Source: China State Council Information Office
China will cut the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage points in the near future, providing about 1 trillion yuan (about 141.78 billion U.S. dollars) in long-term liquidity to the financial market, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said Tuesday.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
This photo taken on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the Drum Tower seen from the Jingshan Hill on the Beijing Central Axis on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
At the recently concluded 2024 Beijing Culture Forum on Sept. 21, Beijing Central Axis garnered widespread attention as a prime example of how digital technologies can revitalize and preserve cultural heritage.
The forum, themed “Deepening Cultural Exchange to Achieve Common Progress,” saw over 800 guests from China and abroad gather in Beijing. With over 700 years of history, Beijing Central Axis embodies the city’s memory and its rich civilization. Its heritage value and preservation efforts have become focal points of discussion during the forum.
Stretching 7.8 km from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, the Beijing Central Axis was constructed based on ancient architectural philosophies to create an ideal layout for a capital city. In July, it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Cultural heritage preservation requires both reverence for history and a spirit of innovation. The cultural essence of the heritage sites should be integrated into everyday life, enhancing the public’s spiritual well-being, said Sun Xinjun, Party secretary of the Dongcheng District of Beijing.
Whether it is the digital bell at the Bell and Drum Towers that uses light and shadow to capture the passage of time, or the contemporary interpretations of traditional opera in Qianmen Street, Beijing has brought its historical legacy to the public in more dynamic forms in recent years. This has allowed people to experience the charm of cultural heritage through immersive interactions.
The inscription of Beijing Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List has opened up new perspectives on urban heritage. Beijing Central Axis demonstrated the lasting vitality of traditional urban planning while urban heritage protection policies must consider the dynamic evolution of cities in response to changing needs, according to Jad Tabet, president of the Association of Architects and Engineers of Arab Countries.
The participants at the forum agreed that digitization is an effective way to revitalize cultural heritage. Beijing’s status as a global leader in the digital economy can be leveraged by applying technologies like artificial intelligence and digital twins to enhance the preservation and transmission of Beijing Central Axis.
Chinese tech giant Tencent recreated the core heritage area of the central axis with a digital microcosm encompassing approximately 300,000 plants and 2.2 million buildings. Through a mobile mini-program called “Digital Central Axis,” users can embark on an immersive journey of the region, guided by virtual characters.
Notably, the mini program also provides a platform for the Digital Watchman project, an innovative crowdsourced conservation initiative launched in December 2023. By simply scanning QR codes, taking photos and uploading inspection reports through the mini program, locals and visitors can become citizen stewards, logging signs of deterioration or damage.
The rapid development of digital technology has brought new opportunities for cultural inheritance. Tencent’s “Digital Central Axis” project has played a key role in Beijing’s application for World Heritage status, with digitization becoming an essential innovation and hallmark of the application, said Chen Juhong, vice president of Tencent.
While in the view of Roman Jeannaeu, chairman of the organizing committee of the Sunny Side of the Doc, audiovisual media are a powerful means of promoting cultural heritage. China’s vast and diverse cultural heritage holds tremendous potential for global exposure. It is hoped that there will be more international documentaries focusing on Beijing Central Axis in the years to come.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Sept. 24 — China will cut the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage points in the near future, providing about 1 trillion yuan (about 141.78 billion U.S. dollars) in long-term liquidity to the financial market, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China, said Tuesday.
Depending on the liquidity situation in the market, RRR may be further lowered by 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points within the year, Pan told a press conference.
Source: China State Council Information Office 2
Tsechok Dorje (1st L) and Tsering Drolma (2nd R) pose for a photo at a care center in Ngari Prefecture, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Seeing Tsechok Dorje’s scar on the right side of his face, Tsering Drolma couldn’t help but feel heartbroken, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Several days ago, the eighth grader accidentally fell onto a heater and injured his face at school. When a teacher called Tsering Drolma about the accident, she was so panicked that she immediately asked her husband to drive her to the hospital to check on Tsechok Dorje’s condition.
“I dared not be present while he was receiving treatment,” said Tsering Drolma, 36. “Luckily, his eyes are fine. Otherwise, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life.”
Tsering Drolma is not Tsechok Dorje’s biological mother, but a Tibetan worker at a care center in Ngari Prefecture, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. She serves as a custodian-like “mother” of 12 orphans, including Tsechok Dorje.
Sheltering 81 children and 54 elderly people without any family members or living with disabilities, the care center combines the functions of an orphanage and a nursing home, with workers serving like family members and creating an atmosphere like a big family.
Tsering Drolma still remembers when Tsechok Dorje first arrived there two years ago. “Back then, he was still immersed in the sorrow of losing his loved ones. He would often sit alone in the corner without uttering a word,” Tsering Drolma recalled.
To help him embrace the new environment, the workers in the care center often took him out to play, made his favorite meals for him and helped him study. These acts of affection and care have gradually transformed him, turning his quiet and reserved persona into a sociable and outgoing one.
In addition to helping his “mother” take care of the younger children, Tsechok Dorje also shares what happened in school as well as his observations during a museum visit with his “siblings.” Over the two years, his academic performance has also significantly improved.
To better take care of the children, Tsering Drolma often attends various training sessions, including caring for the orphaned and children living with disabilities, performing first aid and preparing nutritious meals. “Our only wish is for these children to grow up healthy and happy,” she said.
The care center was established in 2015 under the support of central and regional governments and the donation of an insurance company, with a total spending of more than 58 million yuan (about 8.2 million U.S. dollars). The center has facilities including a massage therapy room, a dining hall and a laundry room. It also gives allowance to elderly people and children every month.
Compared with the traditional charity institutions that separate children and elderly people, the two-in-one care center offers space as well as an atmosphere for social interactions like a big family, said Jampel, the legal representative of the center, adding that they also organize galas during festivals such as the Tibetan New Year.
After a cup of buttered tea in the morning, Tseten, 83, likes to go to the sunlight hall during the weekends, with children surrounding him to hear his stories about his misery in the past when he was a serf.
“I used to be whipped hard by the master for losing a yak. I had no time to wait for my wounds to heal and had to stand on my feet the next day to herd cattle,” said Tseten, who has been living in the center since 2016.
Tseten was in a wheelchair due to his bad knees when he first arrived there. Now, with years of meticulous care and treatment from doctors from a Tibetan medicinal hospital and nurse assistants in the care center, he is able to walk without a cane.
Lhadro, a nursing assistant, is responsible for caring for Tseten and five other elderly people. In addition to bringing buttered tea, doing the laundry and changing sheets regularly for them, she conducts massage therapies and applies Tibetan medicine for external use on them based on doctors’ prescriptions.
“Seeing the elderly gradually regain their health, I have a great sense of achievement,” said Lhadro.
In recent years, a total of 80 nursing homes for elderly people with extreme financial difficulties have been built in Xizang. By the end of 2022, more than 5,800 elderly people in extreme financial difficulty had been cared for at nursing homes with government support, according to government figures.
A soccer player at school, Tsechok Dorje likes wearing his training vest even at “home” and dreams of becoming a professional soccer player when he grows up. On a wall in his room, where four children live in bunk beds, is a poster of the Brazilian soccer player Neymar.
“I hope I can play soccer as well as Neymar someday,” Tsechok Dorje said.
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: China State Council Information Office
Delegates attend a panel discussion during the Budapest Renminbi (RMB) Initiative Conference 2024 in Budapest, Hungary on Sept. 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Hungary and China have agreed to strengthen financial cooperation and promote green finance at the Budapest Renminbi (RMB) Initiative Conference 2024 in Budapest on Monday.
At the conference, co-hosted by the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) and the Bank of China, Barnabas Virag, deputy governor of MNB highlighted the importance of the initiative in fostering Hungary-China relations and supporting sustainable investments.
“The Budapest Renminbi Initiative, launched in 2015, has been instrumental in deepening financial and economic ties between China and Hungary,” he said, adding that “this year, our focus is on green finance and the internalization of the RMB, two crucial areas for the future of our economies.”
Virag spoke highly of China’s strides in developing its green finance market, citing the issuance of green bonds and the financing of environmentally sustainable projects, a trend that Hungary is also embracing.
He also underscored the role of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in promoting sustainable development. “As the BRI evolves, its potential to promote sustainable future-proof investment is becoming increasingly clear. By aligning BRI projects with green finance principles, we can ensure that economic growth driven by the initiative is both inclusive and responsible,” Virag noted.
The BRI, which Hungary joined in 2015, has bolstered infrastructure projects and increased trade between the two countries, said Virag at the conference, which is also part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Yang Chao, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, said the conference is a significant step toward expanding RMB cooperation and promoting green finance.
“China and Hungary share similar development concepts and policy goals. We hope to expand the breadth and depth of RMB cooperation and elevate financial cooperation to new heights under the Belt and Road framework,” Yang added.
The first half of 2024 saw robust growth in cross-border RMB settlements between China and Hungary. The Bank of China processed a total of 26.4 billion yuan in settlements through its domestic and Hungarian branches.
Lin Jingzhen, executive director and vice president of the Bank of China, said that after more than a decade of development, the global influence of the RMB has continued to expand.
“The Bank of China will continue to improve its green financial products and services, fully supporting Hungary and Central and Eastern European customers in implementing green strategies,” Lin noted.
Li Kexin, chief executive officer of the Bank of China (Central and Eastern Europe) Ltd., also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to green finance, saying that the Bank of China helped Hungary issue 1 billion yuan in green sovereign panda bonds in 2021 and 2 billion yuan in 2022.
This year, the Hungarian branch also issued 500 million U.S. dollars in sustainable development bonds as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Li said.
Source: Australian Ministers 1
The Prime Minister, Premier of Western Australia and the Western Australian Transport Minister have today marked the completion of the entire elevated rail structure as part of the historic METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project.
The Level Crossing Removal Project will improve safety, reduce congestion and improve travel times in the area, while also creating more than 4,300 jobs for Western Australians.
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project represents the most significant upgrade ever undertaken on the 131-year-old Armadale Line and will ease congestion for road commuters, while creating six hectares of new public open space for the community.
The project is already delivering positive outcomes for the community with six level crossings removed at intersections at Mint/Archer Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street, Wharf Street and William Street.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“We value Western Australia and want this beautiful city to have the world leading infrastructure it deserves.
“As a heavy lifter of the nation’s economy, it is critical that we see benefits flowing back into Perth and Western Australia.
“It’s great to be back in Perth to mark this important infrastructure milestone with the Premier that’s creating more than 4,300 jobs for Western Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“METRONET is creating jobs, boosting safety and efficiency, and transforming Perth.
“The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal and the completion of elevated rail is another significant milestone in this exciting project.”
Quotes attributable to Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook:
“Everywhere you look across Perth, METRONET is transforming our suburbs.
“Our elevated rail along the Armadale Line is changing the face of the south-eastern suburbs, delivering new public open space and the quality modern facilities local communities deserve.
“This is what METRONET is all about – better public transport, affordable travel, and creating local jobs across the city.”
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti:
“It’s been incredible to see the speed at which this structure has been delivered, which is testament to the enormous amount of planning and preparation that has gone into delivering this project.
“The community can see this elevated train line emerging before them, while the massive benefits are already being felt with a number of level crossings already removed along the Armadale Line.
“People who live along the Armadale Line corridor will very soon have access to modern train stations, and new public open spaces and community facilities.
“We know there is significant benefit on the horizon, and we thank the community for their continued patience as we complete the next critical steps for this game-changing project.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas:
“The people of Swan, and Perth more broadly, will see the fruits of this massive investment in METRONET for generations.
“The removal of these level crossings will improve commute times, while the addition of new stations will increase the take up in public transport, removing even more traffic from our roads.
“It’s a win for everyone.”
Quotes attributable to State Member for Cannington Bill Johnston:
“This is a really exciting project for our community and it’s incredible to see the progress that has been made.
“With elevated rail structure now in place, people can see how this project is going to deliver great outcomes in the years ahead with modern stations and new public open space.”
Quotes attributable State Member for Victoria Park Hannah Beazley:
“I am thrilled to see the entire elevated structure now in place, but more importantly, I am thrilled to see how much new space has been opened up for the community.
“We’re planning to deliver some incredible facilities in the new public open space, which will create a more vibrant and active community for all to enjoy.”
Source: China State Council Information Office
The United States remains the top destination for Chinese students studying abroad despite concerns among students and parents over visas and public security, said an official with the US embassy in Beijing.
Meanwhile, Chinese students who plan to study in US universities and their parents expressed concerns about unfair treatment that US border authorities imposed on Chinese students in some cases.
Karen Gustafson, the embassy’s minister counselor for consular affairs, told China Daily on Sunday that the embassy issued 105,000 visas to students from China last year. “We are currently hosting 290,000 Chinese students in the US,” she said.
A report released by the US Department of State showed that in the first half of 2023, a total of 44,762 students from the Chinese mainland were granted F-1 visas to study in the US, a year-on-year increase of 44 percent.
As of the end of July, the embassy had issued more than 80,000 student visas to Chinese nationals, Gustafson said, noting the continuing increase in visas issued to Chinese students.
According to the 2023 Open Doors report released in November, Chinese students accounted for approximately 29 percent of the 1.05 million foreign students in the US during the 2022-23 academic year, down from 33 percent in the previous academic year.
Gustafson said that despite a decreasing trend, Chinese students remain the largest group of foreign students in the US, and are expected to “stay at the top and grow”.
“We really wholeheartedly welcome Chinese students to come to the US, and we are always hoping to encourage more students to come,” she said, adding that the embassy is making efforts to maximize student numbers and return to the peak before the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Sunday, hundreds of Chinese students and parents participated in an education fair in Beijing, seeking information on the prospects of studying abroad. Around 100 US universities attended the fair.
A fair visitor, surnamed Wang, said she hopes to address her concerns over her daughter’s further education in the US by seeking advice from the universities and the organizer.
Wang said that her daughter, a student of biological sciences in Wuhan, Hubei province, is preparing to pursue postgraduate studies in the US.
Given recent cases of Chinese students, particularly those majoring in science and engineering at US universities, having their visas refused on arrival, receiving unfair treatment by border enforcement and even facing deportation, Wang said she is worried and hopes to get more information from the authorities.
In recent years, dozens of Chinese students have reported that they suffered from unwarranted harassment, interrogation and repatriation because of their political or scientific research background.
Many have posted on social media platforms their “terrifying” experiences of being taken by border officials to a “small dark room” at US airports, raising public concerns.
“What I care about most is the safety of my child and whether she can smoothly graduate from a US university,” Wang said, adding that she had heard that Chinese students applying for certain subjects face higher risks of visa rejection.
Gustafson called such cases isolated incidents, and said the majority of Chinese students are continuing their studies in the US.
While the US embassy is in charge of issuing visas, entry into the country is handled by the Department of Homeland Security, she said.
“What I can say is the vast majority of Chinese students going to the USend up studying in the US, and we really welcome them to continue to do so,” she added.
Significant harm
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in April that enforcing deportation orders against Chinese students has caused significant harm to the individuals concerned and disrupted cultural and academic exchanges between China and the US.
“Recent cases demonstrate that US law enforcement officers are engaging in deportation for the sake of deportation, exhibiting political, discriminatory and selective enforcement,” she said at a news conference.
Zhu Chenge, an assistant researcher of US diplomacy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the excessive scrutiny of Chinese students by US authorities may seem to affect only a small group, but it is in reality demolishing one of the pillars of the complex interactions between China and the US.
“Normal academic exchanges between two technological powerhouses are disrupted. It is certainly not a positive sign if students and scholars are more concerned about their personal safety than academic matters,” Zhu said.
Wang Jialing, a 10th grader in the international class at RCF Experimental School in Beijing, has started to prepare his US university application.
Aiming to enroll into the University of Southern California as a finance major, he inquired about application procedures and career prospects at the education fair. He said he wants to choose a college among the top 50 in the US in a relatively safe state, and plans to return to China after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced in a presidential decree the formation of a new government on Monday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Monday.
The reshuffle included key ministries, namely the ministries of information, foreign affairs, economy, finance, industry, health, and electricity.
Bassam al-Sabbagh, former deputy foreign minister, replaced Faisal Mekdad to be the foreign minister. In another decree, Mekdad was appointed as vice president, tasked with implementing foreign and media policy under the president’s directives.
Ziad Ghossoun, former director general of the Al-Wahda Printing and Publishing Organization, one of the largest print media publishers in Syria, was named the new information minister.
The new government formation follows a decree issued by al-Assad on Saturday, in which he named former Communications Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as the new prime minister and tasked him with forming the government after July’s parliamentary elections.
Jalali, 55, has been under the European Union’s sanctions since October 2014.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The upcoming 21st China-ASEAN Expo is expected to advance the building of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and promote high-quality regional development through a variety of economic and trade activities, the expo’s secretariat said at a news conference on Monday in Nanning, capital of Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
The expo will be held in Nanning from Tuesday to Saturday, with Malaysia to be the country of honor.
Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang will attend and address the opening ceremony of the expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning on Tuesday. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a video address.
“Trade and economic activities at the event are increasingly emphasizing practicality and highlighting key areas to promote cooperation in the digital economy and green economy,” said Zeng Zhong, deputy secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo secretariat.
It will also focus on cooperation, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states holding national promotion events. For example, Indonesia is organizing promotional events focusing on environmental protection and investment. Cambodia’s national promotion events emphasize commerce, investment and tourism. Vietnam’s promotions will highlight trade and economic integration.
Zeng said the expo has been extended from four to five days, with the additional day open to the public. The exhibition layout has been optimized, with the addition of strategic emerging themes showcasing new, high-quality productive forces, along with new areas for digital technology and cultural exchanges.
More than 2,000 companies will be exhibiting in the main exhibition area. More than 800 ASEAN and regional foreign companies are participating, accounting for more than 41 percent of exhibitors.
“There are more than 400 companies from the Fortune Global 500 and China’s Top 500, as well as unicorns and specialized, innovative enterprises — representing a 15 percent increase over the previous session,” Zeng said.
Chinese exhibitors will showcase drivers of new quality production such as the digital economy, new energy vehicles and green, low-carbon technologies, including applications such as Beidou chips and high-end mechanical equipment.
More than 1,100 Chinese and foreign leaders, ASEAN ambassadors to China, heads of international organizations, entrepreneurs, experts and scholars will be present at the opening ceremony.
“Through such high-level dialogue activities as the opening ceremony, we hope a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future will emerge,” Zeng said.
China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and ASEAN became China’s top trading partner in 2020. Last year, the value of trade between China and ASEAN members reached $911.7 billion.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Sept. 24 — China will issue a guideline to encourage medium and long-term funds to enter the capital market, the country’s top securities regulator said Tuesday.
The guideline seeks to improve the supporting system for the entry of various types of medium and long-term funds into the capital market, Wu Qing, head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), told a press conference.
The CSRC will also release six measures to promote mergers and acquisitions, and work with various parties to facilitate the circulation of private equity and venture capital funds in the process of fundraising, investment, management and withdrawal, Wu said.
More efforts will be made to protect the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized investors, and firm actions will be taken to crack down on illegal activities such as financial fraud and market manipulation, according to Wu.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
The Finnish Ahtari Zoo announced on Monday evening that two giant pandas now living in the zoo would return to China later this year.
The pandas have been living in the zoo since 2018, arriving under a 15-year research agreement for species preservation. The zoo has faced financial difficulties in recent years, according to local media reports.
Risto Sivonen, the chair of the board of the zoo, said that their resources were insufficient to continue as a partner in this unique preservation program. The zoo expressed its intention to pursue debt restructuring on Monday.
Ahtari is located in west central Finland. The Zoo is the main attraction of the small city.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (at the podium) speaks at the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
As the Summit of the Future entered its second and final day at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday, leaders from the world body’s member countries continued to hail the adoption of the Pact for the Future, with Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations as its annexes.
The pact and its annexes cover a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations and the transformation of global governance.
“The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future,” said the world organization in its release. “This once-in-a-generation opportunity serves as a moment to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current challenges as well as those that have emerged in recent years or may yet be over the horizon.”
President of Angola João Lourenço said that the adoption of the Pact for the Future represents “a real turning point” for a more dynamic, engaged and assertive approach to the issues that are of concern to the humanity. Stressing the importance of including youth and women as “vital drivers” of transformation and modernization, he called for a commitment “to step up the fight against poverty in all forms and dimensions.”
President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel said that the Pact for the Future creates a solid base for a better and more effective multilateral system. Particularly, he insisted, it is critical to “contribute to our shared understanding of how to handle technology safely on a daily basis and protect ourselves against its misuse by malign actors.”
President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa said that all global decisions and commitments must be determined with “the involvement and contribution of those who today can build tomorrow.” To tackle “the alarming and growing rates of youth unemployment” through targeted investment, he said that this is the only way “to pull youth from the grasp of crime, drugs and transnational organized criminal activities.”
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said that the inclusion of climate and water issues in the final document “underscores the imperative for sustained and urgent action” to secure a peaceful and sustainable future. Despite some progress, “access to filtered water and sanitation remains insufficient,” he said, voicing the commitment of his country to enhancing collaboration with other nations to advance water resource management and climate change action.
Albert II, Prince of Monaco, said that the Pact for the Future establishes a bedrock for a more prosperous world and allows young people to flourish in an environment protected from security threats such as transnational crime. “Peace is our most valuable asset,” he added, noting that without access to human rights, a world benefiting all people is impossible.
Speaking on behalf of the least developed countries (LDCs) group, Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli said that millions of their children are going hungry every day, highlighting the clear inequality evident around the globe. “Nothing could be more unjust and ethnical than to be ignorant to the fact that millions of people in LDCs live in extreme poverty while a small minority in some corners of the world accumulate billions in wealth,” he said, noting that this is not the future that humanity should aspire towards. “The International community must act now to ensure every child and young person has the chance to thrive.”
Nangolo Mbumba, president of Namibia, noted that the world is at a crossroads. One path leads to environmental catastrophe, widening inequality, global conflict, destruction and the rise of dangerous technology that threatens peoples’ security and civil liberties; the other, to peace, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the responsible harnessing of digital technologies for the benefit of humanity.
Olaf Scholz, chancellor of Germany, urged those present to take steps towards a more peaceful, fairer world, stating that, while “the road ahead is rocky,” history will judge member states for their commitment to the plan at hand. The pact can serve as a compass towards cooperation instead of conflict, showing determination to restore international justice and expelling all the talk of polarization, he added.
“We do not have time to waste,” stressed Sadyr Zhaparov, president of Kyrgyzstan, urging “decisive” action to strengthen the connections between nations and forge global partnerships to address challenges such as forced migration, climate threats and the unjust distribution of resources.
Stressing that “inaction is not an option,” Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, pointed to Caribbean nations’ lack of financial resources to invest in health, education and infrastructure due to external debt.
The failure to share global resources will continue to drive humanity to war, social disintegration and migration and “condemn us to live in two separate worlds”, said Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of Barbados.
“The future is not distant,” stressed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, president of Ghana. “It is here, and the choices we make here will determine the fate of generations to come.” No nation, regardless of power, can solve today’s challenges alone, he stated.
Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, highlighted the “great responsibilities to those who will succeed us,” and urged them not to back down from the promotion of equality between men and women and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. He also stressed that “we cannot live with nuclear threats again, nor fuel new arms races on Earth or in space,” noting that it is unacceptable to regress to a world divided into ideological borders or zones of influence.
Source: China State Council Information Office
The Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway on Monday began transporting livestock from central Ethiopia to ports in Djibouti, according to the Ethio-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway Share Company (EDR).
Takele Uma, chief executive officer of the EDR, in a statement issued Monday, lauded the move, emphasizing that it will further diversify and maximize the 752-km railway’s transportation services between the two countries.
He said the newly launched livestock transportation service will enhance the railway’s role in facilitating Ethiopia’s exports to the international market, in addition to its significant contribution to the shipment of imported goods to central Ethiopia through the Red Sea nation of Djibouti.
“This approach will maximize the use of our open wagons, which were previously used only for imports. It will also boost the exported meat quality by minimizing transport stress on animals, showcasing Ethiopia’s commitment to efficient and sustainable trade,” the EDR chief said.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation after Nigeria with about 120 million people, boasts the largest livestock population in Africa, with an estimated 70.3 million cattle, 95.4 million sheep and goats, and 8.1 million camels, according to recent data from the World Bank.
In recent years, the East African country has been working to address the major constraints in the livestock sector and enhance its contribution to the country’s economy.
In May, the Chinese management contractors of the Ethiopia-Djibouti standard gauge railway officially handed over the railway’s management and operation to Ethiopia and Djibouti after six years of successful operation.
Official data reveal that the railway had transported 680,000 passengers and 9.5 million metric tons of cargo by May 2024, with an average annual transportation revenue increase of 39 percent over the past six years. Since 2018, the railway has developed its freight market and expanded its service offerings, including cold-chain transportation, commuter trains for villagers, and special trains for automobile transport.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
DUBLIN, Ireland, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Griffin Global Asset Management (“Griffin”) announces the successful closing by GGAM Finance Ltd. of an offering of an aggregate principal amount of $400 million senior unsecured notes. The notes were priced at par.
The offering comprises $400 million of 5.875% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be guaranteed by Griffin Global Asset Management Holdings, Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries. Proceeds from the issuance will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include financing the acquisition of new aircraft deliveries and the future repayment of outstanding indebtedness.
John Beekman, Griffin CFO, commented: “We are delighted to announce the closing of our latest unsecured notes offering. This issuance reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the unsecured capital markets and brings our total volume of unsecured notes issued to $2.5 billion in under 18 months. With the issuance of these notes we also disclosed that our secured warehouse was previously reduced to zero, which means inclusive of this issuance we currently have a fully unsecured balance sheet. We are grateful to our expanding investor base for the support they have shown us as we continue along our path to achieving investment grade ratings.”
The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or the securities laws of any jurisdiction and may be offered or sold only in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Notes were offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
About Griffin Global Asset Management
Griffin is a commercial aircraft leasing and alternative asset management business with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Los Angeles, CA. Griffin’s team of professionals works closely with airlines, manufacturers, maintenance providers, and financiers to deliver innovative capital solutions globally.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne
This piece is the final of a three part series on Australia’s defamation laws. You can read the other pieces here and here.
Defamation laws exist to strike a balance between press freedom and the protection of people’s reputations from wrongful harm. In Australia, this balance has always been loaded against press freedom.
This is due partly to the way the defamation laws have been framed and partly by the way the courts have interpreted them.
Courts examine matters of journalism in the same way they examine matters of law: forensically, with strict rules and high standards of evidence and proof.
While we rightly expect ethical and honest reporting from our media, even the best can prove insufficient under the piercing gaze of defamation law. And in a time when media companies are more cash-strapped than ever, this has a chilling effect on the stories that get told and press freedom more broadly.
Until 2006, each Australian jurisdiction had its own defamation laws. This created a nightmare of complexity for publishers, especially of newspapers and broadcasts that crossed state boundaries, which meant all the main media organisations.
They had to take into account the risks posed by litigation in the jurisdiction least favourable to press freedom.
For many decades, that was New South Wales. It was one of the states where truth alone was not a sufficient defence; there also had to be a public interest in the material. In some other jurisdictions this was called public benefit.
Read more:
With all these defamation lawsuits, what ever happened to free speech?
This was a major burden on press freedom and it was removed by the introduction of uniform defamation laws in 2006.
Since then, it has been enough for publishers to prove the substantial truth of the meanings conveyed in an article in order for the defence of truth to succeed.
It may sound straightforward, but proving substantial truth requires producing admissible evidence strong enough to satisfy the civil standard of proof: on the balance of probabilities. That usually means having documents and witnesses who are willing to be identified.
If, as is often the case, the article has drawn on evidence from a confidential source, the publisher is unable to put that source in the witness box because to do so would breach the media’s fundamental ethical obligation to protect the identity of confidential sources.
So unless the source is prepared in advance to be identified should the matter come to court, a story relying significantly on that person’s testimony may not see the light of day unless some other defence is available.
In 2021, those defences were expanded, although quite how significant that expansion turns out to be remains to be seen.
What appears on paper to be the most significant change was the introduction of a general public interest defence. This says that if publication of a story is in the public interest, and the publisher has a reasonable belief that it is, then publication can be defended on that ground.
There has been only one major test of that new defence, and it went against the media.
That case showed “reasonable belief” depended on the journalism being sound. In this case, the court found that the defendant, which was the ABC, had relied on shaky testimony that had not been sufficiently verified and had not given the subject of the story a fair opportunity to respond.
This brings us to the question of how the courts interpret the law.
One of the big disappointments in this respect has been the way the courts have interpreted what, at the time, was hoped to be a significant addition to Australia’s threadbare free-speech jurisprudence.
In a case brought against the ABC by a late prime minister of New Zealand, David Lange, the High Court established the principle that freedom of speech on matters of government and politics trumped a person’s case for protection for their reputation.
If a person wanted to sue for defamation, they had to do so in a way that did not burden freedom of speech on matters of government and politics.
Read more:
Politicians know defamation laws can silence women, but they won’t do anything about it
However, the High Court attached a test of reasonableness to this freedom. In several ways, it’s similar to the “reasonable belief” test in the new public interest defence.
Unfortunately, successive courts have applied the Lange reasonableness test in ways that are so strict they require journalists to meet standards demanding more powers of investigation than they possess or to exceed the usual journalistic standards of verification. Journalists can’t subpoena documents or compel people to speak to them.
The result is that this defence has become more or less a dead letter for journalistic purposes.
Those accused of defamation can also defend it by saying it was comment or honest opinion. The first requirement of this defence is that the material be a comment and not a statement of fact.
But courts have interpreted this in different ways.
This uncertainty was illustrated by a famous case that became known as “Leo the Lobster”. A restaurant and restaurateur in Sydney successfully sued the Sydney Morning Herald over a review of a lobster dinner written by one Leo Schofield.
Schofield, who was a colourful writer, said the lobster had been overcooked:
the carbonized claws contained only a kind of white powder which might have been albino walrus.
Despite the amusing language, the court interpreted that as a literal factual description, not a statement of opinion.
Courts have a limited sense of humour, which makes satirical writing a chancy business, since the sharper the satire, the closer it is to literal truth.
Cartoons, which are satirical by definition, have more leeway but are not immune to defamation suits.
Then there’s the costs of defamation, particularly for media outlets. They’ve become exorbitant.
It has been estimated that the costs involved in the case brought by Ben Roberts-Smith against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times amounted to about $25 million. The newspapers won, although the matter has gone to appeal.
But even if the verdict is upheld, experience shows it is unlikely they will recoup anything like their full costs.
At a time when all major news media organisations are under acute financial pressure because of the inroads the internet has made on their revenue, there is a strong temptation not to risk publishing material the public has a right to know because of the financial impact an action for defamation would have.
Denis Muller does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Costly defamation action looms large over Australian newsrooms. It’s diminishing press freedom – https://theconversation.com/costly-defamation-action-looms-large-over-australian-newsrooms-its-diminishing-press-freedom-238072
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
The Management Board of EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS (registry code 12864036; seat Tallinn, A. Lauteri 5) calls the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on 16 October 2024 at 15:00.
Venue of the general meeting: Radisson Collection Hotel second floor conference centre hall “Tallinn”, address Tallinn, Rävala 3.
The registration of participants of the general meeting starts at 14:00 on 16 October 2024 at the venue of the meeting. The registration ends at 15:00. If possible, we request that all shareholders arrive in time considering the time required to register the participants of the meeting.
The list of shareholders who shall be entitled to participate in the extraordinary general meeting shall be fixed seven days prior to the date of the general meeting, i.e., on 09 October 2024 as at the end of the working day of the registrar of the settlement system of the fund’s securities.
The shareholders may also participate by appointing a representative or vote prior to the meeting on the items on the agenda of the general meeting by using electronic means. There will be no video transmission of the general meeting.
When appointing a representative, we recommend you to appoint Viljar Arakas, a member of the Management Board of the fund, whom you can give precise instructions to vote on your behalf on each agenda item. In case a shareholder wishes to use the template of power of attorney upon appointment of a representative, the respective template is available on the webpage of the fund https://eref.ee/investorile/uldkoosolekud/.
Electronic voting of draft resolutions
Shareholders may vote electronically on the items on the agenda before the general meeting is held in accordance with the following procedure:
Pursuant to the resolution of the Supervisory Board of EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS, the extraordinary general meeting will have the following agenda together with proposals of the Supervisory Board to the shareholders:
Item 1: Management Board’s overview of the fund’s business activities of this year
The Management Board shall provide an overview of the fund’s business activities of this year. The item is for informational purposes only.
Item 2: Increase of share capital and listing of new shares on the Main List of Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange
To ensure the ongoing development and future investments of the fund, the fund plans to carry out an additional share issue in the amount of up to 30,000,000 euros. According to clause 6.11 of the fund’s Articles of Association, the general meeting has the right to delegate the increase of the share capital to the competence of the Supervisory Board.
Proposal of the Supervisory Board:
2.1. To delegate to the competence of the Supervisory Board, the decision on the increase of share capital for a six-month period following this general meeting, considering that the total volume of the additional capital to be raised will not exceed 30,000,0000 euros and the existing shareholders shall retain the pre-emptive right to subscribe for the new shares.
2.2. To apply for the listing and admission to trading of all newly issued shares on the Main List of Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange, and to authorise the Supervisory Board and the Management Board of the fund to carry out all activities and conclude all agreements necessary for this purpose.
Additional organisational information:
Documents related to the general meeting, including the approved annual report of the previous financial year, drafts of the board’s decisions and any other information subject to the statutory disclosure requirement are available for examination on the webpage of the fund www.eref.ee and until the date (incl.) of the general meeting, at the premises of the fund (address A. Lauteri 5, 10114 Tallinn, 3rd floor) on working days from 09:00 until 16:00.
Questions with respect to the matters on the agenda of the general meeting can be submitted via e-mail address: koosolek@eften.ee or by mail to the address of the fund (Tallinn 10114, A. Lauteri 5) or via phone by calling + 372 655 9515. Questions, answers, shareholders’ proposals with respect to the matters on the agenda and the minutes of the general meeting shall be published on the webpage of EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS www.eref.ee.
We request to submit the following to register the participants of the general meeting:
– in case of a shareholder who is a natural person, an identity document. A representative of a shareholder shall also present a power of attorney in written form.
– in case of a shareholder who is a legal person, an extract from the registry where the legal person is registered, which proves the authorisation of the representative to represent the legal person (right of representation arising from law) and an identity document of the representative. In case the representative is not a legal representative of the legal person, a valid power of attorney shall also be required. Where required by applicable law, documents pertaining to a legal person registered in a foreign country are requested to be legalized or duly apostilled. Documents in foreign language are requested to be accompanied by a translation into Estonian by a sworn translator.
At the general meeting, a shareholder is entitled to receive information from the Management Board on the activities of the fund. The Management Board may decide to withhold information if there is a reason to believe that the disclosure of information may cause significant damage to the interests of the public limited company. If the Management Board refuses to disclose information, the shareholder may demand from the general meeting to adopt a resolution regarding the lawfulness of the information request or to file, within two weeks, a petition to a court by way of proceedings on petition in order to obligate the Management Board to give information.
The shareholders whose shares represent at least 1/20 of the share capital may request for additional items to be included on the agenda of the general meeting, if the respective request is submitted in writing at least 15 days prior to the general meeting to the address EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS, A. Lauteri 5, 10114 Tallinn.
The shareholders whose shares represent at least 1/20 of the share capital may present a draft resolution in respect of each item on the agenda in writing no later than three days prior to the general meeting to the address EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS, A. Lauteri 5, 10114 Tallinn.
Prior to the general meeting, the shareholder may notify of the appointment of a representative or the revocation of the representative’s authority by sending a digitally signed notice to the e-mail address koosolek@eften.ee or by delivering the signed documents in person on working days between 09:00 to 16:00 to EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS at A. Lauteri 5, 10114 Tallinn at the latest by 15.10.2024 (Estonian time). In case a shareholder wishes to use the template of power of attorney upon appointment of a representative, the respective template is available on the webpage of EfTEN Real Estate Fund S https://eref.ee/investorile/uldkoosolekud/.
Viljar Arakas
Member of the Management Board
Tel: 655 9515
E-mail: viljar.arakas@eften.ee
Source: Green Party
The Green Party vows to reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke permits when it returns to government following the coalition’s introduction of legislation to reopen offshore oil and gas exploration this afternoon.
“A Green Government will reinstate the oil and gas ban and revoke any permits granted under the current regime and their obsession with pouring oil, coal and gas on the climate crisis fire,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Chlöe Swarbrick.
“We can have an economy that supports people and the planet, instead of exploiting both. It’s simply a matter of political willpower.
“Overturning the oil and gas ban risks exacerbating energy insecurity and driving exorbitant power prices. The Government must know this. And yet they persist with their lobbyist’s wish list.
“Luxon’s Government has weaponised the energy crisis to argue for more fossil fuels, conveniently neglecting that it’s the very reliance on those fossil fuels which is behind the energy crisis.
“Climate delay is the new denial.
“We can reduce emissions, lower power bills, and improve the resilience of our energy system. All we need is mainstream political willpower. New Zealanders deserve better than the Government’s attempts to pull the wool over their eyes,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Press release – Paris, Septembre 24, 2024 – 07:00am
HY 2024 Results¹: €8.9 m
Annualised ROE 2024: 11.2% | Minimal per share distribution 2024: €0.30
The Board of Directors of ABC arbitrage, presided by the Chairman Dominique Ceolin, met on September 24, 2024 to approve the consolidated financial statements for the first semester 2024¹. Key financial data are as follows:
| In millions of euros | June 30, 2024 IFRS | June 30, 2023 IFRS | Dec. 31, 2023 IFRS |
| Net revenues | €22.8 m | €20.2 m | €39.3 m |
| Net income | €8.9 m | €8.8 m | €16.5 m |
| Earnings per share (EPS) | €0.15 | €0.15 | €0.28 |
| Return on equity (ROE) | 11.2 % | 11.1 % | 10.6 % |
| Equity | €158 m | €160 m | €155 m |
1. As of the date of this press release, the work of the financial auditors is being finalised.
EURONEXT Paris – Compartiment B
ISIN – FR0004040608
Reuters BITI.PA / Bloomberg ABCA FP
arbitrage.com
Relations actionnaires – actionnaires@abc-arbitrage.com
Relations presse – VERBATEE / v.sabineu@verbatee.com
Attachment
Source: City of Liverpool
Liverpool City Council is consulting on future options for its Council Tax Support Scheme affecting working age people.
Council Tax Support is a discount which helps households on low incomes with their Council Tax bill.
Around a third of households in Liverpool are in receipt of Council Tax support and the scheme costs £74 million a year to operate.
Applying the discount affects the amount of Council Tax the Council receives and also has an impact on the amount of Council Tax that all households in the city pay.
The scheme has not been reviewed since it started in 2013, despite changes to welfare benefits and Council funding over this period.
Like all local authorities the Council has a number of financial challenges. The proposals enable the Council to provide a scheme that is financially sustainable in future years.
The aim is to have a scheme that supports those on the lowest incomes, enables residents to budget, is easy to understand, provides incentives for people moving into work, and is future proofed in terms of its cost.
The current scheme is means tested and entitlement is calculated by comparing the money coming into a household with the amount the Government says the household needs to live on.
The Council’s aim, through its proposed changes, is to simplify the rules so that people know how much their Council Tax bill will be reduced by over a year, enabling them to budget. The proposed changes will also align with Universal Credit and provide some certainty for people moving into – or out of work – whilst continuing to provide support to those that need it most.
The proposals do not affect the Council Tax Support Scheme for pensioner households, the rules for which are controlled by central Government.
There are four options being consulted on:
Option 1
Keep the existing Council Tax Support Scheme with no changes.
Option 2
Make limited changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme, including:
Option 3
Introduce a simple banded scheme based on net earnings only, aligning with Universal Credit, which gives a lower level of discount (support) for those on higher net earnings.
Option 3 Monthly Net Earnings Bands
Band Support Monthly Earnings
1 84% £0
2 60% £0.01-£400
3 40% £401-£800
4 20% £801-£1,200
5 10% £1,201-£1,500
– 0% More than £1,500
It also includes:
Option 4
Introducing a simple income band scheme based on net earnings and household composition, aligning with Universal Credit.
This option is designed to reflect the different needs of different types of household.
The scheme has four bands with the level of award, varying with net earnings and household composition. To reflect the different levels of need, the upper and lower limits of the net earnings bands will be different for different types of household, such as single people, couples, or households with children.
For couples, the upper and lower limits in the net earning bands will be extended by £50 per week. For households with children, the upper and lower limits to the net earnings bands will be extended by £25 per child per week, with no limit on the number of child additions.
Option 4 Monthly Net Earnings Bands
Band Support Monthly Earnings
1 84% £0
2 60% £0.01-£400
3 40% £401-£800
4 20% £801-£1,200
5 10% £1,201-£1,500
*Households with more than £1,500 in net monthly earnings would receive no support
It also includes:
Have your say until Monday 21 October at https://liverpool.gov.uk/ctaxsupportconsultation.
Following the consultation, a report will be sent to a Full Council meeting to make a final decision in January 2025.
Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Ruth Bennett, said: “We are hugely proud of the range of welfare support we offer to the most vulnerable residents in Liverpool.
“We have not reviewed the Council Tax Support Scheme for more than a decade, as a result the current system is complex for residents to understand and does not target support to those who most need it. We want to build a system which works for our residents.
“We want to look at how we can simplify the scheme and make it more easily understandable for those who receive assistance.
“We are also looking at how to give residents more certainty, for example by giving them a settlement for the whole year, rather than them having to report any changes in their income to us. This is not just time consuming for them, but is also costly to administer for the Council.
“We also want to support people into work. We will do this by providing some certainty so whe residents go into work they will retain the same award of Council Tax Support for a full 12 months before it is reassessed.
“We want residents’ feedback on the options before we make a final decision later on this year, with the changes being introduced from April 2025.”
Gisborne the country’s top performer in ASB’s latest Regional Economic Scoreboard
Growth is on the horizon, according to ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard released today. The Scoreboard ranks regions based on year-on-year growth across a range of measures, including employment, building consents and retail sales.
Scoreboard data for the April to June quarter paints a fairly bleak picture but ASB Senior Economist Chris Tennent-Brown expects inflation pressures to ease further by the end of the year, leading to a brighter 2025.
“The unemployment rate rose to a three-year high of 4.6% in Q2, and we expect this to move above 5% by the end of the year. The construction outlook remains soft and household spending is weak, as cost of living pressures bite.
“However, we’re seeing some positive signs in the housing market with house sales increasing by 6.8%, and prices rising by 2.2% this past quarter, and we can expect it to pick up with a bit more speed in 2025.
“Exports for Q2 were $26.26bn, up from $25.99bn a year ago, with dairy still our most attractive offering. Our 2024 growth forecasts for some of our key trading partners have been revised higher which is good news for the country. Much like the rest of the economy however, growth is expected to remain below average for 2024, with weakness in China a concern.”
Gisborne claims top spot on scoreboard
For the first time in more than four years, Gisborne has claimed the top spot on the scoreboard, largely due to the post-cyclone rebuild in the region. Annual construction consents rose sharply by 40.8%, driven by a 152.8% increase in non-residential building. Annual house sales growth was the second highest in the country at 25.8%, and employment performed well, growing 3.6% year-on-year and exceeding the national average of 1.6% growth.
“It’s fantastic to see Gisborne make a comeback on the scoreboard, and we saw the same post-cyclone rebuild having a positive impact for Hawke’s Bay in the rankings last year. We expect this forward momentum for the region to continue in the short-term.”
Otago and Canterbury round out the podium
Otago remained steady in second place, while Canterbury climbed four spots to claim bronze, with both regions differentiating themselves from other parts of the country.
Otago generated the highest house price growth across the country, which rose 4.4% annually at double the national 2.2% average. Otago also showed strength in the labour market, with employment increasing 5.5% annually, the strongest pace of all the regions. Meanwhile, Cantabrians’ above-average consumer confidence showed in their spending, with retail sales growing at the fastest rate in the country at 2.5% annually, compared to a decline of 0.4% nationwide.
Marlborough and Southland see biggest declines to scoreboard positions
Marlborough’s position in the top four in Q1 was short-lived, with declines across construction, real estate and employment informing the region’s second-to-last placing. Tennent-Brown says the region’s most famous export could be the key to growth in future quarters.
“Marlborough enjoyed a spectacular 2024 wine season and if wine exports pick up as we head into summer, the region could see some much-needed momentum in the next 6-12 months.”
The full ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard, along with other recent ASB reports covering a range of commentary, can be accessed at our ASB Economic Insights page: https://www.asb.co.nz/documents/economic-insights.html
About the ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard
The NZ Regional Economic Scoreboard takes the latest quarterly regional statistics and ranks the economic performance of New Zealand’s 16 Regional Council areas. The fastest growing regions gain the highest ratings, and a good performance by the national economy raises the ratings of all regions. Ratings are updated every three months, and are based on 11 measures, including employment, construction, retail trade, and house prices.
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (at the podium) speaks at the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
As the Summit of the Future entered its second and final day at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday, leaders from the world body’s member countries continued to hail the adoption of the Pact for the Future, with Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations as its annexes.
The pact and its annexes cover a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations and the transformation of global governance.
“The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future,” said the world organization in its release. “This once-in-a-generation opportunity serves as a moment to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current challenges as well as those that have emerged in recent years or may yet be over the horizon.”
President of Angola João Lourenço said that the adoption of the Pact for the Future represents “a real turning point” for a more dynamic, engaged and assertive approach to the issues that are of concern to the humanity. Stressing the importance of including youth and women as “vital drivers” of transformation and modernization, he called for a commitment “to step up the fight against poverty in all forms and dimensions.”
President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel said that the Pact for the Future creates a solid base for a better and more effective multilateral system. Particularly, he insisted, it is critical to “contribute to our shared understanding of how to handle technology safely on a daily basis and protect ourselves against its misuse by malign actors.”
President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa said that all global decisions and commitments must be determined with “the involvement and contribution of those who today can build tomorrow.” To tackle “the alarming and growing rates of youth unemployment” through targeted investment, he said that this is the only way “to pull youth from the grasp of crime, drugs and transnational organized criminal activities.”
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said that the inclusion of climate and water issues in the final document “underscores the imperative for sustained and urgent action” to secure a peaceful and sustainable future. Despite some progress, “access to filtered water and sanitation remains insufficient,” he said, voicing the commitment of his country to enhancing collaboration with other nations to advance water resource management and climate change action.
Albert II, Prince of Monaco, said that the Pact for the Future establishes a bedrock for a more prosperous world and allows young people to flourish in an environment protected from security threats such as transnational crime. “Peace is our most valuable asset,” he added, noting that without access to human rights, a world benefiting all people is impossible.
Speaking on behalf of the least developed countries (LDCs) group, Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli said that millions of their children are going hungry every day, highlighting the clear inequality evident around the globe. “Nothing could be more unjust and ethnical than to be ignorant to the fact that millions of people in LDCs live in extreme poverty while a small minority in some corners of the world accumulate billions in wealth,” he said, noting that this is not the future that humanity should aspire towards. “The International community must act now to ensure every child and young person has the chance to thrive.”
Nangolo Mbumba, president of Namibia, noted that the world is at a crossroads. One path leads to environmental catastrophe, widening inequality, global conflict, destruction and the rise of dangerous technology that threatens peoples’ security and civil liberties; the other, to peace, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the responsible harnessing of digital technologies for the benefit of humanity.
Olaf Scholz, chancellor of Germany, urged those present to take steps towards a more peaceful, fairer world, stating that, while “the road ahead is rocky,” history will judge member states for their commitment to the plan at hand. The pact can serve as a compass towards cooperation instead of conflict, showing determination to restore international justice and expelling all the talk of polarization, he added.
“We do not have time to waste,” stressed Sadyr Zhaparov, president of Kyrgyzstan, urging “decisive” action to strengthen the connections between nations and forge global partnerships to address challenges such as forced migration, climate threats and the unjust distribution of resources.
Stressing that “inaction is not an option,” Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, pointed to Caribbean nations’ lack of financial resources to invest in health, education and infrastructure due to external debt.
The failure to share global resources will continue to drive humanity to war, social disintegration and migration and “condemn us to live in two separate worlds”, said Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of Barbados.
“The future is not distant,” stressed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, president of Ghana. “It is here, and the choices we make here will determine the fate of generations to come.” No nation, regardless of power, can solve today’s challenges alone, he stated.
Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, highlighted the “great responsibilities to those who will succeed us,” and urged them not to back down from the promotion of equality between men and women and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. He also stressed that “we cannot live with nuclear threats again, nor fuel new arms races on Earth or in space,” noting that it is unacceptable to regress to a world divided into ideological borders or zones of influence.
Satisfaction and Returns September 24, 2024:
Congratulations to Milford for achieving a remarkable hat-trick across Canstar’s 2024 KiwiSaver Awards. For the fifth year in a row, Milford is the winner of two of Canstar’s top KiwiSaver awards:
However, this year, these two accolades, which are awarded by our expert financial research team, sit alongside another win for Milford: Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Award | KiwiSaver, which is based on consumer feedback from over 3000 KiwiSaver members.
In awarding Milford top honours across all three award categories, our research team noted that Milford’s KiwiSaver fund returns are consistently among the highest over the 5-year observation period used in our methodology. And, in addition, Milford delivers high levels of support, both online and through its app, and a wide range of investment options to customers. It’s this investor-driven focus and excellent customer service that has earned Milford its Most Satisfied Customers Award.
Tom Slee, Canstar Group Manager – Wealth, Health & New Zealand says, “KiwiSaver isn’t just about retirement; from the start of their working lives, Kiwis should take an active interest in their KiwiSaver providers, schemes and investments, to ensure they’re setting themselves up for a secure financial future.
“And thanks to Milford’s great returns, tools and advice, it’s not difficult to make informed decisions about your KiwiSaver, and to ensure that you’re achieving market-leading returns on your investments.”
Murray Harris, Head of KiwiSaver and Distribution at Milford says, “Everyone at Milford is so excited on behalf of our KiwiSaver members to have scooped the pools this year with Canstar’s awards, winning all three.
“But we are particularly pleased to have been awarded the Most Satisfied Customers Award, because this is our KiwiSaver members saying they’re very happy with the great returns and excellent service the Milford team provides. And, of course, we’ll be continuing to work hard to retain the trust and confidence of our members into the future.”
Outstanding Value KiwiSaver Scheme Award Winner: Fisher Funds
KiwiSaver Provider of the Year
Outstanding Value KiwiSaver Scheme
Fisher Funds is also celebrating an unbroken run of Canstar KiwiSaver Award wins. Its Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan
Nilesh Mistry, Chief Client Officer at Fisher Funds, says, “Our focus at Fisher Funds is on delivering relentlessly for our clients in terms of their investments, and the services we provide. We know our clients have ambitions for both home ownership and retirement, and KiwiSaver is integral to achieving these goals. To have the value we provide acknowledged for the third and fifth year in a row for two of our KiwiSaver schemes is a real source of pride for the whole team.”
Canstar’s KiwiSaver Awards
Canstar’s research team assesses the winner of its Provider of the Year Award
Scheme Awards using a bespoke rating methodology, covering 20 providers, 23 schemes and 141 funds. The Most
Satisfied Customers Award is based on feedback from 3106 KiwiSaver members across 15 providers.
The full list of Canstar’s 2024 KiwiSaver awards winners: Provider of the Year: Milford
Outstanding Value KiwiSaver Schemes: Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, Fisher Funds TWO KiwiSaver Scheme, Milford KiwiSaver Plan
5-Star Rated Individual Fund Providers: ANZ, BNZ, Booster, Fisher Funds, Milford, Nikko AM
Canstar’s KiwiSaver awards are designed to help consumers make more informed financial choices and sit alongside Canstar’s other awards, covering banking, insurance and KiwiSaver products. Click here for more information on all our award winners:
MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On September 18, as part of an internship in the Republic of Turkey, Russian specialists visited the city of Kocaeli.
The business program started at Kocaeli University Technopark. The Russian delegation was welcomed by Deputy Director General Omer Ozer. He introduced the activities of the Technopark aimed at promoting the spread of skilled employment, the production of technological products with high added value based on the comprehensive implementation of import substitution and innovation. Omer Ozer spoke about close cooperation with the Kocaeli and Gebze Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the GOBS Technopark, and emphasized that the Technopark is the center of digital transformation and innovation in the region. Russian businessmen presented the activities of their enterprises and discussed issues of interest to them with their Turkish colleagues.
The next stop was one of the largest ports in Turkey – Poliport. The delegation was received by Poliport CEO Selcuk Denizhan. He noted that the port is not only Turkish, but also one of the largest and most important ports in the European Union with geographical proximity to the industrial zone, where 45% of Turkey’s GDP is generated. The port is the country’s only independent terminal for storing chemicals and one of the few terminals for storing liquids. Russian specialists were given the opportunity to get acquainted with the technologies for handling cargo of various purposes, with the Poliport warehouse sector, as well as with the specifics of managing port infrastructure.
The business program continued with a networking conference at the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry, whose Secretary General Mehmet Barış Turabi presented the region’s activities in his report, emphasizing that Kocaeli has 14 organized industrial zones, 2 free economic zones, 5 technology parks, 2 national research centers and 2 technology transfer offices. The networking conference ended with a B2B meeting, where Russian and Turkish specialists discussed possible areas of cooperation and exchanged contacts for further interaction.
The final part of the internship of Russian specialists in the Republic of Turkey took place on September 19-20 in the city of Istanbul.
On September 19, a meeting was held at Istanbul Kent University with the Consul General of the Russian Federation Andrey Buravov, the head of the branch of the Trade Mission of Russia in Turkey in Istanbul Vera Borisova, the representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia in Turkey Vladimir Emmer, the head of the Russian export center in Turkey Timur Safin, as well as representatives of Istanbul legal, consulting, financial and transport companies. The key topic of the event was the practical experience of doing business in Turkey. The current state of foreign trade relations between Russia and Turkey, promising export directions, the peculiarities of local buyers’ perception of Russian products, as well as issues of certification, logistics and mutual settlements were discussed.
The next meeting in the format of a networking conference was held at the Independent Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Istanbul (MUSIAD), which specializes in technology, research and development, innovation and knowledge. The meeting was also attended by members of the ASKON association. The conference ended with an exchange of opinions, establishment of business contacts and B2B meetings with Turkish entrepreneurs.
Next, Russian specialists visited specialized enterprises: the mechanical engineering company Haffner Makina, one of the world leaders in the production of manual and automatic machines for processing PVC and aluminum profiles, and the logistics company Ata Freight, specializing in innovative solutions for managing freight transportation.
On September 20, the Director of the Federal Resource Center, Alexey Bunkin, joined the internship. The Russian delegation met with the leadership and members of the Turkish-Russian Business Council (TRBC) of the Foreign Economic Relations Council under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Turkey, where a round table was held on the development of cooperation between Russia and Turkey in the current conditions. The meeting was opened by the Vice President of TRBC, Handan Eren, and Alexey Bunkin also gave a speech. A presentation of the project portfolio of Russian specialists and a discussion platform took place, where Russian and Turkish entrepreneurs considered possible areas and prospects for cooperation, and exchanged contacts for further interaction.
The next event of the program was a visit to the Bagcilar District Administration of Istanbul, where a networking session was held with representatives of the administration and Turkish businessmen. The Bagcilar District is one of the most important trade and production centers in Turkey. The session was opened with a welcoming speech by the head of the district administration Abdullah Ozdemir and the director of the Federal Resource Center Alexey Bunkin. Russian and Turkish specialists presented their companies, shared their experiences and established business contacts.
An equally important business meeting was held at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. The Russian delegation led by Alexey Bunkin was received by the Vice President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Mehmet Develioglu. The meeting was held in the format of an open discussion, during which businessmen discussed issues of development and expansion of trade, creation of new markets, existing problems of development of the business world and measures to eliminate them.
On September 21, the day of completion of the internship of Russian specialists in the Republic of Turkey, the director of the Federal Resource Center held a briefing during which the results were summed up, the achieved results were presented, and the prospects for the development of subsequent similar projects were discussed. The participants of the program were also awarded certificates of advanced training from the State University of Management in the programs “General Economic Cooperation and Trade” and “Economic Cooperation in Industry”.
The results of the intensive practice-oriented internship of Russian specialists in the territory of the Republic of Turkey were acquaintance with successful examples of entrepreneurship, establishment of contacts both with representatives of Turkish business and with Russian representative bodies that ensure the state interests of Russia in the sphere of foreign economic activity in Turkey.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 09.24.2024
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Russian specialists complete internship in the Turkish Republic
[embedded content]
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 – Congressman Andre Carson (7th District of INDIANA)
Today Representatives Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) recognized the unique contributions of medical research to improve the lives of patients, families, and communities nationwide by introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives declaring Sept. 16-20 as Medical Research Week.
Medical research, much of which is conducted at academic medical centers nationwide, has led to breakthrough discoveries that improve the health and well-being of patients and communities while also promoting global competitiveness in science, boosting job creation, preparing the next generation of scientists, and strengthening economic growth.
Through the support of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), medical research serves a vital and unique role in the U.S. research enterprise. This work leads to cutting-edge preventative strategies and improved and emerging treatments and cures for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, sickle cell anemia, obesity, the mental health and opioid epidemics, and emerging threats like yet unknown infectious diseases.
“Investing in the NIH today pays a lifetime of dividends in saving lives, promoting better health, and improving the quality of life for all Americans,” said AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD. “The nation’s medical schools, academic health systems, and teaching hospitals conduct approximately 60% of all NIH extramural research and are proud to pioneer many critical advances that bring the promise of better health to patients, families, and communities nationwide.”
“Now, more than ever, it’s important to ensure strong funding growth for NIH so that today’s discoveries can culminate in major breakthroughs in medical research,” said AAMC Chief Scientific Officer Elena Fuentes-Afflick, MD, MPH.
As noted in the resolution, NIH funding ripples far beyond its headquarters into every state, drives demand for medical supplies and research equipment, and boosts local and regional economies to benefit manufacturers and suppliers across the country and into many U.S. territories, generating nearly $93 billion in new economic activity and supports approximately 412,000 jobs across the U.S in FY 2023 alone.
“Medical research has shaped breakthroughs in science that change lives,” said Rep. André Carson. “The cure for diseases like cancer and diabetes could be possible in our lifetimes, as long as we continue to invest in this important work. I am proud to have led bipartisan efforts over several years to fully fund the National Institutes of Health, expand pancreatic cancer research at the U.S. Department of Defense, and fully fund veteran medical and prosthetic research. We also need to collect more data on how minorities are disproportionately impacted by certain health issues and widen clinical trials to include those left out. I am proud to introduce this resolution highlighting Medical Research Week and will continue to work across the aisle on lifesaving legislation.”
“Innovation in health care starts with the groundbreaking medical research that leads to life-changing treatments and cures,” said Rep. Joyce Beatty. “As we celebrate Medical Research Week, we honor the scientists and institutions whose work not only saves lives but also drives our economy and keeps our nation at the forefront of global health innovation. As a stroke survivor, I’ve experienced firsthand the critical importance of these advancements. That’s why I continue to advocate for billions in federal funding to the NIH to reduce the incidence of heart disease, stroke, and other threats to the health and vitality of all Americans. The future of medicine depends on what we invest in today, and I’ll keep fighting for that funding.”
“Medical Research Week is an opportunity to celebrate the innovations and efforts of so many scientists who have created the treatments, cures, and diagnostics that tackle terrible conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s, kidney failure, and the opioid epidemic. This inspirational work and the strong federal investments that power it make the United States the global driver of medical research and development,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene. “Medical Research Week is also an opportunity to recommit ourselves to building on this progress by not only defending but expanding funding for our government’s lead health research agency – the National Institutes of Health – so we can continue to develop the cures of tomorrow.”
“Medical research is the foundation of progress: saving lives, driving economic growth, and ensuring our leadership on the world stage. By celebrating Medical Research Week, we are not merely recognizing past breakthroughs but committing to a future where innovation propels our communities forward. I am dedicated to fighting for the vital funding that fuels progress and gives researchers the tools to discover groundbreaking cures and tackle the most devastating diseases. Together, through continued innovation, we will forge a healthier, stronger future for generations to come,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
“It is by no accident that America leads the world in medical innovation. America’s free enterprise system alongside strong federal support of medical research has led to new cures, treatments, and hope for tomorrow that more therapies are on the horizon. I am proud that Pennsylvania institutions and companies play leading roles in developing these new technologies and am glad to join my colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize Medical Research Week,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker.
During Medical Research Week, the AAMC – along with its member medical schools, academic health systems, research institutions, and collaborators – are celebrating the achievements in medical research and breakthrough innovations on social media using the hashtag #StartsInAcademicMedicine to highlight the immeasurable impact of research on patients and communities.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Haffner Energy teams up with Bambbco, France’s leading bamboo provider, to diversify sustainable biomass procurement
Vitry-le-François, September 24, 2024, at 8:00 am (CEST)
Haffner Energy and Bambbco, France’s leading bamboo provider, announce that they have signed a partnership. Both companies are based in France and share a common goal of improving the availability of biomass for energy applications, especially from crops grown on marginal land.
Biomass, the leading source of renewable energy in France and around the world, often faces conflicts of use. Diversifying sustainable sources of biomass that is free of conflicts of use, thanks to regenerative, resilient, and productive crops such as bamboo grown on marginal lands and barren grounds, is a strategic challenge. The contribution of such crops to decarbonization is going to be significant.
Haffner Energy has developed an innovative, patented biomass and organic waste thermolysis technology, backed by 30 years of experience. This technology produces renewable hydrogen and clean fuels for industry and mobility applications. In addition, it generates biocarbon (char or biochar), a natural carbon sink, and biogenic CO2.
Bambbco is a nature-based solutions company that uses several species of bamboo to produce renewable energy, sequester carbon, prevent soil erosion, re-establish the water cycle, promote biodiversity, and contribute to the biomass-to-energy circular economy. Bambbco is a laureate of France’s start-up booster program French Tech.
Bamboo produces up to four times as much biomass , as wood residues from a forest in standard conditions. In addition, bamboo displays remarkable characteristics such as being drought tolerant, requiring no chemical inputs, and capturing heavy metals and toxic chemical elements through its roots system. Those properties make it an ideal candidate for soil and ecosystem regeneration on marginal land, while simultaneously generating value.
“Europe is the only continent in the world where bamboo is not recognized yet for its many benefits, from regenerating marginal lands and natural ecosystems to providing a highly sustainable, renewable, and competitive alternative to wood and wood residues for countless applications,” points out Pierre-Alexandre Lemarquis, CEO of Bambbco. “I am excited about the forward-looking approach that Haffner Energy is taking with regard to biomass procurement. Together, we’ll be able to develop local, circular economy-based ecosystems for clean fuels production projects,” he adds.
“We are happy to engage with Bambbco and develop biomass-to-energy projects in locations that would otherwise not be suitable. Barren areas can be brought back to life with robust energy crops and our technology,” says Marcella Franchi, Haffner Energy Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sales. “We can’t wait to show visitors the new bamboo plantation at our new center in Marolles (Marne County, France). The plants can be used on location, among various feedstocks, to produce renewable syngas and hydrogen, and they will beautify the site.”
The signing of this partnership will enable Haffner Energy and Bambbco to offer a turnkey solution for the production of green energy, with guaranteed feedstock availability and cost all year round. It builds on Haffner Energy’s strategy to diversify sustainable biomass procurement, initiated earlier this year with the signing of a partnership with XanoGrass developer Hexas, in the United States.
The aggregated environmental virtues of those solutions are formidable:
About Haffner Energy
Haffner Energy, located in France, supplies solutions to produce competitive clean fuels. Backed by 30 years of experience, its innovative and patented biomass thermolysis technology makes possible the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), as well as renewable gas, hydrogen, and methanol. The company also contributes to carbon sequestration through the co-production of biogenic CO2 and biocarbon (char or biochar). For more information: www.haffner-energy.com
About Bambbco
Bambbco is the company that has been pioneering the sustainable production of bamboo biomass in France. Founded with the mission to promote responsible agricultural practices and provide renewable resources for various industries, including energy, Bambbco has quickly established itself in the emerging biomass sector. For more information: www.bambbco.com
Media relations
HAFFNER ENERGY
Laetitia Mailhes
laetitia.mailhes@haffner-energy.com
+33 (0) 6 13 04 62 01
BAMBBCO
Pierre-Alexandre Lemarquis
contact@bambbco.com
+33 (0)7 64 69 53 94
Attachment
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andre Carson (7th District of INDIANA)
WASHINGTON, DC—Representative André Carson (IN-07) has introduced H.R. 9649, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). This bill will end the congressionally and administratively mandated pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA).
The United States has historically been one of the largest financial supporters of UNRWA, which serves nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. In March of this year, the U.S. paused UNRWA funding after the Israeli government alleged that 12 agency employees had direct involvement in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack.
Following the UN’s investigation and proactive commitments made by UNRWA toward complete accountability and reform, all countries except the U.S. have resumed their UNRWA funding, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Sweden. Approximately 1.9 million people – 9 in 10 Gazans – have been displaced at least once, and an estimated 43,580 are pregnant women. UNRWA has served as the primary humanitarian aid organization operating in Gaza, and without funding, hundreds of thousands of Gaza civilians are left vulnerable. It is estimated that over 1 million Gazans will not have enough food this month, and availability of basic hygiene items has dropped to 15%. In addition to a polio outbreak, Gazans are suffering from malnutrition and treatable diseases due to “systematic dismantling of healthcare”from bombardments on civilians.
“The scale of this devastating, man-made crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated,” said Congressman Carson. “Providing humanitarian aid to a starving nation – with funding Congress has appropriated year after year – should not be controversial. I urge my colleagues who care about basic human rights, the rights of pregnant women, and the wellbeing of innocent children to join our bill. UNRWA has taken appropriate and proactive steps towards accountability and transparency, conducting multiple independent reviews that continue to prove the organization is both in compliance and imperative to provide the region with lifesaving assistance. It’s past time we restore funding and save lives.”
“UNRWA has played a unique and integral role in supporting the welfare of Palestinian refugees for decades. Their on-the-ground understanding is invaluable to ensure that humanitarian aid makes it to the people who need it most — in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and critically in this moment in Gaza,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “There is no question in my mind that revoking funding for UNRWA will lead to more devastation and loss of life in Gaza. We must ensure that those acting in good faith to save civilian lives are not undermined by a lack of US funding.”
“For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been a lifeline for Palestinians, providing food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, education, and livelihoods. Today, UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza as it endures ongoing war and a dire humanitarian crisis. UNRWA and the United Nations have taken swift and decisive actions to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government when it paused funding in January and our allies have all resumed funding for UNRWA. The U.S. must follow suit and resume funding for this critical humanitarian agency,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “I am proud to co-lead the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act to restore funding to UNRWA and help Gazans get the humanitarian assistance they need at a time of unprecedented crisis.”
“J Street is proud to be supporting the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 introduced by Representatives Carson, Jayapal, and Schakowsky. We should restore funding, as all our major allies have, and stop playing politics with Palestinian welfare and Israel’s security,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “As UNRWA’s largest donor and Israel’s key security guarantor, the United States has a special obligation to address this crisis.”
“Gaza isn’t starving. It’s being starved,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “Over two million Palestinian civilians are enduring a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading due to blocked aid access. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Congress continue to withhold all U.S. funding for the largest aid operation in Gaza—the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA is the backbone of aid delivery in Gaza, ensuring that millions receive desperately needed assistance. Blocking U.S. funding for UNRWA’s critical work is a cruel and unjustified decision that only deepens Gaza’s humanitarian suffering. Congress and the Administration must act swiftly to correct this wrong by supporting the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act and restoring this urgently needed aid.”
“Restoring funding to UNRWA is a humanitarian imperative,” said Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “For over six decades, the United States has been one of the strongest supporters of UNRWA, which provides lifesaving aid and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Those services are desperately needed in Gaza right now, and UNRWA is the only organization with the capacity and expertise necessary to provide them at scale. The United States must uphold its commitment to the human rights of the Palestinian people and pass this legislation to reinstate funding to the humanitarian agency immediately. Failing to do so would lead to further human suffering.”
“In restoring funding for food, water, shelter, and medical care for Palestine refugees, the UNRWA Restoration Act honors this most basic and inalienable truth — that the people of Palestine are human beings, just like all of us, and all lives are sacred, not just some,” said Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director UNRWA USA.
“UNRWA is indispensable to providing Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria with the education, healthcare, and other critical services that are key to successful, productive livelihoods and citizenry, and a future of peace and prosperity, which should be in everyone’s interests. We support full restoration of funding to UNRWA,” said Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera.
“We express our gratitude to Representatives André Carson, Pramila Jayapal, and Jan Schakowsky for introducing the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024,” said James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute. “This lifesaving legislation aims to restore critical U.S. financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by repealing previous funding restrictions and encouraging the Secretary of State to lift the temporary pause on federal funding. UNRWA plays a vital role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The ongoing genocide in Gaza has resulted in increased displacement, starvation, and death. It is both inhumane and unconscionable to continue withholding financial support from UNRWA. We recognize that the majority of Americans are horrified by the death and destruction they witness daily in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA’s humanitarian aid and services often mean the difference between life and death for these vulnerable populations. Restoring U.S. funding to UNRWA is urgent, just, and the only morally responsible option. We urge lawmakers to prioritize the passage of this crucial legislation and ensure that UNRWA can continue to provide life-saving assistance to Palestinian refugees in the region.”
The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 has been endorsed by the following organizations as of 9/19/24:
| 18 Million Rising |
| Action Against Hunger |
| Action Corps |
| ActionAid USA |
| AFSC, American Friends Service Committee |
| American Baptist Churches USA |
| American Friends of Combatants for Peace |
| American Friends Service Committee |
| American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) |
| Americans for Justice in Palestine Action |
| Americans for Peace Now |
| Anera |
| Avaaz |
| Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) |
| Carolina Peace Center |
| Center for American Progress |
| Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) |
| Center for Constitutional Rights |
| Center for Gender & Refugee Studies |
| Center for International Policy |
| Center for Jewish Nonviolence |
| Center for Security, Race and Rights |
| Center for Victims of Torture |
| Charity&Security Network |
| Christian Aid |
| Church World Service |
| Climate Refugees |
| Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) |
| CODEPINK |
| CommonDefense.us |
| Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces |
| Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) |
| Danish Refugee Council |
| DAWN |
| Demand Progress |
| Doctors Against Genocide |
| Emgage Action |
| FCNL |
| Foreign Policy for America |
| Friends of Sabeel North America |
| Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ |
| Health Advocacy International |
| Hindus for Human Rights |
| Historians for Peace and Democrcy |
| Human Rights First |
| Human Rights First |
| Humanity & Inclusion |
| IfNotNow Movement |
| International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) |
| International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) |
| International Rescue Committee |
| Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
| J Street |
| Jewish Voice for Peace Action |
| KinderUSA |
| MADRE |
| Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns |
| Middle East Children’s Alliance |
| Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC) |
| Migrant Roots Media |
| MoveOn |
| MPower Change Action Fund |
| Muslim Advocates |
| National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd |
| National Council of Churches |
| National Iranian American Council Action |
| National Partnership for New Americans |
| Nonviolent Peaceforce |
| Norwegian Peoples aid |
| Norwegian Refugee Council USA |
| Oxfam |
| Partners for Progressive Israel |
| Pax Christi USA |
| Peace Action |
| People’s Action |
| Presbyterian Church (USA), Office of Public Witness |
| Progressive Democrats of America |
| Project HOPE |
| Project South |
| Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft |
| Rebuilding Alliance |
| Refugee Congress |
| Refugees International |
| ReThinking Foreign Policy |
| RootsAction.org |
| Save the Children US |
| Save the Children US |
| Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team |
| Terre des hommes – Lausanne |
| The Episcopal Church |
| The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) |
| The United Church of Christ |
| UNRWA USA National Committee |
| US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action (USCPR Action) |
| Veterans For Peace, Chapter #63 (Albuquerque) |
| War Child Alliance |
| We Are All America (WAAA) |
| Welcoming America |
| Win Without War |
| Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, US |
| Working Families Party |
| Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation |
| ACCESS of WNY |
| Al Otro Lado (CA and Tijuana) |
| Atlanta Multifaith Coalition for Palestine |
| CAIR-Ohio |
| Christian Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine |
| Church Women United in New York State |
| Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York chapter (CAIR-NY) |
| Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Washington DC |
| Jewish Voice for Peace Albuquerque |
| Minnesota Peace Project |
| Muslim Justice League (MA) |
| New York Progressive Action Network |
| Oasis Legal Services (CA) |
| OnceAForest.org (NM) |
| Peace Action WI |
| Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW! |
| Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) Bay Area |
| Veterans For Peace – Santa Fe NM Chapter |
| Muslims United PAC (MUPAC) |
MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Bank “RUSSIA” Russia Bank –
Press Releases and Events
09.24.2024
Bank “ROSSIYA” was included in the rating of reliability of domestic banks, compiled by the analytical department of the financial service Bankiros.ru.
Reliability rating is formed on the basis of the performance indicators of banks collected by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The calculation method is based on data on assets, deposits, loans, and also taking into account liquidity and long-term creditworthiness indicators.
As analysts note, the rating includes the most reliable financial institutions that meet all the conditions to ensure the safety of clients.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
http://abr.ru/about/nevs/13664/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Financial Secretary Paul Chan, on a visit to Spain, has called on the Plenary of the City Council of Madrid, a local innovation and technology centre, and a Spanish innovation accelerator and venture capital fund.
Mr Chan yesterday met President of Madrid’s City Council Plenary Francisco de Borja Fanjul Fernandez-Pita to discuss strengthening co-operation between Madrid and Hong Kong.
Briefing the president on developments in Hong Kong across various sectors, Mr Chan highlighted that, with staunch support from China’s central government, the “one country, two systems” arrangement will continue to be implemented in Hong Kong over the long run.
The finance chief emphasised that Hong Kong will maintain an international, open and friendly business environment and practise the common law.
He said he hoped the two places can continue to nurture mutually beneficial co-operation in areas such as finance, innovation and technology (I&T), culture, and education.
He also invited Spanish enterprises to invest in Hong Kong and leverage its advantages to explore the vast markets of the Greater Bay Area, Mainland China more broadly, and Asia.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr Chan called on Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing. Mr Chan briefed the ambassador on Hong Kong’s latest situation, as well as its development direction and strategies.
They also discussed economic and trade co-operation between China and Spain, and the promotion of business and I&T collaboration between Hong Kong and Spain.
Mr Chan then met Director General of the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnologico y la Innovacion (CDTI) Jose Moises Martin Carretero.
The CDTI provides funding support for projects aligned with Spain’s I&T development strategy, and promotes technological co-operation between Spain and other countries and regions.
Mr Chan highlighted the progress Hong Kong has made in recent years through investing substantially in I&T, as well as the support provided by Hong Kong’s full-spectrum financial services to I&T enterprises and projects at various stages of their development.
The two men also exchanged ideas around strengthening co-operation in technology projects and matching funds with projects.
Mr Chan also led a delegation of Hong Kong technology startup on a visit to Wayra, one of Spain’s innovation accelerators and venture capital funds. Speaking to investment team leaders, he discussed ways to promote mutual co-operation.
During the visit, Mr Chan was given an introduction to Wayra’s operations and development strategies. Through its global network, Wayra helps startups connect with technology and capital worldwide, and provides guidance to help them expand their markets.
Mr Chan said he hoped his visit would facilitate better connections between the I&T ecosystems of both places and help startups leverage opportunities for collaboration.
Source: Australian Treasurer
ADAM STEER:
Stephen Jones is the Assistant federal Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. Minister, welcome to ABC Radio Darwin. These new laws, how are they going to work in terms of preventing scams? Because my understanding is you can’t force the banks to pay back anyone that’s been scammed, can you?
STEPHEN JONES:
Not quite true. Under the existing laws, we have a mandatory reimbursement scheme. If somebody has had money withdrawn from their account that wasn’t authorised and that’s done under the ePayments code. The problem we have is there’s so much grey area and the scams are becoming so incredibly sophisticated. They’ve been industrialised over the last decade; scam losses were doubling every year. They haven’t for the last year because of some corrective measures we’ve put in place. But it’s quite clear we just can’t leave the customers on their own –
STEER:
Yeah, well, that example –
JONES:
More needs to be done.
STEER:
That example I was using with Antonia there. So, the bank originally had said no because she had voluntarily handed her information over to the scammers who had provided – she’d looked up the banks themselves and they had provided her the information which she thought, as someone with English as a second language was okay enough that then she could give them the details, her banking details.
JONES:
In circumstances like that I mean, then it’s no answer to say banks never ask you to give over your passcodes. They never do that. In fact, they make it quite clear you shouldn’t give them over to anyone. But, you know, for all the reasons you’ve outlined, it’s quite clear that the existing arrangements and obligations aren’t strong enough. So, the laws that we’ll put in place look at the entire economy or the ecosystem in which these scams are operating in. So, they come to us via a phone or an SMS message, or they’re published on a social media platform, and the bank is the destination for the scammers at the end of the transaction. So, we’ve got to get all of those bodies lifting their protection again for their customers to keep their business and network safe, to prevent, to detect, disrupt, respond and report to scams. A failure to put in place the proper steps in this area will lead to fines of up to $50 million for the businesses who fail to do that. The reason we’re starting with banks, telcos and social media platforms is that’s where most of the damage is being done. But we’ll move beyond there once we get that locked down.
STEER:
Banks make, I think they made $32 billion worth of profit at the big 4 last year, but only repay between 4–7 per cent of scam victims. That doesn’t seem fair in itself. What exactly are you doing to ensure banks are helping their customers? So, you were saying, unless you do this, we will fine you $50 million for each individual scam? Am I correct that you’re –
JONES:
That’s correct, yeah, absolutely. And I want banks to be on the hook if they’ve done the wrong thing. But I don’t want telecommunications companies or social media platforms to be let off the hook as well. I’ve looked at some data up in Europe at the moment, about half the scam losses at the moment are coming from Meta platforms. That’s not a startup business. In Australia, it makes about $6 billion a year. So, that’s a large entity as well. It’s making more than most of our banks, actually. They need to be in the frame. Telcos need to be in the frame. Banks need to be in the frame if they’ve done the wrong thing. And stronger obligations, stronger obligations to protect customers must be in place. And like we’ve been discussing, fines if they, penalties in compensation if they don’t live up to those obligations.
STEER:
Six to 8 on 157, ABC Radio Darwin. Adam Steer is my name. Your guest is the federal Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones. A text coming in, Minister, why don’t we ever hear on news scammers getting caught or convicted? Is this because they’re not getting caught?
JONES:
Yeah, great question. When we put our policy together, we assumed that the vast majority of this stuff is operating outside of Australia, because it is, and largely in countries where traditional law enforcement can’t work because we don’t have the sorts of relations you need with the countries where they’re operating. In some we’ve got joint operations going in place, but often on the border of war torn countries or in areas where traditional law enforcement can’t get into. So, the traditional law enforcement approach of kicking down doors and dragging people before a court just won’t work. So, we’ve got to look at what will work with what we can do inside Australia.
STEER:
Well, let’s move to one of the other issues. I don’t know whether the 2 supermarkets, the 2 major supermarkets, are going to get painted as the villains of inflation, but the ACCC is alleging Woolies and Coles are now breaching consumer laws, rising prices by 15 per cent prior to some of their big promotional scale – sales. I mean, that’s a scam in itself. How the supermarkets going to get punished here?
JONES:
Well, strong action being taken by our regulator with the full support of the government. I have got to be careful because this matter is before the court. But if these matters are proved – and I have every reason to believe that the ACCC will have done due diligence before they took the matter before court – if these matters are proved, then it is an indictment on those businesses and they deserve the full force of the law. In instances where Australians are struggling and they’re ripping us off with bodgy sales and bodgy advertisements, jacking prices up before they drop them, that’s just not right.
STEER:
And inflationary as we wait to see whether the mortgage rates stay on hold or not for this year. I’ve got a text asking the ACCC themselves have said, good move from the federal government because they reinforced some laws which have allowed us to take this action. And as you say, it is above the courts – in front of the courts at the moment. If it’s successful and if it’s a very, very large fine which we consider it would have to be given the supermarkets are making $1000 million profit per year each. Where does that money go if they get a significant fine? What happens to that money?
JONES:
Yeah, good question. So, in this instance, the ACCC has sought unusual but not exceptional orders where a part of the fine would be diverted towards paying for meals and services to homelessness and low income people as a means of ensuring that some of that money goes towards the people who are hurt most by this sort of alleged pernicious behaviour.
STEER:
You know what? We’ll wait and see what happens. Federal Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, thank you so much for your time this morning. Appreciate it.
JONES:
Great to talk.