Timeframe: 11th June – 18th June 2021
Contributors:
Sabyasachi Karmaker, Musarrat Sarwar Chowdhury, Farhan Uddin Ahmed, and Mahin Abrar Rahman.
1. Economics & Business
US and Europe end Airbus-Boeing dispute as they eye threat from China
The United States and the European Union have settled a long-running trade battle over Airbus and Boeing subsidies, a move that could boost transatlantic relations as both sides try to confront China’s growing economic power. The two sides agreed to suspend tariffs imposed as part of the trade battle for a period of five years.
Source: Financial Times
2. Politics
A Deeply Divided Israel Greets New Coalition Government
Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12 consecutive years in power ended after a momentous vote during a chaotic and heated parliament session Sunday night that declared Naftali Bennett Israel’s new prime minister. The Knesset opted for an unwieldy eight-party coalition, backed by a tight 60-59 majority, with one member of an Arab party abstaining. The new alliance is both unlikely and fragile, spanning the political spectrum and including both far-right and far-left parties, as well as, for the first time, an Arab party.
Source: Foreign Policy
3. Significant Corona Update
Australia limits use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to people over 60
Australia will recommend only people over 60 receive AstraZeneca’s. COVID-19 vaccine, the country’s Minister for Health Greg Hunt said on Thursday, following a spate of blood clots in those who have received the inoculation. Australia has administered 3.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and it has been linked to 60 cases of blood clots, the government has said. So far, two people have died, which Hunt said has driven the policy shift.
Source: Reuters
4. Science & Technology
Senators introduce $40 billion bill to close the digital divide
Three senators plan to introduce legislation Tuesday that would spend $40 billion to make broadband Internet more affordable and accessible under one of the largest bipartisan proposals to address the digital divide.
Source: The Washington Post
5. RMG/ Agriculture
Agriculture-specific visa established for UK and Australian workers
A new agriculture-specific visa will be established between Australia and the United Kingdom, allowing people to work on farms in either country. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the visa in London, after providing details of the in-principle free trade agreement between the two nations. “In Australia it means that we will be moving forward with an agriculture visa, that is something I’ve had a positive view on for some time, we look forward to that occurring,” Mr Morrison said.
Source: ABC News
6. Social and Education
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed challenge to Obamacare
Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican bid backed by former President Donald Trump’s administration to invalidate Obamacare, preserving the landmark healthcare law for the third time since its 2010 enactment. The 7-2 ruling declared that Texas and other challengers had no legal standing to file their lawsuit seeking to nullify a law, formally called the Affordable Care Act, that has enabled millions of Americans to obtain medical coverage either through public programs or private insurers. The decision was authored by liberal Justice Stephen Breyer.
Source: Reuters
7. Environment
G7 to agree tough measures on burning coal to tackle climate change
The G7 group will promise to move away from coal plants, unless they have the technology to capture carbon emissions. It comes as Sir David Attenborough warned that humans could be “on the verge of destabilizing the entire planet”. The coal announcement came from the White House, which stated that it was the first time that the leaders of wealthy nations had agreed to keep the projected global temperature rise to 1.5C.
Source: Reuters
8. Expert Opinion
Boom or bust? The Covid-19 crisis emphasizes wider fertility challenges-Michaela Grimm
While the Covid-19 pandemic amplified existing demographic trends in high-income countries and caused further declines in the number of newborns, the United Nations Population Fund estimates that as many as 1.4 million unplanned pregnancies have occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Boom or bust?- argues Allianz’s Michaela Grimm
Source: FA News
Disclaimer: The information provided here is obtained solely from the third parties mentioned above. Youth Policy Forum (YPF) is not responsible for any misinformation or misrepresentation.