“We have an agreement in principle with European Commissioner [for Competition] Margrethe Vestager on new financial support for Air France,” the minister told the RTL broadcaster.
Le Maire added the Air France-KLM Board of Directors would meet on Monday to discuss the amount of the financial aid tranche and approve the bailout deal.
According to the minister, in exchange for financial assistance, the European Commission has been asking the airline to give up 24 take-off and landing slots at Paris Orly Airport.
“My position has been the same from the very beginning; I believe that there are too many [slots asked to be given up] and that there is no sense in supporting Air France and at the same time boosting competition by requesting 24 slots in Orly,” the minister said, adding that Air France would give up some slots, but not 24.
The Air France-KLM Group, a merger of French and Dutch airlines, has reported a 7.1 billion euro ($8.3 billion) loss last year as a result of the pandemic impact. The company received 7 billion euros from the French government, which owns a 14 percent stake in it, and 3.4 billion euros from the Netherlands in state assistance to deal with the post-coronavirus shocks.
The European Union is referring Poland to … to judicial independence and the EU legal order.”
The European … in the infraction procedure,” EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said … director of Amnesty International’s EU office.
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Scislowska reported …
The tapestry is one of a series which is among the most precious in the Vatican Museums collection, the one called “New School” or “The Life of Christ”. It was created in Brussels in the Workshop of Pieter Van Aelst between 1524 and 1531, following designs from the students of Raphael. The New School was probably created to be displayed during the papal consistories during the Christmas and Easter Seasons. The tapestry—which is one of the largest housed in the Pontifical Galleries—employs an optical illusion to make it seem that the eyes of Christ and the sepulcher stone follow the observer from right to left.
“Christ, the Lord, is truly risen. We too, Brothers and Children, will also arise! May the voice tremble which proclaims similar superlative prophecies! May faith not tremble, if with a pure and sincere heart we have ‘done Easter’, that is, if we have been nourished on the Body and Blood of Christ, which He has offered us in the Eucharist, for those who have eaten of it, He proclaims: ‘I will raise up on the last day.’ The Resurrection of Christ is herein reflected: today in hope, tomorrow in a metaphorical reality.”
(Pope St. Paul VI – Urbi et Orbi – 18 April 1976)
Under the direction of Paolo Ondarza #BeautyThatUnites Instagram: @vaticanmuseums @VaticanNews Facebook: @vaticannews
Brussels [Belgium], April 4 (ANI): China has rejected the statement from the European Union (EU) which accused Beijing of pressuring BBC correspondent and other foreign journalists, claiming that the remarks were not in accord with facts.
Beijing has dismissed any attack and slandering of China by fabricating fake news and disinformation in the name of freedom of speech and the press.
In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called upon China to abide by its obligations under national and international law and ensure the freedom of speech and press.
This comes as tensions between the western countries and China escalated since last month after the EU, along with the US, the UK and Canada, imposed travel and financial sanctions on officials accused of abuses in Xinjiang in China’s northwest.
BBC correspondent John Sudworth, who was based in China for nine years, had left Beijing for Taiwan along with his wife, Yvonne Murray, a reporter for the Irish public broadcaster RTE, and their three children.
Both Sudworth and Murray have said they will continue to cover China from Taipei.
In response to these allegations, the Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU said on Saturday that BBC’s China correspondent John Sudworth and his family have worked and lived in China for 9 years. There is no pressure or threat against them, Chinese state media, Global Times reported citing the Chinese mission.
“China has and will continue providing assistance to foreign correspondents for their reporting in China. Yet we firmly reject ideological prejudice against China, we firmly reject any conduct that breaches press work ethics and morality, and we firmly reject any attack and slandering of China by fabricating fake news and disinformation in the name of freedom of speech and the press,” stressed the spokesperson.
According to The New York Times, the correspondent Sudworth said on Wednesday that he made the decision after being subjected to intensifying propaganda campaign targeting him and the BBC.
He also cited legal threats as well as the increasing difficulty of doing independent reporting in China without obstruction or harassment.
“This is the latest case of foreign correspondents being driven out of China as a result of continuous harassment and obstruction to their work, coming on top of the expulsion of at least 18 correspondents last year,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The departures of Sudworth and Murray are part of a larger recent exodus of foreign journalists from China.
Last year, the Chinese government expelled around 15 correspondents for American news organisations, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.
According to The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC), 2020 saw the largest expulsion of foreign journalists since the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
At least 18 journalists were forced to leave, hurried out and their visas were cancelled over national security concerns. A US media correspondent was reported having to “take three COVID tests over five days” as she attempted to report from Xinjiang, where Chinese state media has routinely claimed the Muslim-minority Uighurs are prospering, not being detained.
The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) of China had barred the broadcasting of BBC World News on the mainland last month, claiming that it has done a “slew of falsified” reporting on issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang based on interviews of victims surviving “re-education camps.” (ANI)
In an interview with Ariana News, Arnout Pauwels Deputy Head of the European Union called on Ashraf Ghani to make concerted efforts to advance the peace process, and make sure Afghanistan’s interests are put first.
“President on the other hand also has to take into account what is alive in the country, what are the political forces, the political streams. So based on his sound political judgment he has to take the best step forward in the interest of his county and his people. So the voice of the president is extremely important,” Ariana News quoted Pauwels.
Pauwels also stressed on women’s participation in the negotiations will bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He also indicated that immediate change of power will never bring stability to Afghanistan, Ariana news quoted Pauwels saying, “We do not advocate any kind of quick change of power, it is not about power it is what you can bring to the country over a long term. So a power grab by one side or the other will not lead to stability”.
The EU Deputy Head also condemned the string of targeted killings and asked the Afghan government to bring the culprits to justice, he said: “the targeted killing is totally against all values I think of humanity. It is an extremely counter-productive move by their side. That should absolutely and totally stop immediately”.
Meanwhile, Human rights watch in the matter of Targeted killings accused the Taliban of being involved in the attacks on journalists, and especially female media workers in Afghanistan, and despite the efforts for peace violence has escalated.
Human Rights Watch claimed that “the Taliban commanders and fighters have engaged in a pattern of threats, intimidation, and violence against members of the media in areas where the Taliban have significant influence, as well as in Kabul.”
According to the watchdog journalism and freedom of media and speech are under the direct threat of extremism.
As the violence gets intensified in Afghanistan, the Acting Defense Minister Gen. Yasin Zia, and the head of the National Directorate of Security, Ahmad Zia Saraj indicated that the Taliban are still being facilitated through Pakistan and the entire world knows of their sanctuaries in Pakistan.
According to Gen.Yasin Zia, In trilateral meetings Taliban elders including Bajwa (Pakistan’s army chief) and Head of ISI have many times said they have ties with the Taliban.
Zia added the Taliban claims to have bases in Afghanistan is because they want to decrease the international pressures on Pakistan.
Taliban militants have always used civilians as human shields for their atrocities, Zia indicated.
Pakistan gives treatment to the wounded Taliban, the country is the main funding source of the group and the militants even have massive operating and training bases, Zia added.
Taliban claims of their camps inside Afghanistan is a deceptive move to mislead the international community and reduce pressure on Pakistan, Saraj explained.
Saraj hinted that the Taliban are planning to reshuffle their bases in the future because Pakistan is being criticized in every meeting because of the presence of the Taliban and their leaders there.
The NDS chief also said that the Taliban are behind the targeted killings in Afghanistan, he added the Afghan government cannot draw lines between the terrorist groups as they appear in many shapes such as Daesh, Taliban, and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, but the main actor behind them are Taliban.
Saraj concluded that the Taliban does not want peace, they are currently busy harvesting poppies to prepare for battle.
The Khaama Press News Agency is the leading and largest English news service for Afghanistan with over 3 million hits a month.
Independent authors/columnists and experts are welcome to contribute stories, opinions and editorials. Send stories to [email protected]
A new study finds Americans are losing faith in religion. While nearly eight out of ten Americans called themselves Christians in 2007, fewer do today. Dean Reynolds reports.
President Joseph Biden on Friday revoked a Trump-era executive order issued after the ICC announced it was investigating alleged war crimes committed by all sides in the conflict in Afghanistan, including the US.
Executive Order 13928 of 11 June 2020 imposed economic sanctions against ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and the Head of the Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division, Phakiso Mochochoko. A separate 2019 policy regarding visa restrictions on certain court staff was also terminated.
“These decisions reflect our assessment that the measures adopted were inappropriate and ineffective”, US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken said in a statement.
In welcoming the decision, the Secretary-General noted that the ICC “plays an important role in advancing accountability for international crimes”, his Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement on Saturday.
Ready to re-engage
The Court, which is based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, prosecutes the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
It was established in July 1998 under a treaty known as the Rome Statute, which more than 120 countries have signed. The US is not a party to the treaty.
The ICC also issued a statement on Saturday welcoming the developments from Washington.
“The Court is mindful that the United States has traditionally made important contributions to the cause of international criminal justice,” the statement said.
“The Court stands ready to reengage with the US in the continuation of that tradition based on mutual respect and constructive engagement.”
Whilst there’s a lot that lockdown has prevented us from doing, reading is certainly not on that list. If you’re looking for something new to read, this book launch might be just what you need. The online book launch of Very Much Alive: Stories of Resilience features author readings and musical performances to be enjoyed all from the comfort of your favourite reading spot.
10 April. Free (book can be purchased with your ticket). Online event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/very-much-alive-book-launch-tickets-141610736525?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
Blake Bailey on Philip Roth with Matthew Klam
Appointed by Philip Roth himself and granted complete access to his personal archive, Blake Bailey has spent years interviewing Roth’s friends, colleagues and Roth himself. With numerous awards under his belt – including an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters as well as the National Book Critics Circle Award, alongside being shortlisted for the Pulitzer – it’s clear why Roth trusted Bailey to tell his story. If you’re interested in learning more about the life and work of Philip Roth, join this online event from Politics and Prose.
8 April. Free (book can be purchased with your ticket). Online event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pp-live-blake-bailey-philip-roth-with-matthew-klam-tickets-146667292821?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
Holding Court with Alison Weir and Lucy Jago
For historical book fans, join Alison Weir and Lucy Jago as they talk about their novels. Jago’s A Net for Small Fishes has been described as one of the most gripping novels of the last year and is based on a true story. Alison Weir is the biggest-selling female historian in the UK and her series Six Tudor Queens earned her a spot on the Sunday Times-bestseller list.
8 April. Tickets from £5 (books can be purchased with your ticket at a discounted price). Online event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holding-court-with-alison-weir-and-lucy-jago-tickets-147834082721?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1
The British Library: A Virtual Walk through the World’s Collective Memory
For everyone who misses getting to the library, this walk through of the British Library might fill the bookshelf shaped hole. Standing strong as the principal copyright library means it receives a copy of everything that’s published in both the UK and Ireland. What’s more, the library also serves as a museum, with some of the world’s most high-profile written documents on display including Shakespeare’s first folio and Jane Austen’s handwritten manuscripts. Alongside the tour, there will be a special guest to answer any burning questions.
6 April. Tickets form £10. Online event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-british-library-a-virtual-walk-through-the-worlds-collective-memory-tickets-145675325821?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1
Taking Stock: The Societal Impact of the 2020 Election
In the lead up to the release of the new book A Return to Normalcy: The 2020 Election That (Almost) Broke America, panelists for this event will be examining what 2020 taught us about the people who run for office in a highly polarised American and how such deep divisions might impact on the future. Panelists include Alan Abramowitz, a professor of Political Science at Emory University; David Byler, data analyst and political columnist for The Washington Post and Madelaine Pisani, a senate campaigns reporter for the National Journal.
If any of the events from the week have got you inspired to try writing yourself, this talk from New York Times besseller Marti Leimbach is just what you need. Leimbach will share her thoughts on the literary habits you need as a writer, the art of writing fiction, as well as giving an insight into the life of a successful writer.
10 April. Tickets from £5. Online event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-fiction-writing-with-marti-leimbach-tickets-148199425471?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1
Virtual Tour – A Room of Ones Own: Virginia Woolf in London
Virginia Woolf had a home in London for almost all of her life, and this tour explores all the places Woolf called home in the city. In particular, the tour will take you to her four Bloomsbury homes, hearing about some of the books she wrote whilst living in Bloomsbury.
9 April. Tickets from £6. Online event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-tour-a-room-of-ones-own-virginia-woolf-in-london-tickets-140263705519?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1
Veracruz was the place where Cortés first arrived when he led his men to conquer Mexico. Now, it remains a tourist destination thanks to its many colonial-era buildings and pre-Colombian ruins.
One of the most important colonial buildings in Veracruz is the Church of Our Lady of La Asunción, a hotspot for locals and tourists alike.
“It is a historical church on both a cultural and a religious level. Popular belief is that the temple was made on the command of Hernán Cortés, who arrived on the Holy Friday of 1519 to build the cross,” said Ricardo Cañas Montalvo, director of the Museum of the City of Veracruz.
Veracruz Cathedral is also considered one of the most beautiful churches in the state and gathers hundreds of people each week to celebrate mass. Moreover, the Virgin of La Asunción has been celebrated in the cathedral since the beginning of the 18th century.
It is located at the left of the Municipal Palace, on Mario Molina Street. It has five different areas, with the central one being the largest. It is a dome nearly 118 feet (36 meters) high. On the outside, it has tiles brought from Puebla and is mainly built out of marine coral and quarry stones.
“The material — the architectural backbone of the building, so to speak — is completely made out of coral. The church has a rich background, not only on the religious side, as it also where the pirate Lorencillo locked up the inhabitants of the city to loot the city,” said Cañas Montalvo.
Veracruz Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin of La Asunción. (Christian Valera Rebolledo / Café Words)
It did not start as a cathedral, as it was a small parish. However, due to the influx of parishioners, Manuel Gutiérrez Zamora, the governor of Veracruz at the time, ordered several expansions to take place, taking care to respect the neoclassical style of the original building.
“The cathedral started as a small construction made out of wood and palm. However, it was burned to the ground and consumed by a fire caused by the church’s lit candles. The church was recreated and expanded to the building we now know it to be in 1731,” said the historian.
The Church is an important sacred place for Mexicans. There are crystal chandeliers from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The side chapels are dedicated to Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Saint Charbel, the Holy Trinity, and Saint Joseph.
“There are many important holy regions in church,” said Ricardo Cañas. “There are historical images of the Virgin of La Merced. It also has a Chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, which was restored some years ago and looks pristine.”
Veracruzans take pride of their cathedral. (Christian Valera Rebolledo / Café Words)
Its main altar has sculptures of baroque ornamentation and a second floor for the church’s choir. Some of the most recommended days to visit the church are in December and Easter, when the choir voices harmonize and complete the parishioners’ religious picture.
Without a doubt, it is a place full of history.
“Another interesting tidbit of information is that the cathedral was the place where the first photograph in Mexico was taken,” said Cañas Montalvo.
Since 2009, the Cathedral has been part of a “rescue plan” organized by the group Rescatamos Catedral A.C. It is a group of experts that seeks to keep the construction clean and tidy, let its history be known, and let the Veracruz population attend various events. The group is headed by Tere Malpica de Estandía and chief architect Flavio Salamanca Güemes.
In 2018, then-speaker for the diocese Father Víctor Manuel Díaz Mendoza reported that the restoration project was going smoothly and as expected, according to the diocese’s official website.
“After the high temperatures ended, with all the cold winds brought by the low temperatures, the humidity rises. It is needed to give the diocese correct treatment so that every possible stain disappears,” said Díaz Mendoza. “We also have to give maintenance to the mechanical equipment, the musical instruments, air conditioning units, and cameras.”
(Translated and edited by Mario Alberto Vázquez; edited by Kristen Butler)
KARACHI: China has allowed a Pakistani firm to export meat to one of the world’s biggest markets after lifting quarantine restrictions, although the neighbouring country expressed concern over hurdles in bilateral economic relationship, it was learnt on Friday.
The Organic Meat Company received an approval from Chinese customs authorities for export of heat treated meat to China.
“The company has pioneered the heat treatment process whereby foot and mouth disease virus can be removed from beef meat,” the company said in a filing with the bourse. “This process will enable us to access more markets for value-added meat products.” China is one of the world’s largest beef consumers and that imports half a million tons annually to reduce gap in demand and supply.
Chinese authorities had imposed quarantine restrictions on Pakistan’s meat which has the world’s lowest price. Pakistan exports beef to Vietnam in bulk and from there it enters into China without any restrictions, according to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Nasser Hyatt Maggo.
Maggo lamented the bilateral trade figures are not reflecting the narrative of close friendship. There are multiple hidden tariff barriers imposed on trade with Pakistan.
“We don’t have direct relations with importers in China,” he said during a meeting with Chinese Consul General in Karachi Li Bijian and Economic and Commercial Counselor Guo Chunshui.
“China should give Pakistan its due share in Chinese imports to let Pakistani businessmen take benefits by exports to China.”
Javed Ilyas, chairman of Pak-China Business Council said bilateral trade was $18 billion in 2019 after signing of second phase of free trade agreement. Of this, Chinese exports were $16 billion while imports from Pakistan were only $1.9 billion as Pakistani businessmen faced barriers from China.
Amjad Rafi, former president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Pakistani basmati rice is best in the world and in much demanded in Europe. Indian Basmati was banned in the European Union and Pakistan exported $2 billion basmati last year, but Chinese authorities imposed quota on basmati rice.
“If Pakistani exporters are allowed free dealing in China the trade ratio could be enhanced many times,” Rafi said.
The participants discussed the matter of mutual interests and the state of affairs in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Bijian said there are various hurdles in business relations between Pakistan and China. He expressed concerns over safety and security situation for Chinese businessmen and workforce in Pakistan. He also complained about inconsistent economic policies of the government.
Lack of basic infrastructure is also harming trade and industrial relations, he said. Unskilled labours are damaging the business environment. “We spend our money, effort and time in training the labour but after some time they change their loyalties.”
The envoy said Gwadar government has not built any power plant. China is establishing its own electricity sources, which would take time. Karachi is the largest port city “that suits us.”
