebtelovimab for at least $720 million.

Eli Lilly has said that monoclonal antibodies, such as bebtelovimab, may be associated with worse clinical outcomes when given to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in need of high flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

BRUSSELS/ MOSCOW:Feb 10,2022:Britain said on Thursday the West could face the “most dangerous moment” in its standoff with Moscow in the next few days, as Russia held military exercises in Belarus and the Black Sea following its troop buildup near Ukraine.

Tensions remained high, with Ukraine also staging war games, but leaders on all sides signalled they hoped diplomacy could still prevail in what British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Europe’s biggest security crisis for decades.

In a new round of diplomacy, Britain’s foreign minister held talks in Russia, Johnson visited NATO headquarters in Brussels and officials from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France were due to meet in Berlin to discuss fighting between government forces and pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014.

Russia, which has more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, denies Western accusations that it may be planning to invade its former Soviet neighbour though it says it could take unspecified “military-technical” action unless demands are met.

In a new point of friction, Ukraine criticised Russian naval exercises that it said made navigation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov “virtually impossible”.

Visiting Moscow, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of tough Western sanctions if Ukraine was attacked.

Lavrov said Moscow was in favour of diplomacy to resolve the crisis but that he could not understand British concerns over the drills in Belarus and denied Russia was coercing anyone.
He said the West was using Ukraine against Moscow and also accused Kyiv of attempting to rewrite agreements intended to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Truss’ talks in Moscow follow shuttle diplomacy from French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Moscow and Kyiv earlier this week. In contrast to US and British leaders, Macron has played down the likelihood of a Russian invasion soon.

Russia has used the tensions to seek security concessions from the West that would include a promise to never admit Ukraine to NATO and halt the military alliance’s expansion.

The EU said on Thursday it had delivered a single letter in response to Russia’s proposals to member states on European security on behalf of the 27 foreign ministers of the bloc.

NATO and the United States have already portrayed Russia’s main demands as non-starters.

Ukraine launched its own war games on Thursday which, like Russia’s joint drills with Minsk, will run until Feb. 20.

The Ukrainian forces, whose numbers have not been disclosed, are set to use Bayraktar drones and anti-tank Javelin and NLAW missiles provided by foreign partners. Kyiv was due to receive a further shipment of US military aid later on Thursday.

Despite the tension over the war games, the Kremlin’s point man on Ukraine, Dmitry Kozak, was set to meet officials from Ukraine, Germany and France in Berlin for the latest talks on the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the talks would be important and that he hoped they could get a Trilateral Contact Group on the conflict in east Ukraine functioning again. The group includes Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a security watchdog.

TOKYO,15,2022: Japan will coordinate any potential sanctions on Russia with the US and major EU partners, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told lawmakers on Monday.

Japan has been reportedly under pressure from Washington to back sanctions on Russia if it attacked Ukraine. Russia has denied plans to invade.

“If sanctions against Russia are brought in their specifics will be coordinated with the US and European countries,” Kishida was quoted as saying by the Kyodo news agency.

Government sources told the agency that sanctions under consideration included limits on exports of high-tech Japanese goods and a freeze of assets in Japan belonging to people and companies allegedly linked to President Vladimir Putin.

Feb 10,2022: SpaceX’s newest fleet of satellites is tumbling out of orbit after being struck by a solar storm.

Up to 40 of the 49 small satellites launched last week have either re-entered the atmosphere and burned up, or are on the verge of doing so, the company said in an online update Tuesday night.
SpaceX said a geomagnetic storm last Friday made the atmosphere denser, which increased the drag on the Starlink satellites, effectively dooming them.

Ground controllers tried to save the compact, flat-panel satellites by putting them into a type of hibernation and flying them in a way to minimise drag. But the atmospheric pull was too great, and the satellites failed to awaken and climb to a higher, more stable orbit, according to the company.
SpaceX still has close to 2,000 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth and providing internet service to remote corners of the world. They circle the globe more than 550 km (340 miles) up.

The satellites hit by the solar storm were in a temporary position. SpaceX deliberately launches them into this unusually low orbit so that any duds can quickly re-enter the atmosphere and pose no threat to other spacecraft.

There is no danger from these newly falling satellites, either in orbit or on the ground, according to the company.

Each satellite weighs less than 260kg (575 pounds).
SpaceX described the lost satellites as a “unique situation”. Such geomagnetic storms are caused by intense solar activity like flares, which can send streams of plasma from the sun’s corona hurtling out into space and towards Earth.

Feb 09,2022:Libya’s parliament is set to name a new prime minister to head the transitional government on Thursday, raising concerns over the possibility of a new power struggle.

The effort to replace interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah comes after the date for Libya’s first presidential election – scheduled for December 24 last year – came and went during his watch.
Lawmakers argue that the mandate of Dbeibah’s government ended when the presidential election was supposed to happen: December 24. He has refused to leave.

The postponement dealt a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the oil-rich Mediterranean nation.

Feb 13,2022:Canadian police made the first arrest of a protester blocking a key bridge to the United States on Saturday, more than a day after authorities moved in seeking to end the blockade of the important trade corridor.

Demonstrators opposing government pandemic restrictions have occupied the Ambassador Bridge for the fifth straight day, snarling international trade and prompting President Joe Biden to call for an end to the siege. But there was still no sign when traffic would resume.
Late on Saturday, Windsor Police arrested a 27-year-old male for a criminal offence in relation to the demonstration.

While police have successfully pushed back protesters from the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, which links Detroit and Windsor, more people were streaming into the area and the operation appeared to have stalled.
As the afternoon dragged on, some Canadians questioned what was behind the delay, given the order issued by a court on Friday to end the blockade and the imposition of a state of emergency declared by Ontario authorities.

Feb 09,2022:President of Tibetan government-in-exile Penpa Tsering inaugurated a museum in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala on Wednesday, which will be focussed on the political aspect of Tibetan struggle. The museum was launched under department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration. “It’s time for people to get the opportunity to see the history of Tibet,” Tsering said.
Tsering said, “It is time for people to get the opportunity to see the history of Tibet and the struggle of the Tibetan people.” “The museum will focus on the struggle of the Tibetan people, hospitality granted by the Indian and the other governments around the world who supports the Tibetan cause,” he said.

People can come here and listen to stories of Tibetan’s struggles, he added. “We are planning to develop a virtual guide, will create it in different languages of India so that anybody who comes here can listen to the stories of Tibetans in their own language,” Sikyong said.

Feb 12,2022:The United States says it will strengthen cooperation with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region in a wide range of areas to counter China’s growing influence.

President Joe Biden’s administration unveiled its Indo-Pacific strategy on Friday. It described China as seeking to become “the world’s most influential power.”

The administration said that Beijing is “combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological might as it pursues a sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific.”

The document said it is important for the US to increase its presence and cooperation in the region. It said the US will enhance connections through frameworks such as the Quad partnership with Japan, Australia and India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

The plan also includes strengthening ties with Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

The document said the US will work with allies and partners in the region to deepen their interoperability to deter China, and launch a new regional economic partnership in early 2022.

Sources say the Biden administration initially planned to release the Indo-Pacific strategy around last summer, but it was delayed due to increased tensions over Ukraine and other factors.

DUBAI, Feb 12,2022: Afghan refugees held in the United Arab Emirates for months since fleeing Afghanistan last year protested for a third day on Friday, calling for resettlement in the United States.

The demonstrations by hundreds of Afghans began on Wednesday at the centre where they are being housed as months of frustrations with what refugees say is a lack of communication over the resettlement process boiled over.
A protester told Reuters by phone more refugees had joined the demonstration on Friday, a day after a U.S. official visited the centre and told them it could take years for applications to be processed.
The official added that many refugees, however, were unlikely to ever be resettled in the United States, according to the protester.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed several Afghans had taken part in peaceful demonstrations and that U.S. government officials had met with Afghans this week to discuss their concerns with the resettlement process.

February 6,2022:Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away at the age of 92. She was admitted to a city hospital in early January this year, after she tested positive for Covid-19 and was also diagnosed with pneumonia. Lata Mangeshkar was admitted to the ICU with mild symptoms and was recovering slowly.
Lata Mangeshkar is lovingly referred to as the ‘Nightingale of India’. She stepped into singing at the age of 13 and recorded her first song in 1942. In her career spanning seven decades, she has to her credit over 30,000 songs in different languages. Lata Mangeshkar has been the voice behind popular tracks like ‘Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai’, ‘Raam Teri Ganga Maili’, ‘Ek Radha Ek Meera’ and ‘Didi Tera Devar Deewana’ to name a few.
Lata Mangeshkar was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan, third-highest civilian award in 1969, the Padma Vibhushan, second-highest civilian award in 1999 and the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 2001. She was also conferred with France’s highest civilian award, ‘Officier de la Legion d’Honneur’ (Officer of the Legion of Honour) in 2009.
She was the oldest of the siblings, Meena Khadikar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
As the nation mourns over the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. People from around the world have paid a heartfelt tribute to the singer.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed condolences on the demise of the legendary singer, Lata Mangeshkar.
The British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai paid tribute to the veteran singer and expressed sadness over the demise of Lata Mangeshkar.
The United States Embassy in India paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, also called as ‘nightingale of India.’

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the “subcontinent has lost one of the truly great singers the world has known.
From serving Prime Ministers to former Presidents, several overseas aficionados of Lata Mangeshkar’s voice expressed grief over her passing away.

Feb 13,2022:US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed the United States plans to open an embassy in the South Pacific nation of Solomon Islands in an effort to counter China’s influence in the politically troubled Pacific Islands.

The announcement on Saturday comes as Blinken visits Fiji for talks with Pacific Islands leaders, with Washington promising more diplomatic and security resources to the region.
In a notification to Congress, the State Department said Solomon Islanders cherished their history with Americans on the battlefields of World War II, but that the US was in danger of losing its preferential ties as China “aggressively seeks to engage” elite politicians and business people in the Solomon Islands.

The move comes after rioting rocked the nation of 700,000 in November. The riots grew from a peaceful protest and highlighted long-simmering regional rivalries, economic problems and concerns about the country’s increasing links with China. Rioters set fire to buildings and looted stores.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare survived a no-confidence vote the following month, telling legislators in a fiery 90-minute speech that he had done nothing wrong and would not bow down to “the forces of evil” or to “Taiwan’s agents”.

The US previously operated an embassy in the Solomons for five years before closing it in 1993. Since then, US diplomats from neighbouring Papua New Guinea have been accredited to the Solomons, which has a US consular agency.
The embassy announcement fits with a new Biden administration strategy for the Indo-Pacific that was announced on Friday and emphasises building partnerships with allies in the region as a way to counter China’s growing influence and ambitions.

Feb 13,2022:The last rites of former Bajaj Group chairman Rahul Bajaj were performed in Pune on Sunday with full State honours with representatives of India Inc, politicians and common people bidding a final adieu to the veteran industrialist.

The last rites were performed by Rahul Bajaj’s sons Rajeev and Sanjiv at the electric crematorium at Vaikunth Smashanbhoomi in Pune city.
A large number of workers, who paid their tributes, said for them Rahul Bajaj was God who inspired them to weather all odds and march ahead in life.

Feb 08,2022:Russian President Vladimir Putin, following Russian-French talks, criticized NATO and its member state for giving a ‘lecture’ on Russia’s armed force deployment in Ukraine.

He also accused NATO saying that they present the movement of Russian troops on its own territory as a threat of a Russian invasion.
Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said, “President Vladimir #Putin: NATO has designated Russia an adversary. While advancing its military infrastructure very close to our border, @NATO and its member states believe that they have a right to teach us where and how we can deploy our armed forces.” These statements come at a time when French President Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday said that he had managed to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin not to “escalate” the crisis around Ukraine.

“I obtained that there will be no degradation nor escalation,” Macron said as he arrived in Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the Ukraine crisis.

Feb 08,2022:Advances in satellite technology have revealed that the world’s glaciers contain significantly less ice than previously thought, according to a study published in Nature Geoscience.

The revised estimate reduces global sea level rise by 3 inches (7.62 centimetres) if all glaciers were to melt.
But it raises concern for some communities that rely on seasonal melt from glaciers to feed rivers and irrigate crops. If glaciers contain less ice, water will run out sooner than expected.

While some ice naturally melts throughout the year, rising temperatures due to climate change are speeding up glacier retreat. Between 2000 and 2019, these rivers of ice lost roughly 5.4 trillion tonnes.
Countries are already struggling with disappearing glaciers. Peru is investing in desalination to make up for declining freshwater. And Chile hopes to create artificial glaciers in its mountains.

New Delhi, Feb 11,2022: Noting that India is committed to eliminating single-use plastic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the country will be happy to join France in launching a global initiative on it. Modi made the remarks in a video message to the high-level segment of the One Ocean Summit. “India recently undertook a nationwide awareness campaign to clean plastic and other waste from coastal areas. Three lakh young people collected almost 13 tons of plastic waste. I also directed our Navy to contribute 100 ship days this year to cleaning plastic waste from the seas. India will be happy to join France in launching a global initiative on single-use plastics,” he said. In his address, PM Modi said India has always been a maritime civilization and ancient Indian scriptures and literature talk about the gifts of the oceans, including marine life. “Today our security and prosperity are linked to the oceans. India”s Indo Pacific Ocean initiative contains marine resources as a key pillar. India supports the French initiative of a high ambition coalition on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. We hope for a legally binding international treaty this year,” he said. The prime minister said India is committed to eliminating single-use plastic The summit is being organised by France from February 9-11 in Brest in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Bank. The objective of the summit is to mobilise the international community to take tangible action towards preserving and supporting healthy and sustainable ocean ecosystems. The high-level segment of the summit will also be addressed by several other heads of states and governments.

Feb 07,2022:North Korea continued to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes during the past year, and cyberattacks on cryptocurrency exchanges were an important revenue source for Pyongyang, according to an excerpt of a confidential United Nations report seen by the Reuters news agency on Saturday.

The annual report by independent sanctions monitors was submitted on Friday evening to the UN Security Council North Korea sanctions committee.
Since 2006, North Korea has been subject to UN sanctions, which the Security Council has strengthened over the years in an effort to target funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
The United States and others said on Friday that North Korea had carried out nine ballistic missile launches in January, adding it was the largest monthly number in the history of the country’s weapons of mass destruction and missile programmes.

Feb 08,2022:A day after singing legend Lata Mangeshkar was cremated at the iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai, BJP MLA Ram Kadam on Monday demanded a memorial for her at the site.

The demand assumes significance as the park is also the site where Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray was cremated in 2012. His memorial was built at the site despite opposition from civic groups.

Mangeshkar (92) died in a hospital in Mumbai on Sunday morning after multi-organ failure. She was cremated at the Shivaji Park in the evening with full state honours.
Nana Patole, President, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), said that the memorial at Shivaji Park should be up to “international standards.”
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that Lata Mangeshkar deserves a memorial of international stature but no politics should be played over it.
Shiv Sena, the senior partner in the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, has said that there was no need for any such demand and the decision over the memorial will be taken by the state and Union government.

Feb 12,2022:The head of the World Health Organization has said the acute phase of the pandemic could end this year, if about 70 percent of the world gets vaccinated.

“Our expectation is that the acute phase of this pandemic will end this year, of course with one condition, the 70 percent vaccination [target is achieved] by mid this year around June, July,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters in South Africa on Friday.