Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Welch-championed disaster package will support Vermont’s flood-impacted communities, fund the government
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive disaster aid package shaped by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), which will help states like Vermont recover from extreme weather and climate disasters by delivering more than $100.4 billion of relief. The American Relief Act, 2025 will also fund the government through March 14, 2025. It now goes to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
Senator Welch released the following statement after the vote:
“As I said in the days after Vermont’s catastrophic flooding in July 2023 and again in July 2024, it is the federal government’s job to stand up and help our neighbors when—through no fault of their own—a disaster hits. Senator Sanders, Congresswoman Balint and I have worked with our colleagues in other disaster-impacted states, across the aisle, and across the Capitol to get comprehensive disaster aid to President Biden’s desk. This bill will help communities in Vermont recover stronger and more resiliently than before the floods—and help so many other communities across America that are also recovering from extreme weather disasters.
“This bill will help Vermont’s homeowners get the buyout they’re waiting for, farmers and small businesses access the assistance they need, and provide communities flexible recovery funding. It will replenish FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, rebuild our highways and bridges, reimburse states for the repairs made after storms, and so much more. It will also, importantly, keep the government funded—something that shouldn’t be up for debate, and shouldn’t be used as a political football in the 11th hour.
“I promised we would not abandon Vermonters. I promised we would do everything possible to help Americans who were caught in the path of terrible storms. I’m proud that a bipartisan group of my colleagues found a way to work together, through the chaos of the past week, to get this over the finish line for families counting on this relief. I look forward to President Biden signing our bill for flood-impacted Vermonters.”
Senator Welch and the Vermont Congressional Delegation have advocated for disaster aid funding since Vermont’s catastrophic floods of July 2023. It contains many of his top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), among so much more.
In addition to helping disaster victims the bill will fund the will also fund the government through March 14, 2025, extend portions of the Farm Bill, help farmers with emergency economic assistance, and renews some expiring public health and Medicare programs.
Senator Welch spoke on the Senate floor last night about the need to work together to pass disaster aid for Vermont and communities across America. Watch Senator Welch’s remarks here:
Background on the Comprehensive Disaster Aid in the Continuing Resolution:
$100.4 billion in disaster aid:
$29 billion will fund FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)
More than $33 billion is dedicated to supporting agriculture, which includes:
$21 billion for disaster assistance to farmers and producers, including dedicated funding set aside via block grants for Vermont disaster victims who experiences crop, timber, livestock and on-farm infrastructure losses for 2023-2024;
$920 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, to provide financial assistance to support debris removal and watershed restoration;
$362.5 million for the Rural Disaster Assistance Fund, to allow USDA Rural Development to quickly and flexibly address disasters-related needs using its existing programs, tailored to the specific needs of affected communities; and
$25 million in commodity assistance, which can help states with nutrition assistance.
The disaster aid funding also includes other funding:
$12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funds to help communities recover with flexible funding;
$8 billion for the Federal Highways Administration emergency relief to reimburse states impacted by natural disasters; and
$2.25 billion for SBA loans.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The decision was made on the instructions of the President.
Document
Order dated December 11, 2024 No. 3686-r
Increasing the volume of production and expanding the range of domestic sports products, activating the import substitution program in the production of sports goods, creating new production facilities – these and other tasks are set in the updated version of the Strategy for the Development of the Sports Industry until 2035. The order approving it was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Specific steps to achieve these goals were included in a set of measures to form a modern sports industry for 2025–2027, which also became part of the updated version of the strategy.
According to this plan, by November 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Sports will determine target indicators for increasing the volume of production of sports products in general. By the specified deadline, these same departments will prepare proposals to expand the range of domestic sports equipment for tourism and active recreation, as well as for mass sports.
By December 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Sports will approve an import substitution plan in the sports industry, agreed upon with enterprises producing sports goods.
Other measures in the package include increasing the number of projects to localize the production of sports equipment and gear in Russia and improving the system for purchasing domestic gear and gear for various sports facilities.
In addition, Rosstandart and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will annually update existing and create new national standards in the field of sports products.
The President instructed the Government to update the Strategy for the Development of the Sports Industry until 2035. The head of state did this following a meeting of the Presidential Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports. It took place in October 2023.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
World’s largest ice-and-snow theme park opens on Winter Solstice in China’s ‘city of ice’
Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
HARBIN, Dec. 21 — Gliding down an over-500-meter-long ice slide, Zhang Jiajia felt like she was flying, and that her one-minute experience had been worth the hour-plus wait in line.
“It’s super exciting. My heart soared with me,” said Zhang, a tourist from east China’s Zhejiang Province, after trying the Super Ice Slide at the iconic Harbin Ice-Snow World, which kicked off its annual run on Saturday.
The world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, the 26th edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, officially opened at 10 a.m. in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province also known as the “city of ice.”
Themed “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” the park was built using 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow, incorporating elements inspired by the upcoming 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, which will open next February, right after China’s Spring Festival holiday. It is also the first major international ice and snow event hosted by China since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
With an overall planned area of 1 million square meters, up from last year’s 800,000 square meters, the park is the largest in its 26-year history.
The park features nine major zones, recreating landmark landscapes of 42 countries and 3 regions that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in the form of ice-and-snow structures that can be illuminated at night, including replicas of the Temple of Heaven in China, Osaka Castle in Japan and the Taj Mahal in India.
The main tower stands on the main axis of the park, featuring towering ice columns that depict the official emblem of the OCA.
“The ice sculptures are incredibly exquisite. It’s hard to imagine that they are made of ice blocks harvested from the Songhua River. Each piece of artwork showcases the superb craftsmanship of the artists,” said Zhong Xueying, another tourist from Zhejiang.
The most popular attraction in the park, the Super Ice Slide, has increased the number of its lanes to 24, with a 300-meter-long windproof warm house mounted at the queuing area, allowing visitors to take a break from freezing weather while overlooking the park’s scenery.
Saturday also marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The day not only means another solar term but also marks an important festive day on Chinese lunar calendar.
Just one hour after the park opened, the queue for the Super Ice Slide stretched hundreds of meters.
In addition to ice-and-snow landscapes, the park has added fantasy shows, virtual reality projects and an immersive digital art museum to its inventory of winter wonders, offering new and exciting experiences for both global and domestic visitors.
The “Snow Disco” event, which attracted thousands of tourists last winter, will also be held at the Dream Stage in the park for this year’s edition.
“How lucky! Today is the last day of my trip to Harbin, and I didn’t expect to witness the opening of the Ice-Snow World. I’m so happy that it feels like I’m celebrating the Lunar New Year in advance,” said Dai Xiaoqin, a tourist from Wuhan City in Hubei Province.
“We wish to showcase the enthusiasm and confidence of the people in participating in ice-and-snow sports, and integrate a variety of new elements into this edition of the park,” said Guo Hongwei, Party secretary and chairman of Harbin Ice-Snow World Co., Ltd.
An adult park ticket is priced at 328 yuan (about 45.6 U.S. dollars). The park also offers discounted tickets and free admission to certain groups of visitors.
As an established ice-and-snow theme park, Harbin Ice-Snow World stands out as one of China’s iconic winter attractions. It surged in popularity on Chinese social media last winter, becoming an internet sensation as passion for winter sports and tourism continues to rise across the country.
Last year, China recorded over 385 million winter leisure visits nationwide, a year-on-year increase of 38 percent, with related revenue up 50 percent.
In Harbin alone, last snow season saw over 87 million visitors, up 300 percent year on year, and 124.8 billion yuan in tourism revenue, up 500 percent. The 25th edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, in particular, received over 2.7 million tourists.
To accelerate growth of winter economy in the country’s northeastern region, the Chinese government has recently unveiled initiatives including establishing dedicated ice-and-snow holidays, increasing flight routes and optimizing visa-free policies, all aimed at attracting more domestic and international visitors.
A tourist poses for photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo shows tourists queuing at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo shows the emblem of the 9th Asian Winter Games made of ice at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Staff members greet tourists at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Tourists enjoy an ice slide at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]A drone photo shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Green MSP Gillian Mackay has written to the Secretary of State for Scotland to support the call.
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Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who has led a campaign to get all of Scotland’s national football games on free-to-view TV has urged the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, to work with her to deliver on the call.
Mr Murray has previously indicated support for putting Scotland’s international matches on free-to-view TV. In 2016 he told the media “I fully appreciate that terrestrial television can’t compete with the vast sums of money on offer from the likes of BT and Sky but I’m sure some accommodation could be made to ensure everyone can share in Scottish international sporting events.”
In a letter to the Secretary of State, Ms Mackay has urged him to meet with campaigners, the Scottish Football Association and broadcasters to help make football for all a reality.
Ms Mackay said: “Increasingly, fans are being priced out of our game. From the extortionate ticket prices on the gate to the endless costly streaming services to watch at home. Something needs to change.
“I am glad that so many people have joined me in calling for Scotland’s international games to be shown live on free-to-view TV. Sport is meant to be for everyone, and this is the most effective way to ensure Scotland’s next generation of footballers can feel inspired to dream of playing for their country.
“We have seen that in the rise of women’s football. The regular TV slots have helped to make it a regular fixture for lots of women, girls and families, and has encouraged them to take up the sport, and support their local teams.
“By listing Scotland National Team games as ‘national events’ in the same way that we do with the Euros and Scottish Cup Final, we could allow public broadcasters to share the rights alongside private companies such as Sky, TNT and Premier Sport.
“I hope that the Secretary of State will join this campaign and use the power and influence he has to give Scottish fans the gift of football, and make our most iconic game accessible for all, not just for those that can afford it.”
Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland:
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to you today to discuss our national football team and our shared desire for everyone in Scotland to be able to view all competitive games on terrestrial television.
When Scotland games are free-to-view they become bigger events for families across our country. Our national team is for all of us. At its best, sport is a cause of unity and pride, and brings people together like nothing else. We lose that opportunity for unity when we put up barriers.
As you rightly highlighted when serving in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet back in 2016, “I fully appreciate that terrestrial television can’t compete with the vast sums of money on offer from the likes of BT and Sky but I’m sure some accommodation could be made to ensure everyone can share in Scottish international sporting events.”
I share these views and agree with your sentiment that such a compromise proposal would allow the BBC, STV and Sky to share the rights when a decision is made on the broadcasting contract for Scotland’s international football matches by European football’s governing body, UEFA. As you are aware, a similar arrangement is in place for other “listed” sporting events such as the Olympics, World Cup, European Championships and the FA and Scottish Cup Finals.
By broadcasting matches on television for free we can inspire future generations to watch their team and dream of playing at Hampden. How can we expect children to want to follow in the footsteps of our players if they don’t have the opportunity to see them play?
I hope that you will work with the SFA and broadcasters to ensure that Scotland’s football matches are always put on free-to-air channels, so that more people can watch them and join the Tartan Army in supporting our national side. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this in more detail in early 2025.
Kind regards,
Gillian Mackay MSP Scottish Greens, Central Scotland
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania
The Conversation
As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as a geologist, I think one of the best ways to understand our planet’s history and evolution is by condensing the entire timeline into a single calendar year.
So, how do we go about this? If we consider Earth’s age as 4.54 billion years and divide it by 365 days, each day of the Gregorian calendar represents about 12.438 million years.
Let’s say we want to calculate what “day” the Paleozoic started in our new Earth calendar. We just need to subtract 541 million years from the age of the planet and divide it by 12.438 million years. Simple, right?
As I ran these equations, I noticed something amusing. Some of the most significant events in Earth’s history coincide with major holidays in the Western world. By this reckoning, the dinosaurs went extinct on Christmas Day.
The Earth calendar
View the events in the infographic above, or scroll down to read about the entire year in order.
January 1
4.54 billion years ago: Formation of proto-Earth as part of the Solar System
Dust and gas in the early Solar System collide and combine under gravity. This process eventually leads to the formation of a molten planet, our proto-Earth.
January 3
4.5 billion years ago: Theia’s impact and the formation of the Moon
A Mars-sized planet, Theia, collides with the proto-Earth, changing the composition of our planet forever. This massive impact ejects a significant amount of material into orbit around Earth, which eventually coalesces to form the Moon.
February 4
4.1 billion years ago: Beginning of the Late Heavy Bombardment
Earth, the Moon and other inner bodies of our Solar System experience intense asteroid and comet impacts, which shape their surfaces. Unlike Earth, the Moon still retains these craters today because it lacks an atmosphere, water and tectonic activity. The bombardment continues until the very end of February – 3.8 billion years ago.
February 14
3.97 billion years ago: Beginning of the Archean Eon
By Valentine’s Day, the hottest period in Earth’s history – the Hadean Eon – has finally come to an end. With these hostile conditions in the past, the stage is lovingly set for life to emerge as the Archean Eon begins.
March 16
3.6 billion years ago: Formation of the first supercontinent, maybe
For a couple of weeks now, Earth has been cool enough to form stable continental crusts. Vaalbara is a theorised supercontinent consisting of two cratons (ancient, stable and thick blocks that form the cores of continents): Kaapvaal in eastern South Africa, and Pilbara in north-western Western Australia. While still under debate, this would make Vaalbara 3.6 to 2.7 billion years old, one of the oldest supercontinents we know of.
March 26
3.48 billion years ago: Earliest direct evidence of life
Right before the end of the first quarter of the year, simple prokaryotic organisms appear during the Paleoarchean. These are the earliest direct evidence of life recorded as microfossils (stromatolites).
May 27
2.7 billion years ago: Cyanobacteria become the first oxygen producers
Blue-green algae called cyanobacteria develop oxygenic photosynthesis. They use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. It’s a milestone for the development of our current atmosphere.
June 16
2.46 billion years ago: The Great Oxygenation Event
A dramatic rise in oxygen levels occurs in shallow seas and in Earth’s atmosphere, driven by oxygenic photosynthesis from cyanobacteria. This event lasts approximately 400 million years, transforming Earth’s environment and paving the way for more complex life forms to thrive on a radically changed planet.
September 17
1.3 billion years ago: Formation of the supercontinent Rodinia
One of the first supercontinents to form on Earth, Rodinia brings together most of the planet’s landmasses. During its 550 million years of existence, Earth is predominantly inhabited by simple life forms, including prokaryotes and early eukaryotes.
October 31
750 million years ago: Breakdown of Rodinia and Snowball Earth events
By Halloween, Rodinia begins to crack apart just like candies in a kid’s trick-or-treat bag. The breakup of Rodinia dramatically influences the planet’s climate and ocean circulation, potentially triggering Snowball Earth events. These two major global glaciations, lasting approximately 70 million years, play a significant role in shaping Earth’s history.
November 9
635 million years ago: The Ediacaran Period begins
Right before the start of the Paleozoic, the first large, complex, multi-cellular marine life forms appear. The Ediacaran biota includes diverse, soft-bodied organisms – early animals, algae and other complex life. Today, curious visitors to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia might be lucky enough to spot some Ediacaran fossils.
November 17
538.8 million years ago: The Cambrian Explosion
The Cambrian Explosion lasts no more than two days (25 million years). During this time, sudden development of complex life occurs in the oceans. Almost all present-day animal phyla appear, and other groups diversify in major ways. Undoubtedly, this is a critical period for life on our planet.
November 23
470 million years ago: Plants first colonise Gondwanaland during the Ordovician Period
Early land plants are simple, non-vascular organisms that colonise moist environments – much like moss today. Over time, plants evolve more complex structures, including vascular tissue specialised for transporting water, nutrients and food, allowing them to thrive in a wider range of terrestrial habitats.
December 1
370 million years ago: First vertebrates move onto land
On the very first day of December, four-limbed animals called tetrapods are the first animals with backbones (vertebrates) to transition to a life on land during the Late Devonian period. These are the ancestors of all land-dwelling vertebrates, living and extinct.
December 10
252 million years ago: Permian-Triassic mass extinction
Life is almost entirely obliterated after a series of massive Siberian volcanic eruptions trigger global warming and a lack of oxygen in the oceans. The Great Dying is the largest extinction in Earth’s history, wiping out more than 90% of marine species and about 70% of terrestrial species.
December 12
230 million years ago: The rise of dinosaurs
The very first dinosaurs are small, bipedal reptiles that eventually evolve into the diverse group of animals that dominate Earth during the Mesozoic Era. Dinosaurs reign over our planet for 13 days, meaning their kingdom endures for an epic 165 million years.
December 25
66 million years ago: Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction
Christmas Day is not a joyful day for dinosaurs: they go extinct. The current leading hypothesis for their demise is an asteroid impact in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. A massive space lump of coal from Santa, if you will.
December 26
56 million years ago: The rise of mammals
Boxing Day is a good day for mammals. During the Palaeocene, right after the extinction event, mammals begin to grow in size and diversity. By noon, when the Eocene starts 56 million years ago, they have evolved into the first large herbivores and carnivores.
December 31: midday
~7 to 6 million years ago: The planet of the apes
The very first hominids, either Sahelanthropus or Orrorin, appear by noon on December 31. These species represent some of the earliest common ancestors of humans and other great apes, such as gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees.
December 31: 11:25pm
300,000 years ago: Modern humans finally arrive
The very first Homo sapiens emerge in Africa, marking the beginning of anatomically modern humans.
The final ten minutes
We’re almost at midnight, and nearly all of humanity’s history can be condensed into the last ten minutes of the year.
11:50pm
~86,377 years ago: Homo sapiens migrate out of Africa into Eurasia. Thus begins a significant global colonisation by early modern humans.
11:51pm
~77,740 years ago: The first symbolic art. Engraved ochre in South Africa’s Blombos Cave is considered one of the earliest symbolic artworks created by humans, indicating the development of cognitive and cultural sophistication.
11:52pm
~69,102 years ago: The Last Glacial Period. An ongoing global cooling event intensifies, forcing humans to adapt to harsher climates.
11:53pm
~60,464 years ago: Humans reach Australia. This marks the earliest known migration across sea, and settlement on a new isolated continent.
11:54pm
~51,826 years ago: Upper Paleolithic Revolution. Humans arrive at a capacity for well-developed language, more complex social structures, and highly specialised tools.
11:55pm
~43,119 years ago: The Neanderthals go extinct. Multiple factors cause their demise, including violence, diseases, natural catastrophes and being outcompeted by Homo sapiens, the only remaining hominid species on Earth.
11:56pm
~34,551 years ago: Symbolic art flourishes and culture emerges globally among modern humans. This time is characterised by significant advancements in creativity and social organisation.
11:57pm
~25,913 years ago: The Last Glacial Maximum. Ice sheets reach their greatest extent, covering large parts of North America, Europe and Asia. This is the peak of the most recent ice age, affecting both ecosystems and human migration.
11:58pm
~17,275 years ago: Warming begins after the Last Glacial Maximum. Ice sheets gradually retreat, leading towards the end of the last ice age.
11:59pm
~8,638 years ago: Significant events take place globally. The Agricultural Revolution has started, with humans cultivating crops and domesticating animals, leading to the first permanent settlements and village life.
Midnight
8,638 years ago to today: A great deal happens in the last few seconds of the year. From the Bronze and Iron Age, to the rise and fall of major empires, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, world wars, space exploration, the internet and artificial intelligence.
Francisco Jose Testa 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.
Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to grab a first aid kit?
The vast majority of trips to the beach will be uneventful. However, if trouble strikes, being prepared can make a huge difference to you, a loved one or a stranger.
So, what exactly should you be prepared for?
Knowing the dangers
The first step in being prepared for the beach is to learn about where you are going and associated levels of risk.
In Byron Bay, you are more likely to come across a brown snake than a shark.
In the summer of 2023–24, Surf Life Saving Australia reported more than 14 million Australian adults visited beaches. Surf lifesavers, lifeguards and lifesaving services performed 49,331 first aid treatments across 117 local government areas around Australia. Surveys of beach goers found perceptions of common beach hazards include rips, tropical stingers, sun exposure, crocodiles, sharks, rocky platforms and waves.
Sun and heat exposure are likely the most common beach hazard. The Cancer Council has reported that almost 1.5 million Australians surveyed during summer had experienced sunburn during the previous week. Without adequate fluid intake, heat stroke can also occur.
Lacerations and abrasions are a further common hazard. While surfboards, rocks, shells and litter might seem more dangerous, the humble beach umbrella has been implicated in thousands of injuries.
Sprains and fractures are also associated with beach activities. A 2022 study linked data from hospital, ambulance and Surf Life Saving cases on the Sunshine Coast over six years and found 79 of 574 (13.8%) cervical spine injuries occurred at the beach. Surfing, smaller wave heights and shallow water diving were the main risks.
Rips and rough waves present a higher risk at areas of unpatrolled beach, including away from surf lifesaving flags. Out of 150 coastal drowning deaths around Australia in 2023–24, nearly half were during summer. Of those deaths:
56% occurred at the beach
31% were rip-related
86% were male, and
100% occurred away from patrolled areas.
People who had lived in Australia for less than two years were more worried about the dangers, but also more likely to be caught in a rip.
Safety Beach on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Still bring your first aid essentials though. Julia Kuleshova/Shutterstock
So, beach accidents can vary by type, severity and impact. How you respond will depend on your level of first aid knowledge, ability and what’s in your first aid kit.
A first aid training company survey of just over 1,000 Australians indicated 80% of people agree cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most important skill to learn, but nearly half reported feeling intimidated by the prospect.
CPR training covers an established checklist for emergency situations. Using the acronym “DR ABC” means checking for:
Danger
Response
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
A complete first aid course will provide a range of skills to build confidence and be accredited by the national regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
Whether you buy a first aid kit or put together you own, it should include ten essential items in a watertight, sealable container:
Band-Aids for small cuts and abrasions
sterile gauze pads
bandages (one small one for children, one medium crepe to hold on a dressing or support strains or sprains, and one large compression bandage for a limb)
large fabric for sling
a tourniquet bandage or belt to restrict blood flow
non-latex disposable gloves
scissors and tweezers
medical tape
thermal or foil blanket
CPR shield or breathing mask.
Before you leave for the beach, check the expiry dates of any sunscreen, solutions or potions you choose to add.
If you’re further from help
If you are travelling to a remote or unpatrolled beach, your kit should also contain:
sterile saline solution to flush wounds or rinse eyes
Make sure you carry any “as-required” medications, such as a Ventolin puffer for asthma or an EpiPen for severe allergy.
Vinegar is no longer recommended for most jellyfish stings, including Blue Bottles. Hot water is advised instead.
In remote areas, also look out for Emergency Response Beacons. Located in high-risk spots, these allow bystanders to instantly activate the surf emergency response system.
If you have your mobile phone or a smart watch with GPS function, make sure it is charged and switched on and that you know how to use it to make emergency calls.
First aid kits suitable for the beach range in price from $35 to over $120. Buy these from certified first aid organisations such as Surf Lifesaving Australia, Australian Red Cross, St John Ambulance or Royal Life Saving. Kits that come with a waterproof sealable bag are recommended.
Be prepared this summer for your trip to the beach and pack your first aid kit. Take care and have fun in the sun.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as is the Sheffield Shield.
It is a packed summer schedule, with the Australian women’s cricket team competing in an Ashes series against England that will culminate in a historic Test at the MCG on January 30: the first women’s Test played at the venue since 1948–49.
That match will also be the 90th anniversary of the first ever women’s Ashes series, when England toured Australia in the summer of 1934–35.
It’s an exciting schedule for fans and one Cricket Australia will be looking to capitalise on.
But is all this cricket driving participation?
The changing face of cricket participation
Like most sports, cricket faces a challenge to retain junior players in an oversaturated sports market. It is also competing with other entertainment offerings, increased screen time, financial pressures, and parent and guardian unavailability.
Ahead of the 2024–25 summer, Cricket Australia released its annual report, which included 2023–24 participation numbers.
On the whole, things are looking somewhat positive, with growth in junior cricket (ages 5-12) increasing 5%.
For women and girls, the numbers are even more encouraging, with Cricket Australia reporting 18% growth for the 2023–24 season, attributed to a 44% rise in school competitions, 6% growth in social competitions and a record-breaking year of youth girls’ participation (ages 5–12).
But Cricket Australia highlighted challenges in that next phase – the teenage years, with the governing body reporting an overall 5% drop in teenage participation.
A query that often arises in these conversations is whether the sport’s traditional breeding ground, backyard cricket, is under threat.
What is interesting is the nostalgia many cricket fans hold for the days of the iconic pastime and how it is central to a person’s, and maybe even our national, identity.
Backyard cricket has long been a staple for many Australian families (and those in cricketing countries). It has attracted a certain rose-coloured nostalgia that fills the memories of generations – the sounds of a ball bouncing off a wheelie bin, the shouts of “car!” in quiet suburban streets and maybe sometimes, of smashed glass and the cries of angry parents to not play near the windows.
Cricket fans can connect to stories of backyard cricket, reflecting on simpler times, mates made in the streets and maybe even how they perfected their action in narrow driveways, to avoid trees or to not lose the ball over the neighbour’s fence.
Cricket lovers can not only recall their childhood and growing cricket fandom, but also imagine how their cricketing heroes were likely doing the exact same thing.
In 2009, Steve Cannane wrote the book First Tests – Great Australian Cricketers and The Backyards That Made Them. The book is a testament to the romance of backyard cricket and how we can relate as fans to the icons of the game, who also experienced modest beginnings in similar streets. They were just like us.
But recreation looks different to today’s teens, with the rise of technology and other entertainment options, as well as changing social patterns where organic interactions are less likely or not encouraged.
This can make it hard to find fielders for those long cover drives down the driveway.
I recently discussed this on ABC Radio’s The Conversation Hour. We discussed how children might be less likely to approach other children to play today, which might be a result of COVID restrictions or general concerns about children’s safety.
Australia’s changing housing market is also affecting backyard cricket.
Apartment living and smaller homes in urban areas with limited outdoor space make the activity not only very difficult but not visible to invite others in.
Modern city planning appears focused on making cities more compact and experts note the loss of outdoor space could increase the risks of physical and mental health problems among city residents.
It appears for many, the days of walking down a street, seeing kids playing a game and joining in until your parents called out “dinner” (or “tea” in the rural neighbourhood I grew up in) are long gone.
Finding the fandom balance
Kerry Packer’s 1977 World Series Cricket is what inspired CEO of Softball Australia Sarah Loh to pick up a cricket bat when her family migrated to Australia when she was six years old.
There were those great characters, and that is when my love of sport and cricket came.
While traditional cricket fans often bemoan new formats, flashy tournaments and increased commercialisation of cricket, for many, these innovations also offer entry points, drive interest and allow their fandom to grow.
Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket James Allsopp has spoken of the need for more social forms of cricket to keep kids interested in the game and prevent the drop-off in teen years.
A balance must be achieved in our rapidly changing society – the challenge for cricket’s administrators will now be to connect with kids, women, and diverse communities in ways that respond to their needs and bring them to the sport on their terms.
They must also do this in a way that protects the history that has already brought so many people together every summer in front of televisions, in stadiums and in backyards across the country.
Kasey Symons consults to and conducts research for a number of organisations across Australia. Her research has received funding from organisations including the Victorian Government, and national and state sport governing bodies including the Australian Football League and its clubs and the National Rugby League. Dr Symons is also one of the co-founders of Siren: A Women in Sport Collective.
It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we won’t check emails during our break. But we do.
Being away from the workplace, and even in a new location, is often not enough to detach psychologically. We might still be thinking about a demanding project we raced to finish or even feel guilty about leaving others to cover for us.
‘Digital presenteeism’
It mightn’t be spelt out by our employers but having phones and laptops can create an underlying expectation we are constantly available, even outside the usual work hours.
This feeling of connection or “digital presenteeism”, can impact our health by making us stressed, anxious and burnt out.
Switching off our work tools when we are out of the office or on leave can remove these problems as well as helping improve and enjoy our non-work activities and relationships.
Right to disconnect
While recently passed right to disconnect laws in Australia legally support workers to switch off, there’s another option already available to workers. Taking annual leave.
Unfortunately, many workers don’t take advantage of this valuable resource, with an estimated 160 million annual leave days banked up by Australian workers. One in five have more than the typical yearly allocation of four weeks unused.
The benefits of taking a break
Taking a break doesn’t just feel good, it’s been shown to benefit your health.
A 2017 meta-analysis of 86 studies revealed taking holidays can lead to reduced stress and less exhaustion during the holiday period.
So what do we do with all the extra time we have? Sleep more? Do more exercise? Studies show that’s exactly what happens when we are on holiday. We studied movement patterns of 375 adults during annual leave. We found people were more physically active, less sedentary and had more sleep each day – all of which are good for our health.
Holidays can also be associated with changes in how our body functions. A study of 112 holiday makers who attended a wellness resort for six days in the United States had increased heart rate variability which indicates greater resilience to stress.
If you’re male and still not convinced, there is evidence that taking holidays is linked with living longer. Men who take more frequent holidays and more leave days a year have lower mortality rates than those who don’t?
The best type of break?
Simply taking leave is beneficial. Longer breaks do not have increased benefits and where you go is also unimportant.
A study of locations found those who took a short four day break in a hotel did not benefit more than those who took a break at home. Both groups showed positive changes to stress, recovery, strain and wellbeing.
In our study, the largest favourable changes were experienced by people who took one to two weeks’ leave or those who spent time outdoors camping or hiking. However positive changes were observed for all types of holidays.
People who spent time outdoors during their holidays experienced the biggest health benefits. Dimitry Molchanov/Shutterstock
Ultimately, the best vacation is the one that fits your preferences and budget – there’s no such thing as a perfect holiday.
How to make the most of your next break
If you haven’t already, book some time off and get away from the workplace. Here are five ways to make the most of the time:
2. Step away from the normal routine: try to limit work-like activities (such as shopping, cleaning, computer-based tasks) and find environments that feel removed from your typical routine and obligations.
4. Reduce the friction and chaos: avoid putting yourself in settings of conflict (such as visiting a difficult family member), confusion (busy, unfamiliar environments) or tension (excessive travel and/or tight timelines).
5. Take more frequent breaks: aim for multiple short breaks throughout the year, rather than a single longer vacation. This spreads out the benefit with more lead-in time and longer comedown.
The research is clear: vacations are essential for our health and wellbeing. So, if you haven’t already, book some time off and get away from the workplace.
Carol Maher receives funding from the Medical Research Future Fund, the National Health and Medical Research Council, the National Heart Foundation, the SA Department for Education, Preventive Health SA, the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation, the South Australian Office for Sport, Recreation and Racing, Healthway, Hunter New England Local Health District, and the Central Adelaide Local Health Network.
Rachel Curtis receives funding from the Medical Research Future Fund, National Health and Medical Research Council, SA Department for Education, SA Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Preventive Health SA, Healthway, Hunter New England Local Health District, and SA Department for Innovation and Skills, the Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation.
Ty Ferguson 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.
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say.
“New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the world and are part of many Kiwi families’ summer plans – including mine,” Mr Bishop says.
“While Instagram feeds fill up with snaps of happy Kiwis frolicking in and on the waves, sadly we know that, statistically speaking, an average of 36 families will experience the devastation of a loved one’s preventable drowning this summer.
“So our message to you this summer is to take personal responsibility for protecting your family from that heartbreak.
“Fortunately there are some easy steps you can take to to keep yourself and your loved ones safe around the water. New Zealand’s water safety code was updated this year, and following the‘five ways to survive’can prevent tragedy.
“Always find the safest place to swim – much of our coastline is treacherous and many places don’t have lifeguard patrols, so always try to swim on patrolled beaches. If you’re going out on a boat, wear a lifejacket. It’s not rocket science and it saves lives, so get on board with water safety this summer.”
“Earlier this year the Government announced an investment of $63.6 million to Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand so they can continue their important work of keeping people safe in, on, and around the water,” Mr Doocey says.
“These largely volunteer-driven frontline water safety organisations have saved countless lives and will save many more. The funding increase is helping to cover increases to operational expenses for both organisations as well as rescue equipment, facilities and maintenance.
“But amazing as our Coastguard and Surf Life Saving volunteers are, there’s only so much they can do unless the rest of us play our part. So, this summer please help them by swimming at a patrolled beach during patrolled hours.
“If you’re heading out on a boat, even if you’re a strong swimmer, bear in mind that of the 17 people who drowned in a boating incident so far this year, Water Safety NZ reports that just one of them was wearing a lifejacket.
“Lifejackets save lives, and could save yours – it’s that simple.
“And remember to always keep in close contact with children in or around water. Their safety relies on you being with them to help when things go wrong.
“While our drowning fatalities for 2024 are currently lower than they were at the same time in 2023, keeping the numbers of preventable drowning tragedies down is going to take a combined effort from us all.
“Let’s all have a safe summer in, on and around the water this year.”
At the invitation of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Kuwait on 21-22 December 2024. This was his first visit to Kuwait. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait on 21 December 2024 as the ‘Guest of Honour’ of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait received Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Bayan Palace on 22 December 2024 and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for conferring on him the highest award of the State of Kuwait ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’. The leaders exchanged views on bilateral, global, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
Given the traditional, close and friendly bilateral relations and desire to deepen cooperation in all fields, the two leaders agreed to elevate the relations between India and Kuwait to a ‘Strategic Partnership’. The leaders stressed that it is in line with the common interests of the two countries and for the mutual benefit of the two peoples. Establishment of a strategic partnership between both countries will further broad-base and deepen our long-standing historical ties.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. In light of the newly established strategic partnership, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations through comprehensive and structured cooperation in key areas, including political, trade, investment, defence, security, energy, culture, education, technology and people-to-people ties.
The two sides recalled the centuries-old historical ties rooted in shared history and cultural affinities. They noted with satisfaction the regular interactions at various levels which have helped in generating and sustaining the momentum in the multifaceted bilateral cooperation. Both sides emphasized on sustaining the recent momentum in high-level exchanges through regular bilateral exchanges at Ministerial and senior-official levels.
The two sides welcomed the recent establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC) between India and Kuwait. The JCC will be an institutional mechanism to review and monitor the entire spectrum of the bilateral relations between the two countries and will be headed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries. To further expand our bilateral cooperation across various fields, new Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been set up in areas of trade, investments, education and skill development, science and technology, security and counter-terrorism, agriculture, and culture, in addition to the existing JWGs on Health, Manpower and Hydrocarbons. Both sides emphasized on convening the meetings of the JCC and the JWGs under it at an early date.
Both sides noted that trade has been an enduring link between the two countries and emphasized on the potential for further growth and diversification in bilateral trade. They also emphasized on the need for promoting exchange of business delegations and strengthening institutional linkages.
Recognizing that the Indian economy is one of the fastest growing emerging major economies and acknowledging Kuwait’s significant investment capacity, both sides discussed various avenues for investments in India. The Kuwaiti side welcomed steps taken by India in making a conducive environment for foreign direct investments and foreign institutional investments, and expressed interest to explore investment opportunities in different sectors, including technology, tourism, healthcare, food-security, logistics and others. They recognized the need for closer and greater engagement between investment authorities in Kuwait with Indian institutions, companies and funds. They encouraged companies of both countries to invest and participate in infrastructure projects. They also directed the concerned authorities of both countries to fast-track and complete the ongoing negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Both sides discussed ways to enhance their bilateral partnership in the energy sector. While expressing satisfaction at the bilateral energy trade, they agreed that potential exists to further enhance it. They discussed avenues to transform the cooperation from a buyer-seller relationship to a comprehensive partnership with greater collaboration in upstream and downstream sectors. Both sides expressed keenness to support companies of the two countries to increase cooperation in the fields of exploration and production of oil and gas, refining, engineering services, petrochemical industries, new and renewable energy. Both sides also agreed to discuss participation by Kuwait in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme.
Both sides agreed that defence is an important component of the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait. The two sides welcomed the signing of the MoU in the field of Defence that will provide the required framework to further strengthen bilateral defence ties, including through joint military exercises, training of defence personnel, coastal defence, maritime safety, joint development and production of defence equipment.
The two sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and called for disrupting of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, and dismantling of terror infrastructure. Expressing appreciation of their ongoing bilateral cooperation in the area of security, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, information and intelligence sharing, developing and exchanging experiences, best practices and technologies, capacity building and to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug-trafficking and other transnational crimes. The two sides discussed ways and means to promote cooperation in cybersecurity, including prevention of use of cyberspace for terrorism, radicalisation and for disturbing social harmony. The Indian side praised the results of the fourth high-level conference on “Enhancing International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Building Resilient Mechanisms for Border Security – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process,” which was hosted by the State of Kuwait on November 4-5, 2024.
Both sides acknowledged health cooperation as one of the important pillars of bilateral ties and expressed their commitment to further strengthen collaboration in this important sector. Both sides appreciated the bilateral cooperation during the COVID- 19 pandemic. They discussed the possibility of setting up of Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Kuwait. They also expressed their intent to strengthen cooperation in the field of medical products regulation in the ongoing discussions on an MoU between the drug regulatory authorities.
The two sides expressed interest in pursuing deeper collaboration in the area of technology including emerging technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. They discussed avenues to explore B2B cooperation, furthering e-Governance, and sharing best practices for facilitating industries/companies of both countries in the policies and regulation in the electronics and IT sector.
The Kuwaiti side also expressed interest in cooperation with India to ensure its food-security. Both sides discussed various avenues for collaboration including investments by Kuwaiti companies in food parks in India.
The Indian side welcomed Kuwait’s decision to become a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking a significant step towards collaboration in developing and deploying low-carbon growth trajectories and fostering sustainable energy solutions. Both sides agreed to work closely towards increasing the deployment of solar energy across the globe within ISA.
Both sides noted the recent meetings between the civil aviation authorities of both countries. The two sides discussed the increase of bilateral flight seat capacities and associated issues. They agreed to continue discussions in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date.
Appreciating the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2025-2029, which will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in arts, music, and literature festivals, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment on further enhancing people to people contacts and strengthening the cultural cooperation.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the signing of the Executive Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports for 2025-2028. which will strengthen cooperation in the area of sports including mutual exchange and visits of sportsmen, organising workshops, seminars and conferences, exchange of sports publications between both nations.
Both sides highlighted that education is an important area of cooperation including strengthening institutional linkages and exchanges between higher educational institutions of both countries. Both sides also expressed interest in collaborating on Educational Technology, exploring opportunities for online learning platforms and digital libraries to modernize educational infrastructure.
As part of the activities under the MoU between Sheikh Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwaiti Diplomatic Institute and the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), both sides welcomed the proposal to organize the Special Course for diplomats and Officers from Kuwait at SSIFS in New Delhi.
Both sides acknowledged that centuries old people-to-people ties represent a fundamental pillar of the historic India-Kuwait relationship. The Kuwaiti leadership expressed deep appreciation for the role and contribution made by the Indian community in Kuwait for the progress and development of their host country, noting that Indian citizens in Kuwait are highly respected for their peaceful and hard-working nature. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed his appreciation to the leadership of Kuwait for ensuring the welfare and well-being of this large and vibrant Indian community in Kuwait.
The two sides stressed upon the depth and importance of long standing and historical cooperation in the field of manpower mobility and human resources. Both sides agreed to hold regular meetings of Consular Dialogue as well as Labour and Manpower Dialogue to address issues related to expatriates, labour mobility and matters of mutual interest.
The two sides appreciated the excellent coordination between both sides in the UN and other multilateral fora. The Indian side welcomed Kuwait’s entry as ‘dialogue partner’ in SCO during India’s Presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023. The Indian side also appreciated Kuwait’s active role in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). The Kuwaiti side highlighted the importance of making the necessary efforts to explore the possibility of transforming the ACD into a regional organisation.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated His Highness the Amir on Kuwait’s assumption of the Presidency of GCC this year and expressed confidence that the growing India-GCC cooperation will be further strengthened under his visionary leadership. Both sides welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers held in Riyadh on 9 September 2024. The Kuwaiti side as the current Chair of GCC assured full support for deepening of the India-GCC cooperation under the recently adopted Joint Action Plan in areas including health, trade, security, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, culture, amongst others. Both sides also stressed the importance of early conclusion of the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
In the context of the UN reforms, both leaders emphasized the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a UN reflective of contemporary realities, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. The two sides stressed the need for the UN reforms, including of the Security Council through expansion in both categories of membership, to make it more representative, credible and effective.
The following documents were signed/exchanged during the visit, which will further deepen the multifaceted bilateral relationship as well as open avenues for newer areas of cooperation:● MoU between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Defence.
● Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029.
● Executive Programme between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Sports for 2025-2028 between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Public Authority for Youth and Sports, Government of the State of Kuwait.
● Kuwait’s membership of International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi thanked His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. The visit reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Kuwait. The leaders expressed optimism that this renewed partnership would continue to grow, benefiting the people of both countries and contributing to regional and global stability. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also invited His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait to visit India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held talks today with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait.
The two leaders discussed a roadmap to strengthen the strategic partnership in areas including political, trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, cultural, and people-to-people ties. They emphasized on deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister invited a delegation comprising the Kuwaiti Investment Authority and other stakeholders to visit India to look at new opportunities in the fields of energy, defence, medical devices, pharma, food parks, among others. The leaders also discussed cooperation in traditional medicine and agricultural research. They welcomed the recent signing of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) under which new Joint Working Groups in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture have been set up in addition to the existing JWGs on Health, Manpower and Hydrocarbons.
The leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of bilateral agreements and MoUs after the talks. These included an MoU on Defence Cooperation, a Cultural Exchange Programme, an Executive Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports and the Framework Agreement on Kuwait joining the International Solar Alliance.
Prime Minister invited His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait to visit India.
MoU between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Defence.
This MoU will institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the area of defence. Key areas of cooperation include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment, and collaboration in research and development, among others.
2.
Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029.
The CEP will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theatre, cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the area of culture and organizing of festivals.
3.
Executive Programme (EP) for Cooperation in the Field of Sports (2025-2028)
The Executive Programme will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science, among others.
4.
Kuwait’s membership of International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The International Solar Alliance collectively covers the deployment of solar energy and addresses key common challenges to the scaling up of use of solar energy to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories.
Keeping continuity with the Fit India Cycling Drive launched earlier this week by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative was flagged off this morning at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here.
Besides the Hon’ble Minister, the event saw presence of over 500 riders, ranging from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sports Authority of India campers and young gymnasts from the IG Stadium, senior officials and various cycling clubs in the national capital.
Sunday’s flag off ceremony also saw the presence of former WWE star Shanky Singh, revered for being a part of the tag team stable featuring former WWE champion Jinder Mahal. Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee Table Tennis player Mouma Das, meanwhile, flagged off the Sundays on Cycle event in Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Kolkata.
आज हमारे ITBP और CRPF के जवानों के साथ #SundaysOnCycle के पहले कार्यक्रम में भाग लिया।
प्रधानमंत्री श्री @NarendraModi जी के #FITIndia अभियान को आगे बढ़ाने में आज हमारे जवानों ने भी उत्साह से भाग लिया। मेरा सभी से आग्रह है की हर रविवार को आप भी साइकिलिंग करके इस मुहिम से जुड़े। pic.twitter.com/yYJUCqTZVp
Mentioning the wide impact of the Cycling Drive, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, “The Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative is being held simultaneously at over 1100+ locations in India. The launch of the cycling drive earlier this week has spread the awareness of cycling exponentially.
“Cycling is the need today. The vision of Viksit Bharat needs a healthy individual, who in turn makes a healthy society and that ultimately results in a healthy nation. The benefits of cycling also uphold the message of the Fit India movement, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2019,” the Hon’ble Sports Minister added.
The event in the national capital saw a lot of cyclists from the CRPF and ITBP, and they expressed happiness on being a part of the initiative that promotes fitness and environment protection both.
Sh. Anish Dayal Singh, IPS, DG CRPF, mentioned, “CRPF remains committed to maintaining peak physical fitness, as a fit Force only can serve our great nation best. Cycling is good for an individual’s health and the environment. We are excited to be a part of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle campaign, spreading the message of fitness and sustainability nationwide through today’s event.”
Former WWE pro wrestler Shanky Singh, who is currently trying out in Indie wrestling circuits across the globe, said, “Wherever I will go internationally from now on, I shall promote cycling, offline as well as on social media. I got a different type of energy being at the Fit India Sundays on Cycle event. I want more people to come forward to join this unique initiative started by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Sports Minister.”
BYCS India Foundation, a Non-profit Organizations dedicated towards making India a cycling nation, also joined in. Dr. Bhairavi Joshi, CEO BYCS India Foundation, said, “BYCS India Foundation has supported the cycling initiative under the FIT India Movement by organizing local events independently and in collaboration with local chapters of SAI for Sundays on Cycle. BYCS India Foundation believes that cycling is one of the simplest solutions to some of the world’s most complex urban challenges. The Bicycle Mayors network in India will continue the cycling advocacy work through skill building and increased access to cycling in more than 50 cities across the country.”
The ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and MY Bharat. Events are simultaneously held across Sports Authority of India regional centres, National centres of excellence (NCOEs) and the Khelo India centres (KICs) across the country.
On the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait as his ‘Guest of Honour’. The Prime Minister joined His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait in witnessing the grand opening ceremony. The event also provided an opportunity for an informal interaction of the Prime Minister with the leadership of Kuwait.
Kuwait is hosting the biennial Arabian Gulf Cup with participation from eight countries, including GCC nations, Iraq, and Yemen. This football tournament is one of the most prominent sporting events in the region. Kuwait has won the tournament maximum times among the participating countries. Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to all the participating countries.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Indian Community at ‘Hala Modi’ event in Kuwait The warmth and affection of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait is extraordinary: PM
After 43 years, an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Kuwait: PM
The relationship between India and Kuwait is one of civilizations, seas and commerce: PM
India and Kuwait have consistently stood by each other:PM
India is well-equipped to meet the world’s demand for skilled talent: PM
In India, smart digital systems are no longer a luxury, but have become an integral part of the everyday life of the common man: PM
The India of the future will be the hub of global development, the growth engine of the world: PM
India, as a Vishwa Mitra, is moving forward with a vision for the greater good of the world: PM
Posted On: 21 DEC 2024 8:09PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today addressed a large gathering of the Indian community in Kuwait in a special event ‘Hala Modi’ at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in the city. Indian nationals representing a cross-section of the community in Kuwait attended the event.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by the community with exceptional warmth and enthusiasm. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted that the India-Kuwait relationship has been profoundly enriched by the Indian community, which plays a pivotal role in fostering the ties between the two nations. Thanking His Highness the Amir of Kuwait for his gracious invitation, he stated that it was after 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister was visiting Kuwait to strengthen and solidify the age-old friendship.
The Prime Minister appreciated the hard work, achievement and contribution of the community to the development of Kuwait, which he said was widely recognized by the local government and society. He thanked the leadership of Kuwait for the welfare of the Indian community. Reflecting on India’s strong commitment to support Indian workers in Kuwait and elsewhere in the Gulf, he talked about technology-based initiatives undertaken by the Government such as the E-Migrate portal among others.
The Prime Minister outlined India’s approach as a “Vishwabandhu”, a friend to the world. He elaborated upon India’s rapid progress and transformation, especially in the fields of technology, infrastructure and sustainability. He noted that apart from being the 5th largest economy in the world, India was the global leader in fintech, the third largest global player in the start-up space and among the most digitally connected societies worldwide. He highlighted achievements such as financial inclusion, women-led development and inclusive growth. Reflecting on the shared aspirations of the two countries, of Viksit Bharat and New Kuwait, he underlined that there were huge opportunities for India and Kuwait to work together. India’s skill capacities and innovation could foster new partnerships between the two countries.
The Prime Minister extended an invitation to diaspora members to participate in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Maha Kumbh to be held in India in January 2025.
It’s a great time of the year for a post-Christmas shopping bargain, but Victorian shoppers are being reminded of their consumer rights if they end up with a faulty product.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich said a great post-Christmas deal should save shoppers money, not their rights.
More than 6,600 people contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria in 2023–24 with refund and return questions or problems – the top shopping rights issue reported.
We remind consumers they may be entitled to a refund, repair or replacement under law if there is a problem with an item, whether it was bought on sale or received as a present.
Keeping receipts for products you buy as well as gift receipts for presents you receive can make it easier to claim your rights where something goes wrong.
Traders can face penalties if they misrepresent consumer rights, such as those around refunds.
Shoppers, however, do not have the automatic right to return a product if they simply change their mind, order the wrong product, or find a better product elsewhere.
Consumers jumping online to beat the Boxing Day crowds are entitled to the same rights as someone shopping in store. But these same rights do not apply to purchases from private sellers, such as individuals selling pre-loved goods on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
Gift cards are an increasingly popular gift that come with specific rights. Consumers have a minimum of three years to use a gift card and it must clearly show the expiry date. If a gift card has an earlier expiry date at the time of purchase, consumers are still entitled to the mandatory three-year period.
Traders are also encouraged to understand their rights and obligations when dealing with customer returns. Consumer Affairs Victoria provides a range of business resources to support traders.
Penalties for breaching the Australian Consumer Law are serious, with maximum penalties ranging from $2.5 million for a person to $50 million for businesses.
“Christmas is a time for cheer and celebration, and we want all Victorians to have a stress-free festive season,” said Ms Rich.
“Consumers should know their rights and feel empowered to speak up if they think these rights have been compromised.”
“Traders who aren’t sure of their obligations can access our business resources to help them set up good policies and practices and avoid any issues or disputes after the busy festive trading season.”
Over £2 million will be awarded to seven local treasures in Wales including community centres, music venues and leisure centres.
Seven local treasures in Wales including community centres, music venues and leisure centres will be saved and restored thanks to prioritised funding from the UK Government
UK Government funding will protect local amenities that keep communities thriving, helping fix the foundations of our communities as part of the Plan for Change
This will help kickstart economic growth and rebuild Britain in a decade of renewal
Over £2 million will be awarded to 7 much-loved local places in Wales, so they can stay open to keep their communities thriving.
This includes £1 million to save 4 spaces in Wales, including the Tafarn y Plu pub in Gwynedd, The Bunkhouse music venue in Swansea, a museum in Powys and a community shop in Gwynedd. This funding will be used to refurbish, renovate and secure the future of each of these buildings, allowing them to offer a diverse programme of events and activities including live music, well-being sessions and educational opportunities.
As set out in its Plan for Change, the UK government is committed to kickstarting economic growth and raising living standards. Thriving communities lie at the heart of a thriving economy, and the support provided by the Community Ownership Fund will inject funding where it is most needed, making change happen and bringing people together in the process.
The highest single award in Wales – £400 thousand – will also go to saving Llanfair Light Railway station and Cloverlands car model museum. This project will host a museum, archives, and a shared community space for residents and visitors to use. The funding will allow the community building to provide a visitor centre in which tours will learn the context to the railway station and its operations.
Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris said:
“These are all multi-functional spaces that do so much for local people and most of us will have fond memories in treasured places like these.
“We’ve prioritised these grants to help preserve and upgrade what these vital places offer to their communities – whether improving access to sport, tackling loneliness or boosting family services for parents and children.”
Projects also set to receive money in Wales include:
£300,000 to renovate Eveswell Community Centre in Newport. The centre will provide new and improved facilities for local families to host more activities like family groups, play groups, a Lego club, craft classes and after school youth groups.
£300,000 to refurbish the Pentre Comrades club. The transformed building will provide the community a central hub to use for socialising and learning with facilities including a pub, shop, café, community garden, and kitchen spaces.
£299,000 to renovate and refurbish Caerphilly Rugby Football Club. The space will provide new and improved facilities for their rugby development programmes as well as space to host events like fundraisers, local festivals and educational workshops.
Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens said:
“Congratulations to these fantastic community projects in Wales. Over £2 million is being spent by the UK Government to make sure that these special places are refurbished and improved so they can provide facilities for local people to come together.
“All across Wales there are brilliant people who give back to their communities. I’d like to thank them for all that they do and the UK Government is proud to be able to support them.”
This UK-wide funding prioritised by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will help protect these cherished places from closure and disrepair, preserving popular spots for local people and visitors.
Altogether £36 million has been awarded to 85 projects across the UK.
The projects will support the government on its path to national renewal through its missions in the Plan for Change – from breaking down barriers to opportunity to kickstarting economic growth and creating safer streets by restoring community pride.
Grampians National Park photo by Hamilton Fire Brigade
Fire restrictions are now in place across Victoria with the weather heating up for Christmas and Boxing Day with Extreme fire dangers predicted and the potential for further escalation to Catastrophic across parts of the state.
While CFA is ready to respond and support communities this bushfire season, they’re urging people to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it is important ahead of what is expected to be a hot Christmas period that people plan ahead.
“We are already seeing in parts of the state if fires break out, they’re likely to burn intensely this summer period,” Jason said.
“We can’t get a fire truck into every driveway so we are asking Victorians to know their fire risk, plan ahead and make sure we are doing our part to keep each other safe.
“Monitor fire danger ratings daily via the VicEmergency App and CFA website and know what your plan is should a fire event arise.”
“The Bureau of Meteorology’s four day weather forecast currently predicts a catastrophic fire day on 26 December for the Wimmera and as we get closer to Thursday these forecasts will become more certain. We may see a reduction in the level of rating, but what is certain it will remain an extreme fire day.”
Fire Danger Period information:
A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.
Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visitwww.cfa.vic.gov.au/can.
To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
It’s a wet start to Christmas week as showers persist for most areas of Aotearoa/New Zealand today (Monday), especially in the east of the South Island where a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued. A quieter, brighter and drier day of weather arrives on Christmas Eve. For Christmas Day the best of the weather is likely to be first thing ahead of cloudier skies and wetter weather moving in from the west.
For Monday, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the eastern half of the South Island, continuing the trend observed over the past weekend, where afternoons have seen areas of thunderstorms with localised downpours. There is also a moderate risk for afternoon thunderstorms over Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Showers over the country are expected to ease late this evening or in the early hours of Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve is looking like the pick of the week, with sunny spells expected over much of New Zealand on Tuesday. Late in the day, rain is forecast to arrive in Fiordland with an approaching front from the Tasman Sea. But what does this spell for the big day?
MetService Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says: “A warm and sunny start is expected for most of the country on Christmas Day. Rain then spreads north along the western half of the South Island during Christmas morning and extends eastwards in the afternoon”. In the North Island, a dry Christmas morning is expected ahead of rain reaching the western half of the island during the afternoon, with Northland most likely to receive the first drops of rain. The rest of the North Island can expect rain later in the day.
“The east of the North Island, particularly Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, looks best placed to stay dry for much of Christmas Day and will also see some of the highest temperatures of the day. However, a few showers are expected to squeeze through the Manawatu Gorge during the afternoon, affecting parts of the Wairarapa,” Shiviti says.
“It is also looking like a good Christmas day weatherwise for New Zealanders in the far south of the North Island, namely Wellington and Kapiti, as rain is only expected to move onto these areas in the evening, if at all” continues Shiviti.
Rain is expected to persist over parts of Aotearoa/New Zealand on Boxing Day as a low-pressure system moves over northern areas. The wet conditions are expected to clear from the south of the South Island during the evening.
Tourists enjoy a ride on an ice slide at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]
Winter tourism and sports continue to heat up in China, with temperatures in the north having dropped to the freezing point or below, while some overseas ice and snow destinations are also enjoying the spillover from Chinese people’s strong demand for winter activities.
Some online travel agencies have given encouraging reports, showing that winter tourism products have seen more bookings as frostier weather settles in. The travel portal Trip.com Group said that winter tourism bookings began to increase in late November, with searches for such tours remaining popular on the platform this month.
Li Shengwen, a manager at travel portal Tuniu, said she noticed that bookings for winter sports such as skiing and ice-skating have witnessed rapid growth since late October, and that demand for these products has been especially high in December.
Traditional domestic winter tourism destinations such as Harbin, in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, and Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region are top choices for travelers for their fairy tale-like snow views and good facilities for skiing enthusiasts, according to travel agencies.
Last week, China Railway Shenyang Group operated its first special winter tourism train of the year. About 210 travelers from the nation’s eastern and southern provinces will experience snow scenery during their nine-day train trip, which began in Shenyang, the capital of Northeast China’s Liaoning province.
Experts and industry insiders said that travelers, especially young people, are increasingly interested in winter sports, in addition to appreciating views of ice and snow, thanks to the public’s growing awareness of winter sports since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Ma Rui, a marketing director of Wu Shang Bonski, a company that operates ski domes and offers ski training and education, has noticed that some indoor ski facilities in central and southern provinces with milder climates — such as Hubei and Guangdong — have experienced brisk business in recent months.
“The colder the weather, the stronger the desire that people have for skiing,” she said, adding that people living in southern or central provinces, places that don’t often get snow due to their milder climates, also want to enjoy winter activities, but might not be willing to travel a long distance to winter tourism destinations.
“Under such circumstances, some travelers or winter sports fans choose to experience skiing at indoor domes, which is convenient and provides stable running ski tracks in all seasons,” she said.
Some overseas winter tourism destinations and travel products have also seen increasing searches and bookings at Chinese travel portals, as many travelers seek diversified winter tourism or sports experiences.
Qi Chunguang, vice-president of Tuniu, said that while northeastern provinces remain the most sought-after winter tourism destinations for Chinese travelers, overseas winter destinations like Japan’s Hokkaido have also gained popularity on the platform because of quality ski resorts and hot springs and, in the case of Hokkaido, exotic Japanese cultural vibes.
He said that winter tour products for travel to Nordic countries and for cruise trips to Antarctica during the coming Spring Festival holiday — which begins in late January — have been sold out on the platform.
Qi also noticed that more travelers have begun to try winter sports events like skiing or ice-skating during sightseeing trips.
“About half of current winter tourism bookings by our users to northeastern provinces for the Spring Festival holiday… include skiing,” he said, adding that people between the ages of 26 and 35 are the major consumers of skiing-related products at the platform.
China has made continuous efforts to invigorate the winter economy. Under a recent guideline by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, the nation will generate a new growth point in the winter economy by integrating the development of winter sports, winter tourism and winter gear and facilities. The nation is aiming for its winter economy to reach 1.2 trillion yuan ($164.5 billion) by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SCST congratulates 12 Hong Kong arts projects supported by China National Arts Fund SCST congratulates 12 Hong Kong arts projects supported by China National Arts Fund ***********************************************************************************
The Council of the China National Arts Fund recently announced the list of arts projects to be funded by the China National Arts Fund 2025. After assessment, the adjudication panel of the China National Arts Fund selected 818 projects out of 11 091 formal applications. Twelve Hong Kong arts projects were selected. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, said, “I would like to express heartfelt thanks to our country for the support and recognition of Hong Kong’s arts and culture sectors, and congratulate the 12 Hong Kong arts projects supported by the China National Arts Fund. The projects selected in this exercise cover different genres and scales, manifesting Hong Kong’s thriving and diversified arts and culture ecology. We are deeply encouraged that some of the arts groups have continuously contributed to the development of high-quality arts, culture and creative industries, and are recognised by the China National Arts Fund again.” The Hong Kong projects selected for 2025 cover areas such as large-scale productions, small-scale productions, visual arts creations, cultural exchange, training of arts talents, and youth in arts creation, which showcase the diverse arts and cultural achievements of Hong Kong. Miss Law said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to leverage our cultural characteristics which are rooted in Chinese culture and embracing Western culture to enhance international cultural exchanges and promote people-to-people bonds, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.” The China National Arts Fund was opened up for projects from Hong Kong and Macao in 2022. The HKSAR Government has announced various policy measures to support the awardees of the China National Arts Fund in Hong Kong in past Policy Addresses, as well as in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development which was promulgated last month. Many Hong Kong arts projects have benefited so far. Those selected for 2025 will also benefit from the relevant measures, including providing funding to bring quality arts projects outside Hong Kong, as well as presenting them at the annual Chinese Culture Festival, and enabling the local public and international audience to understand the essence of Chinese culture in a more holistic and multifaceted manner, thereby promoting the inheritance and development of Chinese culture.
What you need to know: Working alongside federal, state, and local partners, Governor Newsom helped secure an additional $250 million in critical funding to address cross-border pollution from the Tijuana River. This funding allows for the full repair and expansion of the South Bay sewage treatment plant.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that President Biden has signed a federal funding bill allocating $250 million to fully repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego.
This vital investment, secured in partnership with California’s congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris Administration, will reduce untreated sewage flows into California’s coastal waters and improve public health and environmental conditions in the region. The sewage crisis is not only impacting public health, the local economy, and ecosystems and species in coastal communities but has also led to local beach closures for 1,000 consecutive days. It has significantly impacted the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people, border agents and U.S. Navy Seal special operation forces who train in those waters.
In February, October, and November of this year, the Governor met with White House officials to push for action to address this crisis. Earlier this fall, Governor Newsom visited wastewater treatment facilities on both sides of the border to assess rehabilitation efforts and the ongoing sewage crisis, a long-standing environmental and public health issue.
For far too long, communities in the Tijuana River Valley have borne the brunt of this cross-border pollution crisis. Today’s funding marks a long-term turning point — we are delivering the resources needed to protect public health, restore our beaches, and give residents the clean air and water they deserve.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Addressing this decades-long crisis
Working alongside federal, state, and local partners over years, Governor Newsom has helped secure critical funding and support to address cross-border pollution from the Tijuana River while holding authorities accountable to expedited timelines.
Securing federal funding: In partnership with California’s congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris Administration, Governor Newsom has now helped secure $703 million in federal funding — $353 million this year and $350 million last year— for critical upgrades to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. The upgrades will significantly reduce the flow of untreated sewage into California’s coastal waters.
Governor Newsom meets with Senior Advisor to the President, John Podesta and other top White House officials to advocate for funding to address the Tijuana River sewage crisis.
State investments to clean up the area, provide air filters to communities: In October, the County announced plans to purchase and distribute $2.7 million worth of air purifiers for local residents, which will be reimbursed by the state. Since 2019, California has allocated $35 million in state funding to address pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and support cleanup efforts:
$1 million to fund Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team projects in the Tijuana River Valley.
$9 million to operate and maintain Goat Canyon sediment and trash basins.
$4.7 million to Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s Tijuana River Trash Boom pilot Project.
$14.25 million for the Smuggler’s Gulch Improvement Project.
$3.3 million for the Tijuana River Valley Habitat and Hydrology Restoration Project.
$3 million to develop a model to forecast the presence of pathogens in San Diego coastal and tidal waters and help measure the effectiveness of potential projects in the Tijuana River Valley.
Expedited timelines: Federal authorities committed to expediting construction timelines to more quickly repair infrastructure to mitigate sewage flows.
Public health and air quality monitoring: California public health officials have been working closely with local authorities to monitor air quality and support public health efforts to protect the community. The state helped get the CDC to deploy resources on the ground and assess public health conditions. The state has also supported the local air district on air monitoring, planning, and mitigation strategies to protect public health.
Water quality and timeline accountability: State authorities have been using enforcement tools to compel infrastructure improvements to the federal wastewater treatment plant, with the San Diego Water Board holding the federal facility to timelines for several repair and maintenance actions, including replacing and installing additional pumps, cleaning out sedimentation tanks, replacing a junction box and temporary influent pipe, and rehabilitating all mechanical parts for sedimentation tanks.
Continued federal and Mexico partnerships: The Governor has urged federal and Mexican partners to address this crisis. When Governor Newsom traveled to Mexico for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s inauguration, he discussed with Mexican authorities this crisis and repairing wastewater treatment facilities to prevent excess flows from reaching the U.S. During today’s visit, the Governor also met with Baja Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda. In February, October, and November of this year, the Governor met with White House officials to push for action to address this crisis.
Press Releases, Recent News
Recent news
Dec 21, 2024
News Welcome to The California Weekly, your Saturday morning recap of top stories and announcements you might have missed. News you might have missed1. 📚 SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA STUDENTSBeginning in the upcoming school year, California’s kindergarten, first, and second…
Dec 20, 2024
News What you need to know: The federal government adopted a new water management framework that will help the state better manage water supply and protect endangered fish species. SACRAMENTO – Today, California joined the Biden-Harris Administration as it signed off…
Dec 19, 2024
News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the California Museum today inducted the 18th class of the California Hall of Fame in a virtual ceremony. This all-women posthumous class consists of trailblazers in athletics, civil…
What you need to know: The federal government adopted a new water management framework that will help the state better manage water supply and protect endangered fish species.
SACRAMENTO – Today, California joined the Biden-Harris Administration as it signed off on a new framework key to moving and supplying water for tens of millions of Californians. Adoption of this framework is an important step for integrating future water projects vital to maintaining the state’s water supply, including the Sites Reservoir and the Delta Conveyance Project.
Combined, the new framework covering the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project provides a more balanced approach to water management that will allow water managers greater flexibility when responding to extreme swings between drought and flood brought on by a changing climate.
The framework also benefits California’s endangered fish species through habitat restoration, improved flow measures, monitoring and hatchery production. The federal government’s adoption of this framework follows the approval of a new operating permit for the State Water Project system in November.
We know what the future has in store for our state: hotter hots and drier dries. That means we have to do everything we can now to prepare and ensure our water infrastructure can handle these extremes. Thanks to the support of the Biden-Harris Administration, California is taking action to make our water systems more resilient and lay the groundwork for new capacity in the future.
Governor Gavin Newsom
This week, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation signed a Record of Decision for new documents known as “biological opinions,” which address the water projects’ ecological impacts – shaping how water can be pumped and moved through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“The new framework supercharges our adaptive management and enables project operators to work with water users and the broader public to better manage the system to benefit millions of Californians and endangered fish species,” said California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme storms and extended droughts mean we need to be as nimble as possible in operating our water infrastructure. DWR remains committed to working with our federal and state partners and using the best available science to support the water supply needs of California’s communities while protecting fish and wildlife.”
In November, the state received a new operating permit for the State Water Project (SWP). The permit, known as an Incidental Take Permit, was issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) following the certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report for long-term operations of the SWP.
Building up California’s water supply
Other actions the state has taken recently:
Nearly 400 communities across California have received support to bolster their drinking water and wastewater systems, securing clean drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people.
California is forging ahead with major water projects, including the Sites Reservoir and the Delta Conveyance Project, that promise to provide water supply for millions of Californians once completed.
California recently marked the first decade of protecting and sustaining our critical groundwater supplies through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which empowers local agencies to tackle overpumping that endangers water supplies for communities, agriculture and ecosystems.
California has increased its groundwater reserves, investing in projects that recharge groundwater basins, including capturing excess stormwater.
Governor Newsom unveiled an update to the California Water Plan, outlining comprehensive solutions to enhance the state’s ability to capture and store more water, especially during extreme weather events like floods.
The state distributed $880 million to eliminate water utility debts for 4 million Californians, alleviating financial burdens on residents and businesses and ensuring continued access to water services during challenging economic times.
Press Releases, Recent News
Recent news
Dec 19, 2024
News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the California Museum today inducted the 18th class of the California Hall of Fame in a virtual ceremony. This all-women posthumous class consists of trailblazers in athletics, civil…
Dec 19, 2024
News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a new plan to reduce reliance on the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in Southern California. Aliso Canyon must be closed for…
Dec 19, 2024
News What you need to know: California supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s new greenhouse gas reduction target announced today as part of America’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement after…
While the festive season is a time to enjoy a break, celebrate and connect with friends and family, for some people this can become overwhelming.
It is important to know that there are some practical steps you can take that will be good for your physical and mental wellbeing.
These include:
Keeping active: Physical activity is great for your mind and body. Find ways to keep physically active that are suitable to your ability – anything from seated exercise to walking or running.
Being prepared: Christmas is a busy time of year, so plan ahead. If you have shopping to do or if you’re hoping to meet with friends and family, having a daily plan will help you get organised. This way you’re less likely to forget important things.
Being relaxed: Try a relaxation or meditation exercise that works for you and practice it once a day for at least 10 minutes.
Being helpful: See how you can support others. If someone is alone over Christmas, reach out to them, or if someone needs help with collecting shopping during the cold, dark days, offer them a hand. There are also opportunities for voluntary work this time of year.
Being heard: Talk to friends, family about how you are feeling. You can do this in person, by phone, or online, and often those around us can help us find solutions to our concerns or encourage us to seek help when we need it.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “If you are feeling low, lonely, isolated or would like to speak to someone, it is important to remember that help is available throughout the holiday period.”
The Rethink Black Country 24/7 support line can be contacted on 0800 008 6516 or text 07860 025281. The service will listen to you, offer advice, and connect you with the right support for you. The service is open 24/7 except Christmas Day (6 to 8pm), Boxing Day (6 to 9pm), New Year’s Eve (6 to 9pm) and New Year’s Day (6 to 8pm).
You could also contact The Samaritans by calling 116 123, visiting The Samaritans, or emailing jo@samaritans.org – emails will be replied to within 24 hours.
For urgent advice can contact NHS 111 and select Option 2 for mental health.
The NHS Every Mind Matters website provides a range of tools and advice on how you can look after your wellbeing and support those around you.
If you would prefer to speak to someone in person, support is available at The Sanctuary Hub, open between 6pm and 11pm Monday to Friday and from 12 noon until 11pm at weekends, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (closed) and Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (all 6 to 9pm).
While the festive period is a time of celebration and connection, it can be lonely for some.
Local organisations are urging residents to reach out to those who may be feeling isolated this Christmas, whilst raising awareness of the support available to help them.
To encourage the importance of looking after our mental health throughout the winter, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT), local councils and other local organisations are raising awareness of the effects of loneliness and highlighting the support available to those who are struggling.
Loneliness can impact on both mental and physical health. Research has shown that the longer someone feels lonely or isolated, the worse the impact on health and wellbeing.
Money struggles, often compounded during the winter months with high fuel bills and other financial pressures, can further increase stress and impact on loneliness as it reduces how often people can see others, and their general wellbeing.
Residents can look after their own and their loved one’s mental health and combat loneliness this Christmas, by:
Reaching out to friends and family who may feel isolated or find this time difficult due to ill health or bereavement. Call, visit or invite them to join you for events if you are able. Make sure they are aware of events taking place in the area that they could attend
Considering joining groups or classes, focusing on things you enjoy doing
Visiting places where you can be around others, such as the park, cinema, or café
Reaching out to support services such as NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies if you or your loved one are struggling with anxiety or depression
Reaching out to Citizens Advice for financial support and advice
There are a number of local organisations who support residents through events and community groups:
Warwickshire Rural Community Council run Warm Hubs where local residents can go, keep warm, have a hot drink and snack, and meet and socialise with others. A list of all Warm Hubs can be found at Warm Hubs Network – WRCC
Coventry City Council list activities that residents can take part in all year round, from befriending groups and community and social groups, to gardening, music and faith groups. The entire list can be found at Coventry Information Directory | Things to do in your community
Age Concern hold events and groups for residents across Coventry & Warwickshire, including friendship groups and walking football. All information can be found at Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire Community Events
ARC run weekly session for local residents, engaging in woodland or garden-based activities and crafts, particularly aimed at those who feel isolated and alone who enjoy socialising and being in nature. More information can be found at Weekly Wellbeing Sessions – ARC CIC
Sonya Gardiner, Chief Operating Officer at CWPT, said: “This Christmas, we are urging residents to check in with those around you and remind them that there is help and support available. We know that people can find it hard to ask for help which is why we are encouraging residents to take the first step to reach out to those who may be feeling alone.
“If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, we are on hand to provide help and support. NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies offer a self-referral programme. Get started online at talkingtherapies.covwarkpt.nhs.uk or call directly on 024 7667 1090.”
Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, at Coventry City Council, said: “This time of year it’s even more important to look after our own health and the health and wellbeing of others.
“Just checking in on a neighbour or contacting a friend can make all the difference. There is lots of support available and we want to make sure that people who are struggling know there are always groups, organisations and people that they can turn to.”
Councillor Margaret Bell, Portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health said: “Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but the added pressures it puts on people means it can be a challenging and lonely time for many.
“There is a wide range of support services accessible to anyone who is feeling low, stressed, overwhelmed or struggling with their mental health. Please open up to other people, go online, pick up the phone or meet with support workers who are there to help those in need during the festive season. Please do reach out for help and support within Warwickshire.”
There are many resources available and support on offer across Coventry and Warwickshire for anyone who is struggling throughout the winter months:
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
DBS’ Contact Centre will operate under reduced hours over the Christmas and New Year period.
Our Contact Centre will be operating under reduced hours over the Christmas and New Year period. Core DBS services and turnaround times for DBS checks and barring decisions will not be affected, and employers and customers should continue to access our services as normal.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the All-Russian campaign “Yolka zhelaniy”
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the all-Russian campaign “Yolka Zhelaniy”, organized by the “Movement of the First” with the support of “Rosmolodezh.Dobro”.
The Deputy Prime Minister pulled out three childhood dreams at once.
7-year-old Alexander from Azov, Rostov region, dreams of meeting gymnast Nikita Nagorny.
“An excellent wish. We all know Nikita, we love him. He is an Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, and also the president of the All-Russian Federation of Phygital Sports. And he will tell about the first Games of the Future in the history of mankind, which, on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin, were held this year in Kazan,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.
10-year-old Dmitry from Yaroslavl asked to meet with HC Lokomotiv.
“In the Rostov region, there are, I believe, more than 70 hockey palaces, and about 7.5 thousand children play hockey. We will definitely help organize your meeting,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
12-year-old Mikhail from Volgograd wants a basketball as a gift.
“I know a great company, ours, Russian, which makes international-class balls, certified by the international federation. And these are the most environmentally friendly balls in the world. We will definitely make you a gift. I want to congratulate everyone on the upcoming New Year and Christmas. I wish that your dreams come true and that only good things happen to you, your family and friends,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
At its meeting on 20 December, the Federal Council approved the temporary appointment of Major General Patrick Gauchat as head of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. He will carry out this task ad interim and in addition to his role as head of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Kieron Minto-St.Aimie received a director’s disqualification for claiming a £25,000 Covid loan his company was not entitled to.
Kieron Minto-St.Aimie is a former professional footballer who went on to run a sports academy in Brent.
His company received the £25,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan after he overstated its turnover.
He was disqualified as a company director for eight years at London’s Royal Courts of Justice.
A former professional footballer has been banned from being a company director for eight years.
Kieron Minto-St.Aimie claimed a £25,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan for the St Aimie’s Sports Academy Community Interest Company in Brent, when it was entitled to much less.
Elizabeth Pigney, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Kieron Minto-St.Aimie successfully applied for a Covid Bounce Back loan by overstating his company’s turnover.
His eight-year disqualification should serve as a warning to others that the justice system will not allow business owners to make false declarations to obtain funds that were so crucially needed by other small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic.
The former footballer, aged 35, of Pound Lane in London, began his career at Queens Park Rangers before spells at clubs including Oxford United and Barnet.
He opened St.Aimie’s Sports Academy, on Harlesden Road in Brent, as its sole director in 2016.
Before its closure in January 2023, the academy was known in the local community for providing football coaching and mentoring to children and young people.
In May 2020, Minto-St.Aimie applied for a Covid Bounce Back loan of £25,000.
However, in order to obtain the £25,000 he overstated the company’s turnover by £60,000 as it should have only been entitled to around £10,000 under the scheme based on its actual turnover.
On 6 December 2024, the judge at London’s Royal Courts of Justice disqualified Minto-St.Aimie as a company director for eight years.
Further information
Kieron Minto-St.Aimie is of Pound Lane, London. His date of birth is 4 May, 1989.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final at Twickenham set to have world-record attendance for a one-day women’s rugby event
Women’s tennis will return to the Queen’s Club for first time in more than 50 years
World class women’s cricket, football, netball, hockey, basketball and athletics also feature on packed sporting events calendar in London next year
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today declared that London is set to be the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025, with some of the world’s biggest sporting events to be hosted in the capital next year.
The final in London is set to have a world-record attendance for a one-day women’s rugby event, with demand outstripping the supply of tickets for the Twickenham showpiece. Attendance is expected to top both the 58,498 who watched England beat France at the same venue in 2023 and the 66,000 at the Stade de France for the women’s Olympic sevens at Paris 2024. In total, more than 220,000 tickets have already been sold for the tournament, ensuring it will be the best attended in history.
Ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Twickenham will host one of the biggest matches in the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Rugby as England face France on 26 April, in a clash of the two highest ranked teams in the tournament.
Another major milestone for women’s sport next year will be the return of a women’s tennis tournament to the iconic Queen’s Club for the first time in more than 50 years. The new Women’s WTA 500 event begins on 9 June, with former British No.1 and Olympic Silver medallist Laura Robson appointed as Tournament Director. The tournament will be held shortly ahead of the prestigious 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where the world’s best women’s and men’s tennis players will compete for the for the biggest prize in the sport.
In cricket, England Women face India in a highly anticipated clash between two of the world’s best sides. They will compete in a T20 International at The Kia Oval on 4 July, ahead of a One Day International (ODI) on 19 July at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket. The first ever Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day will take place at The Kia Oval on 27 July while The Hundred competition is scheduled to take place across August, where London has two women’s teams – the Oval Invincibles (based at The Kia Oval) and London Spirit (based at Lord’s).
The summer will also see the return of world class athletics to London Stadium as the 2025 London Athletics Meet is staged on 19 July as part of the Wanda Diamond League series. The 2024 event was a sell out for a second year in a row and featured international superstars including Dina Asher-Smith, Keely Hodgkinson and Femke Bol, with a world class line up expected again this year.
London remains the world’s top destination for women’s football. On 26 February the England Lionesses, the current European Champions, will host reigning World Champions Spain at Wembley Stadium in a repeat of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. The Adobe Women’s FA Cup final will take place at the same venue on 18 May.
London teams also make up almost half of the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL). Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are all currently competing in the 24/25 WSL, with the season running until May 2025. After a summer break, the 25/26 WSL season will begin in September.
The capital is also the best city to watch netball, with the Copper Box on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park the home of Netball Super League (NSL) team London Pulse. The new NSL season will run from March to July 2025, with the NSL Grand Final taking place at the O2 Arena on 6 July.
In basketball, the Playoff Finals will also return to the O2 Arena on May 18, where the top teams from the Women’s and Men’s Super League’s will compete for the coveted title.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m so excited that London is set to be the undisputed global capital for women’s sport in 2025, with some of the world’s biggest events coming to our city next year.
“I am delighted that we will be playing host to the Women’s Rugby World Cup, while we will also see the historic return of women’s tennis to the Queen’s Club. This is in addition to world class women’s cricket, football, netball, hockey, basketball and athletics in the capital.
“I would urge Londoners to take up the opportunity to attend some of these amazing events, cheering on our top athletes and sports women. Ensuring London hosts many of the world’s leading sporting events is an important part of our work building a better London for everyone.”
An estimated six million people attended sporting events across the capital this summer, including the UEFA Champions League Final and European Professional Club Rugby Finals, cementing London’s position as the undisputed sporting capital of the world.*
Polling from YouGov found that 62 per cent of Londoners feel proud of living in London when major sporting events are hosted, with 72 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds feeling proud. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Londoners think that hosting major sporting events impacts positively on London’s economy.**
The capital was also crowned the world’s leading sporting events host in the 2024 Global Cities Report as well as the best cultural experience destination.***
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey said: “With the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 set to capture hearts and headlines globally, the anticipation for the tournament is reaching new heights.
“We’ve seen unprecedented demand for tickets across the tournament and with the iconic Twickenham Stadium hosting the final, fans can expect an unmissable experience and an incredible celebration of women’s rugby on its biggest stage.”
The FA’s Women’s Technical Director, Kay Cossington said: “2025 is shaping up to be another momentous year for the women’s game and the Lionesses as we look forward to an unmissable EURO in the summer. Before then, the European champions will take on the world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium in February with another bumper crowd expected through the turnstiles.
“The Lionesses’ fixtures at Wembley are always so special and reminiscent of that memorable July day in 2022 when the team made history by lifting our first major trophy. Away from England, Wembley Stadium will once again play host to the landmark event in the domestic women’s calendar – the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final. With the final selling out Wembley for the last two seasons in a row, we’re expecting the May 2025 final to be another unmissable showpiece.”
The FA’s Women’s Technical Director, Kay Cossington said: “2025 is shaping up to be another momentous year for the women’s game and the Lionesses as we look forward to an unmissable EURO in the summer. Before then, the European champions will take on the world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium in February with another bumper crowd expected through the turnstiles.
“The Lionesses’ fixtures at Wembley are always so special and reminiscent of that memorable July day in 2022 when the team made history by lifting our first major trophy. Away from England, Wembley Stadium will once again play host to the landmark event in the domestic women’s calendar – the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final. With the final selling out Wembley for the last two seasons in a row, we’re expecting the May 2025 final to be another unmissable showpiece.”
The All England Lawn Tennis ClubChief Executive, Sally Bolton said: “There is no doubt that London is a sporting powerhouse and 2025 is set to be a year of fantastic women’s sport for the capital. We look forward to playing our part as we welcome the world to Wimbledon for the 138th staging of The Championship with the world’s best tennis players going head to head on the lawns of SW19.”
The ECB Director of Women’s Professional Game,Beth Barrett-Wild said: “Off the back of another year of extraordinary growth in 2024, we are set for an unmissable summer of women’s cricket in London in 2025.
“In June, England Women take on India with two huge games here in the capital; in July, the first ever Vitality T20 Blast Women’s Finals Day is coming to the Kia Oval; and across August, The Hundred will be front and centre with The Final at Lord’s.
“Last year The Hundred once again broke the global record for total attendance at a women’s cricket competition, with 320,000 fans in attendance, we’ll be hoping to see even more fans this year.
“All this sets the scene for a huge 2026 when we host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup here in England, with women’s cricket here in London at the centre of a global competition.”
Netball Super League Managing Director, Claire Nelson said: “We are incredibly excited to bring the Netball Super League Grand Final to The O2 for the very first time in 2025.
“The O2 is one of the most prestigious arenas in the world and will provide the perfect backdrop to a world class event and an unforgettable experience for fans, players and everyone involved. As we enter a new professional era for League, this event will be a major moment for our sport that will see us continue to push the boundaries to make our events bigger and better than ever before.”
UK Sport CEO, Sally Munday said: “2025 is going to be a spectacular year for women’s sport in the UK. In particular, we are incredibly excited about the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which is set to be a big celebration of Women’s sport with huge potential to unite and inspire people right across the UK. The final at Twickenham Stadium promises to be one of the iconic sporting moments of next year.
“We know that live sport has a unique place in the hearts of the British public. As our nation’s capital, London is a crucial partner in making live sport matter and maintaining the UK’s world-leading reputation for hosting major sporting events.
“We look forward to working together with the Mayor and his team to bring more of the biggest and best sporting events in the world to our shores in 2025 and beyond.”
