Green Party Co-Leader, Carla Denyer said, “The reports over the weekend that no food has entered Northern Gaza since the 1st of October, of Israel’s attack on al-Aqsa Hospital, of chemical weapons being used to attack UNIFIL peacekeepers, of mass civilian casualties in Gaza’s Jabalia Refugee Camp and of increased rocket fire into Israel from Hezbollah are extremely disturbing. The huge numbers of civilian deaths and the prospect of widespread starvation in Northern Gaza are intolerable.
The Labour government must recognise that violence in the Middle East is escalating rapidly and that their current approach is failing. The Government needs to consider far more direct measures to incentivise a ceasefire including an end to arms sales, the introduction of divestments, boycotts and sanctions, prosecutions for all those who have committed war crimes and a plan for a viable Palestinian state.”
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
On Wednesday, October 16 at 09:00 AM ET, we will release new research on the recent global inflation surge. Our analysis explores how supply chain disruptions and demand shifts fueled inflation, and examines the impact of monetary tightening.
Informal comments to the media by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, on the situation in Lebanon.
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Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters today (14 Oct) after the Security Council closed consultations in New York City, “the decision was made that UNIFIL would currently stay in all its position, in spite of the calls that were made by the Israeli Defense Forces to vacate the position that are in the vicinity of the Blue Line. I want to emphasize that this decision still remains.”
The Under-Secretary-General emphasized ongoing communication efforts. He said, “the liaison mechanism continues to work,” adding that he would be meeting with the Israeli Permanent Representative on Tuesday (15 Oct) for further discussions.
Lacroix also underscored the importance of maintaining open routes for UNIFIL’s operational needs. He said, “the movements that need to be carried out by UNIFIL with the purpose of resupplying position, with the purpose of supporting the civilian population, those movements need to be deconflicted, and they need to be also cleared by the parties, including the IDF.”
Despite security concerns Lacroix reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to peacekeeping in southern Lebanon. He appealed to all parties saying, “our main call to all the parties is to respect their international obligation when it comes to protecting the safety and security of peacekeepers.”
Lacroix reiterated UNIFIL’s mandate, which is to aid in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He said, “it’s for the parties to implement resolution 1701. UNIFIL are not mandated to implement, and certainly not to enforce, resolution 1701.”
Informal comments to the media by Pascale Baeriswyl, President of the UN Security Council for the month of October and Permanent Representative of Switzerland, following the Lebanon/UNIFIL Consultations.
Researchers have made a rare observation where the local crystal structure symmetry or the arrangement of atoms in the immediate vicinity of a given atom, in a crystal, reduces upon warming, contrary to the usual trend of symmetry of crystal structures increasing with rising temperatures. The study underlines the significance of chemical design in triggering unconventional phenomena in crystalline materials useful for phononics, thermoelectrics and solar thermal conversion.
Symmetry breaking plays a crucial role in fundamental chemistry and physics. A familiar manifestation of this phenomenon is the transition of a gas to a liquid and eventually to a solid upon cooling, with each phase transition involving a reduction in symmetry.
Thermodynamic factors like entropy (measure of disorder) and enthalpy (measure of total energy stored) of a system determines how the system responds to changing conditions like temperature fluctuations.
Traditionally, it is believed that as a material is heated, it tends to adopt a higher crystal symmetry due to the favourable increase in entropy.
However, recent findings by Prof. Kanishka Biswas, Ms. Ivy Maria, Dr. Paribesh Acharyya and other team members at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology, challenge this conventional understanding, especially at the local structural level of a crystal.
Local structure of a crystal is the arrangement of atoms in the immediate vicinity of a given atom in a crystal, typically within the collection of the first and second nearest neighbour atoms around a specific atom, technically known as the first and second atomic coordination environments respectively.
In an ideal crystal, the local structure mirrors the global structure, but in certain rare cases, they can diverge. This is precisely what the team observed in an all-inorganic two-dimensional halide perovskite, Cs2PbI2Cl2 that belongs to the family of Ruddlesden-Popper halide perovskites (class of materials with a specific crystal structure).
Contrary to the usual trend where heating increases symmetry, this compound exhibits a decrease in local symmetry with rising temperature, while the global crystal symmetry remains unchanged. This occurs due to configurational averaging, where the distorted local symmetries average out at longer length scales, leaving the global structure intact.
This phenomenon of local symmetry breaking upon heating is termed “emphanisis,” meaning “appearing out of nothing.” The team employed an advanced synchrotron X-ray technique which simultaneously reveals both the local and global structures of solids from their X-ray diffraction patterns, to investigate emphanisis.
The synchrotron X-ray experiments were done in DESY, Hamburg, Germany under the India-DESY collaboration supported by Department of Science & Technology (DST), India.
The researchers traced this unusual local symmetry breaking to the stereochemically active lone pair of lead in the compound.
Interestingly, Cs2PbI2Cl2 accommodates two types of structural distortion — static distortions in chlorine atoms and dynamic distortions in lead atoms. These distortions result from the complex interplay between different structure-distorting effects driven by the interactions between the mixed halide (Cl and I) motif and the active lone electron pair of lead in Cs2PbI2Cl2. The distortions happen because of a competition between a mix of structure-distorting forces that arise because of interaction of different parts of the material (the mixed anions- Cl and I) with the lone electron pair on the lead atoms in Cs₂PbI₂Cl₂.
The high temperature “emphanitic” phase is characterized as a disordered distorted state, existing at the intersection of an ordered undistorted state and an ordered distorted state.
“Emphanisis” is a promising strategy for achieving intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity in crystalline materials. Such materials are highly sought after for their fundamental importance and diverse applications, including phononics, thermoelectrics, solar thermal conversion, and various heat management systems.
The study now published in Advanced Materials, underscores the fundamental and functional significance of chemical design in creating unconventional phenomena in crystalline materials. The findings suggest that understanding these thermodynamic subtleties can lead to intriguing structural transformations with broad applications.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today wrote a post on LinkedIn, elaborating on the advantages of developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat.
The post is titled ‘Let’s focus on Tourism’.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“Recently, the Union Cabinet took a very interesting decision – of developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal. Such a concept will create new opportunities in the world of culture and tourism. India invites more participation in the culture and tourism sectors.”
Recently, the Union Cabinet took a very interesting decision – of developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal. Such a concept will create new opportunities in the world of culture and tourism. India invites more participation in the culture and tourism sectors. Here…
Scientists have developed an efficient photocatalyst that can degrade in sulfamethoxazole, a broad-spectrum antibiotic to less hazardous chemicals and reduce health and environmental concerns associated with antibiotic contamination.
Antibiotic contamination has several adverse effects, including antibiotic resistance, ecological impact, human health concerns, etc. Hence, there is a need to find ways to mitigate this environmental issue.
A team of scientists from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology have synthesized copper zinc tin sulfide Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles (NPs) and copper zinc tin sulfide -tungsten disulfide CZTS-WS2 composite. The team led by Prof. Devasish Chowdhury utilised hydrothermal reaction of zinc chloride, copper chloride, tin chloride and tungsten disulfide forming a composite that is efficient photocatalyst in degrading sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole (SMX) have long been used to treat human illnesses like urinary and respiratory tract infections. However, more than 54 % of SMX was released into the environment along with the faeces and urine of the patients.
“CZTS and its nanocomposites are a multifunctional quaternary semiconductor nanomaterial made up of earth-abundant, inexpensive, and non-toxic components possessing remarkable photostability making it extremely valuable in light-harvesting and photocatalyst applications,” said Prof. Chowdhury.
The team consisting of Nur Jalal Mondal, Rahul Sonkar, Mridusmita Barman and Dr. Mritunjoy Prasad Ghosh, established that the CZTS-WS2 composite exhibits good photocatalytic activity for the breakdown of sulfamethoxazole.
The developed catalyst could be recovered and used repeatedly without losing its effectiveness, which is very important from an economic point of view.
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) a popular analytical chemistry technique that can separate and identify the degraded product was used to analyze the intermediates and degraded products of the antibiotics’ degradation reaction. The study published in Journal of Photochemistry & Photobiology A, determined that the majority of intermediates were less hazardous than sulfamethoxazole. In addition, the CZTS-WS2 composite demonstrated more than 80% radical scavenging efficiency and antibacterial capabilities.
Headline: Thales radios successfully tested by the German Armed Forces to be deployed within the NATO enhanced Forward Presence
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The German Armed Forces conducted operational tests with PR4G and SYNAPS-H Thales radios to demonstrate their suitability for the needs of the multinational Battalion Group deployed by NATO.
Within one year, Thales has successfully delivered to the German Armed Forces radio equipment for the NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP).
These 4-week operational tests demonstrated that Thales radios are interoperable and secure.
@Thales
Thales radios for use in NATO enhanced Forward Presence were tested in an intensive four-week operational trial under the direction of the Army Development Office. These tests were conducted with the participation of the Army Development Office, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the German Army’s “Test and Trial” teams and Dutch and French Armed Forces.
The particular focus of the procurement was to provide modern, encrypted, electronic counter countermeasure (ECCM)-capable command and control radios for the multinational deployment of the enhanced Forward Presence, which can transmit voice in parallel with data and their own position.
“During the four-week operational test, Thales PR4G and SYNAPS-H radios met the requirements so effectively that the system is deemed suitable for introduction into the German Armed Forces..We are very pleased that there are no more obstacles for the operational use of the radios in Lithuania, where the deployed forces will have protected, modern radios.”added Christoph Ruffner, CEO and Country Director, Thales Deutschland.
Although the soldiers had not received any training, only a short briefing, it was possible to establish operational readiness in under an hour..The radios also impressed with a stable radio network and in the range tests.
The purpose of NATO enhanced Forward Presence is to strengthen its defensive and deterrent posture on Europe’s eastern flank. NATO battlegroups are deployed to the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as to Poland and led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and the United States respectively.
Headline: KNDS selects Thales Power Systems Solution for the Leopard 2 A8
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KNDS awarded Thales a contract to deliver compact, programable and scalable High-Power Solid-State Power Distribution Boards (SSPDB) for the Leopard 2 A8 platform.
The SSPDB developed by Thales is designed to provide overcurrent and short circuit protection, and to enable smart electrical power management of protected vehicles.
A first, short-term delivery of SSPDBs will already take place in Q3 2024, followed by several hundred units by 2027.
In just a few months, KNDS and Thales engineering teams have jointly succeeded in adapting an SSPDB solution that meets the power management needs of the Leopard 2 A8. Thales will focus on making the High-Power SSPDB a successful product by concentrating on key performance areas of the SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) to meet the stringent and demanding power requirements.
Rated up to 160A per channel and with integrated current, temperature and voltage sensing, the multi-channel SSPDBs are designed to protect against overcurrent and short circuits and offer the flexibility to use pre-programmed operating profiles or real-time selections to enable intelligent power management in a variety of mission scenarios.
The first units will be integrated as early as Q3 2024. This time-critical collaboration demonstrates the ingenuity and agility of our two teams.
Under the KNDS contract, Thales will build hundreds of SSPDBs by 2027, using customization, manufacturing and testing processes already in use for the Thales Power Systems product line.
“With an expertise of more than 20 years, Thales is a global leader in the development and manufacture of Power Systems for protected vehicles. We are proud to have been awarded this contract by KNDS and are confident that this strong partnership will continue.” Martin Bernhardsgrütter, Country Director, Thales Switzerland.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital identity.
It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.
The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.
Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.
Credit standards remained unchanged for firms in the third quarter of 2024, after more than two years of consecutive tightening
Credit standards eased for loans to households for house purchases but tightened for consumer credit
Housing loan demand rebounded strongly on the back of expected interest rate cuts and improving housing market prospects
Impact of policy rate decisions on bank net interest income turned negative for the first time since the end of 2022
According to the October 2024 bank lending survey (BLS), euro area banks reported unchanged credit standards – banks’ internal guidelines or loan approval criteria – for loans or credit lines to enterprises in the third quarter of 2024 (net percentage of banks of 0%; Chart 1). Banks also reported a further net easing of their credit standards for loans to households for house purchase (net percentage of -3%), whereas credit standards for consumer credit and other lending to households tightened further (net percentage of 6%). For firms, the net percentage was lower than expected by banks in the previous survey round, although risk perceptions continued to have a small tightening effect. For households, credit standards eased somewhat more than expected for housing loans, primarily because of competition from other banks, and tightened more than expected for consumer credit, mainly owing to additional perceived risks. For the fourth quarter of 2024, banks expect a net tightening of credit standards for loans to firms and consumer credit and a net easing for housing loans.
Banks’ overall terms and conditions – the actual terms and conditions agreed in loan contracts – eased strongly for housing loans and slightly for loans to firms, while moderately tightening for consumer credit. Lending rates and margins on average loans were the main drivers of the net easing for loans to firms and housing loans, whereas tighter consumer credit terms and conditions were mainly attributable to margins on both riskier and average loans.
For the first time since the third quarter of 2022, banks reported a moderate net increase in demand from firms for loans or drawing of credit lines (Chart 2), while remaining weak overall. Net demand for housing loans rebounded strongly, while demand for consumer credit and other lending to households increased more moderately. Lower interest rates drove firms’ loan demand, while fixed investment had a muted effect. For housing loans, the net increase in housing loan demand was mainly driven by declining interest rates and improving housing market prospects, whereas consumer confidence and spending on durables supported demand for consumer credit. In the fourth quarter of 2024 banks expect net demand to increase across all loan segments, especially for housing loans.
Euro area banks reported a moderate improvement in access to funding for retail funding, money markets and debt securities in the third quarter of 2024. Access to short-term retail funding improved, whereas access to long-term retail funding remained broadly unchanged. For the fourth quarter of 2024, banks expect access to funding to remain broadly unchanged across market segments.
The reduction in the ECB’s monetary policy asset portfolio had a slightly negative impact on euro area banks’ market financing conditions over the last six months, which banks expect to continue over the next six months. In addition, banks reported that the ECB’s reduction of its monetary policy asset portfolio had an overall contained effect on their lending conditions, which they expect to continue in the coming six months, reflecting the gradual and predictable nature of the adjustment to the ECB’s portfolio.
The phasing-out of TLTRO III continued to negatively affect bank liquidity positions. However, in light of the small remaining outstanding amounts of TLTRO III, banks reported a broadly neutral impact on their overall funding conditions and neutral effects on lending conditions and loan volumes.
Euro area banks reported the first negative impact of the ECB interest rate decisions on their net interest margins since the end of 2022, while the impact via volumes of interest-bearing assets and liabilities remained negative. Banks expect the negative net impact on margins associated with ECB rate policy to deepen and to result in a decline in overall profitability from the high levels reached during the 2022-2023 tightening cycle. Banks expect the impact of provisions and impairments on profitability to remain slightly negative.
The quarterly BLS was developed by the Eurosystem to improve its understanding of bank lending behaviour in the euro area. The results reported in the October 2024 survey relate to changes observed in the third quarter of 2024 and changes expected in the fourth quarter of 2024, unless otherwise indicated. The October 2024 survey round was conducted between 6 and 23 September 2024. A total of 156 banks were surveyed in this round, with a response rate of 99%.
Chart 1
Changes in credit standards for loans or credit lines to enterprises, and contributing factors
(net percentages of banks reporting a tightening of credit standards, and contributing factors)
Source: ECB (BLS).
Notes: Net percentages are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages of banks responding “tightened considerably” and “tightened somewhat” and the sum of the percentages of banks responding “eased somewhat” and “eased considerably”. The net percentages for “Other factors” refer to an average of the further factors which were mentioned by banks as having contributed to changes in credit standards.
Chart 2
Changes in demand for loans or credit lines to enterprises, and contributing factors
(net percentages of banks reporting an increase in demand, and contributing factors)
Source: ECB (BLS).
Notes: Net percentages for the questions on demand for loans are defined as the difference between the sum of the percentages of banks responding “increased considerably” and “increased somewhat” and the sum of the percentages of banks responding “decreased somewhat” and “decreased considerably”. The net percentages for “Other factors” refer to an average of the further factors which were mentioned by banks as having contributed to changes in loan demand.
For media queries, please contactWilliam Lelieveldt, tel.: +49 69 1344 7316.
Notes
A report on this survey round is available on the ECB’s website, along with a copy of the questionnaire, a glossary of BLS terms and a BLS user guide with information on the BLS series keys.
The euro area and national data series are available on the ECB’s website via the ECB Data Portal. National results, as published by the respective national central banks, can be obtained via the ECB’s website.
The shareholders of Karolinska Development AB (publ), reg. no. 556707-5048, (“Karolinska Development” or the “Company”) are invited to the Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”), on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 (CET), at Cirio Law Firm, Biblioteksgatan 9, in Stockholm. Registration for the EGM will commence at 10:30 (CET).
The Board of Directors has resolved that shareholders shall have the right to exercise their voting rights in advance through postal voting pursuant to item 13 in the articles of association. Therefore, shareholders may choose to exercise their voting rights at the EGM by attending in person, by postal voting or through a proxy.
Participation in person
A shareholder who would like to participate at the EGM in person must:
both be entered in the register of the shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB as per Tuesday, November 5, 2024,
and give notice of his or her intention to participate to the Company no later than Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the address Karolinska Development, “EGM”, Nanna Svartz väg 6A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden, or by email to eva.montgomerie@karolinskadevelopment.com. When giving notice to participate, please provide name, personal identity number or company registration number, telephone number and number of represented shares.
Participation by postal voting
Shareholders who wish to participate in the EGM by postal voting must:
both be registered in the register of shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB as per Tuesday, November 5, 2024,
and notify their intention to participate by submitting their postal vote in accordance with the instructions below, so that the postal vote is received by Karolinska Development no later than Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Shareholders may exercise their voting rights at the EGM by voting in advance through postal voting pursuant to item 13 in the articles of association, referring to Chapter 7, Section 4 a of the Swedish Companies Act.
For advance voting, a special form must be used. Forms in Swedish and English are available for download on the Company’s website, http://www.karolinskadevelopment.com.The advance voting form is valid as notification of participation at the EGM.
The completed advance voting form must be received by the Company no later than Thursday, November 7, 2024. The completed form shall be sent to Karolinska Development by e-mail to eva.montgomerie@karolinskadevelopment.com or by regular mail to Karolinska Development, “EGM”, Nanna Svartz väg 6A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden. The shareholder may not provide special instructions or conditions in the advance voting form. If so, the vote (i.e. the advance vote in its entirety) is invalid. Further instructions and conditions are provided in the form for advance voting.
Those who wish to withdraw a submitted postal vote and instead exercise their voting rights by participating in the EGM in person or through a proxy must give notice thereof to the EGM’s secretariat prior to the opening of the EGM.
Participation by proxy
If the shareholders are represented by proxy, a written proxy must be issued and submitted to the Company at the above address well in advance of the EGM. The proxy is valid during the period set forth in the proxy, however, at most five years from the issuance. If a proxy is issued by a legal entity, a copy of the legal entity’s registration certificate or similar document evidencing signatory powers must be enclosed. Proxy forms in Swedish and English are available for download on the Company’s website, http://www.karolinskadevelopment.com.
Nominee registered shares
For shareholders who have their shares nominee-registered through a bank or other nominee, the following applies in order to be entitled to participate in the meeting. In addition to giving notice of participation, such shareholder must re-register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is registered in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of the record date Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Such re-registration may be temporary (so-called voting rights registration). Shareholders who wish to register their shares in their own names must, in accordance with the respective nominee’s routines, request that the nominee make such registration. Voting rights registration that have been requested by the shareholder at such time that the registration has been completed by the nominee no later than Thursday, November 7, 2024, will be taken into account in the preparation of the share register.
Proposal for agenda
Opening of the meeting and election of chairperson of the meeting
Preparation and approval of the voting list
Approval of the agenda
Election of one or two persons to verify the minutes
Determination of whether the meeting was duly convened
Resolution on election of a new member of the Board of Directors
Determination of fee to the new member of the Board of Directors
Closing of the meeting
Item 1: Election of chairperson of the meeting
The Board of Directors proposes that the EGM resolves that Annika Andersson (lawyer at Cirio Law Firm) is appointed to chair the EGM.
Item 6: Resolution on election of a new member of the Board of Directors
The Company’s largest shareholder, invoX Pharma Ltd. (“invoX”), proposes that the EGM resolves to elect Will Zeng as a new director of the Board of Directors. Director Theresa Tse will resign from her position at the EGM. The current directors Hans Wigzell, Anna Lefevre Skjöldebrand, Benjamin Toogood and Philip Duong remain as directors of the Board of Directors and Hans Wigzell remains as chairperson.
Will Zeng is born in 1993. He holds a bachelor’s degree of Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Will Zeng has previously work at Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus. Will Zeng´s other current assignments include Finance Director of CTTQ Pharma Group and Special Assistant to the chairperson of the board of Sino Biopharmaceutical. Will Zeng holds no shares in the Company. Will Zeng is independent in relation to the Company and its executive management but not in relation the Company´s major shareholders.
The composition of the Board of Directors meets the independence requirement of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code.
Item 7: Determination of fee to the new member of the Board of Directors
At the Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2024, it was resolved that the Board of Directors, except for the chairperson, would be paid a fixed amount of SEK 200,000 to be paid out in proportion to board meetings attended. invoX proposes that board fee to the newly elected director Will Zeng should be paid the equivalent for the time until the end of the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
Miscellaneous
Advance voting form, proxy form and proposal for resolution in accordance with above, are available at the Company on Nanna Svartz väg 2, 171 65, Solna, Sweden and at the Company’s website, http://www.karolinskadevelopment.com, no later than three weeks before the EGM, and will be sent to shareholders who so request and provide their postal address.
The Board of Directors and the CEO shall, if requested by any shareholder and if the Board of Directors is of the opinion that it can be done without causing material harm to the Company, provide disclosures about conditions that may impact assessment of an item of business on the agenda.
As per the date of this notice, there are 270,077,594 shares, representing a total of 293,074,943 votes outstanding in the Company, distributed among 2,555,261 shares of series A (with 25,552,610 votes) and 267,522,333 shares of series B (with 267,522,333 votes). As per the date of this notice, the Company holds 244,285 treasury shares of series B.
The NATO Through Time podcast dives deep into NATO’s history, reflecting on how the past influences the present – and future – of the longest-lasting alliance in history. This episode features former President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who was instrumental in leading her country, alongside Albania, to NATO membership in 2009.
What was it like learning about NATO while growing up in the former Yugoslavia? Why did NATO launch “out-of-area” operations in the Western Balkans following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s? What was the road to NATO membership like for Albania and Croatia, and how did these countries help pave the way for other countries in the region to join the Alliance?
In this episode, former President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović reflects on her country’s journey to independence and its decision to “rejoin the European family” by becoming a member of NATO and the European Union. She also speaks about how Croatia has helped other countries in southeast Europe join the Alliance, and how this experience will support the future membership of further countries, including Ukraine. In addition to serving as President of Croatia (2015-2020), she was also the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (2005-2008), Ambassador to the United States (2008-2011) and NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (2011-2014), so she played a crucial role in bringing Croatia into NATO and in its early years of membership in the Alliance.
The podcast is available on YouTube, and on all major podcast platforms, including:
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones hosts roundtable with some of the biggest impact investors in the world.
£550m of investment secured to tackle housing crisis and get Britain building again, with new impact investment funds announced today by Schroders, Man Group and Resonance, also looking to raise over £1.2bn in coming years.
Chief Secretary hosts roundtable with major impact investors to instigate a new partnership to address social and environmental challenges, including affordable housing.
Announcement comes after £63bn of investment into Britain confirmed at International Investment Summit.
Impact investment, whereby a fund creates beneficial social or environmental impact, has now grown to £76.8 billion in the UK in assets under management. This will result in tens of thousands of new homes are set to be built across Britain funded by over half a billion pounds worth of impact investments announced today (Tuesday 15 October).
Coming the day after the Prime Minister announced £63bn of investment into Britain at the International Investment Summit, the commitment from three major financial institutions to invest for impact will directly tackle the most acute housing crisis in living memory, which includes at least 5,000 new homes to address social inequality. This supports the Government’s priority to get the country building again, creating more jobs and boosting the economy.
The announcement comes as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones this morning hosts a roundtable with some of the biggest impact investors in the world, including Schroders, M&G, International Bank of America, Blackrock and Barclays, as the Government looks to create the right environment for impact investment across the country.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said:
Investors tell us they want to help in delivering a better Britain. Working in partnership with government, social impact investing can change people’s lives and improve communities across the country.
We are dedicated to creating the right environment for impact investment across the country, and the announcement of over half a billion pounds worth of impact investment building tens of thousands of new homes is a great example of the change that we are delivering on.
These three investments funds by Schroders, Man Group and Resonance are exemplars of private capital responding to major social and environmental challenges, delivering returns while also helping to grow the economy, the government’s central mission. Today’s £550 million impact investment underpins the government’s drive to foster public-private partnerships to drive meaningful impact across the country.
Schroders, one of the UK’s largest investment managers, has today confirmed a new £50 million allocation from Homes England, into its recently launched real estate impact fund. The fund, which has an initial target of raising £200m with the aim of ultimately delivering 5,000 homes to address social inequality and deliver an appropriate financial return to investors, expects to make its first investments before the end of 2024. It is focused on helping to deliver more social and affordable housing, regenerate town centres and invest in social infrastructure, in places where housing benefits from public transport, green spaces, schools and GP surgeries.
Man Group, a London-headquartered global alternative investment management firm managing $178.2 billion, has also announced a further £100mn investment to deliver affordable and environmentally sustainable housing for communities across England, with 90% of homes to be designated as affordable housing. The investment will have a particular focus on delivering homes with a low carbon footprint and addressing the housing needs of key and essential workers. This investment programme builds on the £385mn that has already been committed to affordable housing since 2021.
Leading social impact property fund manager Resonance have today announced an expected 300% increase in investment – from £79m to £250m – into its initiative to tackle homelessness. This directly channels investment into residential property to help create pathways out of Temporary Accommodation for individuals and families. Resonance has set a target of reaching £1bn investment in this area in the next five years, so it can work directly with local authorities and housing partners across the country to help provide people at risk of homelessness with a stable home.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“We’re pleased to hear the announcement by Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP of the new steps for the National Wealth Fund and its headquarters in Leeds. Leeds is the UK’s second largest city for financial services, and a major hub for related professional services, and this latest announcement further reinforces the city’s progress and influence as we continue to attract major players such as the UK Infrastructure Bank, Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority who have all chosen to locate their major UK hubs in our city.
“These developments create exciting opportunities for local people, offering a wealth of new jobs and career paths. We have huge strengths in this area and offer a wealth of expertise underpinned by strong regional, national and international partnerships and a diverse range of businesses which puts us in a great position to support this initiative.”
Norwich pensioners could be missing out on vital financial support that could significantly boost their incomes as well as make them eligible for further support, including the Winter Fuel Payment.
To raise awareness and assist people with the application process, Norwich City Council is holding a Pension Credit Drop-In Event at Castle Quarter Shopping Centre on Friday 18 October from 11am to 3pm.
At the event, pensioners, carers, and family members can speak directly with council representatives and benefits advisors who will be on hand to offer free advice, check eligibility, and assist with applications.
Pension Credit is a government benefit designed to help low-income pensioners top up their weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. Many eligible residents in Norwich may not be aware they qualify for this important support, potentially missing out on hundreds or even thousands of pounds annually.
Event details:
Date: Friday 18 October
Time: 11am to 3pm
Location: Castle Quarter Shopping Centre, Norwich
Benefits of Pension Credit:
Additional financial support: Pension Credit could top up weekly income to £201.05 for single pensioners and £306.85 for couples.
Additional benefits: Those receiving Pension Credit may also be eligible for other benefits such as help with council tax, Housing Benefit, and free TV licences for over-75s.
Councillor Adam Giles, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for communities and social inclusion said, “Creating a fairer Norwich is a key priority of our Community-Led Plan, which is why we want to help as many people as possible access this government benefit and the other help linked to it.
“We know many residents are struggling with the cost of living, and Pension Credit could make a real difference to those on low incomes. I’d urge people to come along to Castle Quarter on 18 October to see if they or a loved one may qualify.”
Norwich City Council’s commitment to financial inclusion and prioritising health and wellbeing for all is at the heart of this initiative. The Pension Credit Drop-In Event is open to everyone, and no booking is required. Whether you need advice for yourself, a relative, or a friend, our team will be available to provide expert guidance.
The city council is also writing directly to more than 2000 residents that their records suggest may be eligible for Pension Credit.
DCCA NEWS RELEASE: Public Input Sought for Hawaiʻi Gas Rate Increase
Posted on Oct 14, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA
DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR | KE KIAʻĀINA
NADINE Y. ANDO DIRECTOR | KA LUNA HOʻOKELE
MICHAEL ANGELO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2024
Public Input Sought for Hawaiʻi Gas Rate Increase
HONOLULU – Hawaiʻi Gas, the state’s regulated gas utility, has filed a request with the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a proposed rate adjustment, which may affect monthly bills for residents and businesses across the state. The utility is seeking a total revenue increase of approximately 17.67%, though the actual impact on individual bills will vary based on factors such as gas usage, customer classification (residential or commercial) and the island of residence.
To gather public input, the PUC will conduct a series of hearings where consumers and stakeholders can express their opinions and ask questions regarding the proposed rate changes. Those unable to attend are encouraged to submit written comments to the PUC.
Hawaiʻi Gas cites rising operational costs, compliance with regulatory requirements and ongoing infrastructure investments as reasons for the increase. While the Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA) acknowledges these challenges, its role is to evaluate the proposed rates and work to minimize the potential financial burden on consumers. Public feedback is critical in helping the PUC and DCA understand the broader impact of the proposed adjustments, particularly for individuals and families already facing economic difficulties.
“Attending the public hearings or submitting your comments ensures your voice is heard and your concerns are considered. Together, we can ensure that the final decision reflects the needs and interests of everyone across the state,” noted Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy, Michael Angelo.
How to Participate:
Attend a Virtual or In-Person Meeting:
See below for public hearing schedule.
Submit Public Comments:
In-Person Comments:Individuals wishing to provide oral testimony should register at the time of the hearing. Submitting written comments in addition to oral testimony is encouraged.
Written Comments: All written comments should reference Docket No. 2024-0158 and include the author’s name and the entity or organization that the author represents, if any. Submit written public comments via the following methods:
Learn More:
View Hawaiʻi Gas proposed rate changes by island here and here.
Visit the PUC website here.
Schedule for Remaining Public Hearings:
More details on the proposed rate changes can be found online here.
###
Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Email: [email protected]
2024-45 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ URGES FEDERAL JUDGE TO ORDER THE FDA TO REVIEW ITS RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION MEDICATION MIFEPRISTONE
Posted on Oct 14, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
ANNE LOPEZ
ATTORNEY GENERAL
LOIO KUHINA
News Release 2024-45
ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ URGES FEDERAL JUDGE TO ORDER THE FDA TO REVIEW ITS RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION MEDICATION MIFEPRISTONE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2024
HONOLULU–Attorney General Anne Lopez is urging a federal judge in Spokane, Washington, to rule that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s restrictions on the abortion medication mifepristone are inconsistent with the Administrative Procedure Act.
“Since 2000, more than 5.6 million patients have safely used mifepristone. We should not be afraid to increase access to a medication whose safety and efficacy is based in science and proven over time. Artificial limitations on safe and effective medication are actual limitations on access to healthcare,” said Hawaiʻi Deputy Attorney General Erin Lau.
The multistate lawsuit was filed last year in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington by 17 plaintiff states, including Hawaiʻi, and the District of Columbia.
Of the more than 20,000 drugs approved by the FDA, only 73 drugs have extra restrictions known as a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), including highly addictive drugs such as Oxycontin. An even smaller subset of drugs carries additional restrictions known as Elements to Assure Safe Use (ETASU), including certain risky cancer drugs and high-dose sedatives. Despite its proven safety and efficacy, mifepristone has both a REMS and an ETASU restriction.
Although the REMS and ETASU restrictions have been relaxed over time, certain restrictions remain. To prescribe mifepristone, health care providers must be specially certified by the drug distributor and submit their certification form to every pharmacy to which they send a mifepristone prescription—an administratively burdensome requirement that is unique to mifepristone. The pharmacy must also be specially certified with the drug distributor before it can dispense a prescription.
To receive the prescription, the patient and their provider must sign an agreement that certifies the patient has decided to take the medication to end the pregnancy—regardless of whether they are seeking an abortion or are being treated for a miscarriage, which is a common use for mifepristone. These remaining requirements are excessive when considering mifepristone’s safety profile.
The multistate lawsuit asserts the restrictions on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone are unduly burdensome, harmful and unnecessary, reduce access to a critically important drug, and expose providers and patients to unnecessary privacy and safety risks. The risks are exacerbated by the growing criminalization and penalization of abortion around the country in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The Dobbs case overturned nearly a half-century of precedent, stripping away the constitutional right to abortion recognized by the Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
The plaintiff states recently filed a motion for summary judgment, seeking to require the FDA to review whether mifepristone still meets the statutory requirements to impose a REMS with ETASU restriction based on its safety profile. The motion argues that decades of data conclusively show that mifepristone is safe and effective, and that medical experts have long opposed the FDA’s restrictions on the medication. By keeping the restrictions on mifepristone, the states argue that the FDA is unnecessarily and unlawfully limiting access to a medication that is safer than Tylenol, Viagra, and insulin.
Along with Attorney General Lopez, attorneys general for Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Washington, D.C. joined the case.
In the latest episode of InsideAIR, we catch up with the Red Arrows following their 6-week long ‘Maple Hawk’ tour of Canada.
The RAF Waddington based team are celebrating their own 60th anniversary and were invited to help mark the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Centennial year. InsideAIR’s Flight Lieutenant McKinstry joined them behind the scenes.
We’re back with our latest 60 Second Update, from 607 (County of Durham) Squadron, who received a new Standard alongside three other Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons.
In this episode:
Exercise Cobra Warrior, the RAF’s largest air exercise, sees 80 aircraft from six nations training together at RAF Waddington.
617 Squadron Lightning jets embark on HMS Prince of Wales with the Royal Navy 809 Naval Air Squadron on Exercise Strike Warrior.
501 (County of Gloucester), 504 (City of Nottingham), 603 (City of Edinburgh) and 607 (County of Durham) Squadrons receive their new Standards in a special ceremony at the Tower of London.
What you need to know: New measure will help prevent price spikes that cost Californians upwards of $2 billion last year, giving the state more tools to require that petroleum refiners backfill supplies and plan ahead for maintenance.
SACRAMENTO – Today, surrounded by legislators and community leaders in the rotunda of the California State Capitol, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to help prevent gas price spikes and save consumers money at the pump.
The legislation — ABX2-1 authored by Assemblymembers Gregg Hart and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Senator Nancy Skinner — allows the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of fuel to avoid supply shortages that create higher gasoline prices for consumers and higher profits for the industry. It also authorizes the California Energy Commission to require refiners to plan for resupply during refiner maintenance outages. A signing message can be found here.
“Price spikes have cost Californians billions of dollars over the years, and we’re not waiting around for the industry to do the right thing — we’re taking action to prevent these price spikes and save consumers money at the pump. Now, the state has the tools to make sure they backfill supplies and plan ahead for maintenance so there aren’t shortages that drive up prices. I’m grateful to our partners in the Senate and Assembly for acting quickly to push this forward and help deliver relief for Californians.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
“With this new law, big oil companies are now responsible for stabilizing prices at the pump. It’s a critical accomplishment, but our work is not done. I will continue to fight to lower the cost of living, because housing, groceries and everyday necessities must be more affordable for all Californians.” — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas)
“Today, we’re coming together to provide needed relief at the pump and help keep hard-earned dollars in the pockets of Californians. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, and members of the Senate and Assembly for taking swift action on this critical issue. That said, our work isn’t stopping. We’re going to continue to grind away to help lower the cost of living for folks in every corner of the Golden State. It’s a necessity.” — Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast)
Why it’s needed
Price spikes at the pump are profit spikes for oil companies, and they’re overwhelmingly caused by refiners not backfilling supplies when they go down for maintenance. If this proposal had been in effect last year, Californians could have saved hundreds of millions — if not billions — of dollars at the pump according to analysis from the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO):
Experts have come out in support of this measure, including Stanford economists who praised the proposal for being “an economically sound policy that addresses an important problem in a well-targeted way” and the “additional supply would free up refinery capacity to serve Nevada and Arizona, also reducing prices in these markets.”
Supporters of the bill include mayors, local leaders, consumer organizations, environmental advocates, labor, business leaders and consumer groups. Last month, the Governor and supporters met and discussed how gasoline price spikes affect millions of Californians’ everyday lives, and shared why this plan will help California families.
How we got here
The Governor convened a special session to focus on saving Californians money at the pump. The proposal authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require petroleum refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of refined fuel throughout the distribution chain to avoid supply shortages that create higher prices at the pump for consumers. It also authorizes the CEC to require refiners to plan for resupply during scheduled refiner maintenance. The text of the proclamation calling for a special session is available here.
Following gasoline price spikes in 2022, Governor Newsom called for a special session and worked in partnership with the Legislature to sign into law a package of reforms holding Big Oil accountable.
California’s new watchdog found that higher gasoline prices were caused by a suspicious market transaction, refinery maintenance without properly preparing for it, and more.
In January of this year, the watchdog sent Governor Newsom and the legislature a letter outlining specific proposals to reform California’s gasoline spot market, which included a minimum inventory requirement to prevent price spikes due to lack of stable supply.
The state’s gasoline price watchdog also found that, in 2023, gasoline prices spiked largely due to refineries going offline without adequately planning to backfill supplies, which caused refining margins to spike as spot and retail prices jumped — indicating that refinery margins made up the largest proportion of the price spikes between July and September 2023.
Convening experts, community leaders, and consumer advocates
The Governor today also announced his appointments to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee:
Martha Dina Arguello, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee. Arguello has been Executive Director at Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles since 2007. She was Director of Health and Environmental Programs at Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles from 1999 to 2007. Arguello is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Standing Together Against Neighborhood Drilling and Californians for a Health and Green Economy. She is a member of the California Air Resources Board AB 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee and the Steering Committee of Californians for Pesticide Reform. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Arguello is a Democrat.
Michael Jorgenson, of Mill Valley, has been appointed to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee. Jorgenson has served as Supervisory Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General since 2018. He was Deputy County Counsel IV at the Marin County Counsel’s Office from 2017 to 2018. Jorgenson served in several roles at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2003 to 2017, including Deputy Attorney General in the Public Rights Division, Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the Civil Division and Deputy Attorney General in the Civil Division. He was an Associate at Berman Tabacco from 2001 to 2003 and at Kelly Gill Sherburne & Herrera from 1999 to 2001. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History from University of Michigan. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Jorgenson is a Democrat.
Neale Mahoney, of Stanford, has been appointed to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee. Mahoney has been a Professor of Economics at Stanford University since 2020. He was a Special Policy Advisor for Economic Policy at The White House from 2022 to 2023. Mahoney was a Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago from 2013 to 2020. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Economics from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Brown University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Mahoney is a Democrat.
Deborah “Debbie” Meeks, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee. Meeks has been Manager of United States West Coast Policy and Business Coordinator at Shell USA since 2021. She was a Manager of Alliances and Portfolios at Shell US Retail from 2017 to 2021. Meeks was Americas and Mexico Regional Manager, Principal Account Executive, and Senior Account Manager at Shell Catalysts and Technologies from 1995 to 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from California State University, Long Beach. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Meeks is a Democrat.
Norman Rogers, of Santa Ana, has been appointed to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee. Rogers has been Second Vice-President at United Steelworkers Local 675 since 2021, and a Plant Operator in Oil Movements at Marathon Petroleum Corporation since 2018. He was a Plant Operator for Oil Movements at Tesoro Refinery from 2013 to 2018. Rogers was a member of the Fire Brigade at the Carson Refinery from 2001 to 2021. He was Plant Operator for Oil Movements at BP from 2001 to 2013, and at Arco Refinery from 1999 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Rogers is registered without party preference.
Astrid Zuniga, of Modesto, has been appointed to the Independent Consumer Fuels Advisory Committee. Zuniga has been President at United Domestic Workers/AFSCME 3930 since 2024 and was Vice President from 2016 to 2024. She has been Executive Secretary/Treasurer at the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Central Labor Council since 2013, and an In-Home Support Services Caregiver since 1998. Zuniga is a member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board and the Women’s Advisory Committee for AFSCME International. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Zuniga is a Democrat.
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SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Joe Shea, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. Shea has served in several positions at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2019, including Deputy Cabinet Secretary since 2022, Assistant Cabinet Deputy, and Special Assistant to the Governor. He was a Special Consultant for the California Governor-elect Gavin Newsom Transition from 2018 to 2019. From 2017 to 2018, Shea held multiple positions with Newsom for California Governor 2018, including Southern California Field Director and Northern California Organizer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $168,000. Shea is a Democrat.
Allegra Curiel, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle.) Curiel has been a Senior Policy Advocate at the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance since 2023. She was a Policy Manager at Newlight Technologies Inc. from 2021 to 2023. Curiel held multiple positions at CalRecycle from 2017 to 2021, including Legislative Analyst from 2018 to 2021, Disaster Recovery Operations Analyst in 2018 and Executive Fellow with the Capital Fellows Program from 2017 to 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political, Legal, and Economic Analysis from Mills College at Northeastern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $135,036. Curiel is a Democrat.
Marybel Batjer, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board. Batjer has been a Partner at California Strategies since 2021. She was President of the California Public Utilities Commission from 2019 to 2021. Batjer was Secretary of the California Government Operations Agency from 2013 to 2019. She was Vice President of Public Policy and Corporate Social Responsibility at Caesars Entertainment Inc. from 2005 to 2013. Batjer was Cabinet Secretary in the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2003 to 2004. She was Chief of Staff in the Office of Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn from 2000 to 2003. Batjer was Executive-in-Residence of Hotel Management and Casino Operations at the Mirage from 1998 to 2000. She was Undersecretary at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency from 1997 to 1998. Batjer was Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing from 1992 to 1997. She was a Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 1989 to 1993. Batjer was a National Security Affairs Special Assistant to President Ronald Regan from 1987 to 1989. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration and Legal Processes from Mills College at Northeastern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Batjer is a Democrat.
John Laird, of Santa Cruz, has been appointed to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Laird has served as a California State Senator representing Senate District 17 since 2020. He served as Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2019. Laird was a member of the California Integrated Waste Management Board from 2009 to 2010. He served as a California State Assemblymember representing Assembly District 27 from 2002 to 2008. Laird was Executive Director at the Santa Cruz AIDS Project from 1991 to 1993. He was a Budget Analyst for the County of Santa Cruz from 1974 to 2002. Laird was a Legislative Aide in the Office of Congressman Jerome Waldie from 1972 to 1974. He is a member of the California Democratic Party. Laird earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Laird is a Democrat.
Recent news
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Accomplished singer and music composer Dr. Bharat Balvalli and Journalist Shri Abhijit Pawar from Sakal media met the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today.
Responding to a post by Dr Bharat Balvalli, Shri Modi wrote:
“Happy to have met you, @Swaradhish along with @abhijitpawarapg. Compliments on your book, in line with your passion for culture and spirituality. My best wishes for your future endeavours.”
HIEMA NEWS RELEASE – FEMA APPROVES STATE REQUEST TO EXTEND TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR MAUI WILDFIRE SURVIVORS THROUGH FEBRUARY 2026
Posted on Oct 14, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KAUA
KEʻENA HOʻOMALU PŌULIA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
MAJOR GENERAL STEPHEN F. LOGAN
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
LUNA HOʻOMALU PŌULIA
JAMES DS. BARROS
ADMINISTRATOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
KAHU HOʻOMALU PŌULIA
FEMA APPROVES STATE REQUEST TO EXTEND TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR MAUI WILDFIRE SURVIVORS THROUGH FEBRUARY 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2024-073
October 14, 2024
HONOLULU – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially approved a one-year extension of the Individuals and Households Programs (IHP) for the state of Hawaiʻi, providing crucial support to survivors of the devastating Maui wildfires. Under disaster declaration FEMA-4724-DR-HI, Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance will now be available for an additional 12 months, concluding on February 10, 2026.
“On behalf of our state, I want to express my gratitude to FEMA for this favorable response to my administration’s request. The ongoing support FEMA and our other federal partners have provided has been crucial for the recovery of our people.” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “I am reminded that when he visited Lahaina, President Joe Biden said he and his administration would be with our people for as long as it takes and we are humbly appreciative of that steadfast commitment.”
This extension reflects the recognition of the unprecedented challenges faced by the Maui community in the wake of the wildfires. Originally set to end on February 10, 2025, the enhanced support aims to offer both emotional and physical relief to survivors, allowing them more time to rebuild their lives and secure stable housing.
“We are grateful for FEMA’s swift action in approving our request to extend direct housing assistance,” said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator James Barros. “This additional year of support is vital for our Maui survivors and will help our community recover and heal from this disaster.”
FEMA’s decision ensures that all previously approved Individual Assistance programs under the IHP will remain in effect throughout this extension period. The continued assistance includes FEMA’s direct housing assistance, financial housing assistance, and continued temporary housing assistance (rental assistance).
The state of Hawaiʻi and FEMA remain committed to working closely with local officials and stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition for survivors as they navigate the recovery process. This extension is a testament to the ongoing collaboration and support necessary to rebuild the community and restore hope for those impacted.
To obtain more information on FEMA’s disaster housing assistance, please contact the FEMA HELPLINE at 1-800-621-3362.
PRESIDENT OF INDIA IN Algeria; HOLDS BILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT of Algeria and leads delegation level-talks PRESIDENT MURMU ADDRESSES INDIAN COMMUNITY IN Algeria
the Indian community in Algeria IS a bridge taking forward India’s interests and soft power: PRESIDENT MURMU
graces Algerian-Indian Economic Forum; SAys India-Algeria economic ties have not been able TO TAP THE POTENTIAL FULLY
Posted On: 14 OCT 2024 11:00PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, reached Algiers, Algeria, yesterday evening (October 13, 2024), on the first leg of her State Visits to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi. As a special gesture, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria received President Droupadi Murmu at the Airport and accorded her a ceremonial welcome.
This is the first visit by an Indian President to Algeria.
The President is accompanied by Minister of State, Shri Sukanata Majumdar, and Members of Parliament, Shri Mukeshkumar Dalal and Shri Atul Garg on this State visit.
Yesterday evening, the President addressed the members of the Indian Community at Algiers, at a Reception hosted by the Ambassador of India to Algeria.
Addressing the enthusiastic gathering of Indian community members who had travelled to Algiers for the occasion from all parts of Algeria, the President praised their contribution to Algeria’s economy. She said that the Government of India and the Indian society have always valued and appreciated the contribution of the Indian community in enhancing India’s position, prestige, and standing abroad. The Indian community in Algeria is a bridge taking forward India’s interests and soft power. She expressed confidence that they would continue to make India proud with their accomplishments and work for the betterment of India-Algeria relations.
In her first engagement this morning (October 14, 2024), the President laid a wreath at the Maqam Echahid Memorial in Algiers and paid tribute to the soldiers who laid down lives in the Algerian War of Independence. She also visited the National Museum of the Moudjahid, commemorating Algeria’s struggle for liberation.
Subsequently, the President visited the El Mouradia Palace where she held a meeting with H.E. Mr Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. The two leaders discussed ways to take India-Algeria relations to a higher level, with a special focus on trade and investment. President Murmu re-affirmed India’s continued support of Algeria and India’s commitment to Africa. Both Presidents led the delegation-level talks and issued statements before the press.
In the next engagement, the President addressed the Algerian-Indian Economic Forum, jointly organised by the Algerian Economic Renewal Council and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the stepping up of the India-Algeria relations is based on our shared values, common challenges, and mutual trust.
The President said that Algeria’s rapid growth and expanding economy offer many opportunities in a variety of sectors. She urged Indian companies to remain engaged and invested in the opportunities that the Algerian economy offers.
The President was happy to note that the overall trade between India and Algeria stands at 1.7 billion US dollars. However, the economic ties have not been able to tap the potential fully. She emphasised the need to reinforce our ongoing cooperation in energy, construction, automobiles, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals, and identify new trade and investment initiatives for a brighter future.
The President said that India has achieved many accomplishments in areas such as science and technology, IT, fin-tech, pharma, space, start-ups, and renewables. She said that India would be happy to share its experiences in these areas with our Algerian partners. The President said that reforms in India made it easy for businesses to establish and grow. She invited Algerian companies to join India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’ initiatives.
GSS 2024 calls for collaboration on international standards, paving way for sustainable development of emerging digital technologies Standards to focus on positive outcomes for humanity The standards we establish are more than just technical standards, but they are moral compasses”: Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development
Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 9:08AM by PIB Delhi
The Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) concluded today in New Delhi, first time inthe Asia-Pacific region.This landmark symposium, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, brought together record 1500 leading policymakers, innovators, and experts from around the world to discuss the future of digital transformation and the critical role of international standards in enabling the next wave of emerging technologies.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development stated that India under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has achieved unprecedented transformation, which is now globally recognized. He said that the development of international standards must be inclusive and democratic, reflecting of needs of all regions and encouraging active participation from developing countries. The Minister said, “As we conclude this remarkable symposium, I am confident that the standards we establish are more than just technical standards, but they are moral compasses, guiding us towards a future of shared global progress. India is ready to take this journey not alone, but with all of you as partners.”
The symposium, which focused on the theme “Charting the Next Digital Wave: Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and International Standards,” addressed the critical need for a cohesive and forward-looking approach to the governance and standardization of emerging technologies. GSS serves as a high-level forum, offering a platform for discussion and coordination on the most pressing issues in technology and standardization.
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, inaugurated the event earlier in the morning. In his inaugural address, he emphasized India’s role as a global hub for telecommunications and digital innovation, citing India’s record of being a land of science, innovation & rules aiding in the prosperity of the world.
The symposium had a high-level segment that facilitated cooperation among industry leaders and ministers, focusing on the future of innovation and digital public infrastructure. The event called for robust international standards for AI governance. The symposium stressed the need to bridge the standards gap between developed and developing nations, ensuring equitable access to technology for all.
Key sessions explored the role of open-source technologies, blockchain-based authentication, and the impact of AI and the Metaverse on public services and industry, advocating for collaboration with developers to create a more inclusive tech ecosystem. The event also featured an AI Standards Summit, which highlighted how consensus-based standards can spark innovation across various sectors, enhancing technological advancements.
Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) chaired the GSS2024. It is for the first time that India took the leadership of this Symposium. The symposium concluded with a powerful Outcome Document emphasizing the crucial role of international standards in driving digital transformation globally. Dr. Upadhyay presented the key outcomes which included:
1. Driving Digital Transformation: The Outcome Document underscores international standards as the cornerstone for digital transformation globally.
2. Uniting Global Leaders: GSS-24 brought together industry giants and policymakers to discuss the impact of standards on cutting-edge technologies.
3. Innovation Through Standards: The AI Standards Summit showcased how consensus-based standards can spark innovation across various sectors, enhancing technological advancements.
4. Bridging the Gap: The symposium stressed the need to bridge the standards gap between developed and developing nations, ensuring equitable access to technology for all.
5. Harnessing AI and the Metaverse: GSS-24 highlighted the transformative potential of AI and the metaverse in public services and urban planning, urging the ITU to strengthen initiatives like the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds.
6. Accelerating SDGs: The event underscored the vital role of international standards in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, paving the way for sustainable digital transformation.
7. High-Level Dialogues: An unprecedented high-level segment fostered collaboration among industry leaders and ministers, focusing on the future of innovation and digital public infrastructure.
8. Establishing AI Governance: GSS-24 called for robust international standards for AI governance, encouraging initiatives like AI for Good and the AI for Skills Coalition.
9. Empowering Open Source: The symposium recognized the critical role of open-source software in driving innovation, advocating for collaboration with developers to create a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
10. Celebrating Smart Cities: GSS-24 acknowledged cities excelling in smart and sustainable initiatives, reinforcing the commitment to the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative, led by the ITU, UNECE, and UN-Habitat.
The Global Standards Symposium 2024 successfully laid the groundwork for the future of emerging technologies, demonstrating how international collaboration and standardization can drive innovation while ensuring inclusive growth. The outcome document of symposium lays the foundation for discussion at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), which is set to take place from October 15-24, 2024, also in New Delhi.
Vice-President to visit Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong(Meghalaya) on 16th-17th October VP to be the Chief Guest and lay the foundation stone of Meghalaya Skill and Innovation Hub at Mawdiangdiang in New Shillong.
VP to visit IT Park in Shillong
Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 10:52AM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri JagdeepDhankhar and Dr. SudeshDhankhar will be on a two day tour to Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong in Meghalaya on 16th-17th October, 2024.
During his visit, the Vice-President will preside as Chief Guest and lay the foundation stone of the Meghalaya Skill and Innovation Hub at Mawdiangdiang in New Shillong.
Vice President is scheduled to also visit IT Park and Raj Bhavan Shillong and meet Chief Minister and other senior officials.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 in New Delhi PM inaugurates 8th edition of India Mobile Congress
In India, we have made telecom not just a medium of connectivity, but also a medium of equity and opportunity: PM
We identified four pillars of Digital India and started working on all four pillars simultaneously and we got results: PM
We are working towards giving the world a complete Made in India phone, from chip to finished product: PM
The length of optical fiber that India has laid in just 10 years is eight times the distance between the Earth and the Moon: PM
India democratized digital technology: PM
Today India has such a digital bouquet which can take welfare schemes to new heights in the world: PM
India is working towards the goal of making technology sector inclusive, empowering women through technology platforms: PM
The time has come for global institutions to accept importance of Global framework for digital technology, global guidelines for global governance: PM
We have to ensure that our future is both technically strong and ethically sound, Our future should have innovation as well as inclusion: PM
Posted On: 15 OCT 2024 1:07PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Telecommunication Union – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. Shri Modi also inaugurated the 8th edition of India Mobile Congress during the programme. He took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed the Union Minister for Communication Shri Jyotiradiya Scindia, Minister of State for Communication Shri Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Secretary General of ITU Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Ministers & dignitaries of various foreign countries, industry leaders, telecom experts, youths from the Startup world and ladies and gentlemen to the WTSA and India Mobile Congress (IMC). Welcoming the dignitaries of ITU, Shri Modi thanked and appreciated them for choosing India as the destination for the first WTSA meeting. “India is one among the most happening countries when it comes to telecom and its related technologies”, exclaimed Shri Modi. Listing the achievements of India, Shri Modi said that India had a mobile phone user base of 120 crores or 1200 million, 95 crore or 950 million internet users and digital transactions of more than 40% of the entire world in real-time. He further added that India had showcased how digital connectivity had become an effective tool for the last mile delivery. He congratulated everyone for choosing India as the destination for discussing the global telecommunication standard and discussion on the future for telecom as a global good.
Highlighting the significance of the combined organization of WTSA and India Mobile Congress, the Prime Minister said that WTSA’s objective is to work on global standards while the role of India Mobile Congress is associated with services. He said that today’s event brings global standards and services on a single platform. Emphasizing India’s focus on quality service and standards, the Prime Minister said that WTSA’s experience would provide new energy to India.
The Prime Minister underlined that WTSA empowers the world via consensus and while India Mobile Congress strengthens the world through connectivity. Therefore, Shri Modi said, consensus and connectivity are conjoined in this event. He stressed the need for the combination in today’s world which is marred by conflict and said that India has been living through the immortal message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. He mentioned the G20 Summit presided by India and spoke about relaying the message of ‘One Earth One Family One Future’. The Prime Minister emphasized that India is engaged in bringing the world out of conflict and connecting it. “Be it the ancient silk route or today’s technology route, India’s only mission is to connect the world and open new doors of progress”, the Prime Minister remarked. In such a situation, said the Prime Minister, this partnership of WTSA and IMC is a great message where local and global combine to bring the benefits not to just one country but the entire world.
“India’s mobile and telecom journey in the 21st century is a subject of study for the whole world”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that while mobile and telecom were seen as a facility across the world, however, telecom was not just a medium of connectivity, but a medium of equity and opportunity in India. The Prime Minister remarked that telecom as a medium was helping in bridging the gap between villages and cities, rich and poor today. Reminiscing his presentation, a decade ago, on vision of Digital India, Shri Modi remarked that he had stated that India had to move forward with a holistic approach as against a piece-meal approach. Shri Modi listed out the four pillars of Digital India – Low-priced devices, extensive reach of digital connectivity to every nook and corner of the country, easily accessible data and goal of ‘Digital First’, which were identified and worked upon simultaneously, leading to good results.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s transformative achievements in connectivity and telecom reforms and emphasized how the country has built a robust network of thousands of mobile towers across remote tribal, hilly, and border areas, ensuring connectivity for every household. He said that the government has created a strong network of mobile towers across the country. The Prime Minister underscored the remarkable advancements in infrastructure, including the rapid installation of Wi-Fi facilities at public places like railway stations and the connection of islands like Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep through undersea cables. “In just 10 years, India has laid optical fiber which is eight times the distance between Earth and the Moon”, he added. Shri Modi also pointed out India’s rapid adoption of 5G technology and said that 5G technology was launched two years ago and today nearly every district is connected, making India the world’s second-largest 5G market. He further mentioned that India is already progressing towards 6G technology, ensuring a future-ready infrastructure.
Discussing telecom sector reforms, the Prime Minister noted India’s efforts in lowering data costs. He said that the cost of internet data in India is now as low as 12 cents per GB compared to many countries in the world where one GB of data is 10 to 20 times more expensive. “Today, every Indian consumes about 30 GB of data on an average every month”, he said.
Shri Modi noted that all such efforts have been taken to a new scale by the fourth pillar i.e. the spirit of digital first. He underlined that India democratized digital technology and created digital platforms where innovations on these platforms created millions of new opportunities. Shri Modi highlighted the transformative power of the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—saying it has laid the foundation for countless innovations. He mentioned Unified Payments Interface (UPI) which has provided new opportunities for many companies and also spoke about ONDC which will revolutionize digital commerce. The Prime Minister pointed out the role of digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring seamless processes such as financial transfers to those in need, real-time communication of guidelines, vaccination drive and handing out digital vaccine certificates. Reflecting on India’s success, the Prime Minister expressed the nation’s willingness to share its digital public infrastructure experience globally. The Prime Minister said India’s digital bouquet can elevate welfare schemes worldwide highlighting India’s emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure during G20 Presidency. He underlined that the nation is happy to share its DPI knowledge with all countries.
Emphasizing the importance of Network of women initiative during the WTSA, Shri Modi highlighted that India was working very seriously on women led development. He added that the commitment was taken forward during India’s presidency of G-20. The Prime Minister underlined that India was working towards the goal of making the technology sector inclusive by empowering the women through technology platforms. He highlighted the crucial role of women scientists in India’s Space missions, rising number of women co-founders in India’s start-ups. The Prime minister also noted that there was a 40 percent share of women students in India’s STEM education and India was creating umpteen opportunities for women in technology leadership. Shri Modi also highlighted the Namo Drone Didi program of the Government, to promote drone revolution in agriculture, was being led by women from villages in India. He added that India also started the Bank Sakhi program to take digital banking and digital payments to every home which had led to digital awareness. Highlighting the critical role of Asha and Anganwadi workers in India’s primary healthcare, maternity and child care, Shri Modi remarked that today these workers were tracking all the work through tabs and apps. He added that India was also running the Mahila E-Haat program, an online marketing platform for women entrepreneurs. He further added that it was unimaginable that today women of India in every village were working on such technology. Shri Modi expressed hope that in the times to come, India will expand its scope further where every daughter of India would be a tech leader.
The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of establishing a global framework for digital technology. He emphasized that this topic was raised by India during its G-20 Presidency and urged global institutions to recognize its significance for global governance. “The time has come for global institutions to accept the importance of global governance”, PM Modi stated. Stressing the need to create a ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ for technology on the global level, the Prime Minister highlighted the borderless nature of digital tools and applications and urged for international collaboration in combating cyber threats and collective action by global institutions. He drew parallels with the aviation sector which already has well-established frameworks. PM Modi called upon the WTSA to take a proactive role in creating a secure digital ecosystem and safe channel for telecommunication. “In an interconnected world, security cannot be an afterthought. India’s Data Protection Act and National Cyber Security Strategy reflect our commitment to building a safe digital environment”, he noted. The Prime Minister urged the members of the assembly to create standards that are inclusive, secure, and adaptable to future challenges, including ethical AI and data privacy standards that respect the diversity of nations.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a human-centric dimension to the ongoing technological revolution, calling for responsible and sustainable innovation. He said that the standards set today will determine the direction of the future, stressing that principles of security, dignity and equity should be at the center of our discussions. He said our goal should be that no country, no region and no community is left behind in this digital transformation and underscored the need for innovation balanced with inclusion. He urged to ensure that the future is technically strong as well as ethically sound with innovation as well as inclusion. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for the success of WTSA and also extended his support.
Union Minister for Communication, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Minister of State for Communication, Shri Chandrasekhar Pemmasani were present on the occasion along with various industry leaders.
Background
World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly or WTSA is the governing conference for the standardization work of International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations Agency for Digital Technologies, organized every four years. It is for the first time that the ITU-WTSA will be hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific. It is a pivotal global event that will bring together more than 3,000 industry leaders, policy-makers and tech experts from over 190 countries, representing telecom, digital and ICT sectors.
WTSA 2024 will provide a platform for countries to discuss and decide the future of standards of next-generation critical technologies like 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, cybersecurity, etc. Hosting this event in India will provide the country an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the global telecom agenda and to set the course for future technologies. Indian startups and research institutions are set to gain critical insights into developing Intellectual Property Rights and Standard Essential Patents.
India Mobile Congress will showcase India’s innovation ecosystem, where leading telecom companies and innovators will highlight advancements in Quantum technology and Circular Economy along with spotlight on 6G, 5G use-case showcase, cloud & edge computing, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, green tech, satcom and electronics manufacturing.
India Mobile Congress, Asia’s largest digital technology forum, has become a well-known platform across the globe for showcasing innovative solutions, services and state-of-the-art use cases for industry, government, academics, startups and other key stakeholders in the technology and telecom ecosystem. The India Mobile Congress will showcase over 400 exhibitors, about 900 startups, and participation from over 120 countries. The event also aims to showcase more than 900 technology use case scenarios, host more than 100 sessions and discussion with over 600 global and Indian speakers.