Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that there is no trade war on the horizon with the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s conciliatory remarks on trade with Mexico the day before.
“I do not see a trade war. The U.S. president spoke differently about Mexico yesterday,” Sheinbaum told a daily press conference.
Responding to questions at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, Trump said: “We’re dealing with Mexico, I think, very well. We just want to be treated fairly.”
Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports starting Feb. 1.
Sheinbaum also expressed willingness to strengthen collaboration with Washington and work with Trump on some priority issues, such as the distribution of fentanyl and migration.
Trump has signed various executive orders to strengthen anti-immigrant measures through mass deportations since taking office. In response, the Mexican government set up migrant care centers along the border and launched the “Mexico Embraces You” program to provide comprehensive care for deportees.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday extended his warmest greetings to all people celebrating the Lunar New Year, or Chinese Spring Festival, in a video message.
Guterres kicked off the video message by saying “Chunjie Kuaile” — Chinese for “Happy Spring Festival.”
“I’m pleased to send my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Lunar New Year and this Year of the Snake,” the UN chief said. “The snake symbolizes wisdom, resilience, and renewal. In the strained times, let us be guided by these qualities and renew our commitment to peace, equality, and justice.”
Guterres also expressed gratitude to China and the Chinese people for their support to the United Nations.
“I thank China and the Chinese people for your steadfast support of the United Nations, multilateralism and global cooperation. Let us embrace new beginnings with hope and determination to create a better future for all,” he said.
“May the Year of the Snake bring good health, happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings,” the secretary-general said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a sweeping pause Friday on almost all of the State Department’s existing foreign aid grants, according to reports by U.S. and British media that obtained an internal memo specifying the order in the form of guidance.
Effective immediately and valid for 90 days, Rubio’s guidance required State Department staffers to issue “stop-work orders” on nearly all “existing foreign assistance awards,” U.S. outlet Politico reported.
For exceptions, the guidance allows foreign military financing for Egypt and Israel to continue and allows emergency food assistance and “legitimate expenses incurred prior to the date of this” guidance “under existing awards.”
At points, it also says the decisions need to be “consistent with the terms of the relevant award,” the outlet added.
“No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved … as consistent with President Trump’s agenda,” The Guardian, a British newspaper that has also obtained the memo, cited the document as saying.
The memo said senior officials “shall ensure that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, no new obligations shall be made for foreign assistance” until Rubio makes a decision after a review, according to The Guardian.
In their respective reports, both Politico and The Guardian noticed the memo’s omission of current U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, which the reports said has sent shock waves across the State Department.
Despite high interest rates and modest economic growth, global mergers, and acquisition (M&A) deal activity surged during the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, with an 18% increase in total deal value year-over-year (YoY). Supply chain resilience drove this momentum, with $71 billion in supply chain-related transactions across 38 deals, spotlighting sectors like automotive, healthcare, and industrials, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report, “Global M&A Deals in Q3 2024 – Top Themes by Sector,” reveals that in terms of deal volume, there was a 4% increase from Q3 2023 to record 7,890 deals in Q3 2024.
Priya Toppo, Analyst, Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData, comments: “An increase in geopolitical tensions, population growth, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, labor shortages, and digital transformation have all contributed to a greater focus on supply chain related deals. This was especially true in the automotive, consumer, basic materials, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and logistics and industrials sectors.”
The biggest supply chain deal was China First Heavy Industries’ merger with China Shipbuilding for $16 billion. This deal was also the biggest in the industrials sector in Q3 2024. It was followed by TowerBrook Capital Partners and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice’s acquisition of R1 RCM for $9 billion and Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems for $8 billion.
Toppo continues: “An ongoing trend is the dominance of North America in M&A deal activity, accounting for 3,112 deals worth $325 billion during Q3 2024. However, Europe, China, South America, and the Middle East and Africa saw a YoY decline in deal value.”
Toppo concludes: “The M&A forecast for the last quarter of 2024 is cautiously optimistic, as potential rate cuts in certain markets and a generally improving global economic outlook could drive the activity. Nonetheless, mega-deals may encounter obstacles, especially in the US, where antitrust issues remain a priority for regulators.”
In July 2023, France outlined its defense spending plans for the next six years in the Military Planning Law (LPM) 2024-30, expanding the modernization initiatives kickstarted by LPM 2019-25 to reflect evolving geostrategic dynamics and better incorporate emerging technologies, including unmanned and space-based assets. Against this backdrop, France is expected to increase defense spending from $60.4 billion in 2024 to $67.8 billion in 2029, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Tristan Sauer, Senior Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The deterioration of European security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of France’s strategic reforms, providing the impetus for further and more diversified investment in defense and security capabilities. The most recent spending commitments will allow French defense expenditures to surpass 2% of GDP and finally attain the minimum threshold recommended for NATO members.”
France’s armed forces continue to pursue modernization across the different operational domains. The largest amount of spending is being directed to the fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and missile defense systems, naval vessels, submarines, and armored vehicles market segments over the next several years. Between 2024-2034, France’s largest investments are for the international FCAS New Generation Fighter program ($17.9 billion), the SNLE 3G nuclear submarines ($17.3 billion), and various upgrades to the Rafale fighter jet program ($12.9 billion).
Sauer continues: “These investments are indicative of a renewed strategic focus on the commensurate rise of both great power competition and the risk of high intensity conflict. Procurement of conventional capabilities such as aircraft, naval assets, artillery, armored vehicles, and weapons systems is being supplemented with investment in cybersecurity as well as space systems to account for the increasingly diffuse and multi-domain nature of modern warfare.”
As with many western nations, France is facing recruitment issues leading to personnel shortages despite growing investment. GlobalData forecasts that France will spend $125.9 billion on military personnel between 2025-2029, though spending will only increase at a CAGR of 0.5%, which is far slower than the 1.26% CAGR achieved between 2020-2024.
Sauer concludes: “France’s continued investments in modernization and acquisition programs provide substance to the broader political refocus on strategic competition and its associated risks, with the nation’s growing defense industrial base providing growing opportunities for international engagement. However, much like with the US and other NATO allies, lackluster performance with regards to personnel recruitment and retention is indicative of a wider challenge, which current investments have thus far failed to overcome.”
With digitalization as a key enabler of organic growth in greenfield projects in Africa, technology startups are well placed to capitalize on the desire of larger and established corporations wanting to move into various enterprise technologies in the region, according to research conducted by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Recent tie ups – including Safaricom’s deal with Kenyan SaaS startup tappi, American security firm Unartificial Labs tapping Tunisian startup Enova Robotics, and British payment processing firm partnership and financial inclusion firm Paymentology partnering with Zambian fintech startup Union54 – point to this trend.
Ismail Patel, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData, says: “Africa remains a price-sensitive market not only for consumers but also for corporate buyers. This means that technology enablement beyond the deployment of costly physical infrastructure will be a space occupied by smaller vendors who are both less costly and seeking to build their own profiles in the region.”
GlobalData analysis finds Africa is seeing burgeoning growth in the number of tech startups across cybersecurity, IoT, fintech, SaaS, APIs, analytics, blockchain, and AI. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity associated with these startups has picked up over the past decade, and the number of contractual deals with startups, both inside Africa and beyond, is growing.
The expectation is that this expansion will continue to grow as there is plenty of room for organic growth across key sectors, including rural communities and SMBs (small and medium businesses), where digitalization is a prime enabler for next-gen technology adoption and boosting national economies. Still, the key buyers for these startups will remain the large African corporate enterprises looking to either partner with them or bring them in-house via acquisition.
Patel concludes: “Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tunisia have emerged as the tech startup capitals across Africa. Tech enablement is being fueled by capital raising success stories across the board, from debt financing and governmental grants to angel and venture capital investments, all of which are encouraging the startup trends. In its own way, the region is responding to the global technological boom.”
Co-Chaired by Lao PDR and Malaysia, the 17th Meeting of the HLTF-ACV starts today, 29 October 2024, in Hoi An, Viet Nam, with drafting sessions of the APSC Strategic Plan. The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the Strategic Plans of the three Community Pillars and ASEAN Connectivity are expected to be adopted in 2025.
The post The 17th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV) convenes appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, October 30, 2024/APO Group/ —
The African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors has approved an $8 million concessional loan to support the construction of a 25MW Solar Photovoltaic power plant in Zambia. The financing for the Ilute Plant will be sourced from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a multi-donor Special Fund managed by the Bank. Ilute is expected to advance Zambia’s sustainable development and help the country unlock its renewable energy potential.
The venture has faced rising costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. Serengeti Energy Ltd (http://apo-opa.co/4hth8dE) and Western Solar Power Ltd (http://apo-opa.co/3YJBxUr) are leading the plant development in Zambia’s Sesheke District. Competitively selected by GreenCo Power Services Ltd (GreenCo) (http://apo-opa.co/4hiM3ci), this project will serve as a pilot for GreenCo’s energy aggregator model under the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) (http://apo-opa.co/3YIpw1h) open grid access framework. Acting as an intermediary off-taker, GreenCo will purchase the generated electricity through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement and sell it to the Southern African Power Pool Day-Ahead Market (http://apo-opa.co/3YELlih).
“We are delighted to support the Ilute Solar PV project – which will be the first project to use Africa GreenCo as an intermediate off-taker. SEFA’s support has been instrumental in bridging the financing gap and will pave the way for future projects that contribute to Southern Africa’s energy transition,” said Dr Daniel Schroth, African Development Bank Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
Anton-Louis Olivier, CEO of Serengeti Energy, acknowledged SEFA’s support. He said, “We appreciate the support from the African Development Bank Group and SEFA in helping us move the Ilute 25MW Solar PV project forward. This loan addresses the financial challenges we’ve faced due to the pandemic and rising costs. The Ilute project is a testament to innovative collaboration and serves as a pioneering model for future renewable energy initiatives in Zambia as well as the wider region.” Serengeti Energy is a leading renewable independent power producer specialising in the development, construction, and operation of utility-scale renewable energy plants tailored to the needs of both public and private off-takers.
Frontex is responsible for implementing the EU Reintegration Programme (EURP), which helps individuals who return both voluntarily and non-voluntarily to their home countries re-establish their lives. The programme provides a range of support services, from accommodation to starting a business, helping returnees to integrate into their communities and build a sustainable future. The Agency works closely with local partners to ensure the successful implementation of these services, while also monitoring the delivery to ensure they meet the EU standards.
In the past months, Frontex has conducted several monitoring missions in different regions as part of its commitment to ensuring the effectiveness of the reintegration programme. These missions help the Agency assess the support provided to returnees, gather feedback from beneficiaries, and identify areas for improvement. Recent monitoring missions were carried out in Morocco, Bangladesh, and Armenia, offering valuable insights into the programme’s impact on returnees’ lives.
Monitoring missions to Morocco, Bangladesh, and Armenia
One of these missions took place in Morocco, where the Agency brought a visit to its local reintegration partner, Fondation Orient-Occident (FOO), to discuss technical issues encountered with the EURP delivery. The reintegration assistance provided in Morocco includes professional training and business start-up support, which helps returnees become self-sufficient and contribute to their local economy.
During the mission, Frontex officers and fundamental right monitor had an opportunity to discuss with FOO staff daily challenges related to their work as well as its results. FOO workers explained that the reintegration programme helped the returnees to establish small businesses, using financial support to purchase equipment and launch their ventures. Despite some challenges with accessibility in rural areas, FOO colleagues ensured that EURP beneficiaries were satisfied in general with the assistance received, and in particular with securing income-generating activities.
“Reintegration support allows returnees to come back to their countries with a sense of dignity. NGOs working in the area of reintegration need to navigate a complex landscape to successfully provide the assistance,” shared Ewa, a reintegration specialist.
“Fondation Orient Occident impressed us with their premises and facilities at the Headquarter in Rabat, which invite people to discuss, learn, create, work, and simply spend time together. They have rooms dedicated to different activities such as crafting, music, conference room, as well as some dedicated to children care and education. Migrants have opportunity to expose and sell their products in a small marketplace situated in the heart of the FOO Headquarter,” added Karolina, a reintegration expert.
In Bangladesh, the mission revealed the impact of the reintegration programme on returnees’ livelihoods. The local partner, BRAC, works with returnees to provide comprehensive support, including medical care, psychological services, and financial aid. Many returnees have used this financial assistance to start small businesses, with some beneficiaries investing in livestock, such as cows, to provide ongoing income for their families. One of the highlights of the mission was visiting a farm where returnees proudly showcased the cows they had purchased with funds from the programme, enabling them to support themselves and their communities.
Frontex observed that the EU Reintegration Programme is successfully meeting returnees’ essential needs while offering them a path to sustainable reintegration. Returnees expressed their satisfaction with the support received, praising the programme for providing them with the means to rebuild their lives and establish stable incomes. The mission also identified opportunities for improving the programme’s delivery to ensure it continues to meet the needs of returnees in the most efficient way possible.
“It was fascinating to see how reintegration assistance is implemented on the ground. Visiting cattle markets, meeting returnees at their farms or businesses, and witnessing the positive impact of the programme was very insightful. I was impressed by BRAC’s dedication and professionalism, going beyond the EURP provisions to support returnees, sometimes using their own resources. Seeing their work across all districts was truly inspiring,” said Robert, a reintegration expert.
“Our visit allowed us to see the real people behind the program documentation, both the counsellors and the beneficiaries. The honesty with which they shared their experiences, successes, and challenges, as well as their migration stories allowed us to understand their reality better,” added Natalia, EURP reintegration specialist.
“Living conditions in countries like Bangladesh are difficult. Reintegration programmes are essential to making a real impact, helping people stay and rebuild their lives,” concluded Grigorios Tsioukas, Frontex Deputy Fundamental Rights Officer.
The most recent mission took place in Armenia to monitor the delivery of assistance to returnees provided by Frontex local reintegration partner, Armenian Caritas. The mission allowed Frontex to assess how financial assistance and economic counselling help returnees re-establish themselves in their communities. During the mission, the team met several returnees who had used financial assistance to launch small businesses, such as a returnee who opened a fruit and vegetable shop and a taxi driver.
Returnees expressed satisfaction with the assistance they received, highlighting the importance of business support in helping them become self-sufficient. The mission team, which included a Fundamental Rights Monitor, found that Armenian Caritas’ services align with the programme specifications and EU standards.
Katarzyna, EURP reintegration specialist explains how important support for vulnerable groups is: “To fully understand the reintegration processes, its essential to recognise the unique characteristics of Armenia, where the migration landscape primarily involves families with children and elderly. Support for vulnerable groups is especially important and requires communication and coordination between the Member State, Frontex and Reintegration Partner to ensure timely and tailored assistance. Armenian Caritas is a very well-established organisation able to refer returnees to other services for specialised support, such as medical clinics or social services.”
More about Frontex reintegration assistance
The EU Reintegration Programme offers comprehensive support to individuals returning voluntarily to their home countries, including financial aid, healthcare, vocational training, and psychological support. Frontex’s monitoring missions help ensure that these services meet returnees’ needs and meet the EU standards. The Agency works with local reintegration partners to ensure returnees can successfully rebuild their lives and become active members of their communities.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on flash floods in Valencia, Spain.
The comment below was provided by our friends at the Spanish SMC:
Dr Ernesto Rodríguez Camino, Senior State Meteorologist and member of Spanish Meteorological Association, said:
What relationship can we say that this type of event has with climate change?
“In general terms, what we know is that, in the context of climate change, these types of intense and exceptional, rare rainfall events are going to become more frequent and more intense and, therefore, destructive.
“That is in general terms. Events of this type, which used to occur many decades apart, are now becoming more frequent and their destructive capacity is greater.
“Associating a particular event like this to climate change, i.e. asking the question that if we had not had climate change we would have suffered an event like this, requires a posteriori studies and can always be said in probabilistic terms, but not on the fly. This is something that will be analysed and these very destructive or very violent cases, then give rise to many studies that are done in academic and research fields.
“We can’t say anything on the fly, except that in the context of climate change, these types of events will be more frequent and more intense.”
What role do warnings play in these extreme events?
“What we have to bear in mind is that warnings are issued for relatively large areas, at the county level, and then the most extreme consequences are at the point level, often at the municipality level, and this depends on many other things that have nothing to do with precipitation.
“The warnings issued by the State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, refer to precipitation, which is AEMET’s responsibility. But whether that rainfall then has more or less destructive effects also depends on the orography (geography dealing with the formation and features of mountains), on rainfall upstream, on public works, on where the municipalities are located, on whether there are obstacles or not…. All of this is something very particular. Between heavy rainfall and its destructive power, there is a whole chain of actions that must also be considered.”
LONDON, UK – October 30, 2024 – Samsung Electronics Co. (UK) Ltd has unveiled that Northern Ireland is set to become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the United Kingdom, with a staggering 77% of young people in the country looking to pursue a career in technology. The findings align with data from the Intellectual Property Office, which shows that patent applications have increased by 33% in Northern Ireland between 2022-23, compared to an increase of just 11% in London.
Whilst a high proportion of young people living in the Capital are considering working in technology (69%), other potential hotbeds for future innovators include the West Midlands (63%), North-East (63%), East of England (62%), East Midlands (61%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (57%).
In terms of cities, Coventry scored highly (79%), with Cambridge (76%) and Birmingham (71%) also being seen as future hotbeds for inventions and tech.
When it comes to motivation, almost half (48%) of young people polled were confident that they could invent or develop a technology product that would positively impact society. This desire for ‘tech for good’ can also be seen amongst the 85% of young people who believe that a career in technology would allow them to positively contribute to society, and the 20% who would be interested in working in tech start-ups with societal purpose. Other key areas of technology young people aspire to have a career in include app development (41%), cybersecurity (35%), AI for Good (31%) and health-based technology (30%).
The findings have been released as Samsung launches its fifth Solve for Tomorrow competition, which aims to find and support young innovators across the UK.
The research revealed that although young people are particularly ambitious when it comes to their ability to make positive change to the world through tech, they are facing challenges in making this a reality. In fact, the study found 39 per cent of those polled believe there are too few resources for them to make a change in society through technology. This is despite a third (33%) believing they have what it takes to create the next big tech invention.
Breaking Barriers To Entry
Despite the ambition of young people across the country, there’s still a strong sense that making a change in the world through tech isn’t an option for everyone. When asked, 96% of young people believed there are barriers to entering the tech industry, and 65% believe that their personal background impacts their ability to harness their creativity through tech.
A lack of education (40%), practical experience (36%) and lack of contacts or mentors in the industry (31%) were listed as the top barriers to entry for young people.
Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition asks 16–25-year-olds to come up with ideas that help solve societal challenges, then help bring them to life through offering free educational workshops, mentoring, funding and support.
Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We’re beyond excited to kick-off our fifth year of Solve for Tomorrow. Innovation is for everyone and no young person should ever feel discouraged to pursue a good idea. This is why we’re proud to be working with our partners Social Mobility Foundation and InnovateHer again this year. Our research shows the UK is full of young people with confidence and potential, but they still feel like they don’t have the support they need to make a difference through tech. That’s what the Solve for Tomorrow programme aims to address.”
Applications to the competition are now open, following a panel discussion launch event held at Samsung KX to inspire future changemakers, and featuring rapper and entrepreneur, Krept. The competition offers two age categories – 16-18 and 18-25. Winning teams in both categories receive £10,000 cash prize in funding, and three months expert mentoring with a personalised action plan, to help bring their ideas to life. Young people across the country can visit the Solve For Tomorrow website for more information, and enter here.
About his role as a Solve for Tomorrow ambassador, British musician, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Krept. said: “As an entrepreneur, I’ve been in the position where you have an idea but you don’t know how to make it a reality. It’s a struggle everyone faces, but unfortunately, it’s easier for some to get around that than others. Programmes like Solve for Tomorrow from Samsung are great – they help remove the barriers young people face, whether it’s not having a degree or not knowing the right person – I’m thrilled to be involved in this initiative.”
Talking at the panel event at KX, Sarah Atkinson, CEO of Social Mobility Foundation, said of the programme partnership: “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. At The Social Mobility Foundation, we work towards creating a culture where young people from all social backgrounds can thrive, leading to more representation and innovation. Solve for Tomorrow equips and empowers young minds to create solutions to real-world issues and we are proud to be partnering again with Samsung on this exciting initiative.”
Chelsea Slater, CEO at InnovateHer, also commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Samsung on the Solve for Tomorrow initiative, which aligns perfectly with InnovateHer’s mission to empower the next generation of diverse innovators. This programme gives young people, especially girls, the opportunity to tackle real-world problems using technology, while building essential skills for the future. By working together, we’re ensuring that more young women are inspired, included, and equipped to lead in the tech industry—helping to create a more inclusive and innovative future for everyone.”
To enter this year’s competition, go to: www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/competition/
Methodology Consumer research was commissioned to 1,000 UK teenagers aged 13-19 between the 4th and 10th October 2024 by OnePoll. Onepoll are members of ESOMAR and comply with the ESOMAR guidelines for online research.
Patent information was obtained via the Intellectual Property Office.
The 28th ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM) was held on 30 October 2024 in Singapore. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower of Singapore, and attended by representatives of ASEAN Member States, Secretary-General of ASEAN and their respective accompanying delegations. The representatives of Timor-Leste attended as observers.As ALMM commemorates its 50th year since the ALMM first met in Jakarta, April 1975, and guided by Singapore’s 28th ALMM Chairmanship theme “Strengthening Resilience and Promoting Innovation,” we exchanged views on fundamental labour issues in the face of the rapidly changing world of work. Technological advancement, digital and green economy, demographic changes, and intensifying labour mobility present challenges and opportunities to the labour markets of ASEAN Member States. We affirmed the remarkable progress of cooperation under the ALMM over the past 50 years and looked forward to sustained regional cooperation to build a resilient and dynamic ASEAN workforce.
Download the full statement here.
The post Joint Communique of the Twenty-Eight ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (28th ALMM) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The weather in the capital will worsen in the coming hours. According to weather forecasters, the wind will increase, its gusts can reach 14 meters per second.
Citizens are asked to be careful on the street. It is important not to take shelter under trees or park cars near them. In addition, such weather is unfavorable for high-rise and construction and installation work.
In case of emergency, call 101 or 112.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
This news release has been updated to correct a mathematical error.
The Government of Yukon is investing in a new 45-unit residence at 6095 6th Avenue in downtown Whitehorse in response to the community’s housing needs. The building’s 45 units will comprise studios and units ranging from one to three bedrooms, with 12 designated accessible units.
This development will give people a place to call home once completed and help reduce the housing waitlist.
Read more about Construction update on new 45-unit residence in downtown Whitehorse
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“On behalf of the Government of Yukon, I would like to congratulate Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party on their success in yesterday’s provincial election.
“I also want to congratulate the Saskatchewan NDP on their historic surge in support as they continue as Saskatchewan’s official opposition.
Read more about Statement from Premier Pillai on Saskatchewan election
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“On behalf of the Government of Yukon, I would like to congratulate Premier David Eby and the British Columbia New Democratic Party on their success in the B.C. provincial election.
Read more about Statement from Premier Pillai on British Columbia election
Remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the opening of the High-Level Segment of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia.
“President Petro,
Thank you for hosting this important session, here in Cali – a microcosm of our planet’s rich biodiversity.
Excellencies, dear friends,
Nature is life.
And yet we are waging a war against it.
A war where there can be no winner.
Every year, we see temperatures climbing higher.
Every day, we lose more species.
Every minute, we dump a garbage truck of plastic waste into our oceans, rivers and lakes.
Make no mistake.
This is what an existential crisis looks like.
No country, rich or poor, is immune to the devastation inflicted by climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution.
These environmental crises are intertwined. They know no borders.
And they are devastating ecosystems and livelihoods, threatening human health and undermining sustainable development.
The drivers of this destruction are embedded in outdated economic models, fueling unsustainable production and consumption patterns.
They are multiplied by inequalities – in wealth and power.
And with each passing day, we are edging closer to tipping points that could fuel further hunger, displacement, and armed conflicts.
We have already altered 75% of the Earth’s land surface and 66% of its ocean environments.
Dear friends,
Biodiversity is humanity’s ally.
We must move from plundering it to preserving it.
As I have said time and again, making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century.
That is the spirit of today’s Declaration of the World Coalition for Peace with Nature:
A call for action to enhance national and international efforts towards a balanced and harmonious relationship with nature – protecting nature and conserving, restoring and sustainably using and sharing our global biodiversity.
A call to recognize the vital knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous people, people of African descent, farmers and local communities.
A call for life.
Excellencies,
Last month, UN Member States adopted the Pact for the Future.
The Pact recognizes the need to accelerate efforts to restore, protect, conserve and sustainably use the environment.
It emphasizes the importance of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems that act as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases.
This means conserving biodiversity, while ensuring social and environmental safeguards – in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
When the Framework was adopted two years ago in Montreal, the world made bold commitments to living in harmony with nature by mid-century.
Its goals and targets require robust monitoring, reporting, and review arrangements to track progress, as well as a resource mobilisation package to increase finance for biodiversity from all sources – mobilizing at least USD 200 billion per year by 2030.
But we must now turn these promises into action in four vital ways.
First – at the national level, all countries must finally present clear, ambitious and detailed plans to align with the Framework’s targets.
These national plans should be developed in coordination with Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans – with positive outcomes in the Sustainable Development Goals.
We must shift to nature-positive business models and production: renewable energies and sustainable supply chains… zero-waste policies and circular economies… regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices…
These must become the default for governments and businesses alike.
Second – we must agree on a strengthened monitoring and transparency framework.
This is not only vital for accountability but also about enabling course corrections and driving ambition.
Third – finance promises must be kept and support to developing countries accelerated.
We cannot afford to leave Cali without new pledges to adequately capitalize the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, and without commitments to mobilize other sources of public and private finance to deliver the Framework – in full.
And we must bring the private sector on board.
Those profiting from nature cannot treat it like a free, infinite resource.
They must step up and contribute to its protection and restoration.
By operationalizing the mechanism on the sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources, we will give them one clear avenue to do so, bringing more equity and inclusivity…”
Full remarks: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-29/secretary-generals-remarks-the-high-level-segment-of-cop16-biodiversity-trilingual-delivered-scroll-down-for-all-english
Briefing by Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Tor Wennesland, warned the Security Council of the implications of two laws on UNRWA adopted by the Israeli Knesset on 28 October 2024.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
For Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, poetry is her way of connecting — to others, to ourselves, to our natural world. Ada’s work is deeply personal, inspired by gratitude for loved ones, awe and nature, and her struggles with scoliosis and infertility. In this conversation with the Surgeon General, she reflects on her process for writing, which she says often starts with the simple act of seeing what’s around her. When Ada shares her poems, she finds joy in other people seeing their own feelings and life experiences in her writing. In the course of this conversation she beautifully recites two of her poems. “The Raincoat” was written for her mother. The other, “In Praise of Mystery,” is shooting through outer space right now on a NASA aircraft bound for Jupiter’s moon Europa.
(07:36) Can poetry help keep us grounded?
(10:33) How does poetry help when language fails us?
(12:35) Ada shares her poem “The Raincoat”
(17:50) What are some unexpected ways poetry opens people up?
(22:40) What if we don’t “get” poetry?
(26:42) What is it like to live the life of a poet?
(31:38) How Ada gets herself in the mindset to write
(38:08) On staying present
(44:02) How life challenges shaped her creativity
(52:14) How does Ada define success at this point in her life?
(59:36) A reading of her poem “In Praise of Mystery.”
(01:03:08) What gives Ada Limón hope?
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The fifth anniversary forum of leaders “Youth Initiative” was held in the estate of the first director of the Polytechnic Institute Prince Andrei Gagarin. Its mission is to strengthen the community of socially active students who create significant projects and develop volunteerism and charity. Volunteer students of the Dobro.Center SPbPU and the campaign gathered at the site of the historical estate
“Youth Initiative” has always been a special event for active Polytechnic students. The number of student leaders (organizers, heads of volunteer and public activities at the university, authors of grant projects and winners of all-Russian and international competitions), successful Polytechnic graduates who began their journey with this forum, is already in the tens. It is not without reason that “accordionists” consider Kholomki a place of power. Three intense days in a wonderful atmosphere of history, inspiration and creative opportunities are incredibly motivating for both experienced guys (mentors) and first-year students. Moreover, both undergraduate and graduate students, including even foreign students, – said Tatyana Nam, Director of the Dobro.Center “Harmony”.
The architecture of the forum program consists of educational, practical and cultural-creative parts. The first director of the Polytechnic Institute, Prince Andrei Gagarin, said that the institute was created not only to teach, but also to form a comprehensively developed personality.
The first day began with an interactive program on the bus. On the way to Kholomki, the students not only met, learned interesting facts and useful information, but also made travel collages as a keepsake. Upon arrival at the estate, the participants went on an excursion with immersion in the history of the Polytechnic University, and also solemnly laid flowers at the memorial to Prince Andrei Gagarin.
At the Youth Initiative forum, participants learned about the possibilities
We worked on the script for the literary salon with great interest, enthusiasm and dedication in order to convey not only creativity but also the atmosphere of the era. The performance turned out to be fascinating, many viewers later shared that the performance impressed them to the point of goosebumps, which means we succeeded! I am very glad that the actors and viewers enjoyed it and I hope that together with the talented guys from the PolyNova author’s club of the Polytechnic’s Dobro.Harmony Center, we will be able to make a full-length performance based on this artistic sketch, – shared a 2nd year student, head of the cultural and creative direction
The Polytechnicians’ vigorous morning on the second day of the forum began with health-improving wushu in the fresh air. They plunged into a volunteer quest consisting of five stations with particular zeal. Creating T-shirts with an individual design of the campaign
Getting to know volunteerism is impossible without overcoming stereotypes and debunking myths. The Dobro.Center “Harmony” team introduced the participants to the SPbPU volunteer ecosystem and proved that if everyone helps to the best of their ability, the possibilities for good will become limitless. Then the participants learned about serendipity (the ability to draw deep conclusions from random observations) and learned why luck is not just a coincidence, but attentiveness and the ability to use opportunities. They mastered time management skills and even became real detectives by attending a master class on fingerprinting. There, everyone learned how to take prints and create a fingerprint card.
After a short break, the participants were treated to a mini-course on first aid and psychological training, which helped them better understand and express their experiences through creativity and imaginative thinking. As part of the campaign
The Youth Initiative Forum is warmth, happiness and the most eventful weekend of autumn. Together with the Harmony team, we were able to organize useful trainings, intensive courses and interesting master classes. In three days, we managed to show the real life of a volunteer. We managed to charge the guys with kindness and set them up for positivity. I am very pleased to be part of such a large-scale event, it is a great experience and inspiration, – shared a second-year student, an activist of the headquarters
At the end of the evening, the participants got acquainted with the brightest and largest events of the SPbPU Dobro.Center, and also took part in the evening reflection, where everyone could speak about their emotions and impressions, thank each other for communication and the joint experience of participating in the volunteer forum.
Thanks to the team of organizers for your work, thanks to all the participants! Without their openness, sincerity, readiness to trust new people, the trip would not have been so heartfelt! Thanks to Tatyana Anatolyevna Nam for her care for everyone, for showing us how cool it is to do what you love. Thanks to all the lecturers who spoke about their experience with love and professionalism. It was a trip after which I returned home filled with only bright feelings, motivated, with very pleasant impressions and memories! Well, and the most important thing is the people! We are all so different, but I am sure that after the off-site forum we became a little closer, – shared her impressions the head of the school of GI elders Ksenia Kopylova.
The next day, the polytechnicians gathered for the ceremonial closing of the forum. All participants, volunteers and organizers were awarded certificates and letters of gratitude. And so, the road back to St. Petersburg, all charged and happy, but with a little sadness in their eyes because of the imminent farewell.
Mikhail Lomonosov once said: “A nation that does not know its past has no future.” In my opinion, this phrase perfectly describes the purpose of our trip to the estate of the first director of the Polytechnic University, Andrei Gagarin. The forum was filled with educational lectures, the speakers spoke in a very interesting and accessible way about how to subjugate creativity, how to prevent emotional burnout, and much more. I would like to separately highlight the high-quality work of the entire Dobro.Center team. It is evident how they try to make every minute spent at the forum happier. After the “Youth Initiative”, absolutely every participant wanted to join the ranks of the best volunteer headquarters to help all those in need. In general, it was a great cultural and educational forum, where the participants rested their souls and developed their personal skills! – Kirill Grishin, a first-year student of the Institute of Economics and Technology, shared his impressions.
The Youth Initiative Forum is held by the Dobro.Harmony Center of SPbPU with the support of the Polytechnic University Endowment Fund, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov, Director of the Humanitarian Institute Natalia Chicherina, and the educational and historical reserve “Prince A.G. Gagarin’s Estate “Kholomki”.
Photographer: Sofya Ryabinina
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Geneva, 30 October 2024 – In response to the escalating number of people affected by the mpox outbreak, spreading across parts of Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for USD 27.8 million to protect and support migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and mobile populations, from the disease, as well as the communities they interact with.
Since August 2024, the number of confirmed cases across Africa has risen sharply from over 2,800 in 12 countries to more than 9,300 in 34 countries as of 20 October 2024. This appeal comes after an initial USD 18.5 million dollar request for funding for countries affected in East, Horn and Southern Africa, was issued in August 2024.
IOM has expanded the East, Horn and Southern Africa’s plan into aMulti-country mpox Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa, covering the period from September 2024 to February 2025. The Plan aims to address the health needs of migrants and IDPs by providing health screenings, risk communication and community engagement within affected communities, supporting cross-border coordination between governments and local communities, and supporting countries to strengthen response at key borders and points of entry in high-risk areas across Africa.
“By mobilizing support for this Plan, IOM will be able to support response and readiness measures from our Member States and partners to contain the outbreak and strengthen preparedness.” Said Dr Poonam Dhavan, IOM Director for Migration Health.
The virus, which spreads through close contact with infected persons, is disproportionately affecting IDPs, migrants, and highly mobile populations living in cross-border communities due to the absence of disease prevention, detection and control measures available to them. The risk is further heightened by their overcrowded and poor living and working conditions.
IOM has been responding to mpox since the recent outbreak and spread of the disease in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Over 1,047,900 health screenings have been conducted in the DRC, Guinea, and Uganda for over four months. Nearly 2,300 border officials and community health workers have been trained in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya, Libya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe on early detection and case management. In DRC, Mozambique, and Uganda, IOM has reached more than 27,500 individuals with mpox awareness messages since June 2024.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the continent’s most affected country, IOM is strengthening mpox control in high-risk areas by supporting risk communication and community engagement in IDP camps and trained over 80 community health workers and community leaders to sensitize the camps.
IOM response plan seeks to address pressing health vulnerabilities exacerbated by high mobility across the continent. However, despite the work of IOM, the funding gap remains significantly low, with only USD 1 million secured from the USD 18.5 million. Without additional support, crucial activities at points of entry are likely to face disruptions. IOM appeals to international donors, governments, and partners to support the mpox response to protect the health and well-being of migration-affected communities.
Note to Editor
The IOM response plan is developed in coordination with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Minister of State Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh Highlights India’s Commitment to Global Biodiversity Conservation at COP16 in Colombia India Advocates for Global Conservation with ‘Plant4Mother’ Campaign at COP16 in Colombia
Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 4:30PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh delivered the national statement regarding the conservation of biological resources in the High Level Segment of the ongoing 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in Cali, Colombia on 29th October 2024.
Had the privilege of delivering India’s national statement during the plenary session of UNCBD COP16 at Cali, Colombia. India has been at the forefront of taking initiatives, executing programs and fostering collaborations to conserve our rich biodiversity. Mission LiFE,… pic.twitter.com/YNV2Me69nw
MoS Shri Singh congratulated Ms. Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment of Colombia on taking over the COP Presidency from the longest serving COP President Mr. Huang Runqiu of China.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Singh said that India has a rich culture and tradition of worshipping Mother Earth and of living in harmony with Nature. India is one of the world’s 17 Mega-diverse rich Nations housing four out of the 36 globally recognised biodiversity Hotspots. He said, “To honour Mother Earth as we honour our own Mothers, our Prime Minister this year launched a nation-wide tree plantation campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ or ‘Plant4Mother’ on the occasion of World Environment Day in our collective efforts to restore and protect our biodiversity.”
The Minister highlighted that ‘Peace with Nature’ has been part of India’s rich cultural heritage since ancient the Vedic age. The theme resonates with India’s mission of ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)” an India led Global mass movement for adopting environment friendly lifestyles.
India has taken significant step in global wildlife conservation by establishing the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) aimed at protecting the world’s seven major big cat species, as their presence is indicative of a healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity, Shri Singh informed.
The Minister said that India’s efforts in rejuvenating our sacred river Ganga through ‘Namami Gange’ Mission was duly recognized by United Nations as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagships to revive the riverine ecosystem. He informed that India’s Ramsar sites has risen from 26 to 85 since 2014 and this number is shortly going to reach 100.
Shri Singh reiterated that India adopted a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach while updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) with its targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). He said that the Ministry would be releasing updated NBSAP on 30.10.2024 at Cali.
The Minister said that it is necessary to provide means of implementation including financial resources, as laid down in target 19 of the KMGBF as well as from DSI, for implementation of the NBSAP. Lot of ground needs to be covered in providing easily accessible means of implementation i.e. financial resources, technology and capacity building needs with the requisite Speed, Scope and Scale.
Shri Singh concluded by re-iterating India’s commitment towards protecting its own as well as global biodiversity for the present and future generations, in the true spirit of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutubakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
Tonight the State Library celebrated the 50th anniversary of its prestigious research program by unveiling its largest-ever cohort of Fellows, awarding a total of $186,000 across eight categories.
Highlights include the announcement of the inaugural creative writing fellowship, a new Summer Fellows program and two artists-in-residence.
The 2025 Fellows are:
Inaugural IMAGO Fellow – Dr Sheila Ngoc Pham for ‘Fantasia: On Anne Spencer Parry and Australian fantasy and science fiction in the late 20th century’
CH Currey Memorial Fellow – Dr Dominic Kelly for ‘From Cold War to Culture War: Quadrant and Australian conservatism’
Nancy Keesing AM Fellow – Dr Clara Sitbon for ‘Piecing the Puzzle: Mapping the literary works of Carter Brown’
Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellow – Dr Luciano Cardellicchio for ‘From Caravans to Schools, from Airplanes to Houses: Plywood innovation in the post-war construction sector of Australia’
Ross Steele AM Fellow – Dr Ruth Pullin for ‘From Sketchbook to Canvas: Eugene von Guérard’s sketchbooks and the making of pictures’
Merewether Fellow – Dr Nicholas Pitt for ‘Benevolent Cattle? A more-than-human history of the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society and the place of benevolence in the colonial project of NSW’
DS Mitchell Memorial Fellow – Dr Shirleene Robinson AM for ‘Mapping the Contribution, Strategies and Networks of Women in Australia’s First LGBTIQ+ Rights Groups, 1969–1974’
The Library also launched its new Summer Fellows Program with support from the Library Foundation. These nine tertiary students and creative practitioners will receive $1,000 each and the opportunity to acquire essential archival research skills for their future careers:
Phillip Bartlett: ‘A Possible Narrative of the Macquarie Chest’s Bottom Drawer’
Ira Friedberg: ‘Bad Times in Red Brick Flats’ Anita Gowers: ‘Pictures Frames in the State Library of NSW Picture Collections‘
Moon Kerr: ‘George Goodman’s Daguerreotypes of the Lawson Family’
Annabelle McEwen: ‘How the Body is Defined and Usurped via Visual Mediation’
Hamish McPherson: ‘Transgender Liberation in NSW 1950–2000’
Eloise Reddy: ‘1980–90s Cultural Planning and Contemporary Placemaking Discourse’
Bronwyn Rennex: ‘Ralph Clark and the Birds’
Suzanne Smith: ‘The Save Our Sons Movement during the Vietnam War’
The reinvigorated artist-in-residence program will see Michelle Arnott create a set of images of the Library and its surrounds using synthetic polymer paint, and Sarah Randall will produce a series of still-life paintings based on letters and diaries held within the Library’s collections.
On the eve of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), the Ministry of Civil Aviation came together to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honoring his visionary efforts in unifying the nation. Leading the commemoration, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, along with senior officials and ministry staff, gathered at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan to take a pledge to uphold the values of unity and integrity.
Following the pledge ceremony, a ‘Run for Unity’ was organised, with ministry officials and staff participating enthusiastically. The event symbolized the Ministry’s dedication to national integration and collective progress.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation remains steadfast in its commitment to promote national unity by ensuring that every citizen, regardless of region, culture, or language, has equal access to affordable and efficient air travel across India
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today quoted GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke, who lauded India for being the fastest growing developer population on the planet, calling the country’s rise as a global tech titan “inexorable”.
Shri Modi hailed the youth of India for their accomplishments in innovation and technology.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“When it comes to innovation and technology, Indian youth are among the best!”
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Shri Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on the occasion of his Guru Pooja today.
Shri Modi hailed his thoughts and teachings, adding that he always worked to to uplift society.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“Paying homage to the widely respected Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Ji on the occasion of his Guru Pooja. Countless people derive strength from his thoughts and teachings. He devoted himself to making our society better, with a focus on poverty alleviation, spirituality and welfare of farmers. We will keep working to realise his vision.”
Paying homage to the widely respected Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Ji on the occasion of his Guru Pooja. Countless people derive strength from his thoughts and teachings. He devoted himself to making our society better, with a focus on poverty alleviation, spirituality and…
Drawing inspiration from the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s National vision to institutionalize Swachhata and enhance workplace efficiency, Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT), along with its Attached/ Sub- ordinate organizations, is actively participating in the main phase of Special Campaign 4.0. This campaign, which commenced on 2nd October and will continue through 31st October 2024, aims to make impactful, focused and significant improvements in Cleanliness and reducing pendency in office matters.
Enthusiastic participation has been witnessed from all the Attached and Subordinate offices functioning under the administrative control of DoPT across the country. Till date, more than 250 cleanliness sites have been covered.
Large scale awareness and Campaign advocacy through Social Media with several Tweets and posts on other platforms like X and Facebook leading to #SpecialCampaign4 has been gaining lot of attraction on Social Media.
During the campaign, focused attention has been accorded for bringing about overall improvement in working environment and improve office experience for the staff.
Records are being reviewed for digitization, preservation and weeding out. Secretary, DOPT visited the Record Room & Store Rooms of the Department and issued instructions for review and weeding out of records/stores in a time bound manner.
Records Management
Since the beginning of the Special Campaign 4.0 on 02nd October, 2024, more than 31,000 physical files and more than 4800 e-files have been reviewed. Approx. 10,000 files have been identified for weeding out, 3500 filed weeded out and 90 files have been sent to National Archives of India. More than 1500 e-files have been closed so far.
Besides the above parameters, overall cleanliness of government offices with special focus on space management and enhancing work place experience of field offices was undertaken. 258 cleanliness campaign were conducted for cleaning of the offices in DoPT along with its Attached and Subordinate offices. The revenue of Rs. 96,516/- was generated by disposal of waste/scrapes. About 1400 Sq ft space has been freed due to scrap disposal and weeding of files.
Disposal of pendency
245 Public Grievances, 12 MP References, 3 IMC References (Cabinet Proposals), 68 State Government References, 2 PMO References, 57 Public Grievance Appeals have been disposed of during this period.
SpecialActivities / Events during the Special Campaign 4.0
Following activities have also been undertaken by this Department so far during the Special Campaign 4.0 for cleanliness and speedy disposal of the pendency:
Secretary, DoPT led the swachhtadrive on Swachh Bharat Diwas, 2nd October, 2024 at Grih Kalyan Kendra, Lodhi Road, New Delhi with all the officers and staff of DoPT, GKK and CCSCSB. He also led a plantation drive on this occasion. All the officers planted a tree under the special campaign-Ek Ped Maake Naam. All safaimitras and school children received gifts on this occasions.
A workshop on Cyber Security was organized in DoPT during the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 4.0 on 30/09/2024 to spread Cyber Swachhta Awareness for the employees.
A Workshop for CISOs on Cyber Awareness/Security for various offices under the DoPT was conducted as part of Special Campaign 4.0 on 7th October, 2024.
A workshop was conducted on 10th October, 2024 by DoPT in coordination with ISTM on RTI Act, 2005.
The Special Campaign 4.0 is helping to bring about greater degree of awareness to maintain clean office environment and the need for overall environmental protection. Department of Personnel & Training is committed to achieve the targets identified during the preparatory phase.
Second train with 840 metric tonnes of onion arrives in Delhi Onions to be released in Azadpur Mandi to augment availability, part stock to retail for Rs 35 per kg
Train carrying another 840 metric tonnes of onion from Nashik to reach Guwahati
Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 2:49PM by PIB Delhi
Today another 840 MT of onions procured by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) under the price stabilization fund of Department of Consumer Affairs has arrived at Kishanganj Railway Station of Delhi for disposal in Delhi-NCR. This is the second bulk transportation of onions by train to Delhi-NCR after NCCF brought 1,600 MT of onions to Kishanganj Station on 20th October, 2024 by Kanda express. Most of the onions will be released in Azadpur Mandi to augment overall availability in the market while part of the stock will go for retail sale at Rs 35 per kg.
The impact of bulk disposal of onion at Azadpur Mandi may be seen at graph given below:
Bulk transportation of onions by rail rake has been adopted, for the first time, for a timely, reliable and cost-effective delivery of onions to various regions. NAFED had earlier transported 840 MT of onions by rail rake from Nashik which arrived at Chennai on 26th October, 2024. Another rail rake from Nashik to Guwahati has left Nashik early this morning with 840 MT of onions procured by NCCF. Bulk shipments by rail augments the continuous transportation of onions by trucks across the country.
The government had procured 4.7 lakh tons of rabi onion for the price stabilization buffer this year, and started the release from 5th September, 2024 through retail sale at Rs 35 per kg and also through bulk sales in major mandis across the country. Till date over 1.40 lakh tonnes of onion in the buffer have been dispatched from Nashik and other source centres to consuming centres through trucks by road transport. As on date, NCCF has covered 104 destinations in 22 States and NAFED covered 52 destinations in 16 States in their onion disposal. The agencies have also partnered with retail chains such as SAFAL, Kendriya Bhandar and Reliance Retail for distribution of onions to retail consumers at Rs 35 per kg. In addition, 86,500 MT of onion has been allotted to 9 States Governments/Cooperative Societies for retail distribution.
Since the start of onion disposal till date, the retail prices of onion have substantially stabilized in major States such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, UP, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. All-India average retail prices remained largely stable during October. The onion shipment by rail to Guwahati will enhance availability in North-eastern States and is expected have dampening impact on prices in the region and also on the all-India average. Mandi prices in Nashik mandi also declined from the peak of Rs.47 per kg on 24th September and is currently at 40 kg on 29th October, 2024.
Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary chaired the inter-ministerial meeting to bolster support for the Ministry of Rural Development’s Nayi Chetna 3.0 Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign to be launched on 25 November 2024, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The month long campaign will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2024
The initiative will be led by DAY-NRLM’s Self-Help Group network
Posted On: 30 OCT 2024 2:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development convened an inter-ministerial meeting yesterday to outline the strategic roadmap for ‘Nayi Chetna 3.0’ – the third edition of its National Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.
Chaired by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Rural Development, the meeting brought together representatives from seven line ministries to discuss collaboration and action plans to raise awareness and reinforce response mechanisms against gender-based violence nationwide.
Smt. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Rural Development, commenced the meeting by presenting key findings from previous editions of the Nayi Chetna Campaign emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts, followed by an overview of the goals and structure for Nayi Chetna-3.0.
The month-long campaign will launch on November 25, 2024 and will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2024. The initiative will be led by DAY-NRLM’s Self-Help Group (SHG) network, embodying the spirit of Jan Andolan (people’s movement)
Led by the Ministry of Rural Development, the meeting saw participation from line ministries including the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Information and Broadcasting, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs, Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Justice. Discussions focused on fostering convergence to strengthen preventive efforts, improve access to support systems, and leverage each ministry’s expertise to drive the campaign’s objectives. A draft joint advisory delineating each ministry’s role was discussed and reviewed. The discussion threw light on the different forms of violence that could be prioritized and steps that could be taken to address these barriers.
In his remarks, Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Development, commended the suggestions made during the meeting and called for formalizing the advisory to drive the campaign in mission mode.
In his closing remarks, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasized the necessity for a united approach across ministries to combat gender-based violence, fostering widespread social change.
The Nayi Chetna Campaign seeks to amplify awareness and drive informed action to address gender-based violence through grassroots initiatives. Since its inception, Nayi Chetna has mobilized millions nationwide, creating a substantial movement for gender equality and women’s empowerment. In its first year, the campaign reached 3.5 crore people, supported by multiple line ministries, while the second edition, Nayi Chetna 2.0, involved 5.5 crore participants across 31 States and Union Territories, with over 9 lakh awareness activities on gender-based violence conducted nationwide.