War, a humanitarian crisis, a looming famine, a health system close to collapse and the deepening impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a “catastrophic situation” in which a woman dies in childbirth every two hours in Yemen, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
EU received only half of AstraZeneca doses it was meant to this week
AstraZeneca only delivered half of the doses it was scheduled to ship to European Union member states this week, the company said on Friday.
“We communicated to the European Commission and member states last week that one of the two batches (of vaccine) for delivery this week would need to be tested and would be delivered soon,” a spokesperson said.
“AstraZeneca remains on track to meet its delivery plans for the second quarter.”
He added that weekly deliveries generally show small fluctuations depending on a number of operational factors such as distribution or the successful completion of safe and quality tests.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told Euronews that they “remain in contact with the company to ensure timely delivery of a sufficient number of doses”.
“In this context, we have also launched a dispute resolution with the company on the basis of which we hope to reach an agreement on the outstanding issues,” they added.
The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical has been harshly criticised by European authorities for delivering about half of the doses it was contracted to in the first three months of the year. It has also already announced that that it would miss its delivery target to the bloc in the second quarter as well.
Brussels has ordered 300 millions doses of the AstraZeneca jab.
It comes just two days after the European medicines regulator (EMA) confirmed a “possible link” between the jab and a rare form of blood clot.
The watchdog reiterated its stance that the benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks but a number of member states, including Italy, France and Belgium, have limited its use to people over a certain 55.
The EMA had flagged that the reported cases of unusual blood clots were mostly observed in women under the age of 60, although it did not conclude that age and gender were clear risks factor.
In the UK, where more than half of the 38.4 million doses administered to date were from AstraZeneca, its use has been barred for people under the age of 30.
EU’s Michel says COVID-19 recovery fund is sufficient: Report
PARIS: The European Union’s COVID-19 recovery response is robust and does not fall short when compared with the United States’ US$1.9 trillion recovery plan, European Council President Charles Michel told Les Echos newspaper.
EU member states agreed last summer on a €750 billion (US$892.2 billion) recovery fund, but with governments still submitting detailed spending plans, frustration is growing in some capitals at the slow speed of disbursing the money.
Some leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have also questioned whether further stimulus is needed after a second and now a third wave of coronavirus infections swept the continent, prompting further lockdowns.
READ: French COVID-19 intensive care cases and deaths keep rising
“I know perfectly well that some judge (the fund) to be insufficient, making a comparison with the US recovery plan. It’s not an opinion that I share,” Michel was quoted as saying in an interview published by the French newspaper on Saturday (Apr 10).
Michel, who chairs European Union summits, said there had been emergency spending by individual members states since the health crisis began and that Europe‘s social welfare benefits were more generous than those in the United States.
“They have allowed us to better absorb the shock and will also contribute to the recovery,” he said. “When you put all these elements together, my conviction is that the European plan is very robust.”
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Sofagate: Turkey blames EU for row and denies snubbing von der Leyen
Turkey has rejected accusations it snubbed one of the European Union’s most powerful executives European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen because of her gender.
Organisers behind the meeting at the Turkish presidential palace insisted that the European Union’s own protocol requests were applied during a meeting at the Turkish presidential palace.
The incident has sparked accusations of gender discrimination, with criticism for both the Turkish hosts and Mr Michel’s decision to sit down while his colleague remained standing.
READ MORE: Article 16: Ursula von der Leyen regrets triggering over Covid vaccines
Dutch Euro MP Sophie in ‘t Veld complained it was a deliberate slight by the Turks that “puts into question the equal treatment” of Mrs von der Leyen.
Ms von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks on Turkey-EU relations on Tuesday. The guests were led into a large room for discussions with Mr Erdogan, but only two chairs had been set out in front of the EU and Turkish flags for the three leaders.
In what is now being dubbed ‘Sofa-gate’ she was left to sit on the sofa away from her male counterparts, but made her feelings known with an audible “Ahem”.
Following criticism and accusations of gender discrimination Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey had come under “extremely unfair” criticism over the visit and alleged slight shown to Ms von der Leyen.
“Turkey is a deep-rooted state and this is not the first time it has hosted a visitor,” Mr Cavusoglu said. “The protocol applied during its (international) meetings is in line with international protocol rules as well as the world-renowned Turkish hospitality traditions.”
“The protocol that was applied during the narrow-scope meeting that was held at our president’s office met the requests of the EU side.
“Such a seating arrangement was made in line with the suggestions of the EU side. Period,” he said.
The European Commission said at the time that Mrs von der Leyen expected the institution she represented to be treated with appropriate protocol and that she had asked her team to ensure it never happened again.
EU Commission chief spokesman Eric Mamer said on the matter: “She decided to proceed nevertheless, prioritising substance over protocol, but nevertheless let me stress the president expects the institution she represents to be treated with the required protocol”
READ MORE: Article 16 Northern Ireland: EU ends threat to override NI Brexit deal in bid to control vaccine exports
Mr Michel said he was “saddened by any suggestion that I may have been indifferent to the protocol misstep with respect to Ursula”.
MEPs are urging European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to answer questions over the issue.
Iratxe García, the leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group has asked for plenary debate with von der Leyen and Michel to “clarify what happened and how to respect the European institutions”
She branded Turkey’s decision to leave the Istanbul convention “shameful” also condemning the “micromachismo and rudeness” of both Mr Erdogan and Charles Michel.
She tweeted: “EU-Turkey relations are crucial, but #EU unity and respect for human rights, including women’s rights, are also key.”
Turkey’s recently pulled out of the Istanbul convention on violence against women
‘Can’t Sleep Well at Night’: EU’s Michel Tormented by ‘Sofagate’ Embarrassment
European Council President Charles Michel still cannot get over the inopportune “sofa incident” in Ankara and it haunts him even in his sleep.
Reliving this awkward episode, that saw Ursula von der Leyen left without a seat, Michel confessed in an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt that he would have acted differently, if only he could turn back time.
“I make no secret of the fact that I haven’t slept well at night since because the scenes keep replaying in my head”, Michel told the paper.
The European Council president, alongside his colleague Ursula von der Leyen and Turkish President Erdogan, met in Ankara on Tuesday.
©
Photo : European Union/screenshot
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Council President Charles Michel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
The talks were marred by an unfortunate chair arranagement – there were only two seats, which were promptly occupied by Michel and Erdogan, leaving von der Leyen with no other option than to take a seat on a sofa further away from the two men.
The incident was quickly nicknamed “sofagate” by social media users.
BASIC nations oppose EU’s carbon tax plan
(This story originally appeared in 
on Apr 10, 2021)
on Apr 10, 2021)At a time when the European Union is toying with the idea of ‘carbon border tax’ as part of its green push, the BASIC nations — Brazil, South Africa, India and China — have jointly opposed the move, saying such trade barrier would not only be discriminatory but also against the principles of equity under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The BASIC nations expressed concerns over the issue while discussing climate actions during the two-day ministerial meeting which concluded on Thursday. India was the host of the 30th BASIC ministerial meeting, chaired by environment minister Prakash Javadekar.
“Ministers expressed concerns regarding the proposal for introducing trade barriers, such as unilateral carbon border adjustment, that are discriminatory and against the principles of equity and CBDR-RC (common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities),” said the joint statement of the BASIC nations.
The EU is mulling a ‘carbon border tax’ (carbon border adjustment) on imports in order to force emerging economies to adopt cleaner (non-fossil fuel-based) practices to manufacture goods. Several reports suggest that the Union, representing 27 nations, would come out with its formal proposal in June with a clear roadmap to discuss the issue ahead of the 26th session of the UN climate conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow (UK) in November.
The Group’s joint stand against the proposed carbon trade tax assumes significance ahead of the upcoming leaders’ summit on climate on April 22-23 where 40 world leaders, including from EU nations, UK, India, China and Australia, may express their views on such trade barriers. The US, host of the summit, is expected to clear its stand on the issue at the forum.
It is believed by policy-makers in emerging economies that the ‘carbon border adjustment’ concept is being discussed in the garb of pushing developing countries to ‘net-zero’ (emission minus removal of carbon amounts to zero) goals on the basis of untested and expensive technologies for carbon removal.
Besides the controversial issue of carbon trade tax, the BASIC nations also raised the issue of climate finance noting that “finance is the key enabler of enhanced ambitions and climate action, particularly at a time when developing countries are facing multiple developmental challenges and the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
The meeting also expressed concern over the rich nations’ failure to fulfil their pre-2020 promises under the Kyoto Protocol whose Doha amendment, incidentally, entered into force just a day before it was due to expire.
“Commitments made by developed countries in the pre-2020 period must be honoured even as we have moved into the post-2020 era. The substantial gaps in mitigation, adaptation and support provided by developed countries to developing countries in the pre-2020 period must be counterbalanced by ambitious climate change action by developed countries in the post-2020 period,” said the joint statement.
The ministers also urged rich nations to revisit their targets on mitigation under the UN Convention (UNFCCC) and Kyoto Protocol, and fulfil their commitments of providing support to developing countries.
Northern Ireland: Tensions continue on anniversary of Peace Agreement – Vatican News
By Lydia O’Kane
On April 10, 1998, the signing of the Good Friday Agreement ushered in a new era of peaceful co-existence in Northern Ireland after thirty years of violence known as “the Troubles.”
The buildings at Stormont became a familiar location to many over that period as the British and Irish governments and eight political parties worked to formulate the Accord.
Landmark Agreement
The Agreement was unanimously approved by voters on the island of Ireland in two referendums just a month after it’s signing, and paved the way for Northern Ireland’s current devolved system of government.
It also led to the creation of a number of institutions between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Wave of violence
The Good Friday or Belfast Agreement remains an important milestone in Northern Ireland’s history, but the violence that has unfolded in Belfast and elsewhere over the past 12 days has laid bare, once again, the fragile nature of peace.
Northern Ireland’s darkest days claimed over 3,500 lives, but over the last twenty-three years, young people here have been fortunate enough to grow up against a backdrop of peace, thanks to this landmark Accord.
Youth dimension
However, over recent nights on the streets of this city, it is teenagers, some as young as thirteen, that have been involved in the unrest.
Bishop Donal McKeown lived through thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland; now the Bishop of Derry, he says he feels both sadness and compassion, pointing out that it is always the poorer areas that suffer. But he also asks the question about who’s benefiting from these people rioting on the streets. “There are always others who are happy for this to be going on,” he says, “who never get their hands dirty… by using young people of 12 and 14 and 16 to scream and shout so that the London government or the Dublin government get a message.”
“There will be peace in places”, he adds, “if the powerful and the strong want there to be peace.”
Another question that needs to be asked, the Bishop says, is “how we as civic leaders and as Church leaders help those communities to get up on their feet and be able to deal with the problems that they face in a way that enables their young people to look forward to the future rather than just be dragged back to the past.”
Elements of the Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement was based on three “strands” which were deemed essential to the future of Northern Ireland. The first was the internal strand which focused on local parties working together; another was the North-South strand which involved the role of the Irish Government. The third element was the East-West strand between the British and Irish Governments.
Dwelling on these three key areas of the Accord, Bishop McKeown says it’s up to politicians at the Stormont parliament to show a good example and be a model of good relations. He also points out that there’s a real feeling, especially in Loyalist and working class areas, that the British East-West dimension has “forgotten about Northern Ireland; has forgotten about those who were told to vote for Brexit and now feel betrayed by it.”
The Bishop is also keen to stress that unless a real interest in Northern Ireland is shown by politicians who encompass all these strands, “there’s no sense asking 16 year olds on the ground to be models of good behaviour.”
Society and its impact
Addressing the scenes of young people rioting on the streets of Belfast in recent days, Bishop McKeown expresses extreme concern, but he also highlights that often times what they are seeing through films, computer games and political discourses is all about “smashing the awful enemy and about venting your rage.”
“If that is the mindset that is really put before so many young people,” he stresses, “why on earth wouldn’t we think that’s the way to act in real life on the ground?” Therefore, he adds, “part of our job as Churches is to challenge the powerful here rather than just condemning the little ones and the poor, who have been led astray, of course, but who have been given very bad role models of how to solve problems.”
Memories of the “the Troubles”
For many people in Northern Ireland, the memories of attacks and killings are still vivid, and having experienced relative peace over the last 20 years, the majority here don’t want to go back to the days of bullets and bombs. Bishop McKeown acknowledges that this current unrest will bring back very painful memories of thirty years of violence, brutality and loss. “It’s the poor, the workings class areas and the unemployment areas who always suffer the most in terms of (A) loss of life and (B) doing time in jail,” he says.
With that in mind, the Bishop emphasizes that from a Church perspective, awkward prophetic questions need to be asked, “to ensure that it’s not yet again the poorer areas that are further disadvantaged.”
As tensions remain, Church leaders on Friday responded to the recent violence by holding an ecumenical service and walking close to the interface between the Springfield Road and Shankill Road; scenes of days of disturbances. In doing so, they were sending a strong signal that love is much stronger than hate.
EU proposes six-month tariff freeze with United States: Report
Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
BERLIN – The European Union has suggested that it and the United States suspend tariffs imposed on billions of dollars of imports for six months, EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis was quoted as telling Germany’s Der Spiegel on Saturday.
That would go beyond a four-month suspension agreed last month, and send a signal that Brussels is seeking compromise in a 16-year-old dispute over aircraft subsidies.
“We have proposed suspending all mutual tariffs for six months in order to reach a negotiated solution,” Dombrovskis told the news magazine.
The European Union has suggested that it and the United States suspend tariffs imposed on billions of dollars of imports for six months. (REUTERS/Yves Herman) ( )
CONGRESS URGES TAI TO PUT WHISKEY TARIFFS ON THE ROCKS
“This would create a necessary breathing space for industries and workers on both sides of the Atlantic,” he added.
In March, the two sides agreed on a four-month suspension covering all U.S. tariffs on $7.5 billion of EU imports and all EU duties on $4 billion of U.S. products, which resulted from long-running World Trade Organization cases over subsidies for planemakers Airbus and Boeing.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA | THE BOEING CO. | 252.16 | -2.43 | -0.95% |
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Dombrovskis also said the EU would closely monitor U.S. President Joe Biden’s “Buy American” laws which provide for U.S. public contracts to be awarded exclusively to American firms.
“Our goal is to push for procurement markets that are as open as possible all over the world,” he told Der Spiegel.
Religion events in the San Fernando Valley area, April 10-17
Here is a sampling of indoor, outdoor and online religious services in the San Fernando Valley area.
Temple Beth Hillel services: Havdalah online, 7 p.m. April 10 (click on the Facebook link here: bit.ly/3d0JP2l). A Shabbat service, 7 p.m. April 16 (bit.ly/3dMT1pU). The Reform Jewish temple is in Valley Village. 818-763-9148. tbhla.org
Stop Your Whining!: The Rev. Rob Denton delivers the message from a new sermon series “Attitude Adjustment,” based on Ephesians 5:18-20, Hebrews 13:15, Numbers 13-14 and Psalm 107:8, 9 a.m. (on the lawn) and 10:30 a.m. (indoors and online) on April 11. West Valley Christian Church, 22450 Sherman Way, West Hills. 818-884-6480. www.wvcch.org; www.facebook.com/westvalley.christianchurch
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church: Traditional service, 9 a.m., and a contemporary service, 11:30 a.m. (also live stream on Facebook) on April 11. 8520 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka. 818-341-3460. Facebook: bit.ly/2FhJvy1. www.our-redeemer.org
Services with the Rev. Chuck Bunnell at Prince of Peace Lutheran, St. Andrews Lutheran and on YouTube: In-person services: 9 a.m. at Prince of Peace (9440 Balboa Blvd., Northridge), and also at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran (15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys) on April 11. Video worship on YouTube here: bit.ly/3cotBQ6. For more information or for prayer request, 818-782-5953.
What Do You See? – Part Two: Pastor Timothy Jenks delivers the message, based on readings from John 20:19-31, 9:30 a.m. April 11. Sermons available on the church’s Facebook (bit.ly/33bLo8k) or here www.cplchurch.org/worship-videos-2. Canoga Park Lutheran Church, 7357 Jordan Ave. 818-348-5714. www.cplchurch.org
Second Sunday in Easter with St. Luke Lutheran Church: The Rev. Janet Hansted delivers the message, 9:30 a.m. April 11. Watch on Facebook here: bit.ly/3lJkVX4 or the Zoom link from the website. The church is in Woodland Hills. Voice mail, 818-346-3070. Email: [email protected]. www.stlukelutheran.com
Do You Love Me?: The Rev. Joseph Choi explains the message, based on John 21:1-10 and 15-17, 10 a.m. (in English) and 11:30 a.m. (in Korean) on April 11. Watch here: youtube.com/numcvideo. The church’s April newsletter: bit.ly/2PMXuAU. 818-886-1555. Facebook: www.facebook.com/northridgeumc. www.northridgeumc.org
B Free Ministry: Guest speaker the Rev. Megan More delivers the Sunday message, 10 a.m. April 11. Find the Zoom link on the website. 616-796-5598. billfreeman.org
Prince of Peace Episcopal Church: The congregation joins the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles’ Second Sunday in Easter service online, 10 a.m. April 11. Join the service on YouTube here: bit.ly/3tcimQZ. Readings for this service: Acts 4:32-35 and John 3:14-21. Also, find Sunday bulletins and links to online services here: www.popwh.org/happenings.html. The church is in Woodland Hills. 818-346-6968. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles: diocesela.org and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LADiocese. www.popwh.org
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Sunday Masses are live streamed, 10 a.m. (in English) and noon (Spanish) from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels: lacatholics.org/mass-for-the-homebound. The daily Masses are live streamed from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, 8 a.m. (in English). For local parishes that live stream Mass: lacatholics.org/parish-livestreams. Facebook: www.facebook.com/lacatholics. For more information: lacatholics.org
Woodland Hills Community Church (United Church of Christ): The Rev. Craig Peterson delivers the message online, 10 a.m. April 11. Piano prelude, 9:45 a.m. Watch the service from the church’s Facebook here: www.facebook.com/whccucc. Voice mail, 818-346-0820. Email: [email protected]. www.woodlandhillscommunitychurch.org
Come on People!: The Rev. Beth Bingham delivers the message, based on Acts 4″32-35 and Psalm 133, at 10:30 a.m. April 11. Also, “10@10,” a devotional and prayer with either the Rev. Beth Bingham or associate minister the Rev. Curtis Peek, 10 a.m. Monday-Friday on the church’s Facebook. Congregational Church of the Chimes is in Sherman Oaks. Watch the service here: www.facebook.com/churchofchimes. Email: [email protected]. churchofthechimes.org
Shifting Currents: The Rev. Stephen Rambo delivers the Easter Sunday message, 10:30 a.m. April 11 (click to watch here: bit.ly/3uBsDX9). Center for Spiritual Living-Simi Valley. 805-527-0870. www.facebook.com/cslsimi; www.cslsimi.org
The Winds of Change: The Rev. Michael McMorrow explains the message, based on the center’s April theme “Stepping into the Unknown,” 10:30 a.m. April 11 (bit.ly/3rITRJi). In addition, McMorrow gives a “Mid-Day Reset,” at noon Monday-Friday on the center’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/csl.granadahills). Center for Spiritual Living-Granada Hills. 818-363-8136. Click on the link to watch the service here: www.youtube.com/user/CSLGranadaHills. https://www.cslgh.org
I Am Inspired and Creative: Matt Toronto gives his thoughts on the center’s April theme, 11 a.m. April 11. The theme is based on Isaiah 43:19. Watch the service on Zoom here: bit.ly/39Y0TTv and use ID: 3148040257. Unity Burbank – Center for Spiritual Awareness’s Facebook here: www.facebook.com/unityburbank. Sign up for the center’s “Words of Light” newsletter here: unityburbank.org
Shabbat with Shomrei Torah Synagogue: Israeli Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6-7:15 p.m. April 16 and a traditional Shabbat morning service, 10 a.m.-noon April 17 (www.stsonline.org/calendar). The Conservative Jewish congregation is in West Hills. Voice mail, 818-854-7650. www.stsonline.org
Shabbat with Temple Ramat Zion: Evening service, 6 p.m. April 16, and the morning service, 9 a.m. April 17. The Conservative Jewish congregation is in Northridge. Voice mail, 818-360-1881. Watch on the YouTube link from the website. www.trz.org
Shabbat with Temple Judea: Use the Facebook link to watch the service, 6:15 p.m. April 16. The Reform Jewish congregation is in Tarzana. 818-758-3800. Email: [email protected]. The temple’s Facebook: bit.ly/3fEI0G5. templejudea.com
Shabbat with Temple Beth Emet: Rabbi Mark H. Sobel leads the service, 7 p.m. April 16. The temple’s April “Chai Times” newsletter: bit.ly/39P3m3O. The temple is in Burbank. 818-843-4787. Click on the YouTube link to watch the service: bit.ly/3rpeWcI. 818-843-4787. www.templebethemet.com
Send information at least two weeks ahead. [email protected]. 818-713-3708.
EU’s Michel says he’s sleeping badly after sofa gaffe in Turkey (V)
European Council President Charles Michel is suffering from bad nights due to his embarrassment over a seating arrangement incident at a meeting in Ankara this week, he told German newspaper Handelsblatt.
Ursula Von der Leyen, the first female president of the European Commission, expressed surprise and raised a hand in disbelief when she found Michel had taken the only chair available next to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the talks.
In the episode, caught on camera, she ended up being relegated to a sofa, further away.
“I make no secret of the fact that I haven’t slept well at night since because the scenes keep replaying in my head,” Michel told Handelsblatt, adding if it were possible he would go back and fix it.
“Uhm …”
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, stood stunned. As President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Charles Michel, president of the European Council, sat in their gilded seats for a photo op, there was no chair for her. https://t.co/NaUlY8G7gF pic.twitter.com/RZ3ir7K3KF
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 7, 2021
