OTTAWA (AFP) – Britain and Canada announced on Thursday the launch of bilateral free trade negotiations, as London looks to firm up trade access since formally leaving the European Union (EU) last year.
“I am thrilled to announce that Canada and the United Kingdom are officially launching negotiations towards a new free trade agreement,” Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng told a joint news conference in Ottawa with her British counterpart Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
Negotiations, Ng said, are expected to take two years. London has so far signed agreements with non-EU European countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), but also more distant countries such as Japan and more recently Australia and New Zealand.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has recognised Lailatul Zubaidah binti Haji Mohd Hussain, representing Brunei Darussalam, as the 216th Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her voluntary service of providing a community platform for families with children with special educational needs.
Lailatul Zubaidah received the Queen’s Commonwealth Points of Light certificate from British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam John Virgoe during a high tea reception hosted at his residence recently to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).
The event, hosted outdoors and in line with the Brunei Government’s COVID-19 guidelines, was joined by guests that included inspiring women in Brunei who are game changers in their fields.
The event also saw guests sharing their experiences and discussing the IWD’s theme, #BreakTheBias.
“It was a happy coincidence that Brunei’s next Commonwealth Points of Light was announced a day before IWD, providing a perfect opportunity to celebrate both the Commonwealth Points of Light award and IWD,” said the British high commissioner.
Meanwhile, Deputy High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Catherine Pochkhanavala-Cleeve said, “The United Kingdom (UK) has a strong reputation in standing up for women’s rights around the world. On IWD this year, we celebrate the work we have done to champion gender equality. It is also an opportunity to identify areas to work on.”
Catherine shared that the UK will be publishing a new strategy called the ‘3 Es’, setting their ambition to ‘educate girls, empower women and end violence’. The Points of Light is a prestigious honour awarded to outstanding volunteers – individuals who are making positive changes in their community.
Lailatul Zubaidah binti Haji Mohd Hussain posing with her award. PHOTO: BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
BEIRUT (AP) – Iran’s foreign minister claimed on Thursday that his country is ready to reach a lasting agreement with world powers, blaming the latest failure to revive Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal on an allegedly “unrealistic vision” by the United States (US).
Speaking during a visit to Beirut, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian urged the US to stop “wasting time.”
Nuclear negotiations nearly reached completion on the deal earlier this month before Russia demanded that its trade with Iran be exempted from Western sanctions over Ukraine, throwing the process into disarray. Negotiators have yet to reconvene in the Austrian capital, and its unclear exactly what hurdles lie ahead.
Amir-Abdollahian discussed a range of issues with Lebanese officials, including the tiny Mediterranean country’s parliamentary elections due in May, Russia’s war in Ukraine and the latest developments on efforts to resurrect the nuclear deal.
“We believe that if there is a realistic American vision in dealing with the situation, we will very soon see the birth of this nuclear deal,” he said. Asked about the main obstacles, he said “some matters are still pending and they are related to lifting the unjust sanctions” imposed on Iran.
“We believe that the United States should move on the right track instead of wasting time,” he said, without elaborating. “We are ready to reach a strong, good and lasting agreement as long it does not cross the Islamic Republic of Iran’s red lines.”
Iran enjoys wide influence in Lebanon. Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Lebanon on Thursday from neighbouring Syria, where he met with Syrian President Bashar Assad and other top officials.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. PHOTO: AP
PALERMO, SICILY (AP) – European champion Italy will miss the World Cup. Again.
The unthinkable happened in Palermo on Thursday as the Azzurri were beaten 1-0 by North Macedonia following a last-gasp goal by Aleksandar Trajkovski in their playoff semifinal.
Italy had 32 shots on goal, compared to just four for its opponent.
But it was Trajkovski’s effort from outside the area as defenders closed in around him that made the difference.
It was North Macedonia’s only real opportunity after a completely dominant performance by Italy, which missed a number of chances and had several others saved by visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
But, just like five years ago, at the final whistle the Italy players fell to the ground in disbelief and disappointment – with several of them in tears – as the opposition celebrated wildly.
Italy also failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing to Sweden in a two-legged playoff the previous November. Missing two straight World Cups is an unprecedented low point for the four-time champion, especially just months after winning Euro 2020.
“I’m proud of my teammates, we are all destroyed and broken but we have to start again,” Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini said. “At the moment it’s difficult to talk about it, it will remain a great hole.
“I hope that the coach will stay because he is essential for this team. Now we have to return to winning, go to the Euros and in four years time return.”
But Roberto Mancini, who took over as Italy coach after the last qualifying failure, said on Thursday that the disappointment “was too great to talk about the future”.
North Macedonia players celebrate as Italy players reacts after their team’s elimination. PHOTO: APItaly’s manager Roberto Mancini leaves the pitch. PHOTO: AP
Mancini was missing a number of players that helped Italy win the European Championship last summer and had to field a makeshift defence, but it was barely troubled by North Macedonia until the very end.
Italy got off to an aggressive start but struggled to find a way past the wall of red shirts.
The Azzurri were gifted a great chance in the 30th minute after a horrendous kick from the North Macedonia goalkeeper left Domenico Berardi with an open goal but he scuffed his shot and Dimitrievski got back in time to make the save.
Dimitrievski did better moments later when he fingertipped Ciro Immobile’s angled shot over the bar. Italy was getting closer and Dimitrievski had to make another save, this time to palm Lorenzo Insigne’s effort around the post.
North Macedonia had its first attempt on goal on the stroke of halftime when Enis Bardi threaded a ball through for Trajkovski but his effort was straight at Giangluigi Donnarumma.
Italy was laying siege to the goal but saw everything charged down by North Macedonia.
And it was made to pay for its profligacy in stoppage time as Trajkovski fired a low shot into the bottom left corner from 25 yards, leaving Mancini looking stunned.
LONDON (AP) – The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday it was recommending that an antibody medication developed by AstraZeneca be authorised to help some vulnerable people avoid getting sick with the coronavirus.
EMA said in a statement that it was advising the use of the new drug, sold as Evusheld, in people age 12 and over before they were exposed to COVID-19 to prevent future infections.
It is now up to the European Union’s (EU) executive arm, the European Commission, to officially authorise the drug. EMA said the drug’s side effects were mostly mild, with some people reporting reactions at the injection point.
The agency noted that research was done before the emergence of the hugely infectious Omicron variant and said that it was evaluating data to determine if a different dose might be needed.
Although antibody drugs have been a standard treatment for treating COVID-19 infections for more than a year, AstraZeneca’s is the first intended for long-term prevention against COVID-19 infection rather than as a short-term treatment.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam Dato’ Raja Reza bin Raja Zaib Shah urged Malaysian entrepreneurs in the Sultanate to be more involved in the agriculture sector, where there is still much potential to grow.
He said this during an official visit to IAM Food, an agritech farm in Tungku Agricultural Development Area on Thursday, where he and his spouse were welcomed by farm Directors Ellin Chong and her husband Lau Han Chong.
The Malaysian high commissioner said, “Agriculture is one of the important growing economic activities in the Sultanate. During the recent Legislative Council (LegCo) session, a BND96.13-million budget was approved for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MRPT), in which 32 per cent will be allocated for the development projects to boost Brunei’s food security.”
He said farmers and entrepreneurs must continue to explore innovative ways to modernise their farming and production methods to embrace new technology, including the application of the Internet of Things (IoT). “This is essential especially during the pandemic, as Brunei is also facing the challenges of sourcing foreign workers.“
Prior to a tour, farm Director Ellin briefed on IAM Food. “This month marks the company’s first anniversary,” Ellin said, adding that Phase 1 costs around BND3 million.
Ellin expressed hope to inspire other entrepreneurs to the farm, “by showing the country what we are capable of and how we do it”.
IAM Food earned a vote of confidence from the MPRT, being given another two plots of land – 2.2 hectares and 5.5 hectares – to expand its production. Working closely with the MPRT through the Agriculture and Agrifood Department, IAM Food explores new ways to make agriculture more sustainable and help the sector achieve its production goals.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam Dato’ Raja Reza bin Raja Zaib Shah and his spouse receiving a memento from the IAM Food directors. PHOTO: IAM FOOD
CNA/THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY – Small changes in your eating habits can lower your risk for many diseases associated with ageing. The good news is it’s never too late to get started. Here are five tips to keep in mind.
AVOID PROCESSED MEAT
A number of studies have found associations between eating a lot of processed meats and poor health. A Harvard review found that eating one serving a day of processed meats, like bacon, sausage and deli meats, was associated with a 42 per cent higher risk of heart disease and 19 per cent increased risk of diabetes.
EAT BLUE (AND OTHER COLOURS)
One study found that eating the equivalent of a cup of blueberries a day lowered blood pressure. Most of us can’t eat a daily cup of blueberries, but the lesson is to add darkly coloured fruits and vegetables – blueberries, cherries, spinach and kale – to your diet. They are loaded with nutrients, fiber and carotenoids.
PASS ON PACKAGED FOODS
How do you know if a food is processed? One good indicator is if it comes in a package that has to be ripped open.
Think chips, granola bars, junk food, fast food, frozen pizza, etc. There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule. Some whole, unprocessed foods that are good for you come in packages by necessity. Think nuts, eggs, olive oil and milk to name a few.
REMEMBER THE ONE-INGREDIENT RULE
If a packaged food contains only one ingredient (ground turkey, for instance) it’s probably a reasonable choice.
SKIP THE SUPPLEMENTS
Study after study has seemed to debunk the benefit of taking supplements. The best advice: Save the money you would spend on them and invest in a new pair of walking shoes, a gym membership or a delicious and healthy meal with your family. All of those are likely to do more for your health than a supplement.
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (AP) – Celso Borges scored in first-half stoppage time and Costa Rica kept Canada from wrapping up its first World Cup berth in 36 years on Thursday night with a 1-0 victory in CONCACAF qualifying.
Canada needs a win or a draw tomorrow when it hosts Jamaica to book a spot in Qatar, while Costa Rica moved into fourth place in the CONCACAF standings with two matches remaining.
Canada played with 10 men after Mark-Anthony Kaye was sent off with a red card in the 34th minute.
With Panama’s 1-1 draw with last-place Honduras earlier on Thursday, Canada needed a win or a draw at Costa Rica’s National Stadium in San Jose to secure a berth. Canada also could have clinched with a Mexico win over the United States (US), but that game ended in a scoreless draw onThursday night.
The loss snapped a six-game Canada winning streak in qualifying.
“It’s a tough loss tonight – we would have loved to put this team in Qatar,” Canada coach John Herdman said.
Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan eyes the ball as Costa Rica’s Celso Borges scores. PHOTO: AP
“We’ll save it for when we get back to our hometown and our own country. We could have stayed until two o’clock in the morning and that goal was not going to wilt.”
Canada still sits atop the North and Central America and the Caribbean qualifying standings with 25 points, ahead of the US and Mexico with 22 points apiece. The US has the edge on goal difference. Costa Rica has 19 points.
The top three CONCACAF finishers secure World Cup berths. The fourth-place team will face a team from Oceania in an intercontinental playoff.
“These players have character and a lot of desire to represent the country, we beat the best team in CONCACAF,” Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suárez said.
Borges scored on a header in the box two minutes into first-half stoppage time to give Costa Rica the lead. Despite dominating possession, Canada could not break through in the second half.
Los Ticos were undefeated in four straight qualifying matches and have not conceded
a goal. Canada has been playing without Alphonso Davies, who missed the previous three qualifying matches because myocarditis was discovered after he caught COVID-19 in January.
PARIS (AFP) – French anti-terror prosecutors have opened a preliminary inquiry into torture and acts of barbarism allegedly committed by Emirati General Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, who in November became president of Interpol, judicial sources said on Thursday.
The probe follows a legal complaint by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which accused Raisi of being responsible for the torture of an opposition figure in his role as high-ranking official at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Interior Ministry.
The Gulf Centre for Human rights (GCHR), holding Raisi responsible for inhumane treatment of Ahmed Mansoor, an opponent of the Emirati government, lodged its complaint in January with the anti-terror prosecutors unit whose brief includes handling crimes against humanity.
Allegations of torture had already been levelled at Raisi by human rights organisations when he ran for president of Interpol saying they feared the agency would be at risk of exploitation by repressive regimes.
He was nevertheless voted in as president last November following generous funding from the UAE for the Lyon, France-based body.
Emirati General Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi is under investigation by French prosecutors. PHOTO: AFP
There were also accusations that Abu Dhabi had abused Interpol’s system of so-called “red notices” for wanted suspects to persecute political dissidents.
The probe against Raisi is being handled by the prosecution unit for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes, the sources said.
High-profile lawyer acting for the GCHR William Bourdon said it was “totally incomprehensible” that the prosecutors had not immediately ordered Raisi’s arrest which, he said, “they should have done given that he is in France”.
The accusations were a sufficient motive to lift Raisa’s diplomatic immunity which he enjoys thanks to an agreement between the French state and Interpol, Bourdon said.
The judicial sources did not give the investigation’s exact start date but Bourdon said that his client, GCHR boss Khalid Ibrahim, had been interviewed by French police on March 18.
Two previous complaints against Raisi had been rejected on competency grounds by French prosecutors who said they could not prosecute unless the accused resided in France permanently or temporarily.
But in its latest filing, the NGO was able to show that Raisi was in Lyon in January and again in March, using his activity on Twitter as evidence.
Raisi was elected following three rounds of voting during which he received 68.9 per cent of votes cast by Interpol member countries.
His four-year role at Interpol is largely ceremonial, with Secretary General Juergen Stock handling day-to-day management of the organisation.
PRISTINA, KOSOVO (AP) – Hundreds of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo protested yesterday to pressure the government into allowing them to vote in neighbouring Serbia’s April 3 general election.
Demonstrators gathered in Mitrovica, 45 kilometres north of Pristina, with banners reading ‘We want our human rights’ and ‘Kurti won’t drive us away from Kosovo’, and marched to a bridge that divides the city. Most of Kosovo’s ethnic Serb population lives north of Mitrovica, close to Serbia’s border.
Hundreds of people also protested in Gracanica, a commune located 10 kilometres from Kosovo’s capital where ethnic Serbs residents are concentrated.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said Kosovo and Serbia need to have a preliminary agreement on holding the election to permit the voting. In a letter to the European Union (EU) office in Pristina, Kurti wrote that “Serbia’s illegal structures are trying to hold an election in our territory as if our government did not exist”, the Kosovapress news agency reported.
In previous Serbian elections, ethnic Serbs in Kosovo voted there under monitoring by international observers. That did not happen when Serbia held a referendum earlier this year.
The United States, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom expressed “concern at the risk of escalation or violence” yesterday and urged demonstrators to protest peacefully.
They also called on Kosovo and Serbia “to act with restraint and refrain from any rhetoric or action that could increase tensions”.
Kosovo Serbs protesting in Mitrovica, Kosovo. PHOTO: AP
