Source: United Nations (Video News)
Meryl Streep at the screening of the film “The Sharp Edge of Peace” on the participation of four Afghan women leaders in the Doha talks prior to the Taliban takeover.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Environmental Management Nevada crews employed hydro cutting to bring down an ancillary water tank dewar at the Test Cell C (TCC) facility in Area 25 of the NNSS. This method allowed workers to mitigate fire risks associated with traditional torch cutting and due to the nature of the dual-lined tank, provided a safe option for reduction. This video is a time lapse of that operation.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
In January, Environmental Management Nevada crews demolished two water towers in Area 25 of the NNSS. Located at the Engine Maintenance, Assembly and Disassembly (EMAD) and Test Cell C (TCC) facilities, both water towers are under the scope of the cleanup work EM is performing on the NNSS. This video has multiple angles of each tower coming down.
Source: United Nations secretary general
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Ms. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark.
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister discussed the Pact for the Future, as well as Denmark’s upcoming non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the period of 2025-2026. They also discussed the war in Ukraine.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Press briefing by Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity will brief journalists on the main issues under discussion at the upcoming Biodiversity Conference, to take place in Colombia from 21 October until 1 November 2024.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
09.24.24
Witnesses include legal experts and a presidential historians to examine the breadth of the Trump v US decision, its unprecedented nature, and its danger to the rule of law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “‘When the President Does It, that Means It’s Not Illegal’: The Supreme Court’s Unprecedented Immunity Decision.” The hearing will explore the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. United States.
Key Quotes:
“Nearly two decades ago, then-Judge John Roberts came before this Committee for his confirmation hearing to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. I asked him about limits on the President’s power. In response, he told me, under oath, ‘No man is above the law, not the President and not the Congress.’ During his hearing, Roberts also repeatedly emphasized the limited role of a judge—famously comparing it to an umpire calling balls and strikes.”
“But in 2024, Chief Justice Roberts authored the opinion in Trump v. United States, a game-changing act of judicial fiat that puts all future presidents above the law, protecting them from criminal prosecution for abusing the authority given to them for personal or political gain. In plain language, the Court created three categories of varying degrees of presidential immunity. Core presidential actions: absolutely immune. Unofficial or private actions: not immune. Actions within the ‘outer perimeter’ of official actions: presumptively immune.”
“The decision also protects any president by preventing prosecutors from using evidence related to conduct or acts that are immune to prosecute a president for acts not protected by immunity. The Court also found that the President’s motives—corrupt or not—may not be questioned. So even if a president is peddling access to his office, prosecutors would find it nearly impossible to bring charges.”
“As Justice Amy Coney Barrett lamented, ‘[t]o make sense of charges alleging a quid pro quo, the jury must be allowed to hear about both the quid and the quo.’ And, in ruling that Donald Trump is, ‘absolutely immune from prosecution for the alleged conduct involving his discussions with Justice Department officials,’ the Court has stripped the Justice Department of its critical independence.”
“DOJ may now stand as a weapon to be wielded by a corrupt president against his political opponents. As the Committee demonstrated in Subverting Justice, our report about Trump pressuring DOJ to subvert the 2020 election, this is not some farfetched scenario.”
“So what does this all mean? It means that any sitting president may hide behind their office for protection from prosecution for even the most egregious forms of wrongdoing. It means effectively condoning Richard Nixon’s claim that, ‘when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal.’”
“The Roberts Court’s judicial activism has also left us with limited options when dealing with a delusional or corrupt executive. During the second Trump impeachment trial, the Senate Republican Leader stated, ‘We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation, and former presidents are not immune from being accountable by either one.’ But this is no longer the case, because the Trump v. United States ruling demolished our justice system’s ability to hold any president accountable for abuses of power.”
“Obstructing a federal criminal investigation of your campaign by firing your attorney general? Allowed. Steering foreign governments to your family hotels and resorts in exchange for access to the White House? Presumptively immune and your motive cannot be questioned. Contrary to the Chief Justice’s supposed goal of preventing political retribution through prosecution, he has heightened the chances of future conflict between the political branches.”
“If faced with a corrupt presidency, to meet the demands of the public and the Constitution, Congress will have to assert its powers, from appropriations to oversight to legislation. The Supreme Court has made it nearly impossible for the courts to hold a runaway president accountable. It will be left to the American people and Congress to hold the line. Because as Justice Sotomayor noted in her dissent, ‘the President is now a king above the law.’”
Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.
On July 1, the Supreme Court’s rightwing supermajority ruled that not just Donald Trump—but also future presidents—may be immune from abusing the levers of government to overturn an election or engage in other misconduct. The Court held in a misguided 6-3 decision that “the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
Durbin previously condemned the ruling and announced this hearing, describing the decision as “judicial activism unmoored from the text of the Constitution and intentions of our framers” that “Congress cannot turn a blind eye to.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee will examine the breadth of misconduct that may be immunized from prosecution, consider the unprecedented nature of this immunity in American history, and assess the danger it poses to both the rule of law and the independence of the Justice Department.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
09.24.24
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $10,906,668 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) medical research grants for Illinois institutions. The federal funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be put toward research programs across the state to support medical advancement in various fields, ranging from lung diseases to mental health research.
“Federal investments in medical research pushes our society forward, bringing us new treatments for the serious conditions that impact so many American families,” said Durbin. “Illinois’ world-class research institutions will make good use of this federal funding to make devastating diseases more treatable.”
“Investing in our world-renowned medical research facilities and institutions is a critical part in helping ensure high quality health care for all Illinoisans,” Duckworth said. “I will keep working with Senator Durbin to make sure our health organizations have the federal support they need to continue improving mental health research and advancing medical treatments for patients and families across Illinois.”
Recipients of HHS grants include:
Chestnut Health Systems, Inc (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs): $759,748
Northwestern University at Chicago (Research for Mothers and Children): $718,900
Northwestern University at Chicago (Nursing Research): $827,872
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Research and Training in Complementary and Alternative Medicine): $671,176
Northwestern University at Chicago (Lung Diseases Research): $2,803,961
Northwestern University at Chicago (Human Genome Research): $745,930
Northwestern University (Aging Research): $388,067
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (Mental Health Research Grants): $535,696
Northwestern University at Chicago (Aging Research): $1,536,774
Northwestern University at Chicago (Cancer Treatment Research): $90,538
Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research.? His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program. Thanks to Durbin’s efforts to increase medical research funding, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent funding increase over the past nine years.
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Source: Bank for International Settlements
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision met virtually on 23–24 September to take stock of recent market developments and risks to the global banking system, and to discuss a range of policy and supervisory initiatives.
Recent market developments
Committee members discussed the spikes in market volatility in late July and early August. While the episodes were short-lived with no significant impact on the global banking system, they highlighted how the build-up of large, levered positions are prone to quick unwinding. They also underscored the importance of banks and supervisors continuing to vigilantly monitor and assess banks’ interconnections with non-bank financial intermediaries.
The Committee also discussed the series of operational disruptions in July, which resulted in outages across numerous sectors, including some banks. These incidents highlighted the importance of banks’ operational resilience and management of third-party risks, and the systemic risks stemming from the reliance on the same third-party software or service. The Committee is currently consulting on proposed Principles for the sound management of third-party risk.
Global systemically important banks
The Committee approved the results of the end-2023 assessment exercise for G-SIBs. The results will be submitted to the Financial Stability Board before it publishes the 2024 list of G-SIBs.
2023 banking turmoil
The Committee finalised an analytical progress report on the lessons learned from the 2023 banking turmoil. As requested by the Brazilian G20 Presidency, the report builds on the Committee’s initial report on the turmoil, with a particular focus on its follow-up analytical work on liquidity risk. The progress report will be submitted to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and published next month.
The Committee also discussed progress on its work to strengthen supervisory effectiveness in the light of the lessons learned from last year’s turmoil by developing a suite of practical tools to support supervisors in their day-to-day work. This work covers the supervision of liquidity risk and interest rate risk in the banking book, the sustainability assessment of banks’ business models, and the importance of effective supervisory judgment.
This forms part of a series of follow-up initiatives by the Committee to last year’s banking turmoil.
Climate-related financial risks
The Committee continued to review the comments received on its consultation proposing a Pillar 3 disclosure framework for climate-related financial risks.
Note to editors
The Basel Committee is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks and provides a forum for cooperation on banking supervisory matters. Its mandate is to strengthen the regulation, supervision and practices of banks worldwide with the purpose of enhancing financial stability. The Committee reports to the Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision and seeks its endorsement for major decisions. The Committee has no formal supranational authority, and its decisions have no legal force. Rather, the Committee relies on its members’ commitments to achieve its mandate. The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision is chaired by Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada. The Basel Committee is chaired by Erik Thedéen, Governor of Sveriges Riksbank.
More information about the Basel Committee is available here.
Source: Bank for International Settlements
A very good morning to everyone. It is my great honour to welcome you to this workshop on “Navigating Climate Risk Stress Testing in Malaysia: Catalysing Dialogue and Charting the Course”, jointly organised by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3) Sub-Committee 1 Transition and Physical Risk Working Groups. This capacity building workshop brings together financial industry players and experts in related fields to share experiences, learn best practices and exchange ideas as we collectively prepare to conduct our first industry-wide climate risk stress test.
We firmly believe that climate change is an immediate challenge that poses risks to our financial system. To this end, allow me to describe how the central bank is approaching financial regulation in this space. In Malaysia, we have taken steps to put in place the foundational components to improve the ability of financial institutions to identify, measure and manage climate-related financial risks. There are five key pieces to these foundational components.
Firstly, a climate taxonomy establishes a consistent and common classification system for the identification of climate-related exposures. Second, mandatory climate disclosures by financial institutions will create an impetus for financial institutions to obtain information on their borrowers and investee firms. This, in turn, creates a virtuous cycle of informational flow. Third, regulatory standards on the management of climate-related risks set expectations for financial institutions to reflect these risks in their governance, strategy and risk practices. Fourth is a focus on transition planning. This is to ensure financial institutions set clear climate goals and concrete transition plans. With these building blocks in place, we are now in a good position for the fifth component, which is to accelerate industry capabilities via the conduct of the industry-wide climate risk stress test.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me to shed more light on the motivation behind the implementation of the Climate Risk Stress Test. The exercise is primarily intended to enhance capacity building among financial institutions in assessing how their business and operations could be affected by climate risks. Throughout the journey of conducting the stress test, financial institutions will uncover gaps related to data, technology, and methodologies. This serves as a starting point for the institution to assess their internal capability and find ways to address these gaps. In other words, the climate stress test is a forward-looking tool to help financial institutions in identifying, measuring and mitigating their climate risk exposures.
When designing this stress test for Malaysia, at Bank Negara Malaysia, we have strived to incorporate learnings from other jurisdictions, including adapting and incorporating several Malaysia’s specific elements in terms of its economic structure and financial system. We have also incorporated feedback from domestic industry players. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to extend Bank Negara Malaysia’s gratitude to many of you here who have provided invaluable feedback during the drafting of the Methodology Paper and reporting template. We truly appreciate the open and collaborative spirit extended by everyone, an approach that continues even up to today.
Climate risk stress testing is still in its infancy globally. Therefore, we have strived to balance between pragmatism and accuracy when specifying our requirements. Where possible we have tried to work around data limitations, lack of technical expertise as well as under-developed modelling techniques. However, considerable challenges remain for financial institutions to successfully run this stress test. We will journey with you through these challenges. It is as much a learning experience for Bank Negara Malaysia as it is for all the financial institutions running the stress test. That is one of the reasons we are all here today at this workshop.
I believe that together we can overcome many of the hurdles. Climate risk is a collective action problem. It may be in each individual’s best interests to act selfishly, regardless of what other individuals do. However, if all individuals act selfishly, then the outcome for everyone is worse than if we all cooperate. At the country level we see this playing out in global emissions reduction. A single small country may feel that spending money to cut emissions may do little for global climate change, and hence choose not to do so. However, such situation could lead to some other, or even all, countries, to opt not to cut emission, and thus, we will end up in a bad outcome globally and having the adverse impact of unattended climate risks being faced collectively.
At the individual financial institution level, the development of new approaches and techniques for stress testing would be crucial for measuring the risk of climate change. However, if each entity chooses to keep their advancements proprietary, industry adoption will be slow. Collaboration and knowledge sharing is needed to scale solutions and reduce costs.
Therefore, I am hoping that for the next few hours, we will all make a conscious choice to participate in these sessions with a generous heart and an open mind. I hope everyone will choose to collaborate rather than compete, to share rather than hoard. In this regard, I am encouraged by the collective efforts by the industry in undertaking capacity building initiatives to upskill the financial institutions and exploring potential solutions to bridge the data gaps. Commendable efforts by the JC3 Sub-Committee 1 and 4 in leading training initiatives and Sub-Committee 5 in producing and refining the Climate Data Catalogue exemplify this collaborative spirit.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Some of you have been asking, what’s next after this stress test? I’d like to address this in some detail.
Important to note is that the climate stress test, or CRST for short, is not an end in itself. It should not be viewed as merely a regulatory compliance exercise. Although BNM does not intend for the results of the inaugural stress test to calibrate capital requirements, we do expect financial institutions to take this exercise seriously. I strongly advise financial institutions to already start planning for how the results of the stress test could be used to inform strategic planning and management decision making.
CRST results are more than just numbers. They provide important insights into how climate risks could impact the business and operations of an institution. Hence, active engagement from senior management and the Board throughout the CRST journey – not just when the final results are available – will be crucial to the success of this first exercise. Financial institutions need adequate internal support to address the challenges they face, and this requires buy-in from the top throughout the stress test exercise.
Additionally, as climate risks continue to evolve, we expect climate risk stress tests to be a recurring exercise moving forward. As such, it is imperative that financial institutions continuously invest in enhancing their stress test capabilities, particularly in areas such as data collection, methodology and model development. This ongoing refinement is essential to ensure that the CRST remains relevant and responsive to the ever-evolving nature of climate risks.
Before I conclude, I want to emphasise the overarching objective of the Climate Risk Stress Test in safeguarding our financial system. Through CRST, we are not only strengthening our institutions’ resilience to climate-related risks but also building a solid foundation for long-term sustainability.
This workshop today provides a great opportunity to kickstart meaningful conversations around CRST. The agenda has been carefully curated to promote deep learning and knowledge sharing, with a strong emphasis on practical applications and addressing real-world challenges in conducting the stress test. I encourage all participants to actively engage and share insights throughout the workshop.
Let me end with the words of Sir David Attenborough “If working apart we are a force powerful enough to destabilise our planet, surely working together, we are powerful enough to save it.” I urge you to stay committed to this journey, continue collaborating, and share your experiences. While past and current actions and inactions created today’s climate problems, our generation must lead the way in fixing it for our children. I have every confidence in our sector’s ability to rise to this challenge and lead the way in building a climate-resilient financial system.
With this, I wish you a productive workshop ahead. Thank you.
Source: United Nations secretary general
Mr. President, Excellencies,
Two days ago, in the newly agreed Pact for the Future, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to the Charter of the United Nations.
Our Organization is based on the principle of sovereignty of all Member States – within their internationally recognized borders.
The Charter unequivocally stipulates that all States must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other State – and that international disputes must be settled by peaceful means.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – following the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and City of Sevastopol a decade ago – is a clear violation of these principles.
And civilian populations continue to pay the price.
The death toll keeps rising.
Nearly 10 million people have fled their homes.
Systematic attacks against hospitals, schools, supermarkets… are only adding pain and misery.
Power cuts and infrastructure damage have left millions in the dark.
I strongly condemn all attacks on civilians and civilian facilities – wherever they occur and whoever is responsible. They all must stop immediately.
And I remain deeply concerned about the safety, humanitarian needs and basic human rights of people residing in occupied areas.
Mr. President,
Despite immense challenges, the United Nations remains fully engaged as the largest international presence in Ukraine.
This year alone, and together with our partners, we have provided lifesaving aid to more than 6.2 million people.
But we need the support of the international community.
15 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance – more than half of them women and girls.
But – as winter is approaching – less than half of our 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan is funded.
I urge donors to help us pursue our vital work on the ground.
We are also assisting the government of Ukraine in its recovery and reconstruction efforts.
This includes access to basic services and the restoration of Ukraine’s energy production capacities.
In recent weeks, we have seen a resurgence of inflammatory rhetoric and incidents around nuclear sites – particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and alarmingly, at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Russian Federation.
I commend the International Atomic Energy Agency, including its critical presence in Ukraine’s nuclear sites, to help ensure nuclear safety and security.
I urge all parties to act responsibly and avoid any declaration or action that could further destabilize an already incendiary situation.
Monsieur le Président,
Deux ans et demi après l’invasion à grande échelle de l’Ukraine, plus de 11 000 civils ont été tués.
Plus cette guerre tragique se prolonge, plus le risque d’escalade et de débordement est grand.
Cela n’affecterait pas seulement la région, mais aggraverait les tensions et les divisions mondiales – à un moment où notre monde a désespérément besoin de plus de coopération et d’action collective.
Nous devons mettre fin aux souffrances et briser le cycle de la violence, dans l’intérêt du peuple ukrainien, du peuple russe – et du monde entier.
L’initiative de la mer Noire et les échanges de prisonniers de guerre nous le rappellent : lorsqu’il y a une volonté politique, la diplomatie peut réussir, même dans les heures les plus sombres.
Bien que la paix puisse aujourd’hui paraître hors de portée, les nombreux appels au dialogue représentent une lueur d’espoir.
Intensifions donc nos efforts pour aboutir à la paix en Ukraine – une paix juste, totale et durable ;
Une paix conforme à la Charte des Nations unies, au droit international et aux résolutions de l’Assemblée générale.
L’Organisation des Nations Unies soutiendra tout effort en ce sens.
Je vous remercie.
******
[all-English]
Mr. President, Excellencies,
Two days ago, in the newly agreed Pact for the Future, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to the Charter of the United Nations.
Our Organization is based on the principle of sovereignty of all Member States – within their internationally recognized borders.
The Charter unequivocally stipulates that all States must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other State – and that international disputes must be settled by peaceful means.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 – following the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and City of Sevastopol a decade ago – is a clear violation of these principles.
And civilian populations continue to pay the price.
The death toll keeps rising.
Nearly 10 million people have fled their homes.
Systematic attacks against hospitals, schools, supermarkets… are only adding pain and misery.
Power cuts and infrastructure damage have left millions in the dark.
I strongly condemn all attacks on civilians and civilian facilities – wherever they occur and whoever is responsible. They all must stop immediately.
And I remain deeply concerned about the safety, humanitarian needs and basic human rights of people residing in occupied areas.
Mr. President,
Despite immense challenges, the United Nations remains fully engaged as the largest international presence in Ukraine.
This year alone, and together with our partners, we have provided lifesaving aid to more than 6.2 million people.
But we need the support of the international community.
15 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance – more than half of them women and girls.
But – as winter is approaching – less than half of our 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan is funded.
I urge donors to help us pursue our vital work on the ground.
We are also assisting the government of Ukraine in its recovery and reconstruction efforts.
This includes access to basic services and the restoration of Ukraine’s energy production capacities.
In recent weeks, we have seen a resurgence of inflammatory rhetoric and incidents around nuclear sites – particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and alarmingly, at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Russian Federation.
I commend the International Atomic Energy Agency, including its critical presence in Ukraine’s nuclear sites, to help ensure nuclear safety and security.
I urge all parties to act responsibly and avoid any declaration or action that could further destabilize an already incendiary situation.
Mr. President,
Two and half years since the full-blown invasion of Ukraine, more than 11,000 civilians have been killed.
The longer this tragic war continues, the greater the risk of escalation and spillover.
This would not only impact the region, but further deepen global tensions and divisions – at a time when our world desperately needs more cooperation and collective action.
We must stop the suffering and break the cycle of violence – for the sake of the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and the world.
The Black Sea Initiative and the continued exchanges of prisoners of war serve as reminders that, when there is political will, diplomacy can succeed – even in the darkest hour.
Today, though the prospects for peace may seem distant, I am inspired by the growing calls for dialogue.
So let us intensify our efforts to seek peace in Ukraine – a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.
United Nations stands ready to support all efforts towards achieving this goal.
Thank you.
******
[all-French]
Monsieur le Président, Excellences,
Il y a deux jours, à travers le nouveau Pacte pour l’avenir, les dirigeants du monde ont réaffirmé leur attachement au droit international et à la Charte des Nations unies.
Notre Organisation est fondée sur le principe de la souveraineté de tous les États membres – à l’intérieur de leurs frontières internationalement reconnues.
La Charte est sans équivoque : tous les États doivent s’abstenir de recourir à la menace ou à l’emploi de la force contre l’intégrité territoriale ou l’indépendance politique de tout autre État, et que les différends internationaux doivent être réglés par des moyens pacifiques.
L’invasion massive de l’Ukraine par la Russie en février 2022 – après l’annexion illégale de la République autonome de Crimée et de la ville de Sébastopol il y a dix ans – constitue une violation manifeste de ces principes.
Et les populations civiles continuent d’en payer le prix.
Le nombre de morts ne cesse d’augmenter.
Près de 10 millions de personnes ont fui leurs foyers.
Les attaques systématiques contre les hôpitaux, les écoles, les supermarchés… ne font qu’amplifier la douleur et la détresse.
Les coupures de courant et les dommages causés aux infrastructures ont plongé des millions de personnes dans l’obscurité.
Je condamne fermement toutes les attaques contre les civils et les installations civiles, peu importe où elles se produisent et qui est responsable. Elles doivent toutes cesser immédiatement.
Et je reste profondément préoccupé par la sécurité, les besoins humanitaires et les droits humains des personnes résidant dans les régions occupées.
Monsieur le Président,
Malgré d’immenses défis, l’Organisation des Nations Unies reste pleinement engagée, représentant la plus grande présence internationale en Ukraine.
Rien que cette année, en coopération avec nos partenaires, nous avons apporté une aide vitale à plus de 6,2 millions de personnes.
Mais nous avons besoin du soutien de la communauté internationale.
15 millions de personnes en Ukraine ont besoin d’aide humanitaire – et plus de la moitié d’entre elles sont des femmes et des jeunes filles.
Cependant, à l’approche de l’hiver, moins de la moitié de notre Plan d’intervention humanitaire pour 2024 est financée.
J’exhorte les donateurs à nous aider à poursuivre notre travail vital sur le terrain.
Nous assistons également le gouvernement ukrainien dans ses efforts de redressement économique et de reconstruction.
Cela comprend l’accès aux services de base et la restauration des capacités de production d’énergie de l’Ukraine.
Ces dernières semaines, nous avons vu une recrudescence de rhétorique incendiaire et d’incidents autour des sites nucléaires – en particulier à la centrale nucléaire de Zaporizhzhia et, de façon inquiétante, à la centrale nucléaire de Koursk, dans la Fédération de Russie.
Je félicite l’Agence internationale de l’énergie atomique, notamment pour sa présence essentielle sur les sites nucléaires ukrainiens, afin de contribuer à garantir la sûreté et la sécurité nucléaires.
J’appelle toutes les parties à agir de manière responsable et à éviter toute déclaration ou action susceptible de déstabiliser davantage une situation déjà incendiaire.
Monsieur le Président,
Deux ans et demi après l’invasion à grande échelle de l’Ukraine, plus de 11 000 civils ont été tués.
Plus cette guerre tragique se prolonge, plus le risque d’escalade et de débordement est grand.
Cela n’affecterait pas seulement la région, mais aggraverait les tensions et les divisions mondiales – à un moment où notre monde a désespérément besoin de plus de coopération et d’action collective.
Nous devons mettre fin aux souffrances et briser le cycle de la violence, dans l’intérêt du peuple ukrainien, du peuple russe – et du monde entier.
L’initiative de la mer Noire et les échanges de prisonniers de guerre nous le rappellent : lorsqu’il y a une volonté politique, la diplomatie peut réussir, même dans les heures les plus sombres.
Bien que la paix puisse aujourd’hui paraître hors de portée, les nombreux appels au dialogue représentent une lueur d’espoir.
Intensifions donc nos efforts pour aboutir à la paix en Ukraine – une paix juste, totale et durable ;
Une paix conforme à la Charte des Nations unies, au droit international et aux résolutions de l’Assemblée générale.
L’Organisation des Nations Unies soutiendra tout effort en ce sens.
Je vous remercie.
Source: New Zealand Government
Legislation reinstating offshore petroleum exploration has been introduced by the Coalition Government, a key step in addressing the significant energy security challenges felt by Kiwis across the country this winter.
The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill reverses the ban on new oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki, signals the Government’s intent to reinvigorate investment in petroleum exploration, aligns decommissioning settings with best practice and provides certainty for potential investors.
“This Bill delivers on commitments in both the National-NZ First and National-ACT coalition agreements and the Government’s promise to take urgent action to address energy security and affordability,” Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
“Natural gas is critical to a secure and affordable supply of energy in New Zealand – now and into the future. Our gas fields are in decline and without further investment in existing and new fields to increase production, supply issues and high prices will persist when generation from our renewable energy sources is at capacity.
“Limited gas supply doesn’t just make it more expensive to keep our lights on and our homes warm, it is squeezing our industrial users to the point that we are seeing production halting and large employers in regional New Zealand having to close their doors.
“On top of removing the exploration ban, this legislation will better balance the regulatory burden, risk of decommissioning and give the regulator more flexibility in how exploration permits are issued, giving the sector confidence to get to work.
“Our petroleum and mineral resources contribute billions of dollars to New Zealand’s GDP, create high-paying jobs and opportunities to develop skills and help to diversify regional economies. I’m not willing to let the significant benefits of this sector pass us by.”
A new tier of mineral permitting that will make it easier for people to undertake small-scale non-commercial gold mining activity is also introduced through the Bill.
The Bill is expected to have its first reading this morning and will be referred to select committee with the aim of passing legislation by the end of this year. To achieve this, the select committee process will be undertaken in a condensed timeframe.
For more information on the Bill, see 2024 Proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act 1991 | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
Source: US State of Colorado
COLORADO SPRINGS – Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera joined members of Sports Corp, and the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region to celebrate the announcement that the Senior Games would return to Colorado in 2025. Competitors in the Colorado Senior Games can go on to compete in the National Senior Games. The event will promote health, wellness, and camaraderie among senior athletes, while also highlighting the vibrant spirit of Colorado’s senior community.
“Colorado is the best place to train and compete for athletes of all ages, and I am delighted to share that the Senior Games are returning to Colorado. The Senior Games provide community and opportunities for senior athletes, and I can’t wait to see the talent that lives right here in our state. In Colorado, we are proud to be one of the healthiest and most active states in the country, and were recently ranked second in the United Senior Health Rankings, making our athletes sure competitors in the national games next year,” said Lt. Governor Primavera.
The Colorado Senior Games presented by Medicare Mentors, is set to take place from June 6-8th, 2025, in Colorado Springs. The event will feature a wide variety of sports and activities for participants aged 50 and older, including track and field, pickleball, and more. The last Senior Games were held annually in Greeley up until 2018. Registration for the Colorado Senior Games will open on February 1, 2025. Seniors of all skill levels are encouraged to participate, whether they are seasoned athletes or looking to try something new. Information on registration, events, and volunteering opportunities will be available on coloradoseniorgames.org.
Throughout her career, Lt. Governor Primavera has championed Colorado’s aging population, including creating more resources, strengthening employment opportunities, and more. The Lt. Governor leads the Colorado Office of Saving Money on Health Care, which is focused on reducing healthcare costs for all, including older Coloradans. This includes everything from capping the cost of insulin, increasing access to insurance coverage through efforts like Reinsurance and the Colorado Option, and reducing prescription drug costs through the Prescription Drug affordability Board and importing lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada.
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Source: US State of Connecticut
On September 17 the American Hospital Association (AHA) visited UConn Health to present it with a legacy award for both its past and present leadership’s impact in advancing the health of the community.
“As a token of appreciation from the American Hospital Association,” said LaShannon Spencer, regional director of the AHA as she handed over the beautiful glass award to UConn Health’s CEO Dr. Andy Agwunobi and UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s Chief Operating Officer Caryl Ryan, RN who also serves as UConn Health’s Chief Nursing Officer.
AHA’s regional director shared how UConn Health’s founders and early leaders were very involved with the AHA as members for advocacy, federal legislative efforts, and even served on the AHA’s policy board, well-before UConn Health was even founded back in the 1960s.
“This award pays tribute to those past leaders, and to UConn Health and its hospital’s current leaders,” said Spencer of the AHA.
Ryan said, “This is a tremendous honor and recognition for our hospital as the American Hospital Association is one of the most prestigious, national organizations overseeing hospitals.”
Spencer concluded, “This significant achievement is a testament to your hospital’s steadfast commitment and support, and its profound understanding of the value of advocacy in fostering excellence in healthcare delivery and enhancing the lives of your staff, patients, and communities you serve.”
Source: US State of North Dakota
Visa’s Exclusionary and Anticompetitive Conduct Undermines Choice and Innovation in Payments and Imposes Enormous Costs on Consumers, Merchants, and the American Economy
The Justice Department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today against Visa for monopolization and other unlawful conduct in debit network markets in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the complaint alleges that Visa illegally maintains a monopoly over debit network markets by using its dominance to thwart the growth of its existing competitors and prevent others from developing new and innovative alternatives.
According to the complaint, more than 60% of debit transactions in the United States run on Visa’s debit network, allowing it to charge over $7 billion in fees each year for processing those transactions. The complaint further alleges that Visa illegally maintains its monopoly power by insulating itself from competition. For example, Visa wields its dominance, enormous scale, and centrality to the debit ecosystem to impose a web of exclusionary agreements on merchants and banks. These agreements penalize Visa’s customers who route transactions to a different debit network or alternative payment system. In so doing, the complaint alleges, Visa locks up debit volume, insulates itself from competition, and smothers smaller, lower-priced competitors. Visa also induces would-be competitors to become partners instead of entering the market as competitors by offering generous monetary incentives and threatening punitive additional fees. As the complaint alleges, Visa coopted the competition because it feared losing share, revenues, or being displaced by another debit network altogether.
“We allege that Visa has unlawfully amassed the power to extract fees that far exceed what it could charge in a competitive market,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Merchants and banks pass along those costs to consumers, either by raising prices or reducing quality or service. As a result, Visa’s unlawful conduct affects not just the price of one thing – but the price of nearly everything.”
Debit transactions are an important and popular part of the U.S. financial system. Millions of Americans prefer or must use debit for online and in-person purchases. Visa dominates debit network markets that facilitate these transactions, charging significant fees and stifling competition in the process. Visa’s systematic efforts to limit competition for debit transactions have resulted in billions of dollars in additional fees imposed on American consumers and businesses and slowed innovation in the debit payments ecosystem. Through this lawsuit, the Justice Department seeks to restore competition to this vital market on behalf of the American public.
“Anticompetitive conduct by corporations like Visa leaves the American people and our entire economy worse off,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today’s action against Visa reminds those who would stifle competition rather than competing on price or investing in innovation that the Justice Department will never hesitate to enforce the law on behalf of the American people.”
“Visa fears competition and innovation, and instead chooses unlawful cooperation and monopolization,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Visa abuses its power over its customers and buys off would-be rivals at the expense of American consumers, merchants, banks, and the competitive process itself. Today’s lawsuit holds Visa accountable for its conduct in a market that forms the backbone of American commerce.”
Visa maintains enormous scale on both sides of the debit market — with merchants and their banks and with consumers and their banks — and the complaint alleges that Visa’s exclusionary practices extend, deepen, and protect what it refers to as an “enormous moat” around its business. When faced with the possibility that smaller debit networks or new technology entrants would threaten that position, Visa engaged in a deliberate and reinforcing course of conduct to cut off competition and prevent rivals from gaining the scale, share, and data necessary to compete for customers’ business:
In 2020, the Justice Department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit to stop Visa from acquiring Plaid, a technology company that powers fintech apps developing disruptive options for online debit payments. The companies abandoned their planned $5.3 billion merger.
Visa Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in San Francisco. Visa has a global operating income of $18.8 billion and an operating margin of 64% in 2022. North America is among Visa’s most profitable regions with 2022 operating margins of 83%. Visa charges roughly $8 billion in network fees on U.S. debit volume annually. Globally, Visa processes $12.3 trillion in total payment volume.
Source: US State of New Mexico
SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her appointment of Emily Kaltenbach as Cabinet Secretary of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD).
Kaltenbach brings more than two decades of leadership in public policy, health care reform, and advocacy, as well as a strong track-record of advancing services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and communities across New Mexico. Kaltenbach will join the administration on November 4, 2024.
Previously, Kaltenbach was senior director of state advocacy for the Drug Policy Alliance, where she led statewide efforts to shift policy focus from punitive measures to health-centered solutions. Her extensive background also includes leadership positions at ALTSD and in the New Mexico Office of Health Care Reform, where she contributed to significant policy reforms benefiting older adults and people of all ages with disabilities.
“We welcome Emily Kaltenbach back to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Her depth of experience in public health, aging services, and policy development will enable her to make an immediate impact as the department continues to improve the care and resources provided to New Mexico’s seniors and those with disabilities.”
“I am honored to return to ALTSD and serve New Mexico’s elders and families,” said Kaltenbach. “I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders statewide to ensure all New Mexicans have access to the care and services they need to live with dignity and independence.”
Kaltenbach holds a master’s in health care administration from the University of Washington and has served on multiple boards dedicated to public health, cannabis regulation, and community safety. Her leadership in health care reform and social justice issues makes her uniquely positioned to lead ALTSD as it navigates the challenges facing the state’s growing aging population.
Source: Government of Italy (English)
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24 Settembre 2024
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, delivered a speech today at the summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats in New York.
Source: US State of California
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement in response to Senate Bill 1061 (SB 1061) being signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Monique Limón (D- Santa Barbara) and cosponsored by the Attorney General, and many prominent advocacy organizations including the California Nurses Association, Health Access California, CALPIRG, Consumer Federation of California, and the National Consumer Law Center, SB 1061 will protect consumers from having their credit ruined by prohibiting medical debt from being reported on credit reports. Credit reports are meant to gauge an individual’s ability to repay future debt. Medical debt is often unforeseen and not a reliable indicator of financial risk, yet it can unfairly prevent consumers from getting loans, renting an apartment, or getting a job. This kind of debt on a credit report reflects the financial burden of illness, not an inability to manage finances, including payment of other bills, or posing a credit risk.
“When someone is scared and in pain, the last thing they should think about is whether seeking care will take away their ability to buy a house or land a job. Unfortunately, medical debt appearing on credit reports makes this a common experience for far too many people,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “California today chose to put a stop to this unnecessary and outdated practice. SB 1061 supports Californians’ fair access to essential economic opportunities and a brighter future.”
“I am proud to author legislation to provide relief to Californians suffering from the burden of medical debt,” said Senator Monique Limón. “No Californian should be unable to secure housing, a loan, or even a job because they accessed necessary medical care. California is stepping up to protect consumers impacted by the effects of medical debt.”
Medical debt continues to increase and is a barrier to employment, housing, and the promotion of healthcare access and equity. The Urban Institute reported 7.8% of California consumers with a credit report had a medical debt listed on it, increasing to 8.5% for Black Californians. People with medical debt are more likely to say debt has caused them to be turned down for a rental or a mortgage than people with student loans or credit card debt, increasing their risk of homelessness or being forced to live in substandard housing. Debt can also create barriers for finding employment as employers often use credit reports as a basis for hiring decisions, which in turn, makes it even more difficult to pay off medical debt. Many consumers are also forced to postpone important medical care due to medical debt, which may lead to further illness. In September 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a rulemaking process to remove medical bills from consumers’ credit reports. In August 2024, Attorney General Bonta sent a letter to CFPB in support of the Bureau’s Proposed Rule which would prohibit the reporting of medical debt on credit reports. With the enactment of SB 1061, California now joins seven other states in supporting the CFPB and the Biden Administration by enacting state-level legislation against medical debt credit reporting.
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MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
The government meeting took place today in a unique format. In the public part of the meeting, the ministers presented reports on the activities of their ministries in connection with the flood. El primer minister Donald Tusk announced that this formula will be in force during the next government meetings. Later in the meeting, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft act amending the Act on special solutions related to removing the effects of floods. Tomorrow the government will present information on its activities in the Sejm. In the afternoon, the head of government went to a meeting of the crisis staff in Wrocław. Concrete actions Today’s government meeting was devoted to the situation in southwestern Poland after the flood. In the public part, Prime Minister Donald Tusk asked ministers to present the activities of their ministries and propose specific solutions. “My intention is that each government meeting – in this dramatic time of flood and post-flood reconstruction – should begin with a specific report that should reach people immediately,” explained the head of government. The second part of the meeting of the Council of Ministers was devoted to the draft act amending the act on special solutions related to removing the effects of floods. “Para bromear 100 pages of amendments that will improve the existing law; they will make assistance easier and more flexible,” announced Donald Tusk. The government will be able to secure – together with European funds – up to PLN 23 billion for the “Reconstruction Plus” program. “It was very important for us to provide financing for aid and then reconstruction for the coming months and years – because some projects will last for many years,” the Prime Minister said. The government remains directly involved in supervising activities in the areas affected by the disaster – a meeting of the crisis staff will be held in Wrocław this afternoon. Los dos ministros se multiplican Internal Affairs and Administration The first information during the meeting of the Council of Ministers was presented by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration. Tomasz Siemoniak emphasized that the State Fire Service and the army are currently focusing on two goals. The first is to ensure safety in connection with the peak wave on the Odra River. “We are moving forces and resources, moving helicopters and various types of equipment, so that we have forces and resources in all places of danger – especially backwaters, seepage through embankments or water pouring through embankments in some places” – reported the head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration. The second priority is to support residents in restoring normal functioning in the affected municipalities. “Here we do not reduce our commitment in any way. As for the forces of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, the Bromear couple approximately 25,000. professional firefighters, volunteer firefighters and policemen,” said Tomasz Siemoniak. The police continue to ensure the safety of residents of flooded areas, including: guarding their property against looters, running mobile posts and providing psychological support. The Central Office for Combating Cybercrime is also carrying out intensified activities. It focuses primarily on the fight against disinformation and the practice of conducting false collections. “I am asking you to follow our announcements carefully. Please check carefully whether this is a fake collection. This is what we are trying to eliminate,” the Minister of Interior and Administration emphasized the importance of the problem. The Ministry of Interior and Administration cooperates with voivodes in the field of paying benefits to the injured. Nearly 20,000 families have already received such support. The aid is also organized by the Government Agency of Strategic Reserves, which has released funds in the amount of PLN 12 million and provides, among others, temporary housing. Ministrosdos of National Defense Prime Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reminded that from the very beginning, all the armed forces of the Republic of Poland were involved in the fight against the flood: land forces, air forces, navy, special forces and Territorial Defense Forces. “The lines of effort of the army: help and evacuation of the population, taking care of life and health – the most important thing is para bromear. The second thing is securing the embankments, strengthening them as the wave moves. The third issue is the tidying up of the area – matters related to cleaning, unblocking communication routes,” the Minister of National Defense listed the activities of the services subordinated to him. The army also got involved, among others: in the organization of the field hospital in Nysa and the disinfection process. On Monday, September 23, the Feniks military operation began. “We immediately launched another operation – Operation Phoenix, aimed at reconstruction, returning to normality. In fact, it is about raising the level of reconstruction to an even better infrastructure than what was destroyed,” announced the head of the Ministry of Defense. The operation is scheduled at least until the end of the year. Soldiers will be present in areas at risk and affected by flooding until the effects of the flood are removed. The cost of Operation Feniks is estimated at approximately PLN 175 million. Our NATO and EU partners offer their help, for example by sending engineering teams to rebuild roads and bridges. “Para bromear is an expression of solidarity that Poland has always shown to countries in need,” noted the Minister of National Defense. El primer ministro Donald Tusk thanked for the information about offers of international assistance. “Good comes back in different situations, in different forms. We helped the Turks, we helped the Swedes not so long ago… The Greeks, of course, with forest fires. Today, the Swedes are sending us dehumidifiers, the Turks and Germans want to build bridges…” Poland will definitely benefit from the offer of help wherever it is useful. Ministrosdos of Digitization Primer Ministro y Ministro of Digitization Krzysztof Gawkowski presented, among others: actions his ministry took to launch satellite communications. 160 Starlink terminals were handed over to the State Fire Service, and 70 terminales – to the Police. The Ministry of Digitization also cooperates with mobile network operators to provide residents of disaster-affected areas with access to mobile networks. “We have gone from several tens of thousands of people cut off from the mobile network to less than a thousand” – político Krzysztof Gawkowski. Audit activities were commissioned to develop solutions that will avoid disconnection in similar situations in the future. The ministry cooperates with the Police in the fight against disinformation. Recently, increased hostile actions have been recorded on the Russian and Belarusian sides. 80-90% of this false content is removed as soon as it appears. Another important action is to launch flood alerts in the MObywatel application. Thanks to this, residents of individual voivodeships can quickly obtain information about the situation in the region. Citizens are also provided with information by the government-created website podz2024.gov.pl. Together with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the Minister of Digitization decided to donate 16,000 laptops to the affected areas to be used by children. Ministrosdos Infraestructura El ministro Dariusz Klimczak announced that all roads in Lower Silesia have already been made passable. The situation is worse in the Opole Voivodeship. The head of the ministry reported, among others, from activities aimed at rebuilding the bridge in Głuchołazy. The section of the Kłodzko Główny – Kłodzko Miasto railway route is still impassable. “We anticipate that we will clear traffic on this section by September 30,” Dariusz Klimczak reported the good news. The railway organizes detours on some sections. We appeal to travelers to
analyze the information provided by carriers. The head of the Ministry of Infrastructure provided detailed data on alarm and warning states, meteorological and hydrological warnings and the condition of reservoirs. He paid particular attention to hydrological warnings against third-degree floods for the Lubusz, West Pomeranian, Lower Silesian and Greater Poland voivodeships. Ministrosdos of Finance El ministro Andrzej Domański reminded that his ministry had secured PLN 2 billion in the state budget for the implementation of the most urgent aid tasks related to combating the effects of the flood and was working to increase this amount. “We regularly issue decisions activating funds for voivodes, including the payment of flood benefits. We are also working together with the local government to provide direct assistance to the affected municipalities. We have, among other things, funds at our disposal from the reserve in the amount of PLN 738 million. The decision on the division of this reserve will be made together with the local government,” said Andrzej Domański. They can count on support, among others: borrowers whose mortgage obligation will be taken over by the state for 12 months, as well as entrepreneurs – it is possible, for example, to apply for a waiver of tax liabilities. Ministros dos Funds and Regional Policy The Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, in accordance with the Prime Minister’s instructions, carried out a comprehensive review of the Cohesion Funds. “Up to several billion zlotys can be transferred for reconstruction and resilience purposes,” informed Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. The ministry she manages is creating a new priority within the Cohesion Funds. Dedicated to Bromea Sobre rebuilding in flooded areas and at the same time building resilience to such events. “These will be funds for energy infrastructure, water and sewage infrastructure, road infrastructure, but also funds for private beneficiaries, supporting budget funds for the reconstruction of houses that were destroyed during the flood,” said the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy. The process of redirecting funds is consulted with local government officials from flood regions. Ministry of Climate and Environment Led by Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska, the ministry clima observes, among others, the situation of environmental infrastructure and the state of groundwater. The State Geological Service has introduced a state of hydrogeological threat for the period from September 17 to 30 for the Lower Silesian and Opole voivodeships and the southern parts of the Lubuskie and Greater Poland voivodeships. The Ministry of Climate and Environment directed resources and forces to post-flood areas, thanks to which the number of households without access to electricity significantly decreased. “1,738 customers remain without electricity. At its peak there were almost 80,000 households. The biggest problem in this respect is still the Lower Silesian Voivodeship,” said Paulina Hennig-Kloska. At the request of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Council of Ministers adopted an amendment to the regulation on the state of natural disaster, which is intended to facilitate the removal of waste from areas affected by flooding. The ministry also launched subsidies for local governments for the purchase of, among others, aggregates, pump, dryers. Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy, reminded what the activities of her ministry focus on. “While the ministries and services directly involved in the fight against the element are putting a stop to it, we at the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy have been looking from the very beginning where the wave is already receding, where the water is receding and where the people of the flooded areas need immediate, urgent social assistance and financial assistance” – emphasized Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk. The total funds paid for these benefits are 100 million 409 thousand. PLN. This number is still growing. The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy has facilitated access to aid by simplifying the form for flood victims. The application may be submitted orally, and the entire procedure works according to the so-called one window. Social workers often come to injured people themselves. El primer ministro Donald Tusk thanked Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk for the initiative to introduce paid leave for those who clean the homes of their loved ones. “A couple of pretty obvious help. Everyone who gets involved and devotes their time, is not at work, but helps their loved ones and family in drying, cleaning, pumping water, etc., will be able to count on state support,” assured the Prime Minister. A provision on this form of assistance will be included in the draft bill developed by the government. Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna announced that the main task of her ministry is to provide residents of flooded areas with access to medical services. Ministrosdos has launched 3 hotlines. “One, the general one, where the patient can find out where the nearest clinic is, where the nearest pharmacy that has not been flooded is; where to go for help. And two more hotlines that concern people in mental health crisis – separately for adults and separately for children and adolescents,” explained Izabela Leszczyna. Psychological and psychiatric help also reaches flood victims through the mobile center. The Minister of Health thanked the employees of all hospitals and clinics who are showing great commitment during the crisis. The hospital in Nysa is at the stage of drying and disinfection. “There is great determination of the employees of the local community, the starosta of Nysa, to open this hospital. Both the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund absolutely support these efforts,” emphasized the head of the ministry. The State Sanitary Inspection focuses on collecting water samples, conducting laboratory tests and issuing disinfectants. Anyone can call the district sanitary and epidemiological station to ask for water testing or help with disinfection. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Adam Nowak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, informed that according to data collected by the Restructuring Agency, 4,318 farmers who had a registered farm number were affected by the flood. “In accordance with the Prime Minister’s instruction to ensure that this assistance is quick and well-addressed, the first program will be support of approximately PLN 5,000 for a hectare of field containing unharvested agricultural produce, unharvested cereals – mainly corn, partly also soybeans, corn, potatoes and sugar beets” – Adam Nowak presented one of the proposals to help farmers. The ministry will also support farmers, among others: ensuring the possibility of remission of rents for arable land, exemption and remission of social security contributions in KRUS, and compensation for cereals and other agricultural produce that came into contact with flood waters. Another solution is quick advance payments for direct payments to farmers from flood-affected areas. The Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski, requested the European Commission to activate the crisis reserve at the disposal of the Commissioner for Agriculture, and also asked voivodes for support in initiating the work of estimating commissions. Ministrosdos of National Education Thanks to the determination of school principals and teachers, currently only 63 institutions have suspended classes. Remote teaching is conducted in 9 schools. “In no case is the safety of the educational course of children and young people at risk at this time. All exams and all activities will take place as planned,” assured Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of National Education. Affected schools have formal and legal options to organize classes in other places. The Ministry of Education has prepared a number of supports for those affected. “To meet
the needs reported by teachers and parents, we organize green schools for children from flood areas. There is a special website at zielonaszkoly.gov.pl with a 24-hour hotline where you can report schools that need help and appropriate assistance. Currently, nearly 850 people have registered – students from schools in flood areas – and are ready to leave,” said Barbara Nowacka. The Ministry plans to extend the program until the holidays. There is a special telephone line of the Ministry of National Education for psychological support. More than 40 psychologists provide assistance around the clock. The ministry, headed by Barbara Nowacka, also coordinates the “Schools for Schools” project, under which willing school communities in the country can support students and institutions from flood-affected areas. Ministros dos Sportu i Turystyki El Ministro Sportu i Turystyki Sławomir Nitras presented information on the forms of support prepared by his ministry. The Ministry will allocate funds for the reconstruction of sports infrastructure, especially school facilities, as well as public and tourist facilities – tourist trails and parks. 50 millones de was secured to support tourist institutions and enterprises that suffered losses due to the cancellation of their stay or the impossibility of carrying it out. “We have secured 2 million PLN in the tourist budget for a program to promote Lower Silesia as a safe place for organizing tourism,” declared Sławomir Nitras. The resort will also support sports clubs. The government’s plans for the coming days. Today, the Prime Minister will take part in a meeting of the crisis staff in Wrocław. During Wednesday’s session of the Sejm, the government will present information on actions in the flood-affected areas. On Thursday, the first reading of the special act that was discussed by the Council of Ministers should take place in the Sejm. . So I am asking for full mobilization,” the Prime Minister asked the politicians. The head of government thanked the heads of ministries for urgently preparing legislative projects and announced the next meeting of the Council of Ministers, which will be held next Saturday.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French
On September 19, 2024, thanks to the vigilance of staff, a package containing prohibited items was seized in the medium security unit of the Mission Institution.
September 24, 2024 – Mission, British Columbia – Correctional Service Canada
On September 19, 2024, thanks to the vigilance of staff, a package containing prohibited items was seized in the medium security unit of the Mission Institution.
Among the seized items were methamphetamine and tobacco. In total, the institutional value of the seized items is estimated at $116,000.
The police have been informed and the establishment is conducting an investigation.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has a number of tools to prevent the introduction of drugs into its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors.
CSC is strengthening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions to ensure a safe and secure environment for all. CSC is also working in partnership with police forces to take action against individuals who attempt to bring contraband into correctional institutions.
CSC has also established a telephone information line for all federal institutions to provide additional information on activities related to the security of CSC institutions. This may include activities related to drug use or trafficking that could threaten the safety of visitors, inmates or people working in CSC institutions.
Using the toll-free line, 1-866-780-3784, helps ensure that the information transmitted is protected and that anonymity remains maintained.
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Reina LinaresAssistant Director, Management ServicesMission Institution604-820-5856
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL AXIS Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
Comunicado lun24/09/2024The Council of Ministers adopted a draft act amending certain acts in order to support entrepreneurs employing Territorial Defense soldiers or Active Reserve soldiers, submitted by the Minister of National Defense.
The draft law introduces tax preferences for entrepreneurs who employ soldiers of the Territorial Defense and Active Reserve. Business owners who apply for a public contract – for the implementation of which they employ the above-mentioned military – will also be able to take advantage of preferential conditions. The idea is to increase the attractiveness of territorial military service, increase the number of soldiers in the Polish Armed Forces and reduce the burden on employers. Soldiers of the Territorial Defense (OT) and Active Reserve (AR) who are called to perform military service cannot perform duties under the employment relationship. A sudden call may affect the rhythm of the company’s work and constitute a burden for the employer. Preferences for entrepreneurs may encourage the employment of OT and AR soldiers. Key solutions An entrepreneur who employs Territorial Defense or Active Reserve soldiers may take advantage of a tax relief. The tax relief applies to every employed OT or AR soldier. Its amount depends on the number and period of employment of soldiers. If a soldier has been in continuous service for 1 year, the employer may deduct PLN 12,000 from the tax base. The amount of the relief increases with each year of continuous service by the soldier. The maximum relief is PLN 24,000 if the length of service is 5 years.
The possibility of deducting the tax relief will be valid until 2026.
An entrepreneur who applies for a public procurement contract and will employ OT and/or AR soldiers for its implementation will be able to benefit from preferential treatment. This applies to public procurement contracts below the EU threshold (below PLN 25,680,260 in the case of construction works and PLN 663,105 in the case of supplies and services). The employment of OT and AR soldiers will be treated as a “quality criterion” that will apply in organizational units subordinate to and supervised by the Minister of National Defense. The value of this criterion will not be lower than 10%.
The current severance pay paid to an employee who was called up for territorial military service will be replaced by an initial benefit. The initial benefit will be paid by the military unit. This will relieve employers who will not have to pay the severance pay and then apply for its refund. The benefit will be due after the soldier completes basic training. It will amount to 50% of the average salary in the second quarter of the previous year. In the second quarter of 2023, the average salary was PLN 7,005.76, so the benefit will amount to PLN 3,502.88. It will be exempt from personal income tax.
The new regulations are to enter into force after 14 days from the date of publication in the Journal of Laws.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
The terms of the issue of State Treasury savings bonds in OctoberIn October, the interest rate on 1-year variable-rate bonds will be 5.75%, and on 2-year bonds 5.90%, in the first monthly interest period.The interest rate on 3-month fixed-rate bonds will be 3.00% per annum, and on 3-year bonds 5.95%. The remaining bonds, in the first annual interest period, will bear interest of 6.30% for 4-year bonds and 6.55% for 10-year bonds, respectively.6- and 12-year family bonds intended for beneficiaries of the “Family 800 plus” program will bear interest of 6.50% and 6.80%, respectively, in the first year.We have also left the margins for bonds unchanged.The interest rate on 1-year and 2-year bonds changes monthly. It is calculated as the sum of the National Bank of Poland reference rate and the margin, which remains unchanged and amounts to 0.00% for 1-year bonds and 0.15% for 2-year bonds in the case of instruments offered in October. The interest rate on 4-year bonds changes every year and is calculated based on the sum of the inflation index from the last 12 months and an unchanged margin of 1.50%. The same interest rate mechanism also applies to 10-year bonds, but in this case the margin remains unchanged at 2.00%. The preferential margins for family bonds, the interest rate of which is calculated according to the same principles as for 4- and 10-year bonds, also remain unchanged, and amount to 2.00% for 6-year bonds and 2.50% for summer bonds, respectively. All types of bonds can be purchased at PKO Bank Polski branches and Customer Service Points of the PKO Bank Polski Brokerage House and in the network of bond sales points of Bank Polska Kasa Opieki SA. Our bonds are also permanently available online at www.zakup.obligacjeskarbowe.pl and www.pekao.com.pl/obligacje-skarbowe and in the PeoPay mobile application. Detailed information about our current offer can be found at www.obligacjeskarbowe.pl
In October, we left the interest rates on savings bonds and margins in subsequent interest periods unchanged, while maintaining preferences for the retail market over the wholesale market. Our bonds are a simple and intuitive product. An important feature of retail bonds that encourages people to buy them is the low entry threshold – PLN 100 is enough to start saving – this is the nominal value of one bond. By putting aside even small amounts every month, we are able to build a considerable capital for the future. The offer of savings bonds is diversified in terms of their redemption date, as well as the method of calculating and paying interest. Customers can therefore choose the type of bond that will best meet their needs in terms of safe building of savings.
– comments Jurand Drop, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Finance. Since September 25, it has been possible to purchase a new issue of treasury bonds by way of exchange. Savings bonds in retail sales
Type of bond
Offer de Details (sale from October 1-31)
Selling price
OTS01253-monthly
Three-month bonds are bonds with a fixed interest rate of 3.00% per annum. Interest is calculated on the value of PLN 100, and interest is paid after the end of saving (after three months from the date of purchase).
PLN 100100.00 PLN when exchanging
ROR10251-annual
Annual bonds are variable-rate bonds. In the first month, the interest rate is 5.75% per annum. In subsequent monthly interest periods, the interest rate is equal to the NBP reference rate and a fixed margin of 0.00%. Interest is paid monthly.
PLN 10099.90 PLN when exchanging
DOR10262-year-old
Two-year bonds are variable-rate bonds. In the first month, the interest rate is 5.90% per annum. In subsequent monthly interest periods, the interest rate is equal to the NBP reference rate and a fixed margin of 0.15%. Interest is paid monthly.
100 PLN99.90 PLN when exchanging
TOS10273-year-old
Three-year bonds are bonds with a fixed interest rate of 5.95% per annum. In the first year, interest is calculated from the value of PLN 100, and in subsequent years from the value increased by the interest for the previous year (so-called capitalization of interest). Interest is paid after the savings have ended.
100 PLN99.90 PLN when exchanging
COI10284-year-old
Four-year bonds are bonds that pay interest based on inflation.1 The interest rate in the first year of saving is 6.30%. In subsequent years, the interest rate is equal to inflation plus a fixed margin of 1.50%. Interest is paid after each year of saving.
100 PLN99.90 PLN when exchanging
EDO103410 summer
Ten-year bonds are bonds whose interest rate is based on inflation1. The interest rate in the first year of saving is 6.55%. In subsequent years, the interest rate is equal to inflation and a fixed margin of 2.00%. In the first year, interest is calculated on the value of PLN 100, and in subsequent years on the value increased by the interest calculated for the previous year (so-called capitalization of interest). Interest is paid after the savings are completed.
100 PLN99.90 PLN when exchanging
ROS10306-year family obligation
Family Six-Year Bonds are bonds intended for beneficiaries of the Family 800 program. Their interest rate is preferential in relation to the bond included in the standard offer and is based on inflation1. The interest rate in the first year of saving is 6.50%. In the following years, the interest rate is equal to inflation and a fixed margin of 2.00%. In the first year, interest is calculated from the value of PLN 100, and in the following years from the value increased by the interest calculated for the previous year (so-called capitalization of interest). Interest is paid after the savings are completed.
100 PLN
ROD103612 summer family obligation
Family Twelve-Year Bonds are bonds intended for beneficiaries of the Family 800 program. Their interest rate is preferential in relation to the bond included in the standard offer and is based on inflation1. The interest rate in the first year of saving is 6.80%. In the following years, the interest rate is equal to inflation and a fixed margin of 2.50%. In the first year, interest is calculated from the value of PLN 100, and in the following years from the value increased by the interest calculated for the previous year (so-called capitalization of interest). Interest is paid after the savings are completed.
100 PLN
1 the rate of increase in the prices of consumer goods and services, adopted for 12 months and announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office in the month preceding the first month of a given interest period. How can I buy Treasury bonds? State Treasury bonds can be purchased: How to open an IKE-Bonds Account and an IKZE-Bonds Account IKE-Bonds Account and an IKZE-Bonds Account can be opened at any branch of PKO Bank Polski or POK of the PKO BP Brokerage House. You can also obtain remote access to your IKE- and IKZE-Bonds Account under the conditions specified in the “Regulations on the use of access to the Registered Account in the field of Treasury bonds via telephone or the Internet”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
Meeting of Undersecretary of State Paweł Karbownik with the delegation of the World Bank Group24.09.2024
On September 24, 2024, Deputy Minister of Finance Paweł Karbownik met with a delegation from the World Bank, led by Anna Akhalkatsi, Director for EU countries at the World Bank, and Ines Rocha, Regional Director for Europe at the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The conversation focused on current cooperation with the Bank and plans for the near future. The participants discussed cooperation in flood protection and water retention projects in Poland. In particular, the conversation focused on a new investment project in flood and drought prevention, which is to be co-financed by a World Bank loan. The Bank representatives also presented the assumptions of the new cooperation strategy with Poland for 2025-2029. As noted by Deputy Minister Paweł Karbownik, increasing the competitiveness of the Polish economy, energy transformation and adaptation to current challenges, including severe climate phenomena, create the basis for further cooperation with the World Bank Group. The discussion also concerned the Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for Poland, which the Bank plans to publish in early November 2024. This document will be an important point of reference for future actions in the field of sustainable development and combating climate change.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
Meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Team for International Humanitarian Law24.09.2024On September 24, the first meeting of members of the Inter-Ministerial Team for International Humanitarian Law with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Polish Red Cross took place. During the event, the functioning of the Central Tracing Agency in Geneva was presented, including the Office of the Central Tracing Agency for the international conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the National Information and Tracing Office of the Polish Red Cross.
The activities of these entities result from the Geneva Conventions on the Protection of Victims of War of 1949 and the Additional Protocols to these Conventions. They focus, among other things, on searching for and determining the fate of missing persons and victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters, as well as conducting so-called humanitarian searches, graves and participation in exhumations of victims of armed conflicts. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Polish Red Cross also informed about the tasks carried out during current armed conflicts and natural disasters, their constant relevance and the challenges that must be met.
Photo: Sebastian Indra/Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Photos (2)
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)
Washington, D.C. — This week, U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) introduced a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at curbing human trafficking.
H.R. 9755, the “Human Trafficking Fingerprint Background Check Protection Act of 2024”, would require owners and employees of massage wellness spas to undergo fingerprint-based background checks to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and enhance public safety.
“Massage wellness spas have been identified by law enforcement as one of the primary locations for criminals engaged in human trafficking. My legislation will require all owners and employees of these establishments to undergo fingerprint-based background checks. This simple but effective measure will help close off one of the primary avenues used by traffickers to exploit children and other vulnerable individuals. By implementing this safeguard, we can take a stand to protect families and ensure these businesses aren’t operating as shady fronts for criminal enterprises,” said Congresswoman Boebert.
“As commissioners of Douglas County, we wholeheartedly support Rep. Lauren Boebert’s introduction of critical legislation that targets human trafficking. This effort is vital to the well-being and future of our community. Human trafficking is an issue that touches every corner of the nation, and this legislation provides important tools to combat it, ensuring the safety of our citizens. H.R. 9755 reflects a deep commitment to the people of Douglas County, Colorado, and communities across the nation.” –Joint Statement by Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal, and Lora Thomas.
Full text of Rep. Boebert’s Human Trafficking Fingerprint Background Check Protection Act of 2024 can be found HERE.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Michelle Steel (CA-48)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Rep. Michelle Steel’s legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office in Westminster, CA as the “Little Saigon Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Post Office.”
The facility is located in what is known as “Little Saigon” in Orange County, CA, home of the largest population of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.
“Dedicating this facility to our brave Vietnam War veterans will honor their heroic contributions to cause of freedom, which is so special to the patriotic Vietnamese Americans I represent,” said Rep. Michelle Steel. “The Little Saigon Vietnam Veterans Memorial Post Office will be a lasting tribute to our veterans as well as the freedom-loving Vietnamese American community of Orange County. I was honored to successfully pass this legislation through the House of Representatives and look forward to its passage in the Senate.”
Watch Michelle Steel Speak on the Floor in Support of Honoring Vietnam Vets Memorial Post Office here
The legislation was supported by a wide group of local veterans’ organizations and community leaders.
“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Steel for her work to honor Vietnam War veterans through the renaming of the Westminster Post Office. Her effective advocacy in Congress will ensure that our community has a lasting tribute to these heroes and their fight for freedom,” said Frank Barry, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1024.
After passing the House, the legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for approval.
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MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
Export of arms and military equipment from Poland. Informe for 202324.09.2024The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared an annual report on the export of arms and military equipment for 2023. The data contained therein reflects the directions of activity of Polish arms exporters, which were largely influenced by the current security situation in Poland in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Compared to the data for 2022, the value of actual exports and intra-EU transfers of arms and military equipment in 2023 increased by over 572 million euros and reached 1,753 million euros. This result largely shows the scale of supplies of arms and military equipment to Ukraine, which is fighting a defensive war. In the classification of recipients of products exported from Poland in terms of their value in 2023, the first place was taken by entities from Ukraine (approx. 81% of the export value), followed by the United States (7%) and Germany (1% each). Due to legal restrictions, the data for 2023 does not contain information on the permits issued, their value and the actual export of arms and military equipment transferred by the Polish authorities as a donation to Ukraine. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the content of the report, which is the fulfillment of Poland’s statutory obligation and international obligations regarding compliance with the principle of transparency of arms transfers. At the same time, it is an important source of knowledge on the principles of operation of the Polish system of export controls of goods, services and technologies of strategic importance to the security of the state.
MaterialExport of arms and military equipment from Poland 2023 PLExport of arms and military equipment from Poland 2023_PL.pdf 1.32MB
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández(D-N.M.), and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation as well as participating non-Tribal parties in the Rio San José watershed. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) cosponsored the bill.
Leger Fernández and Heinrich previously introduced the Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act, which would implement the water settlements agreed to by the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties, in the Rio San José watershed. That bill received a hearing and was reported out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in December. The House version of this bill received a legislative hearing in the House Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in July. The bill introduced this month would further resolve Tribal water claims in the Rio San José basin by settling the Navajo Nation’s claims.
“In New Mexico we know water is life. Navajo Nation, the surrounding communities, and the state of New Mexico worked together to reach an agreement that would make sure the life-giving waters of the Rio San Jose would flow for everyone,” said Leger Fernández. “Senator Heinrich’s and my bill would provide funding for much needed water infrastructure for Navajo Nation as well as nearby acequias. The powerful stories of collaboration around this precious resource we heard in committee prove that settlement is the best road for resolving these water claims.”
“Our legislation will provide critically needed funding to get much-needed water to Navajo communities in the Rio San José watershed,” said Heinrich. “By passing this and our other pending Tribal water settlement bills this Congress, we can better follow through on the federal government’s promise to help Tribes access and use the water that has always been rightfully theirs.”
“As a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, I am proud to join my New Mexico colleagues in introducing legislation to approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation in the Rio San José Watershed,” said Luján. “This legislation has strong backing from stakeholders across New Mexico and will provide a comprehensive resolution for the Navajo Nation’s water rights claims in the Rio San José Stream System. It will ensure the protection of Tribal water rights while effectively addressing the water needs of the community.”
“In New Mexico, we know water is life,” said Stansbury.“As stewards of the land, water, and air since time immemorial, it is so important that our Tribal communities have a stake in how water is used in this state. This bill, as well as many others, will uphold our commitment to our Tribes and Pueblos granting them the right to use water for their needs. This is what environmental justice looks like.”
“Protecting a critical resource and honoring Tribal sovereignty are some of our core responsibilities in Congress, and I’m proud to work with the New Mexico Delegation to fulfill our trust responsibility and provide essential resources to support the New Mexico’s water infrastructure,” said Vasquez. “This settlement ensures the Navajo Nation and our non-Tribal users of the Rio San José watershed will have the water resources needed to thrive for generations to come.”
“On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I want to express my deepest appreciation to Senator Heinrich, Senator Lujan, and Representative Leger Fernandez for introducing this important legislation. Implementation of this settlement will make a real difference for Eastern Navajo communities where lack of water has constrained development. A collaborative negotiation process produced a comprehensive settlement that provides a path forward towards a better future for the people of the Rio San Jose and Rio Puerco Basins,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
Additional Background on Tribal Water Settlements Legislation:
The introduction of this bill follows Heinrich and Vasquez’s introduction of theZuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act in July, with Leger Fernández, Luján, and Stansbury, and all joining as original cosponsors. That bill would unlock federal funding to support a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development that upholds the federal government’s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies the settlement between the federal government, State of New Mexico and Zuni Tribe that affirms their water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, and domestic and other uses.
In June, Leger Fernández and Heinrich introduced theOhkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act, legislation to approve the water rights settlement of Ohkay Owingeh and participating non-Tribal parties for water in the Rio Chama Basin. Luján and Stansbury are original cosponsors of this bill.
Last December, Leger Fernández and Luján introducedthe Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act, which authorizes the appropriation of $6.3 million for the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Fund; $7.8 million for the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund; and $4.3 million for the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos’ Fund, which covers Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque Pueblos. It will support water resources development projects for the Tribes. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors of this bill.
Last June, Leger Fernández and Luján introduced legislation that amends the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project to ensure it has the resources and time needed to deliver drinking water to northwestern New Mexico communities in the San Juan basin, including roughly 43 Chapters on the Eastern Navajo Nation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the City of Gallup, which currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply of poor quality. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors of this bill.
Additionally, last year, the entire New Mexico Congressional Delegationannounced a $235.1 million allocation to continue fulfilling settlements of Indian water rights claims using funding from the Infrastructure Law and the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. As part of that overall allocation, the Navajo-Gallup Water Project received $164 million from the Infrastructure Law and the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund. Another $2 million was directed to Navajo-Gallup Water supply operations, maintenance and replacement efforts. The Aamodt Water Rights Settlement, which includes the Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque, received $69.1 million in federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack joined Congressman Neal Dunn in sending a letter to President Biden supporting Governor DeSantis’ request for a Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration for the State of Florida as a tropical cyclone heading for the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico.
Governor DeSantis’ request for assistance includes a request for federal assistance under the Public Assistance program for: Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties.
The entire Florida delegation joined the effort.
Read the full letter to President Biden here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tom Tiffany (WI-07)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) sent a letter to the City of Madison Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl requesting answers on how people in Madison were sent duplicate absentee ballots. This comes after recent reports say that “around 2,000” duplicate ballots have been sent out by the Madison Clerk’s Office.
Given the history of controversial and legally dubious election practices carried out by Madison officials in the past, including Maribeth Witzel-Behl’s personal history as an operative for the left-wing, “Zuckerbucks” financed Center for Tech and Civic Life, Rep. Tiffany demands transparency on how an “error” of this magnitude was allowed to happen at such a pivotal time.
In the letter, Tiffany demands answers on:
How was this “error” discovered?
Has the Clerk’s Office contacted law enforcement to investigate whether this “error” was the result of simple incompetence or a deliberate nefarious act?
Has the Clerk’s Office identified what person or persons are responsible for this “error”?
Has the Clerk’s Office taken steps to preserve all emails, internal communications, handwritten notes, and other records related to this “error”?
What is the exact number of duplicate ballots that were sent out by the Clerk’s Office?
The Clerk’s Office claims that this “error” affected voters in only one ward. Which ward was it?
Has the Clerk’s Office received any reports of duplicate ballots in other wards, or conducted any due diligence to ensure that this “error” was limited to just a single ward?
Have any of these duplicate ballots been returned to the Clerk’s Office, and if so, have they been set aside pending an investigation?
The Clerk’s Office has claimed that the duplicate ballots have unique bar codes. Are these unique ballot bar codes linked to individual, identifiable voter profiles?
To read the full letter, click here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Cory Mills Florida (7th District)
Washington, D.C. — H.R. 5867, introduced by Congressman Cory Mills (FL-07), to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 109 Live Oaks Boulevard in Casselberry, Florida, as the “Colonel Joseph William Kittinger II Post Office Building,” unanimously passed the House of Representatives.
“I am proud to share that my bill, H.R. 5867, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 109 Live Oaks Boulevard in Casselberry, Florida, as the “Colonel Joseph William Kittinger II Post Office Building,” has passed the House of Representatives. This bill will officially rename the Casselberry Post Office in honor of Colonel Joseph Kittinger, a true American legend from Florida’s 7th Congressional District. I’m honored to help recognize Colonel Kittinger’s incredible legacy through this bill. Colonel Kittinger, an Air Force hero, set the world record for the highest parachute jump at 102,800 feet, endured nearly a year as a POW in Vietnam’s infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton,’ and became the first person to solo balloon across the Atlantic. His bravery, resilience, and legacy will continue to inspire future generations to push the limits of what’s possible. As he said, ‘Life is an adventure, and I’m an adventurer,’” said Congressman Cory Mills.
Read the full bill text HERE.
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