Raphael Stevens

The Maldives could disappear by the end of the century if the world does not act quickly and cohesively to combat climate change, said the country’s minister of environment, climate change and technology.Speaking to CNBC Tuesday, Aminath Shauna said that if environmental damage continues at its current pace, the country “will not be here” by 2100. “We will not survive,” she said.”Climate change is real and we are the most vulnerable country in the world,” Shauna told “Capital Connection” speaking from Male. “There’s no higher ground for us … it’s just us, it’s just our islands and the sea.”The World Economic Forum has estimated that by 2050, 80% of people in the world will be impacted by climate change. Meantime, scientists suggest sea levels could rise by as much as 1.1 meters by 2100.The future of our country, the future of our people, the future of our culture — it all depends on our action today.Aminath Shaunaminister of environment, climate change and technology, MaldivesIf such predictions ring true, the South Asian archipelago state famed for its island living could be among the most adversely effected.Today, 80% of the country’s 1,190 islands are just a meter above sea level, making them particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Already, 90% of the islands have reported flooding, 97% shoreline erosion, and 64% serial erosion, Shauna said.”Our income and our food and our survival depends on how we address these vulnerabilities today. The future of our country, the future of our people, the future of our culture — it all depends on our action today.”Concrete blocks are placed along the shoreline to try and prevent further coastal erosion in Mahibadhoo, Maldives.Carl Court | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesThe Maldives has already introduced several adaptive measures to minimize the impact of climate change, such as coastal protection tools and community programs to promote resilience, Shauna said. But more than that, the country wants to become a “leader in mitigation efforts,” like reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”We want to lead in the effort and to say that if the Maldives can do it, then the entire world can do it as well,” said Shauna, calling on individuals and governments to step up.Last year, the Maldives released updated targets to reduce 26% of its emissions and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Such progress won’t happen without international collaboration though, she said.”We need every single person in the world to address climate change at a personal level, and at a political level by governments,” said Shauna. “Ambitious targets are urgently needed to help not just the Maldives but all small island states.” More

Self-care leader Deepak Chopra announced a new partnership Tuesday with MindMed, a clinical-stage psychedelic medicine biotech company, and explained that the collaboration was in line with his continued interest in the relation of the mind to body. “I am partnering with MindMed for the public education and the public awareness of the research on psychedelics,” Chopra said. “I don’t believe psychedelics are a panacea, but I think they have a big role…with PTSD, in mental distress depression, suicide prevention and much, much more.” A phase 3 clinical trial revealed that MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, combined with therapy helped people with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Two-thirds of participants in the MDMA test group no longer qualified for a diagnosis of PTSD two months after treatment. Therapists caution, however, that the treatment cannot be replicated at home with the street version of the drug. Chopra told CNBC’s  “The News with Shepard Smith” that mental distress “is the number one pandemic in the world,” and that every 40 seconds, someone is committing suicide, and was another reason why he wants to bring awareness to psychedelics. Host Shepard Smith did note to Chopra that he has “a long history of supporting alternative medicines with varying results that are often questioned by doctors,” and wanted to know how his partnership with MindMed is different. Smith added a quote by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins who has said that Chopra uses “quantum jargon as plausible-sounding hocus pocus.” Chopra explained to Smith that a Google search would result in the evidence when it comes to psychedelics and mindfulness. “You just have to look up, just Google the evidence on mindfulness and mindful awareness on psychedelics, and ignore people like Dawkins,” Chopra said.Richard Dawkins did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.  More

A Chinese man wears a protective mask as he walk in front the logos of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at National Aquatics Centre on April 9, 2021 in Beijing, China.Lintao Zhang | Getty ImagesHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Tuesday called for a “diplomatic boycott” of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in response to China’s human rights record.”We cannot proceed as if nothing is wrong about the Olympics going to China,” Pelosi told Congress’ Human Rights Commission and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China during a hearing on the games.Pelosi suggested in her remarks that athletes should still be able to compete in the games but that world leaders and royalty should not travel to attend them in person.”For heads of state to go to China, in light of a genocide that is ongoing while you’re sitting there in your seats, really begs the question: What moral authority do you have to speak about human rights any place in the world if you’re willing to pay your respects to the Chinese government as they commit genocide?”Pelosi blasted corporate sponsors of the games who “look the other way on China’s abuses out of concern for their bottom line.” She specifically called out companies that reportedly lobbied to weaken parts of a bipartisan bill targeting the use of forced labor in the Xinjiang region.”If we don’t speak out against human rights violations in China for commercial reasons, we lose all moral authority to speak out for human rights anywhere,” Pelosi said.China has called allegations that it violates the human rights of Muslims in Xinjiang “lies and disinformation.”The games are set to open on Feb. 4, 2022.Pelosi acknowledged that her proposed diplomatic boycott may not work. “I don’t know if it’s possible, because we have not succeeded in the past,” she said.In 2008, Pelosi called on then-President George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing in protest of China’s human rights record, which at the time was marred primarily by the government’s crackdown in Tibet.Bush attended the opening of those games, along with more than 80 other heads of state.Activists and lawmakers of both parties have called on President Joe Biden to bow out of the 2022 Olympics in protest. They cite China’s reported treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang — which both the Trump and Biden administrations have called a genocide — as well as Beijing’s response to protests in Hong Kong.The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has said it opposes boycotts, in part because they impact athletes who have spent years training to compete.The White House has previously left the door open for a boycott, but press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that such a move was not being discussed.”While China has changed over 30 years in some respects, it is appalling that its human rights record has worsened,” Pelosi said in the virtual hearing Tuesday afternoon.Pelosi stressed that she is a dedicated Olympics fan and views athletes’ performances in the games as a source of pride.”Let’s honor them at home,” Pelosi said. “Let’s not honor the Chinese government by having heads of state go to China to show their support for their athletes.””Silence on this issue is unacceptable. It enables China’s abuses,” Pelosi said. More

CNBC’s Jim Cramer on Tuesday said many Wall Street pros are out of touch with the American consumer and advised retail investors to get ahead of the bar on some stocks in the reopening trade.”The baton is now being passed from the stay-at-home names to the travel and leisure plays,” the “Mad Money” host said. “I think it’s not too late to bet on the transition, especially since Wall Street’s been so behind-the-curve when it comes to the real story.”Using Walmart as a bellwether, Cramer said visiting one of its stores and reading the company’s earnings report illustrates that consumers are spending money on groceries, apparel and leisure products. Walmart on Tuesday morning reported it beat first-quarter estimates.Cramer noted the quarterly report from the beleaguered retailer Macy’s showed luggage was the best performing segment.”Americans are going places again. They’re also buying jewelry and watches and perfume,” he said.”I think Walmart down 10 points from its highs is a gift for you. I suspect the analysts, who again are not drawn to Walmart, maybe didn’t realize how important the millions of vaccines offered… would be to luring in shoppers,” he continued. “I expect many upgrades in the next coming days.”Walmart shares rose 2.17% to $141.91 on Tuesday as the major indexes all declined. The stock remains down 5% from its highest trade in January.Cramer offered three other travel and leisure ideas for investors to consider piling into.Norwegian Cruise Line shares last sold for $29.23 on Tuesday, down from near $60 per share before the start of the pandemic. Wynn Resorts at $126.14 is 17% below its pre-Covid levels, while Disney at $169.68 is more than 32 points off its March highs.”If you want to take the pulse of this market, all you have to do is go to the mall or the nearest shopping center — or just Walmart — and see what regular people are doing with their money,” Cramer said. “It’s not that hard unless you’re the kind of snob who refuses to set foot inside a Walmart.”Disclosure: Cramer’s charitable trust owns shares of Disney, Estee Lauder, Walmart and Wynn Resorts.DisclaimerQuestions for Cramer? Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBCWant to take a deep dive into Cramer’s world? Hit him up! Mad Money Twitter – Jim Cramer Twitter – Facebook – InstagramQuestions, comments, suggestions for the “Mad Money” website? [email protected] More

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed an executive order that bans government entities in the state from requiring face masks and fines those who do.Under the Republican governor’s order, which goes into effect Friday, local governments or officials that implement mandatory masks can be fined up to $1,000.”Anybody can wear a mask if they want to. It’s just that it’s a decision to be made by Texans, not to be forced by government,” Abbott said in an interview on CNBC’s “Closing Bell.”CNBC Health & Science Read CNBC’s latest coverage of the Covid pandemic:From employer mandates to TV ads: What full FDA approval could mean for Covid vaccines Singapore approves Covid vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 as cases surgeIndia Covid variant set to be dominant in UK ‘in a matter of days,’ posing unknown dangersIndia’s Covid crisis exposes deep-rooted problems in public health after years of neglectBiden warns states with low Covid vaccination rates may see cases rise againSchools are subject to a slightly different timeline under Abbott’s order Tuesday, which builds off his decision in early March to eliminate the state’s mask requirement and lift business capacity restrictions.According to Abbott’s latest order, public schools in Texas can keep their current mask policies in place through June 4. Following that date, however, face-covering requirements are prohibited for teachers, staff and students, as well as other visitors.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising schools to keep coronavirus mitigation measures, including face masks, in place for the rest of the academic year. Covid vaccine eligibility was recently expanded for children ages 12 to 15. So far, more than half a million kids in that age group have received a shot.Abbott’s action Tuesday follows the CDC’s newly issued guidance last week. The public health agency said fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear face masks in most settings both indoors and outdoors.While local rules take precedent over the CDC’s guidance, the change in recommendations still prompted a number of states and major retailers to relax their existing mask policies for vaccinated people.Some states, such as California, have not modified their approach in light of the CDC’s decision, which was criticized by some public health experts as being confusing and potentially premature.Others have applauded the CDC guidance, saying that at this stage in the pandemic — with new Covid infections falling and vaccinations rising — it makes sense.Nearly 48% of the U.S. population has received at least one Covid vaccine dose and 37.5% are fully vaccinated, according to data compiled by the CDC.As vaccinations reach more Americans, the number of daily new infections has continued to fall. Based on a seven-day average, the country is reporting roughly 32,000 new coronavirus cases per day. That’s according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins University data. It’s the lowest figure since late June.The seven-day average of daily new coronavirus cases in Texas is 2,040, which is down almost 9% from a week ago, according to CNBC’s analysis.In March, Abbott’s decision to dramatically roll back coronavirus restrictions received significant criticism from President Joe Biden and health officials. Abbott told CNBC his strategy has proven effective.”The Covid situation in Texas is such that we can and should be open 100%,” Abbott said. “We can eliminate government-required masks, but we always encourage people to make their own choice for themselves and for their own safety.”Some entities are excluded from the governor’s order Tuesday, such as hospitals that are owned or operated by the government, as well as facilities run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. More