Junior Digest

Tokyo [Japan], April 28,2021: The Japanese government, in an annual foreign policy report, has expressed concerns over China’s military expansion and growing activities in the East and South China Seas.
The 2021 edition of the Diplomatic Bluebook released on Tuesday mentioned China’s expansion of military capabilities that lack transparency. The report stressed that growing unilateral actions by Beijing to change the status quo in Asian waters pose ‘strong concerns’ in the region and to the international community, Nikkei Asia reported Kyodo News.
The dragon claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, and has overlapping territorial claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Beijing has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to its concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region as Sino-US tensions escalate.
China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its efforts to advance into the Indian Ocean are seen to have challenged the established rules-based system.

The report also cited China’s human rights abuses in its Xinjiang region and the crackdown on Hong Kong as issues of concern.
The Asian giant has been rebuked globally for cracking down on Uyghur Muslims by bundling them out to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and forcing the community to undergo re-education or indoctrination.
Referring to Japan’s inclusion into a grouping with the United States, Australia and India – known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – the report said the framework’s visions have gained international support, and Japan will seek to cooperate with more countries through bilateral and multilateral dialogues, Nikkei Asia reported.
As for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s postponed state visit to Japan, the bluebook said that Tokyo and Beijing should focus on containing the coronavirus pandemic for the time being and are not ready to discuss rescheduling.
It also said that the Japan-US alliance “continues to serve as the cornerstone of Japan’s diplomatic and security policies and its significance has grown more than ever in the face of growing uncertainties in the region’s security environment”.
The report explained the outcome of the in-person summit talks earlier this month between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President Joe Biden in detail.

Chennai, Apr 26,2021: The Madras High Court on Monday came down heavily on the Election Commission of India (ECI) for not banning political rallies and ‘singularly’ blamed the ECI for the second wave of COVID-19 in the county.
The Court also warned that it would be forced to stay the counting process
on May two if strict COVID-19 protocol was not devised by the ECI.

On a petition filed by Transport Minister M R Vijayabhaskar seeking a direction to the ECI to strictly adhere to the safety measures and ensure fair counting, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy slammed the ECI for not stopping political parties that were deliberately abusing the Covid-19 protocol during their political rallies in the run up to the single phase Assembly elections held on April six.
The Bench observed that “at no cost can counting result in a catalyst for a further surge, politics or no politics, whether the counting takes place in a staggered manner or is deferred.”
In an oral observation, the Bench asked “Were you on another planet when political rallies were being held?”
“Election Commission Officers should probably be booked on murder charges,” the bench said.
“Public health is of paramount importance and it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to be reminded in such regard. It is only when a citizen survives that he will be able to enjoy the rights that a democratic republic guarantees,” the Chief Justice noted.

However, the ECI contended that necessary safety measures have been put in

place. Observing that the situation now is of survival and protection, the bench directed the ECI to file a detailed report by April 30 on the blueprint of Covid-19 protocol for the counting day after a detailed consultation with the Health Department Secretary.

New Delhi, Apr 28,2021: India registered 3,60,960 fresh cases of the Novel Coronavirus and 3,293 casualties in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day spike in cases and deaths in 24 hours since the pandemic hit, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday morning.

The fresh addition took the total tally to 1,79,97,267 while the death toll crossed the grim milestone of two lakh-mark to stand at 2,01,187.

The active caseload in the country is 29,78,709 comprising 16.55 per cent of the total infections while 1,48,17,371 people have recovered from disease so far amounting 82.33 per cent of the recovery rate.

Meanwhile, the case fatality rate stayed at 1.12 per cent.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 28,27,03,789 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus, of which 17,23,912 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, total 14,78,27,367 people have been vaccinated across the country till now, of which 25,56,182 doses administered in the past 24 hours.

Maharashtra, which has been the most-affected state in the country, saw highest 895 deaths in the past 24 hours, folloowed by Delhi (381), Uttar Pradesh (264), Chhattisgarh (246), Karnataka (180), Gujarat (170), Jharkhand (131), Rajasthan (121)and Punjab (100).

On Tuesday, India reported 3,23,144 cases and 2771 deaths.

India’s previous highest single-day COVID cases tally and deaths was recorded on Monday (26-04-2021), when 3,52,991 cases and 2,812 fatalities were reported.

Washington [US], April 29,2021: US President Joe Biden in his first State of the Union address to Congress on Wednesday (local time) called his multi-trillion proposal for domestic investment as key to challenging China and strengthening the US’s position on the world stage.
“We’re in a competition with China and other countries to win the 21st Century. We have to do more than just build back. We have to build back better. Throughout our history, public investments and infrastructure have transformed America,” the President said.
“Farmers planting cover crops, so they can reduce carbon dioxide in the air and get paid for doing it. There’s no reason the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing. No reason why American workers can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries,” he added.

Biden further stated that ‘The American Jobs Plan’ will create millions of good-paying jobs– “jobs Americans can raise their families on.” And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan will be guided by one principle: ‘Buy American’.

The President also appealed for bipartisanship framing the need for consensus domestically as a means for the US to maintain competitiveness globally, particularly with China.
“Investments in jobs and infrastructure like the ones we’re talking about have often had bipartisan support. Vice President Harris and I meet regularly in the Oval Office with Democrats and Republicans to discuss the American Jobs Plan. And I applaud a group of Republican Senators who just put forward their proposal. So, let’s get to work,” the President said during his first address.
He continued: “I wanted to lay out to Congress my plan before we got into the deep discussion. I’d like to meet with those who have ideas that are different. We welcome ideas. But the rest of the world isn’t waiting for us. I just want to be clear: from my perspective, doing nothing is not an option. Look, we can’t be so busy competing with one another and forget the competition we have with the rest of the world to win the 21st century.”
Biden went on to describe a two-hour conversation he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping upon taking office.
“He’s deadly earnest on becoming the most significant, consequential nation in the world. He and others, autocrats, think that democracy can’t compete in the 21st century with autocracies. It takes too long to get consensus,” he said.
Under the former President Donald Trump’s administration, ties between the two countries had deteriorated over issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang, encroachment on the special status of Hong Kong, accusations of unfair trade practices by Beijing, lack of transparency concerning the pandemic and China’s military aggression in various parts of the world.

Brussels, April 28,2021: The European Parliament on Wednesday ratified the agreement on trade and cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom in a 660-5 vote.
The document must now be approved by EU member states to enter into force officially.
The agreement on trade and cooperation was necessary for regulating relations between the UK and the bloc after the end of the post-Brexit transition period, which expired on January 1.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the ratification of the deal.
“I warmly welcome the @Europarl_EN [EU Parliament] vote in favour of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The TCA marks the foundation of a strong and close partnership with the UK. Faithful implementation is essential,” von der Leyen tweeted.

She was joined by European Council President Charles Michel, who pledged further “constructive” cooperation between Brussels and London.
“I warmly welcome the results of the vote by the @Europarl_EN on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. It marks a major step forward in #EU-#UK relations and opens a new era. The #EU will continue to work constructively with the #UK as an important friend and partner,” he wrote on Twitter.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also expressed satisfaction over the approval of the document.
“Great news that the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of our zero tariffs, zero quotas Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Now is the time to look forward to a new relationship with the EU and a more Global Britain,” Johnson said in Twitter.
The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020, entering a transition period that lasted until December 31 the same year to give both parties time to negotiate further arrangements and tackle several sensitive topics in bilateral relations. After months of tough talks, London and Brussels managed to reach a serviceable arrangement in the nick of time, on December 24.
In the wake of the separation, the bloc immediately imposed full border controls for goods crossing the English Channel to the continent, with the UK manufacturing and fishing industries complaining that the paperwork and the delays are costing money and potential clients.

Jerusalem, Apr 30,2021: At least 44 people were killed and 103 injured on Thursday night when a stampede broke out at a religious bonfire festival attended by tens of thousands people in northern Israel.

According to local media reports, the tragedy occurred in Mount Meron during the festival celebration on the eve of the Jewish holiday Lag BaOmer.

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews had thronged the Mount Meron tomb of 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for annual Lag Baomer commemorations that include all-night prayer, mystical songs and dance. Most of the dead were said to be from the Toldot Aharon hassidic sect, based in Jerusalem, The Jerusalem Post reported.

It was the first massive public event in Israel after the coronavirus-linked restrictions had been softened.

Magen David Adom, the emergency medical service, said injured were rushed to four hospitals in northern Israel and Jerusalem. Helicopters were also used in the rescue operation.

Army and emergency-service officials have set up a field hospital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident ‘a terrible disaster’.

Washington [US], April 29,2021: Michael Collins, the NASA astronaut”>astronaut who was the command module pilot for the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, has died at age 90 after battling cancer.
His family shared the news Wednesday after his passing on Collins’ Facebook page.
“We regret to share that our beloved father and grandfather passed away today, after a valiant battle with cancer,” the statement read.

“He spent his final days peacefully, with his family by his side. Mike always faced the challenges of life with grace and humility, and faced this, his final challenge, in the same way. We will miss him terribly. Yet we also know how lucky Mike felt to have lived the life he did. We will honour his wish for us to celebrate, not mourn, that life,” the statement added.
NASA, where Collins spent seven years of his career as an astronaut”>astronaut, mourned the passing of the Apollo 11 astronaut”>astronaut.
“We mourn the passing of Apollo 11 astronaut”>astronaut Michael Collins, who piloted humanity’s first voyage to the surface of another world. An advocate for exploration, @AstroMCollins inspired generations and his legacy propels us further into the cosmos,” NASA tweeted.
Collins was born in Italy, became an Air Force pilot, then an astronaut”>astronaut in the Gemini program, CNN reported.
He was the third American to perform a spacewalk, according to NASA. Including the Apollo 11 mission, Collins logged 266 hours in space, NASA said.

Washington [US], April 29,2021: The findings of a recent study by the University of Eastern Finland researchers suggest that loneliness among middle-aged men is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
According to the researchers, taking account of loneliness and social relationships should thus be an important part of comprehensive health care and disease prevention. The findings were published in Psychiatry Research.
“It has been estimated, on the basis of studies carried out in recent years, that loneliness could be as significant a health risk as smoking or overweight. Our findings support the idea that attention should be paid to this issue,” Project Researcher Siiri-Liisi Kraav from the University of Eastern Finland says.

The study was launched in the 1980s with 2,570 middle-aged men from eastern Finland participating. Their health and mortality have been monitored on the basis of registered data up until the present day. During the follow-up, 649 men, i.e., 25 per cent of the participants, developed cancer, and 283 men (11 per cent) died of cancer.
Loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about ten per cent. This association with the risk of cancer was observed regardless of age, socio-economic status, lifestyle, sleep quality, depression symptoms, body mass index, heart disease, and their risk factors. In addition, cancer mortality was higher in cancer patients who were unmarried, widowed, or divorced at baseline.
“Awareness of the health effects of loneliness is constantly increasing. Therefore, it is important to examine, in more detail, the mechanisms by which loneliness causes adverse health effects. This information would enable us to better alleviate loneliness and the harm caused by it, as well as to find optimal ways to target preventive measures.”

New Delhi, Apr 30,2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said all arms of the Government

are working unitedly and rapidly to deal with the Covid situation.

Reviewing the COVID-19 situation during the Council of Ministers meeting, Mr Modi urged the Ministers to stay in touch with people of their respective regions, help them and keep taking their feedback.

He stressed upon the need to ensure that issues at the local level are promptly identified and addressed.

The Council of Ministers met to discuss the situation arising out of the second wave of COVID in the country, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement here.

In the meeting, it was noted that the present pandemic crisis is ‘once in a century crisis’ and has thrown a big challenge for the world.

Government of India’s Team India approach to fight COVID, based on the collective efforts of the Centre, State Governments and people of India was highlighted, the statement said.

The Council also reviewed all the efforts made in the last 14 months by the Central and State Governments and the people of India.

The efforts by the Central Government in coordination with the states towards building up infrastructure in the form of ramping up hospital beds, PSA oxygen facilities etc, resolving issues in production, storage and transport of Oxygen, tackling matters relating to availability of essential medicines were briefed. The measures being taken to further ramp up their supply and availability were also pointed out. The support measures to the vulnerable population in the form of provision of food-grains and financial support to Jan Dhan account holders were also pointed out.

It was also noted that India could successfully produce two vaccines and there are many candidates at the various stages of approval and induction. More than 15 crore vaccinations have been done as on date.

The Council of Ministers also stressed the importance of Covid appropriate behaviour– wearing a mask, keeping physical distance of 6 feet and washing hands frequently.

The Council reiterated that the participation of society is a key aspect to accomplish the gigantic task ahead and expressed confidence that the country will rise to the occasion and defeat the virus.

The meeting, held through video conferencing, was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Ministers as well Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary. Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr V K Paul made a presentation on Management of Covid-19 pandemic.

New Delhi, Apr 30,2021: India registered 3,86,452 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic hit, taking the COVID-19 tally to 1,87,62,976, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Friday morning.

Besides, the country also saw 3498 deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 2,08,330.

It was the third consecutive day when India reported more than 3.5 lakh cases.

On Thursday, the country reported 379,257 cases and 3,645 deaths, which is the highest single-day spike in cases and deaths. On Wednesday, 3,60,960 new infections and 3,293 were recorded.

On a positive front, 2,97,540 people recovered from the virus, taking the total recoveries to 1,53,84,418.

April 26,2021: 2020 saw largest uptick in year-on-year outlay for more than a decade, even as some countries redirected funds to fight pandemic.

Global military expenditure rose by 2.6 percent to $1.98 trillion last year even as some countries reallocated their defence funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said in a report issued on Monday.

The five biggest spenders in 2020, which together accounted for 62 percent of military spending worldwide, were the United States, China, India, Russia and the United Kingdom, in that order, according to the Sweden-based body.

“We can say with some certainty that the pandemic did not have a significant impact on global military spending in 2020,” Diego Lopes da Silva, a SIPRI researcher and one of the report’s authors, said in a statement.

As global gross domestic product (GDP) declined because of the worldwide health emergency, military spending as a share of GDP reached a global average of 2.4 percent in 2020, up from 2.2 percent in 2019.

The jump represented the largest year-on-year increase since the financial crisis of 2009.

As a result of the increase, more NATO members hit the transatlantic security alliance’s guideline target of spending at least two percent of GDP on their military, with 12 countries doing so in 2020 compared with nine in 2019.

However, some countries such as Chile and South Korea redirected part of their planned military spending to their pandemic response.

Several others including Brazil and Russia spent considerably less than their initial military budgets for 2020.
US, China biggest spenders

The world’s two biggest spenders by far were the US and China, with Washington accounting for 39 percent of total global military expenditure in 2020 and Beijing for 13 percent.

US military expenditure reached an estimated $778bn last year, 4.4 percent more than in 2019.

It was the third consecutive year of growth in US military spending, coinciding with the term of office of former President Donald Trump, following seven years of prior continuous reductions.

“This reflects growing concerns over perceived threats from strategic competitors such as China and Russia, as well as the Trump administration’s drive to bolster what it saw as a depleted US military,” Alexandra Marksteiner, one of the report’s authors, said in a statement.

China’s military expenditure, the second highest in the world, was estimated to have totalled $252bn in 2020, a rise of 1.9 percent from the previous year.

Chinese military spending has now risen for 26 consecutive years, the longest series of uninterrupted increases by any country in SIPRI’s database.

YANGON: Myanmar’s junta will give “careful consideration to constructive suggestions” from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on ways to resolve violent turmoil triggered by a Feb 1 coup, the junta said.

“The suggestions would be positively considered if it … serves the interests of the country and was based on purposes and principles enshrined in ASEAN,” it said in a statement published on Tuesday (Apr 27).

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing attended an ASEAN meeting in Indonesia on the weekend at which the bloc issued a so-called five-point consensus on steps to end the violence and promote dialogue between the rival Myanmar sides.

Court proceedings against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi were postponed on Monday by the Myanmar government, as her lawyers fight for permission to visit her 12 weeks after she was detained.​​​​​​​

The country has been in turmoil since the military ousted the Nobel laureate in a Feb 1 coup, shunting the country back into military rule.

Pro-democracy activists have called for an intensification of their effort from Monday by refusing to pay electricity bills and agricultural loans, and for children to stop going to school.

An estimated 750 people have been killed by security forces, as Myanmar’s generals unleashed lethal force in the face of sustained protests.