Tag: Washington

Investors favour India over other EMs, expect 11% rise in S&P 500 in 2024: Ed Yardeni

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Ed Yardeni, President at Yardeni Research, highlighted India’s robust economy, youthful workforce, and substantial growth potential, especially in infrastructure development, in a conversation with CNBC-TV18.

He noted that India’s positive trajectory is drawing investors’ attention away from China, where concerns over a property bubble burst and an aging population have dampened economic prospects. This shift has led to a comparative rise in India’s markets and a decline in China’s, underscoring India’s emerging prominence in global portfolios.

Yardeni also shared his bullish outlook for the S&P 500, predicting it to reach 5400 by the end of the year and 6000 in the following year. His confidence in a sustained bull market since October 2022 reflects a strong belief in the resilience and growth potential of the US stock market.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming US presidential elections, which involves the ‘same old horses in the same old race’, and their potential impact on the market, Yardeni believes that fundamental economic factors are more crucial than political ones.

He noted that the US economy and stock market have been performing well, driven mainly by the corporate and business sectors, despite the political environment.

Also Read | Red Sea crisis: Expert warns of diplomatic challenges for India’s West Asian policy

Yardeni does not foresee a significant drop in the US interest rates given the robustness of the economy. He doesn’t anticipate a recession.

For more details, watch the accompanying video

Catch all the latest updates from the stock market here

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

New York, Washington flights delayed by weather and failing equipment

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Thunderstorms and failing equipment at an FAA facility created significant delays for air travelers across the US East Coast on Sunday evening as Washington and New York were forced to briefly halt most incoming flights.

As the evening progressed, flights resumed from the Washington area after repairs to communications were completed, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

But delays continued for several New York airports after thunderstorms had earlier forced ground stops.

The FAA had cited thunderstorms for ground stops at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta airport, Philadelphia airport, Newark’s Liberty airport and New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports.

“The facility has switched to a backup system,” the FAA said in a statement that explained the Washington-area delays.

FlightAware, a flight tracking website, said 39 percent of departing flights from Newark Liberty and 47% of flights leaving LaGuardia airports were delayed.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

PM Modi meets tech CEOs as Washington visit concludes

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US and Indian technology CEOs in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit marked by pledges of deeper US-India cooperation on areas including space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2 -1/2 hours of talks that their countries’ economic relationship was “booming.” Trade has more than doubled over the past decade.

Biden and Modi gathered with CEO’s including Apple’s Tim Cook, Google’s Sundar Pichai and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella.

Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, the White House said.

“Our partnership between India and the United States will go a long way, in my view, to define what the 21st century looks like,” Biden told the group, adding that technological cooperation would be a big part of that partnership.

Observing that there were a variety of tech companies represented at the meeting from startups to well established firms, Modi said: “Both of them are working together to create a new world.”

Modi, who has appealed to global companies to “Make in India,” will also address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, are expected to be among the 1,200 participants.

Modi, who touted “a new chapter” in the countries’ “strategic partnership” at the White House on Thursday, is seeking to position India, the world’s most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse.

Also Read:At the US Congress, Indian Prime Minister Modi recited poem that he ‘once wrote’ | WATCH

RANGE OF BUSINESS AGREEMENTS SIGNED

Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China, and deals announced this week included several investments from U.S.-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics.

The White House also announced plans to cooperate on quantum computing, scientific research and technological innovation, alongside plans to manufacture weapons in India.

Some political analysts question India’s willingness to stand up to Beijing over Taiwan and other issues, however. Washington has also been frustrated by India’s close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine.

Addressing the US Congress on Thursday, Modi repeated his statement that “this is not an era of war” and called for “dialogue and diplomacy” to end the conflict.

Modi will continue talks with top US officials during a lunch at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

On Friday evening, Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom have turned out at events during the visit to enthusiastically fete him, at times chanting “Modi! Modi! Modi!” despite protests from others.

Activists have called for the Biden administration to publicly call out what they describe as a deteriorating human rights situation in India under Modi, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims.

Biden said he had a “straightforward” discussion with Modi about issues including human rights, but US officials emphasize that it is vital for Washington’s national security and economic prosperity to engage with a rising India.

Asked during a rare press conference on Thursday what he would do to improve the rights of minorities including Muslims, Modi insisted “there is no scope for any discrimination” in his government.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

At least 6 killed, dozens injured in weekend shootings across US

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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At least six people including a Pennsylvania state trooper were killed and dozens injured in a string of weekend violence and mass shootings across the U.S.

The shootings in suburban Chicago, Washington state, Pennsylvania, St. Louis, Southern California and Baltimore follow a surge in homicides and other violence over the past several years that experts say accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic.

“There’s no question there’s been a spike in violence,” said Daniel Nagin, a professor of public policy and statistics at Carnegie Mellon University. “Some of these cases seem to be just disputes, often among adolescents, and those disputes are played out with firearms, not with fists.”

Researchers disagree over the cause of the increase. Theories include the possibility that violence is driven by the prevalence of guns in America, or by less aggressive police tactics or a decline in prosecutions for misdemeanour weapon offences, Nagin said.

As of Sunday evening, none of the weekend events fit the definition of a mass killing, because fewer than four people died at each location. However, the number of injured in most cases matches the widely accepted definition of mass shootings.

Here’s a look at the shootings this weekend:

Willowbrook, Illinois

At least 23 people were shot, one fatally, early Sunday in a suburban Chicago parking lot where hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate Juneteenth, authorities said.

The DuPage County sheriff’s office described a “peaceful gathering” that suddenly turned violent as a number of people fired multiple shots into the crowd in Willowbrook, Illinois, about 20 miles southwest of Chicago.

A motive for the attack wasn’t immediately known. Sheriff’s spokesman Robert Carroll said authorities were interviewing “persons of interest” in the shooting, the Daily Herald reported.

ALSO READ | The US has seen nearly 1.5 mass shootings per day this year — a look at America’s gun fixation

A witness, Markeshia Avery, said the celebration was meant to mark Juneteenth, Monday’s federal holiday commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

“We just started hearing shooting, so we dropped down until they stopped,” Avery told WLS-TV.

Washington State

Two people were killed and two others were injured when a shooter began firing “randomly” into a crowd at a Washington state campground where people stayed to attend a nearby music festival on Saturday night, police said.

The suspect was shot in a confrontation with law enforcement officers and taken into custody, several hundred yards from the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival.

A public alert advised people of an active shooter in the area and advised them to “run, hide or fight.”

The festival carried on until early Sunday morning, Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman said. Organizers then posted a tweet saying Sunday’s concert was canceled.

Central Pennsylvania

One state trooper was killed and a second critically wounded just hours apart in central Pennsylvania on Saturday after a gunman attacked a state police barracks.

The suspect drove his truck into the parking lot of the Lewistown barracks about 11 a.m. Saturday and opened fire with a large-calibre rifle on marked patrol cars before fleeing, authorities said Sunday.

ALSO READ | US Senate passes landmark gun violence bill to curb mass shootings

Lt. James Wagner, 45, was shot and critically wounded after encountering the suspect several miles away in Mifflintown. Later, Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr., 29, was ambushed and killed by a gunshot through the windshield of his patrol car as he drove down a road in nearby Walker Township, authorities said.

The suspect was shot and killed after a fierce gunbattle, said Lt. Col. George Bivens, who went up in a helicopter to coordinate the search for the 38-year-old suspect.

“What I witnessed … was one of the most intense, unbelievable gunfights I have ever witnessed,” Bivens said, lauding troopers for launching an aggressive search despite the fact that they were facing a weapon that “would defeat any of the body armour that they had available to them.”

A motive was not immediately known.

St. Louis

An early Sunday shooting in a downtown St. Louis office building killed a 17-year-old and wounded nine other teenagers, the city’s police commissioner said.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Commissioner Robert Tracy identified the victim who was killed as 17-year-old Makao Moore. A spokesman said a minor who had a handgun was in police custody as a person of interest.

Teenagers were having a party in an office space when the shooting broke out around 1 a.m. Sunday.

The victims ranged from 15 to 19 years old and had injuries including multiple gunshot wounds. A 17-year-old girl was trampled as she fled, seriously injuring her spine, Tracy said.

Shell casings from AR-style rifles and other firearms were scattered on the ground.

Southern California

A shooting at a pool party at a Southern California home left eight people wounded, authorities said Saturday.

KABC-TV reported authorities were dispatched shortly after midnight in Carson, California, south of Los Angeles.

ALSO READ | Mass shootings in US in 2022: Over 200 incidents reported in just 5 months

The victims range in age from 16 to 24, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. They were taken to hospitals, and two were listed in critical condition, the statement said.

Authorities said they found another 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound when they responded to a call about a vehicle that crashed into a wall nearby.

Baltimore

Six people were injured in a Friday night shooting in Baltimore. All were expected to survive.

Officers heard gunshots in the north of the city just before 9 p.m. and found three men with numerous gunshot wounds. Medics took them to area hospitals for treatment.

Police later learned of three additional victims who walked into area hospitals with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

The wounded ranged in age from 17 to 26, Baltimore Police Department spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Russian accuses Washington of encouraging Ukraine in its attacks

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Washington is encouraging Kyiv by publicly ignoring the drone attack that struck several districts of Moscow on Tuesday, Russia’s envoy to the United States said on Wednesday, after President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for the strikes.

The White House said it did not support attacks inside of Russia and that it was still gathering information on the incident, which Putin called an attempt to scare and provoke Moscow.

“What are these attempts to hide behind the phrase that they are ‘gathering information’?” Anatoly Antonov, the ambassador, said in remarks published on the Telegram messaging channel.

“This is an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists.”

Also read: India has helped keep the price cap on Russian oil, says US Ambassador ahead of PM Modi’s visit to the US

Putin on Tuesday cast the assault, which brought the 15-month war in Ukraine to the heart of Russia, as a terrorist act. Ukraine also accuses Russia of terrorism for its bombing of Ukrainian civilians, allegations Moscow denies.

A Ukrainian presidential aide denied Kyiv was directly involved in the drone attack on Moscow, but said Ukraine was enjoying watching events and forecast more to come.

The attack on Moscow, which injured two, came after Russia launched three air assaults within a day on Kyiv and 17 in May so far, killing two this month, sowing destruction and fear.

Russia has long accused what it calls the “collective West” of staging a proxy war against Moscow by supporting Ukraine with military and financial aid.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, devastating cities, forcing millions of people to flee their homes and costing thousands of lives.

Moscow calls the war a “special military operation” to “denazify” Ukraine and protect Russian speakers. Kyiv and its allies say it is an unprovoked land grab.

Also read: US accuses China of risky encounter over the South China Sea

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

These are the top destinations to experience cherry blossoms in the world

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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There’s something magical about cherry blossoms — their delicate petals dancing in the breeze, painting the world in soft hues of pink and white. While we often associate cherry blossoms with Japan, there are enchanting destinations across the globe where you can witness this awe-inspiring spectacle. Get ready to embark on a journey of blooming beauty as we unveil the best places abroad to experience the mesmerizing cherry blossom season.

Kyoto, Japan: Temples and Gardens Awash in Blossoms

Step into a fairy-tale setting as you explore Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heartland. During cherry blossom season, this ancient city bursts into life, with its iconic temples and meticulously manicured gardens adorned in vibrant cherry blossoms. Take a stroll through Maruyama Park or visit the renowned Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to witness nature’s masterpiece in full bloom.

Washington, DC, US: The Tidal Basin’s Floral Symphony

Every spring, Washington, D.C. is transformed into a dreamy wonderland as the cherry blossoms blanket the Tidal Basin in a breathtaking display. Walk along the waterfront, where thousands of cherry trees gift the city with a captivating carpet of pink and white petals. Capture the beauty of this natural spectacle against the backdrop of iconic landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial.

Also read: Cherry blossom season in India: The best places to visit for a magical experience

Seoul, South Korea: Streets Alive with Blossoms

Seoul, the vibrant capital of South Korea, comes alive during cherry blossom season. From parks and palaces to bustling streets, the city is adorned in a sea of delicate blossoms. Explore Yeouido Park, Han River Park, or the tranquil Changdeokgung Palace to witness Seoul’s transformation into a breathtaking floral paradise.

Paris, France: A Romantic Haven Blooming with Charm

In the city of love, cherry blossoms add an extra touch of magic. Paris, with its elegant boulevards and hidden gardens, embraces the cherry blossom season with grace and allure. Visit Parc de Sceaux or stroll along the Seine River to witness the delicate petals create a whimsical atmosphere, turning this romantic city into an even more enchanting destination.

These are just a few of the captivating cherry blossom destinations abroad, where nature unveils its stunning floral symphony. Immerse yourself in the beauty of cherry blossoms and let their ephemeral charm create unforgettable memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Also read: These 8 beaches in India that glow at night

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

China has warned US officials not to interfere in its relationship with India: Pentagon

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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China has warned American officials not to interfere in its relationship with India, the Pentagon has said in a report to the Congress.

Throughout its standoff with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasising Beijing’s intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of its bilateral relationship with India, the Pentagon said in a report on Tuesday.

“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned US officials to not interfere with the PRC’s relationship with India,” the Pentagon said in its latest report to the Congress on Chinese military buildup.

In a section on the China-India border, the Pentagon said throughout 2021, the PLA sustained the deployment of forces and continued infrastructure build up along the LAC. Negotiation made minimal progress as both sides resist losing perceived advantages on the border, it said.

ALSO READ | China has built a 100-home village in Arunachal Pradesh: US defence report

Beginning in May 2020, Chinese and Indian forces faced off in clashes with rocks, batons, and clubs wrapped in barbed wire at multiple locations along the LAC. The resulting standoff triggered the buildup of forces on both sides of the border. “Each country demanded the withdrawal of the other’s forces and a return to pre-standoff conditions, but neither China nor India agreed on those conditions,” it said.

“The PRC blamed the standoff on Indian infrastructure construction, which it perceived as encroaching on PRC territory, while India accused China of launching aggressive incursions into India’s territory,” it added.

ALSO READ | China COVID protest: Xi Jinping can’t blame the protesters — the world will be watching

Since the 2020 clash, the PLA has maintained continuous force presence and continued infrastructure build up along the LAC.

The 2020 Galwan Valley incident was the deadliest clash between the two nations in the past 46 years, the report said. On the June 15th, 2020, patrols violently clashed in Galwan Valley resulting in the death approximately twenty Indian soldiers and four PLA soldiers, according to PRC officials, it said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Washington’s ‘joints for jabs’ vaccine program falling flat

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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It was designed as an innovative way to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, but Washington’s new ‘joints for jabs’ program is off to a rough start. Officials announced Monday that the state’s nearly 500 licensed marijuana retailers could begin hosting vaccine clinics and offering a single, free pre-rolled marijuana cigarette to any 21-plus adult who received a shot there.

It’s one of many vaccine incentives being offered in Washington, including free pints of beer, sports tickets, and prize money to lure those who have been hesitant or just lazy. Washington and Colorado in 2012 were the first states to legalize the adult use of marijuana, with regulated sales beginning in 2014. The industry brought Washington close to USD 474 million in taxes in the last fiscal year.

But few things are simple in an industry that’s illegal under federal law, and the hurdles to offering the free joints are substantial enough that few of the state’s legal pot shops are saying they will participate, even if they would like to do so.

Retailers told the state Liquor and Cannabis Board during a meeting Wednesday that many don’t have the space to host a vaccine clinic. Some health care providers are queasy about setting up a clinic on the site of a marijuana business because they don’t want to jeopardize federal funding by being involved in the distribution of an illegal drug. And the program is set to expire July 12 too soon for them to offer a second shot to customers who might show up for a first shot in mid-to-late June.

The retailers also ruefully noted that the Liquor and Cannabis Board allowed breweries, wineries, and bars to offer a free drink to customers who merely showed proof of vaccination no onsite clinic required.

We’re hearing from retailers that they want to be a part of this, said Aaron Pickus, a spokesman for the Washington CannaBusiness Association, an industry group. Why can’t we do this like the wineries and breweries did it?

Board chair David Postman told them it was a member of the business group who late last month suggested the program, which he and Gov. Jay Inslee’s office thought was a great idea.

While a marijuana retailer in Arizona offered free vaccines along with complimentary joints or edibles early this month, no other state appears to have similar joints for jabs program. We are out ahead on this,” Postman said.

The requirement that the pot shops hold onsite vaccination clinics was partly motivated by the fact that people aren’t allowed to consume cannabis at licensed retailers, unlike alcohol at a brewery or winery, he said suggesting that people who showed their vaccine cards at multiple pot shops could wind up with a lot of free joints that might be given to youngsters.

He also said that the board gave the marijuana stores an advantage it didn’t give to alcohol purveyors: a tax break on the product they give away.

I guess I just beg for a little understanding, Postman said. If it is not the right thing, then that’ll be too bad, because I think we all need to get as many people vaccinated as possible.

Daniela Bernhard, the co-owner of Uncle Ikes cannabis store in Seattle, told the board the industry is excited to be included in efforts to boost vaccination but disappointed that our legal and heavily regulated sector continues to be treated differently than our peer sectors in Washington.

If we are trusting adults driving with their vaccination cards to get a pint of beer and then responsibly get to their next destination, we can also trust that adults will pick up a joint and enjoy it later in a legal setting, Bernhard said.

Bernhard said Uncle Ike’s effort to host a vaccine clinic had been rejected by two health care providers, though she declined to identify them.

Another health care provider, the Spokane Regional Health District, had not yet been approached by any licensed marijuana shops about setting up a vaccine clinic but it had an answer ready. We would not be able to provide vaccine because of concerns about federal funding, said spokeswoman Kelli Hawkins.

Follow our LIVE COVID-19 blog for the latest           

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

‘Joint for jab’ in Washington for those getting COVID-19 vaccine

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Washington has just added weed to its list of incentives on offer to encourage people to get vaccinated. Yes, you read that right.

The offer, dubbed “Joints for Jabs”, will continue until July 12.

In a bid to boost vaccination coverage, the state has approved the distribution of free cannabis joints to everyone getting a jab.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board said in a statement it was temporarily allowing state-licensed cannabis retailers to provide joints to consumers above the age of 21 who received vaccine doses at in-store vaccination clinics. This allowance, optional for licensees, is effective immediately and will expire on July 12, 2021.

Also read: Ocugen pays $15 mn upfront to Bharat Biotech for Covaxin rights in Canada

As per the allowance, participating cannabis retailers are allowed to provide only one pre-rolled complimentary joint to a customer who gets vaccinated. They are also allowed to advertise during the rollout of this plan.

58 percent population has been given at least one dose in Washington, while 49 percent have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, says the New York Times database.

Earlier, Washington had allowed businesses with liquor licenses to offer one free drink to customers with proof of vaccination for COVID-19. This offer is on till the end of this month.

Also read: How much money private hospitals will make from COVID-19 vaccine doses?

Something similar is happening in Arizona as well. Mint Cannabis Dispensary, under its initiative “Snax for Vaxx”, is giving out free pre-rolled joints and edible cannabis gummy to everyone above the age of 21 who got vaccinated at their clinics.

Liquor giant Anheuser-Busch has partnered with the Joe Biden administration to give every American a free beer if 70 percent of Americans are vaccinated with at least one shot by the Fourth of July, Fortune reported.

The BBC had earlier reported that dating sites Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble have partnered with the US Govt to encourage vaccination. Users who get jabbed will get a “vaccination badge” along with access to exclusive premium content.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccination worries? Here are some tips

CNN reported that these datings are offering similar services in the UK as well, in collaboration with the government.

On Tinder, users will be allowed to add a pro-vaccination sticker to their profile and will receive a free “Super Like” for doing so. Hinge will give users a free “Rose” to give to potential matches, while Bumble will give non-paying customers discounts on premium features, said the report.

Hong Kong, too, is trying hard to encourage people to get vaccinated. The South China Morning Post reported that some of the fresh incentives include lotteries for shopping coupons worth HK$20 million, a HK$5 million cash grant, free insurance policies, new flats, private flights, gold bars and also a Tesla car.

Also read: Centre’s new COVID-19 vaccination plan expected to cost Rs 50,000 crore

Some states in India along with state-owned banks have introduced exclusive fixed deposit schemes for individuals who have been inoculated, the DNA reported.

The UCO Bank is offering a 0.3 percent higher interest rate on fixed deposits of 999 days, valid for individuals who have taken at least their first jab. The scheme is valid till September 30.

The Central Bank of India announced the ‘Immune India Deposit Scheme’ which gives an extra interest rate of 0.25 percent above the applicable rate for those who have taken their first shot of vaccine. Senior citizens will get an additional 0.25 percent, giving them a total bonus of 0.5 percent.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

EXPLAINER: Why is North Korea skipping the Tokyo Olympics?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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North Korea, citing the coronavirus, has become the world’s first country to drop out of the Tokyo Olympics. It’s true that the North is extremely sensitive about COVID-19, knowing that a widespread outbreak in a country with an already battered health system could be a disaster.

But North Korea also has previously used big sporting events to set up diplomacy with the United States meant to win it much-needed sanctions relief in return for nuclear disarmament pledges. Some see pulling out of the Olympics as the North sending Washington a message.

Here’s a look at the North Korean decision and what it might mean.

LEGITIMATE VIRUS FEARS

A state-run website said Tuesday that North Koreas Olympic Committee has decided not to take part in the Tokyo Games slated to begin in July to protect players from the world public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

North Korea has previously boycotted Olympics and other international sports events for political reasons or failed to appear when none of its athletes or teams qualified. But this is the first time North Korea has pulled out of a major international sports event citing an infectious disease, according to Seoul’s Unification Ministry.

Pyongyang has developed a reputation for withdrawing from talks with Seoul and Washington before returning at the last minute to boost its bargaining power. But given that the country has been on high alert over COVID-19, experts say there is little chance that it will reverse its Olympics decision.

North Korea has shown ”a coronavirus-related neurosis since it declared an emergency anti-virus system in January last year, said Park Won Gon, a professor of North Korea studies at Seoul’s Ewha Woman’s University.

Park said it’s highly unlikely that North Korea will secure enough vaccines for its 26 million people or report major progress in its anti-virus fight by July.

North Korean officials know how disastrous a major virus outbreak would be in a nation with public healthcare infrastructure that has been in shambles for decades. North Korea has so far taken some of the world’s most draconian anti-virus steps, including a 15-month-long closure of its international borders and the departure of foreign nationals.

North Korea still officially claims to be coronavirus-free, an assertion many foreign experts dispute.

North Korea’s decision to skip the Olympics shows that it thinks contact with foreigners is the most dangerous thing now, said Seo Yu-Seok at the Seoul-based Institute of North Korean Studies.

A MESSAGE FOR WASHINGTON

The North Korean announcement, three months before the Games begin, could signal that Pyongyang is rejecting a repeated push by Seoul to use the Olympics to create a mood for dialogue. It could also show a determination to boost pressure on the new administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

North Korea is sending the message that it wants to deal directly with the U.S. now rather than using the Olympics as a venue to reach out to Washington for talks, said Kwak Gil Sup, head of One Korea Center, a website specializing in North Korea affairs.

Now-deadlocked nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington began in 2018 after a reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula following North Koreas participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Games in the South earlier that year.

During those Olympics, athletes from the Koreas marched together under a single unification flag during the opening ceremony and formed the Korea’s first-ever joint team in women’s ice hockey. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, became the first member of the North’s ruling family to visit South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

There’s been little progress in nuclear talks the past two years. North Korea recently fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in the first such weapons tests in a year. Kim Yo Jong has warned Washington not to cause a stink and called South Korea’s president a parrot raised by America.

Experts say North Korea eventually wants talks with the Biden administration to win sanctions relief and achieve better ties because its economy has been devastated by the pandemic, U.S.-led sanctions and natural disasters last year.

Analyst Seo said North Korea likely wasn’t sure about the benefits of attending the Tokyo Games because Biden has made it clear that he won’t engage in made-for-TV summits with Kim Jong Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump did.

They knew that they would return home empty-handed from Tokyo, Seo said. But North Korea’s domestic difficulties may push it to pursue talks with the United States soon.

Seo said North Korea could perform big weapons tests, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile launch, in coming months if it is not satisfied with the Biden governments North Korea policy review expected to be completed soon.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow