Week 23 - 20/06/2021

Published on 20 June 2021 at 13:45

UN Calls for Arms Embargo on Myanmar

The UN has issued a rare call to halt arms sales to Myanmar in response to this year's violent military coup.

 

The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the military junta, which overthrew the country's elected government in February.

 

The UN has also called for the release of political detainees, such as elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and an end to violence against peaceful protesters.

 

While not legally binding, the resolution is politically significant.

Listen to Frontier’s Podcast episode with Dr Alexander Dukaliskis on the situation in Myanmar here

 

EU Loses Legal Battle Against AstraZeneca

 

The EU has lost a legal battle in Brussels to force Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca to supply 120m doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the end of June.

 

It went to court last month after the company delayed shipment of the vital vaccines, having originally committed to supply 300m doses by the same date.

 

However, the EU demand was not satisfied by the judge in Brussels. Instead, the judge imposed a deadline on AstraZeneca to supply doses to the EU over the summer or face hefty fines.

 

Catholic Bishops Clash With Biden

 

US Catholic bishops are on a potential collision course with President Joe Biden after voting to commission a document that may call for him to be barred from Holy Communion.

 

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) clashed online over whether to draw up a teaching document on politicians who support abortion.

 

Holy Communion is the most important ritual in the Catholic Christian faith. The Catholic president regularly attends Church services.

 

Responding to news of the bishops’ vote, he said: “That’s a private matter and I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”

 

The Vatican has already indicated its opposition to the bishops’ move.

 

Calls for the DUP Not To Nominate New First Minister 

 

A rally against the Northern Ireland Protocol has heard calls for the DUP not to nominate a new First Minister until it is abandoned.

 

Several hundred people turned out in Newtownards, Co. Down last night for a protest against the protocol, which was organised by former British Labour politician Kate Hoey and Ben Habib, a former Brexit-supporting MEP.

 

Paul Givan remains First Minister of Northern Ireland following the resignation of Edwin Poots as DUP leader, but could be replaced when a new leader is chosen.

 

If the DUP refuse to nominate a replacement, the power sharing arrangement at Stormont would collapse.

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