Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Alabama) today introduced a bill that would restrict one of the biggest magnets for illegal immigration into the United States. The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 stops the practice of granting citizenship to both the children of illegal immigrants and the children of non-immigrants in the U.S. on temporary visas, also known as birthright citizenship. Graham first introduced the legislation in September 2024.
The exploitation of birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for our national security. The United States is one of only 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship.
“It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,” said Senator Graham. “One example is birth tourism, where wealthy individuals from China and other nations come to the United States simply to have a child who will be an American citizen. When you look at the magnets that draw people to America, birthright citizenship is one of the largest. I also appreciate President Trump’s executive order to address birthright citizenship. It is time for the United States to align itself with the rest of the world and restrict this practice once and for all.”
“The promise of American citizenship should not incentivize illegal migration, but that’s exactly what has happened for far too long,” said Senator Britt. “It’s time to fix this. Senator Lindsey Graham’s and my Birthright Citizenship Act would codify President Trump’s commonsense stance and end the abuse of birthright citizenship that I do not believe is consistent with the original meaning of the 14thAmendment’s Citizenship Clause. This will protect our nation’s sovereignty, disincentivize illegal migration, and ensure America’s citizenship practices are stronger and better aligned with peer countries around the globe.”
The Biden-Harris Administration’s catch-and-release policies let migrants come into the U.S. illegally and stay for years, while enjoying many of the benefits of living in America.
Illegal immigration skyrocketed during the Biden-Harris Administration.
The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that in 2023, there were 225,000 to 250,000 births to illegal immigrants, amounting to close to seven percent of births in the U.S.
Our adversaries are taking advantage of our laws.
In September 2024, two individuals from California were found guilty in a “birth tourism” scheme. Predominantly Chinese clients paid the operators of a “maternity hotel” tens of thousands of dollars to come to the U.S. to give birth. Clients were coached on how to lie during the admissions process.
A 2022 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee report found a birthing company catering to the wives of Russian oligarchs, celebrities, athletes, and public figures.
The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025:
Specifies who can receive citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United States, including children born to at least one parent who is either:
A citizen or national of the U.S.,
A lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or
An alien performing active service in the armed forces.
This bill only applies to children born after the date of enactment.
To read the full bill text, click HERE.
Question for written answer E-000007/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Elena Kountoura (The Left)
Recent incidents reported in European winter destinations with increased tourist traffic, where electric vehicles have been immobilised due to low temperatures and lack of sufficient (fast) charge points, highlight major challenges relating to the infrastructure for and resilience of electric vehicles in extreme weather conditions.
The Batteries Regulation[1] introduces measures that promote the sustainability, durability and efficiency of batteries through strict performance and environmental durability standards. However, performance issues at low temperatures remain a major challenge which requires additional action by the EU[2]. The AFIR[3] Regulation sets mandatory national targets for Member States to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the transition to zero-emission mobility. However, the AFIR Regulation does not contain any specific provisions directly concerning tourist destinations[4].
Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting e-mobility and achieving the EU’s environmental targets, while ensuring smooth and safe mobility for citizens.
In view of this:
1.Are there any plans to promote further research and development to improve the durability of electric vehicle batteries in extreme weather conditions, making full use of the Batteries Regulation and strengthening its implementation?
2.What specific actions does the Commission intend to take within its powers to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure at tourist destinations, where increased traffic makes the availability of charging stations crucial to the success of the green transition?
[2] The autonomy of an electric vehicle can be reduced by 10 % at temperatures just below 0° C, and by up to 40 % at very low temperatures, below ‑10° C.
[4] The EU has set targets for the development of alternative fuels infrastructure. However, although the European Union’s regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) does not contain any specific provisions directly concerning tourist destinations, the general obligations imposed on Member States to develop alternative fuel recharging and refuelling infrastructure may also benefit tourist areas.
A robust yet dynamic Lochaber Area Place Plan (APP) was agreed recently (Monday 27 January 2025) which clearly outlines the aspirations expressed by the communities within its boundaries, many of which link across to proposed or potential actions contained as part of FW2040 and wider Highland plans such as the Highland Investment Plan, Highland Local Development Plan, Highland Outcome Improvement Plan and the Strategic Housing Investment Plan.
The Lochaber APP highlights the need for improved health and wellbeing services and facilities including both care and mental health; suitable and affordable housing; empowering young people and expanding access to diverse and inclusive activities; better provision of public transport and infrastructure; tourism management; fostering economic growth and a strong, skilled workforce.
Lochaber Area Committee Vice Chair, Cllr John Grafton said: “Area Place Plans (APP) are important for Lochaber as they are community led plans, offering the opportunity to shape the vision, ambition and key priorities for both people and place across Lochaber. They help to target resources, service delivery and with clear area specific plans, assist in attracting investment.
“The Lochaber APP is a dynamic and fluid plan that will evolve over time, as sub-regional Area Place Plans are still to be added, whilst Action Plans for some priorities are already being developed. Ensuring a clear vision is captured that reflect the community aspirations for their area.”
The Plans will help The Highland Council, partners, and communities to leverage funding by evidencing the impact of every pound spent and the actions associated will provide clarity and manage expectation around how and where resources are prioritised. They will also provide a stronger framework for communities to prepare plans for their own community, empowering them to drive and deliver change.
Community engagement will build a shared understanding of how ‘Place’ underpins development, service delivery and how organisations and communities work together. These plans will be a future guide to get the best impact for people living in an area, based on a shared understanding of local need.
Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring Jasper residents, businesses and not-for-profits are supported as the community recovers from last summer’s wildfire. Since the beginning of the wildfire, more than $170 million has been provided from across the provincial government to support Jasper residents and businesses as the community recovers and rebuilds.
The donation-matching initiative with the Canadian Red Cross is just one part of the Alberta government’s commitment to help Jasper and its residents recover. To support Jasper’s recovery, the province has provided more than $12 million through a donation-matching initiative with the Canadian Red Cross into the Canadian Red Cross’s 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal to support the families and residents most affected by the wildfires.
“Alberta has worked tirelessly with the Canadian Red Cross to help Jasper and Jasperites recover from last year’s wildfire. Initiatives we have collaborated on, such as the small business supports program, have already provided support to over 270 Jasper businesses by using more than $12 million in matching funds from the Government of Alberta. We continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Jasper as they, and their municipality, recover.
Through the Canadian Red Cross’s 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal, every $1 donation made was matched with a $1 donation from Alberta’s government over the span of 30 days. The contribution from the province through this donation-matching initiative has helped fundraise more than $40 million to provide affected families, residents, businesses and not-for-profits of Jasper with a variety of supports. These supports include financial assistance, navigation supports and the small business supports program.
The province’s total assistance package of more than $170 million during and after the wildfire includes:
Up to $149 million in Disaster Recovery Program funding.
$7.5 million in emergency evacuation payments to more than 6,500 Jasperites.
More than $12 million in matching funds to support the Canadian Red Cross in providing support to residents and business owners in Jasper.
$18 million in funding to rebuild a seniors lodge for displaced senior residents of the Pine Grove Manor.
$2.5 million in tourism support.
$121,400 in food, financial and operating support to the Jasper Food Bank.
In addition to the assistance already provided, Alberta’s government remains ready to build $112 million worth of homes for displaced Jasperites, but the province cannot do that without land. If the federal government decides to step up and make land available, the province is ready to build the homes. Work with partners will continue to ensure that Jasper families and residents continue to have access to the supports and services they need during the community’s recovery.
Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Society (CAMAL), the new operator of Fort Steele Heritage Town, is planning new, dynamic, interactive and diverse visitor experiences that complement the site’s community traditions.
“Fort Steele isn’t just a tourism attraction for visitors,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “It holds great historical value for our province and plays an important role in telling B.C.’s story. This new partnership is key to ensuring high-quality historic experiences at this site that will keep visitors coming back.”
The provincial heritage site and national historic site is a key attraction for the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, drawing visitors worldwide. Visitors can experience the 19th century through its restored buildings, interpreters and exhibits. There are more than 60 original or accurately reconstructed buildings from the 1890s, offering an immersive cultural and educational experience. It includes activities such as gold panning, stagecoach rides, tours and heritage trades demonstrations.
CAMAL is planning to work with area First Nations to find ways to collaborate on the site’s exhibits and programming. These initiatives aim to deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of Indigenous communities in British Columbia.
“We are dedicated to preserving and promoting Fort Steele, while bringing a renewed vibrancy to the site through innovative programs, storytelling and visitor experiences,” said Keith Powell, chair of the CAMAL. “We are excited to build upon the site’s legacy, focusing on Fort Steele’s role as an integral part of the local and regional tourism economy, and strengthening its position as a significant cultural and historical destination.”
CAMAL begins a six-year operations contract with the Province on April 1, 2025, with potential for renewal. CAMAL was selected as the site operator for Fort Steele Heritage Town following a publicly posted request-for-proposals process in late 2024.
Friends of Fort Steele Society has been operating Fort Steele Heritage Town from 2004 and will continue until March 2025. It oversaw numerous capital works developments, including a new visitor centre and focused efforts on repairing Fort Steele’s steam train. The Province provided $500,000 to support these projects, which are expected to be complete in spring and ready for the 2025 season.
The Province acknowledges the stewardship Friends of Fort Steel Society provided for this heritage site for more than 20 years.
Quick Facts:
Fort Steele Heritage Town receives $900,000 in annual funding from the Province to support site operations, ensure conservation and maintain public access.
Since 2020, the Province has provided more than $55 million through various programs to celebrate, preserve and protect B.C.’s heritage assets.
Learn More:
To learn more about B.C. heritage sites, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=499BEC462CB84EC48D983C16E0404090
Visitors can look forward to continuing strong operations, along with expanded hands-on demonstrations and interpretations at Barkerville Historic Town & Park and Cottonwood House Historic Site as part of the site operator’s proposed plan.
“Barkerville and Cottonwood House are among B.C.’s most iconic heritage destinations that visitors love to visit again and again,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “I can’t wait to see the new exhibits our partner, Barkerville Heritage Trust, is developing that will further enrich the storytelling and historical experience at this site.”
Barkerville’s resource-development history dates back to 1862, when Billy Barker struck gold at Williams Creek, ushering in the gold rush that drew fortune seekers from all over the world and made Barkerville the largest town in WesternCanada at that time. Barkerville offers visitors a chance to step back in time to the late 1800s with its interpreters in period costumes, stagecoach rides and a collection of more than 500,000 artifacts, including 100 preserved heritage structures.
Barkerville Heritage Trust will continue as the site operator for the next seven years, with potential for renewal, as part of a new management contract with the Province. The trust is planning additional interactive activities to let visitors experience everyday life on the Cariboo homestead during the gold-rush era. This includes an increase in cultural programming, a greater diversity of stories that are part of B.C.’s heritage, particularly the culture and history of area First Nations, and more tourism offerings outside of the site’s peak season.
“We are thrilled to continue our stewardship of these cherished heritage assets, and with decades of experience operating Barkerville and Cottonwood House, our team has gained invaluable insights that will guide us as we work to deliver world-class tourism experiences for visitors over the next seven years,” said Al Richmond, chair of the Barkerville Heritage Trust. “We will be looking to expand the offerings at Cottonwood House, as well as sending Barkerville’s historical interpreters back to the Richfield Courthouse and continuing with our Indigenous and Chinese cultural interpretation. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and concern from the public during last year’s wildfires, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who stood by us during that challenging time.”
The provincial heritage site’s popular 100 days of Barkerville season runs from May 31 until Sept. 7, 2025.
“Barkerville Heritage Trust is a trusted steward and operator of this iconic tourism destination in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region,” said Amy Thacker, CEO, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism. “Barkerville Historic Town & Park’s exhibits and interactive demonstrations for tourists and locals provide an incredible opportunity for people to explore, discover our history and create lasting memories. We look forward to sharing Barkerville’s plans with the community and inviting people to come back to see what’s new.”
The new heritage site management agreement begins on April 1, 2025. Barkerville Heritage Trust has operated the historical site since 2005.
Quick Facts:
Barkerville Heritage Trust was selected as the site operator for Barkerville Historic Town & Park and Cottonwood House Historic Site following a publicly posted request-for-proposals process in late 2024.
Barkerville Heritage Trust will receive more than $2 million in annual funding to support site operations, ensure conservation and maintain public access.
Since 2020, the Province has provided more than $55 million through various programs to celebrate, preserve and protect B.C.’s heritage assets.
Learn More:
To learn more about B.C. heritage sites, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/historic-places/provincial-heritage-properties
To learn more about Barkerville Historic Town & Park, visit: https://www.barkerville.ca/ourstory/
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Marat Khusnullin: Work has begun to expand the overpass on the Adler bypass
January 29, 2025
Marat Khusnullin: Work has begun to expand the overpass on the Adler bypass
January 29, 2025
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Marat Khusnullin: Work has begun to expand the overpass on the Adler bypass
A developed road network is the most important factor in the sustainable socio-economic growth of the country. In this regard, large-scale infrastructure projects are being implemented, including the construction of the Adler bypass. It will be part of the prospective highway from the federal highway M-4 “Don” to the city of Sochi. Currently, builders have begun to expand the dimensions of the existing overpass at the 6th km of the A-149 Adler – Krasnaya Polyana road, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.
“The megaproject for the construction of the M-4 Don-Sochi highway will give a powerful impetus to the development of the economy of the southern regions of Russia and will help to significantly improve the transport situation on the Black Sea coast. We will implement it in stages. And among the priority sections is the Adler bypass, about 10 km long. The road will connect the village of Kudepsta and the village of Vysokoye. The construction of the new section will increase the tourist potential of this direction, reduce travel time to the Sochi airport and Krasnaya Polyana, ensure the withdrawal of transit transport from the resort area of Adler and improve the environmental situation of the coastal territory. As part of this project, the overpass at the 6th km of the A-149 Adler-Krasnaya Polyana highway is being reconstructed. By now, work has begun to increase its dimensions. The artificial structure and its approaches will be expanded to two traffic lanes, one in the forward and reverse directions. We plan to put the overpass into operation before the start of the resort season, so that this summer Sochi residents and its guests will have the opportunity to travel along it in both directions, both towards Adler and towards Krasnaya Polyana,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The reconstruction of the overpass started in November last year. Before its expansion, a large complex of works was completed. In particular, specialists removed the fencing elements, noise protection screens, layers of the bridge deck from the existing bridge structure, dismantled the utility networks and side consoles of the overpass.
According to the Chairman of the Board of the state company Avtodor, Vyacheslav Petushenko, work at the site is currently being carried out in two shifts.
“These days, the builders are using powerful jacks to lift the overpass sections by several centimeters and transfer them to temporary supports, the so-called bridge structures, erected earlier. Then, new metal consoles will be mounted on both sides of the overpass to expand the overpass dimensions. In total, 95 people and 15 units of equipment are involved in the work. Upon completion, the builders will be able to begin preparing and assembling tunnel boring machines at the construction site to begin tunneling the Adler bypass,” Vyacheslav Petushenko noted.
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: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The northern lights can now be seen over Manezhnaya Square in Moscow. This light show was prepared as part of the project “Winter in Moscow” and is timed to coincide with the start of the Chinese New Year celebrations in the capital. It can be seen every evening until February 9. Admission is free, no pre-registration required.
There is a sign in China: seeing the northern lights in the sky means good luck. This natural phenomenon attracts many tourists from the Celestial Empire to Russia. Residents and guests of the capital are offered to catch luck by the tail without crossing the Arctic Circle. It is enough to come to Manezhnaya Square in the evening.
A themed light show as part of the Chinese New Year in Moscow festival was also organized on Bolotnaya Square. It can be seen for free during skating sessions on the rink. This site opened here for the first time. Visitors can see an imitation of a pond with koi carp that “swim” after them under the ice. The show starts daily at 18:00 and will run until February 9.
The Chinese New Year in Moscow festival is held from January 28 to February 9 as part of the cross-cultural years of Russia and China. City residents and tourists can look forward to events on Manezhnaya, Tverskaya and Bolotnaya squares, VDNKh, the Moscow Zoo and other popular places. In total, the festival unites two dozen venues and more than 400 events. Guests will see performances by Chinese theaters and drum shows, themed ice shows, and attend creative workshops, lectures and tea ceremonies.
A special gastronomic program has been prepared for the festival. Traditional Chinese dishes can be tried in stylized chalets on Manezhnaya Square, in the food court on Bolotnaya Square and in more than 100 restaurants in the capital.
Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 unites various events of the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go skating, skiing and tubing, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, show care for those who need it.
Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city – more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The largest festivals of the capital are organically woven into the project: “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others. All information about the project and the events of the winter season can be found in a special mos.ru section.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Harbin carries out an upgrade to provide better services for winter sports lovers and tourists
Updated: January 29, 2025 20:30Xinhua
This aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2025 shows visitors playing at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. As the 9th Asian Winter Games (AWG) approaching, Harbin, known for its stunning ice sculptures and deep-rooted winter sports culture, is brimming with anticipation. As the city’s iconic landmark, the Harbin Ice-Snow World, with this year’s edition, the largest in its history, boasts 1 million square meters. The park shares its theme this year with the upcoming AWG to be held in Harbin: Dream of Winter, Love Among Asia. Harbin, which successfully hosted the 3rd AWG in 1996, is once again stepping onto the world stage. The whole city is under an upgrade to provide better services for winter sports lovers and tourists. [Photo/Xinhua]This aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 15, 2025 shows people having fun around a giant snowman by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]People take photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2025 shows the flame lighting ceremony for the 9th Asian Winter Games at the Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]This aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2025 shows visitors playing at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2025 shows the flame lighting ceremony for the 9th Asian Winter Games at the Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]This aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2025 shows a large logo of the 9th Asian Winter Games on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]This aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 22, 2025 shows visitors play at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]People visit the Yabuli Ski Resort in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]This photo taken on Jan. 8, 2025 shows a sculpture of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Governor of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Gurmeet Singh Ji, young Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami Ji, my cabinet colleagues Ajay Tamta Ji, Raksha Khadse Ji, Speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly Ritu Khanduri Ji, Sports Minister Rekha Arya Ji, President of Commonwealth Games Chris Jenkins Ji, President of IOA P.T. Usha Ji, MP Mahendra Bhatt Ji, all the players from across the country who have come to participate in the National Games, and other dignitaries!
Today, Devbhoomi has become more divine with the energy of youth. With the blessings of Baba Kedarnath, Badrinath ji, Maa Ganga, the National Games are starting today. This year is the 25th year of the formation of Uttarakhand. In this young state, thousands of youth from every corner of the country are going to show their capabilities. A very beautiful picture of Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat is visible here. This time too, many indigenous traditional games have been included in the National Games. This time’s National Games are also Green Games in a way. Environment-friendly things are being used a lot in it. All the medals and trophies received in the National Games are also made of e-waste. A tree will also be planted here in the name of the medal winning players. This is a very good initiative. I wish all the players the best for their excellent performance. I congratulate Dhami ji and his entire team, every citizen of Uttarakhand for this wonderful event.
Friends,
We often hear that gold becomes pure after being tested. We are also creating more and more opportunities for players so that they can further improve their capabilities. Today, many tournaments are being organized throughout the year. Many new tournaments have been added to the Khelo India series. Due to the Khelo India Youth Games, young players have got a chance to move forward. University Games are giving new opportunities to university students. The performance of para athletes through Khelo India Para Games is achieving new things. Just a few days ago, the fifth edition of Khelo India Winter Games started in Ladakh. Last year itself, we organized Beach Games.
And comrades,
It is not that only the government is doing all these works. Today, hundreds of BJP MPs are organizing MP sports competitions in their areas to bring forward new talent. I am also an MP from Kashi. If I talk only about my parliamentary constituency, then every year in the MP sports competition, about 2.5 lakh youth in the Kashi parliamentary constituency are getting a chance to play and flourish. That is, a beautiful bouquet of sports has been prepared in the country, in which flowers bloom in every season, and tournaments are held continuously.
Friends,
We consider sports as a major medium for the all-round development of India. When a country progresses in sports, the credibility of the country also increases, the profile of the country also increases. Therefore, today sports are being linked to the development of India. We are linking it to the self-confidence of the youth of India. Today, India is moving towards becoming the third largest economic power in the world, it is our endeavor that sports should have a major part of the economy in this. You know, not only a player plays in any sport, there is a whole ecosystem behind it. There are coaches, trainers, people who focus on nutrition and fitness, doctors, equipment. That is, there is scope for both service and manufacturing in it. India is becoming a quality manufacturer of these different sports equipment used by players from all over the world. Meerut is not very far from here. There are more than 35 thousand small and big factories manufacturing sports equipment there. More than three lakh people are working in them. Today the country is working towards creating these ecosystems in every corner of the country.
Friends,
Some time ago, I had the opportunity to meet the Olympic team at my residence in Delhi. During the conversation, a friend gave me a new definition of PM. He said that the country’s players do not consider me as PM or Prime Minister, but as their Param Mitra. This belief of yours gives me energy. I have full faith in all of you, in your talent and capabilities. We are trying our best to increase your capabilities and improve your game. Look at the last 10 years, we have constantly focused on supporting your talent. The sports budget that was there 10 years ago has more than tripled today. Under the TOPS scheme, hundreds of crores of rupees are being invested on dozens of players of the country. Under the Khelo India program, modern sports infrastructure is being built across the country. Today, sports have been mainstreamed even in schools. The country’s first sports university is also being built in Manipur.
Friends,
We are seeing the results of these efforts of the government on the ground, it is visible in the medal tally. Today Indian players are flying their flag in every international event. Our players have performed so well in the Olympics and Paralympics. Many players from Uttarakhand have also won medals. I am happy that many medal winners have come here to this venue today to encourage you.
Friends,
The old glory days of hockey are returning. Just a few days ago, our Kho-Kho team won the World Cup. The world was surprised when our Gukesh D. won the World Chess Championship title. Koneru Humpy became the Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion, this success shows how sports in India is no longer just an extra-curricular activity. Now our youth are considering sports as a major career choice.
Friends,
Just like our players always move ahead with big goals, our country is also moving ahead with big resolutions. You all know that India is making all efforts to host the 2036 Olympics. When the Olympics will be held in India, it will take Indian sports to new heights. Olympics is not just an event of a game, in whichever country of the world the Olympics are held, many sectors get a boost. The sports infrastructure that is built for the Olympics also creates employment. Better facilities are created for the players in the future. New connectivity infrastructure is built in the city where the Olympics are held. This strengthens the construction related industry, and the transport related sector progresses. And the biggest benefit is to the tourism of the country. Many new hotels are built, people from all over the world come to participate in the Olympics and watch the games. The entire country benefits from this. Like this National Games is being organized here in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The spectators who come here from other parts of the country will also go to other parts of Uttarakhand. This means that a sports event not only benefits the players, but the economy of many other sectors also grows due to it.
Friends,
Today the world is saying that the 21st century is the century of India. And after visiting Baba Kedarnath, it suddenly came out of my mouth, from my heart – this is the decade of Uttarakhand. I am happy that Uttarakhand is progressing rapidly. Just yesterday, Uttarakhand became the state of the country that implemented the Uniform Civil Code, I sometimes also call it Secular Civil Code. Uniform Civil Code will become the basis for the dignified life of our daughters, mothers and sisters. Uniform Civil Code will strengthen the spirit of democracy, the spirit of the Constitution will be strengthened. And today I am here in this sports event, so I also see it connected to you. Sportsmanship takes us away from every feeling of discrimination, the mantra behind every victory, every medal is – Sabka Prayas. Sports inspires us to play with team spirit. The same spirit is there in Uniform Civil Code also. No discrimination against anyone, everyone is equal. I congratulate the BJP government of Uttarakhand for this historic step.
Friends,
For the first time in Uttarakhand, such a national event is being organized on such a large scale. This is a big deal in itself. This will also create more employment opportunities here, the youth here will get work here. Uttarakhand will have to create more new ways for its development. Now the economy of Uttarakhand cannot depend only on the Char Dham Yatras. Today the government is continuously increasing the attraction of these Yatras by increasing facilities. The number of devotees is also making new records every season. But this is not enough. It is also important to encourage winter spiritual journeys in Uttarakhand. I am happy that some new steps have been taken in Uttarakhand in this direction too.
Friends,
Uttarakhand is my second home in a way. I also wish to be a part of winter travel. I would also like to tell the youth of the country to definitely visit Uttarakhand in winter. At that time, the number of devotees was not that much. There is a lot of scope for adventure activities for you here. All you athletes should also definitely find out about them after the National Games and if possible, enjoy the hospitality of Devbhoomi for more days.
Friends,
All of you represent your respective states. In the coming days, you will compete fiercely here. Many national records will be broken, new records will be made. You will give your 100% according to your full potential, but I also have some requests for you. These National Games are not just a sporting competition, it is also a strong platform for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. This is an event to celebrate the diversity of India. You should try to ensure that your medals also reflect the shine of India’s unity and superiority. You should go from here with better knowledge of the language, food, songs and music of different states of the country. I also have a request regarding cleanliness. Due to the efforts of the residents of Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand is working hard towards becoming plastic free, trying to move forward. The resolution of plastic free Uttarakhand cannot be fulfilled without your support. Do contribute in making this campaign a success.
Friends,
All of you understand the importance of fitness. That is why today I want to talk about a challenge which is very important. Statistics say that the problem of obesity is increasing rapidly in our country. Every age group of the country, and even the youth, are being badly affected by it. And this is also a matter of concern because obesity increases the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease. I am satisfied that today the country is becoming aware of fitness and healthy lifestyle through the Fit India Movement. These national games also teach us how important physical activity, discipline and balanced life are. Today I would like to tell the countrymen to definitely focus on two things. These two things are related to exercise and diet. Every day, take out some time and do exercise. From walking to working out, do whatever is possible. Secondly, focus on your diet. Your focus should be on balanced intake and the food should be nutritious.
There can be one more thing. Reduce unhealthy fat and oil in your food. Now in our normal homes, ration comes at the beginning of the month. Till now, if you used to bring home two liters of cooking oil every month, then reduce it by at least 10 percent. Reduce the amount of oil we use every day by 10 percent. We will have to find some ways to avoid obesity. Taking such small steps can bring a big change in your health. And this is what our elders used to do. They used to eat fresh food, natural things, and balanced meals. Only a healthy body can create a healthy mind and a healthy nation. I will also ask the state governments, schools, offices and community leaders to spread awareness about this, all of you have a lot of practical experience. I want you to continuously spread the information about correct nutrition to the people. Come, let us all together create a ‘Fit India’, with this call.
Friends,
Although it is my responsibility to start the National Games, today I want to do it by involving all of you. So for the inauguration of these games, turn on the flash lights of your mobiles, all of you. All of you turn on the flash lights of your mobiles. Everyone’s mobile flash lights should be turned on, everyone’s mobile flash lights should be turned on. Together with all of you, I declare the start of the 38th National Games. Once again, best wishes to all of you.
Thank you !
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered
Question for written answer E-000219/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR), Galato Alexandraki (ECR)
Greek cuisine ranks among the best in the world and helps to draw millions of tourists every year. In Greek hotels, in catering establishments and patisseries, we see a demand for baklava among foreign visitors. Baklava is made from sweet dough in the form of layers of fine filo pastry containing finely chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios or almonds) together with syrup or honey. It is a traditional sweet which is claimed by many cuisines of the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Balkans. The technique of rolling dough into fine layers, a key stage in the preparation of baklava, can be traced back to ancient Greece. The Greek dessert known as ‘gastrin’ was made with layers of dough and nuts, which makes it a forerunner of today’s baklava. Türkiye systematically claims this sweet as its own, supporting the confectioners who produce it and promote it on social media. Azerbaijan, too, has an annual baklava festival. It is of the utmost importance that Europe should prepare to respond vigorously in support of the Greek and European sweet.
In view of this:
1.Has there been a Greek request for the protection of baklava in any form or definition (e.g. ‘Greek baklava’)?
2.If a Greek municipality starts to organise a baklava-making festival, what kind of European support can it count on?
3.Are there any unexploited support programmes available for the training of Greek confectioners, to enable them to enhance the production and promotion of their unique products?
A series of engagement events have been set up so members of the public can take part in the current consultation process on the proposed Visitor Levy Scheme for Highland.
The events come in a number of formats, including face-to-face informal drop-in sessions held in libraries and other civic spaces, to make it as convenient for people as possible to get involved and have their say.
The Highland Council Convener, Councillor Bill Lobban said: “We are getting feedback from businesses in the tourism sector but we also need to hear the voices of individual members of the public. It is very important that the consultation is as encompassing as possible and all voices are heard.
“We have set up these sessions in different formats at different times of day, to make it as easy as possible for people to have their say. We have also put together helpful FAQs on our website which explain aspects of the the proposal and are a good starting point for anyone wanting to find out more before filling in the on-line consultation document.”
The Public Library Community Drop-in Events will be an informal in-person drop-in opportunity to chat with Council staff on the proposed Visitor Levy Scheme and ask questions about the proposal or the consultation process. Public access computers will also be available on-site for members of the public to fill in the online consultation document, if required.
Nairn Library – 7 February 2025, 10:30-12:30
Thurso Library – 18 February 2025, 14:00-19:30 (As part of a place-based planning event)
Fortrose Community Library – 19 February 2025, 10:00-12:00
Fort William Library – 26 February 2025, 11:00-13:00
Ullapool Community Library – 27 February 2025, 11:00 – 13:00
Brora Library – 28 February 2025, 10:30 – 12:30
The Community Drop-in Events are as follows:
Inverness Archive Centre – 11 February 2025, 13:00 – 15:00
Wick (Pulteney Centre) – 12 February 2025, 10:30 – 15:30 (As part of a place-based planning event)
Kingussie Courthouse – 13 February 2025, 1:30-3:00
Kyle of Lochalsh Service Point – 20 February 2025, 11:00 – 13:00
They too will provide an informal in-person drop-in opportunity for members of the public to chat with Council staff on the proposed Visitor Levy Scheme and ask questions about the proposal or the consultation process.
As well as these face-to-face events, two Community Webinars will take place. These will all begin with a formal online presentation from Council staff on the proposed Visitor Levy Scheme followed by the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal or the consultation process.
25 February 2025, 16:00-17:00
13 March 2025, 11:00-12:00
The Council is asking people to regularly check the Visitor Levy website as further details and additional venues will be confirmed and registration links to online events will be published.In addition to these public engagement events, the Council will be hosting a Webinar specifically for Community Council members and will be taking part in a series of Chambers of Commerce Business Events.
Councillor Lobban added: “We want the consultation to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that it fairly and accurately captures opinion and feedback from across all communities. This is why I encourage people to take up this opportunity to drop-in and have an informal chat with staff on the proposals and then pass on their views via the on-line consultation.”
The consultation runs up until 31 March 2025. In addition to the online survey, there is a phoneline to request a paper copy of the consultation 01349 781020 and a dedicated email address to answer any queries and provide support: visitorlevyconsultation@highland.gov.uk
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Lift-off for growth as government backs expansion at Britain’s busiest and only hub airport.
Plan could create over 100,000 direct jobs, boost a better-connected British economy by billions, and lead to cheaper fares and fewer delays for families as part of Plan for Change.
Expansion must be delivered in line with UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations.
Working people and businesses across Britain will benefit from a government going “further and faster” to kickstart economic growth, as the Chancellor today [29 January] announced the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow.
Speaking to an audience of business chiefs at Siemens in North Oxfordshire this morning, the Chancellor set out the government’s latest set of reforms to kickstart economic growth and drive up living standards across the UK by driving investment, getting Britain building and tackling regulatory barriers. This included the announcement that the government supports and is inviting proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.
The Chancellor confirmed that the government will move at speed to review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). This provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow, to ensure that any scheme is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations.
In her speech, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
I have always been clear that a third runway at Heathrow would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change.
And now the case is stronger than ever because our reforms to the economy – like speeding up our planning system, and our strengthened plans to modernise UK airspace – mean the delivery of this project is set up for success.
So I can confirm today that this Government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be brought forward by the summer.
As well as creating over 100,000 jobs in the local area and many more indirectly, research published today by Frontier Economics finds that 60% of the economic boost from a third runway would be felt by areas outside of London and the South East – putting more money in the pockets of working people across the UK through lower fares and greater choice for passengers as part of our Plan for Change.
During the speech, Reeves announced that the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to take decisions on expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton shortly, and that the government will work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire to support their efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport as a thriving regional airport.
The Chancellor also announced that a new partnership between global logistics giant Prologis and East Midlands Airport to build a new advanced manufacturing park within the East Midlands Freeport zone to unlock £1 billion of investment and 2,000 jobs. It follows this government’s swift approval of similarly stalled plans for London City Airport to expand to nine million passengers per year by 2031 and a £1.1 billion investment at Stansted Airport to extend its terminal and create 5,000 jobs.
After delivering stability to the public finances and wider economy as the basic precondition for economic growth, the pace of investment and reform demonstrates the government’s willingness to secure the future of the UK’s world-class aviation sector and the sustainable growth it can provide. Air freight represented 57% of the UK’s non-EU exports by value in 2023, with over 60% of freight coming through the UK doing so through Heathrow. International connectivity also supports vital tourism and business links, with overseas visitors spending £31 billion on their visits to the UK in 2023 and 15 million business travellers using Heathrow in the same year.
It comes after reforms to speed up the planning system and a presumption to ‘back the builders over the blockers’ were set out by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week. The government has committed to making decisions on 150 major economic infrastructure applications over this Parliament, having already made decisions on multiple significant projects within its first six months spanning airports, data centres, energy farms, and major housing developments. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill to be introduced in Spring will enact further sweeping reforms and take an axe to the red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects.
Alongside these reforms and plans to modernise UK airspace, the government is taking great strides in transitioning to greener aviation. Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces CO2 emissions compared to fossil jet fuel by around 70% and the Chancellor announced that the government is supporting UK producers by investing £63 million in 2025-26 into the Advanced Fuels Fund and setting out details of a Revenue Certainty Mechanism. This will support investment and high-skilled green jobs in plants across the UK – with previous winners of the Fund ranging from across the north of England to South Wales – and follows the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate coming into law at the start of 2025. Taken together, our commitments to SAF will support thousands of jobs in places like Teesside and Humberside, bring down our transport emissions, and help make the UK a clean energy superpower as part of our Plan for Change.
The government is also assessing options for privately financing the Lower Thames Crossing, which will improve connectivity across vital ports and alleviate congestion as goods to be exported come from across the country to markets overseas.
In further recognition that the Government’s clean energy superpower mission is helping to drive the UK’s economic growth mission, Reeves announced that the government will designate new Marine Protected Areas to enable offshore wind, whilst protecting our marine environment. In doing so, barriers to 16 gigawatts of offshore wind will be unblocked – as much electricity as was produced by all gas power plants in 2024 – and up to £30 billion of private investment in homegrown clean power will be unlocked, creating thousands of good clean energy jobs in the offshore wind sector in areas like East Anglia and Yorkshire.
A new approach to the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor – a centre of innovation which could become Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley – will be spearheaded by Sir Patrick Vallance as a Ministerial Champion. The economic potential of this region will be unlocked through leveraging the strengths it boasts in sectors across Britain’s new modern Industrial Strategy, from life sciences and tech to advanced manufacturing.
The Chancellor set out the government’s plans to increase investment across the whole of the UK. She stressed that the government would do more to support city regions and local leaders outside of London and the South East, in recognition that bringing the productivity of major cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds to the national average would deliver an extra £33 billion in output for the UK economy.
Reeves confirmed the backing of the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s plans for the regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, including new housing and commercial development, and the new approach to planning decisions on land around stations, changing the default to yes. The Office for Investment is expanding its support to local leaders across the UK to help develop and promote their investment plans, and new strategic partnerships from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) will provide deeper, more focused support for city regions starting in Glasgow, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, and Greater Manchester.
NWF and Aviva have today invested £65 million in Connected Kerb to back plans for the electric vehicle smart charging infrastructure company to expand its UK EV charging network towards 40,000 sockets – up from 9,000 as of the end of 2024. This substantial investment into the UK’s public charging infrastructure – one of the NWF’s priority sectors – is crucial for delivering the forecast requirement of at least 300,000 public EV chargers by 2030. NWF is also investing £28 million in Cornish Metals to provide the raw materials to be used in solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles, supporting growth and jobs in the South West of England.
Reeves announced that the Treasury will review the Green Book and how it is being used to provide objective, transparent advice on public investment across the country, including outside London and the South East. There were also further details announced on Investment Zones, with the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone to focus on the area’s strengths in advanced manufacturing. Backed by the likes of Airbus and JCB, this is expected to crowd in £1 billion of private investment over a decade and create up to 6,000 jobs.
The Chancellor said that the Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit India next month to relaunch talks on a free-trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty, She set out that the guiding principle the government will take in its approach to trade is acting in the national interest of Britain’s economy, its businesses and working people. A trade deal with India, as one of the fastest growing economies in the world and one which is projected to be the fourth largest global importer by 2035, is in line with this approach.
Notes to Editors
The Chancellor’s speech can be found on gov.uk later today here.
As part of the ANPS review, government will engage the Climate Change Committee on how aviation expansion can be made consistent with our net zero framework.
Stakeholder reaction
Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, said:
I welcome the Government’s pro-growth agenda and their recognition of the importance of aviation and the crucial role it plays as an enabler of economic growth. As an island nation, this industry provides much-needed connectivity as well as creating many skilled jobs which contribute to the wider prosperity of the country.
Expansion at Heathrow will provide consumer and economic benefits and represents a unique opportunity for easyJet to operate from the airport at scale for the first time and bring with it lower fares for consumers.
Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK said:
The Chancellor’s announcements reflect a drive to support enhanced UK economic growth, which underscores Prologis’ global partnership with East Midlands Airport to unlock investment at the nation’s only inland Freeport site.
We are focused on delivering a new Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics park at pace and in partnership, harnessing the site’s unique potential.
Prologis, as a partner of choice, continues to commit to opportunities across the UK that underpin growth, building the foundations that support economic opportunities and on-the-ground benefits, with central, regional and local government.
Gordon Sanghera, Chief Executive Officer, Oxford Nanopore Technologies said:
The attention given to the innovation potential in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor is welcome. This is an opportunity to strengthen the UK’s tech infrastructure, expand access to talent, and attract investment—the foundations of innovation—so we can turn more pioneering UK life science start-ups into global scale-ups. The UK can be the best place in the world for breakthrough technologies.
Tim Knowles, Founder and Managing Director of FI Real Estate Management, said:
As an investor in Wrexham for almost 20 years, we’re delighted to see the announcement that Wrexham and Flintshire will receive Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone status, with three of our schemes on Wrexham Industrial Estate – Wrexham 1M, Wrexham 152, and Bridgeway Centre – forming part of the designated zone.
Across these sites, we’ll be investing £115m to create new, high-quality industrial accommodation, supporting the creation of over 1,000 new jobs and delivering an estimated economic value of £1.2bn in Wrexham over the next 10 years.
Mark Turner, JCB’s Chief Operating Officer said:
JCB has been a prominent feature of the industrial and economic landscape in Wrexham and Flintshire for over 45 years. Innovation is the lifeblood of our business and we welcome the creation of an Investment Zone in North Wales and hope that it will attract many other businesses to the area. As an advanced manufacturer of precision engineering components, JCB Transmissions looks forward to other advanced manufacturing businesses coming to the area. This could go a long way towards building the supply chain resilience of existing manufacturing businesses in the area, such as JCB.
We place a lot of values on skills in our business and we look forward to the Investment Zone positively supporting skills development in the future. JCB continues to invest in our business in Wrexham and today’s IZ announcement bodes well for the economic development of the area in the future.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In 2024, 34 non-residential real estate objects were built in the west of the capital using extra-budgetary funds. They appeared in seven districts of the city. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.
“Last year, 34 non-residential real estate objects with a total area of 416 thousand square meters were built in the districts of Kuntsevo, Dorogomilovo, Ramenki, Krylatskoye, Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye, Troparevo-Nikulino and Mozhaysky. Among them are student dormitory buildings, a church, a hotel complex, business and sports infrastructure facilities, as well as five educational institutions with more than 1.4 thousand places. About 3.3 thousand jobs were created in the new objects,” Vladimir Efimov noted.
In ZAO, the territory near the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology is actively developing, where a student campus with dormitories is being created. Social, business, commercial and sports facilities are also appearing in other areas of the district.
“Over the past year, four kindergartens for a total of 640 children were built in the west of the capital. One of them appeared on the territory of the residential area “Michurinsky Park” in the Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye district. It is designed for 250 places. The three-story building with an area of 5.8 thousand square meters provides a swimming pool, 10 group cells, a medical and a full-cycle food unit, sports and music halls. The construction of the kindergarten was carried out by a capital developer, upon completion of the work, the facility was transferred to the capital’s education system,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Urban Development Policy of the capital
On the instructions of the Mayor of Moscow, the city is paying special attention to the quality of construction.
As the Chairman of the Moscow State Construction Supervision Authority said Anton Slobodchikov, the department’s specialists carried out 174 control and supervisory activities at the sites with the participation of employees of the Center for Expertise, Research and Testing in Construction. The inspectors took samples of the materials used and checked the samples’ compliance with the approved design solutions in laboratory conditions.
The past January holidays in Moscow once again emphasized the importance of developing the hospitality industry and creating additional places for city guests to relax. The tourist turnover during this period is estimated at 136.8 billion rubles, and the volume of revenues to the city budget is 18.7 billion rubles.
First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee Evgeniy Kozlovnoted that the tourist flow is growing every year. Travelers expect Moscow to provide them with opportunities for comfortable accommodation, so it is important for the city to regularly open new three-star, four-star and five-star hotels. Thanks to high-quality hotel infrastructure, the image of the capital is enhanced and revenues to its budget increase.
Earlier Sergei Sobyanin toldthat by 2024, 81 new educational, healthcare, cultural and sports facilities will appear in Moscow.
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Jan. 29 — China’s consumer goods trade-in program remained highly popular at the start of the year, especially during the Spring Festival shopping season.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) reported receiving subsidy applications for 10.79 million electronic devices over a four-day period starting Jan. 20, following the inclusion of mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches in the trade-in subsidy program, marking a significant expansion of the initiative launched in March last year.
Moreover, automobile and home appliance trade-ins had reached 34,000 and 1.04 million units, respectively, as of Jan. 23, according to the ministry.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in China and an occasion for family reunions, and it falls on Jan. 29 this year.
The strong participation in the trade-in program boosted consumer sentiment in the holiday market. According to Sheng Qiuping, vice commerce minister, the program, along with a series of shopping promotion events, will help meet the growing demand for Spring Festival shopping.
Since last year, “trade-in” has become a buzzword in China’s consumer market, driving steady retail sales growth and boosting consumer sentiment.
In 2024, more than 6.8 million vehicles, including gasoline-powered and electric cars, were traded in, while over 56 million home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines and computers, were sold under the program. Additionally, the sales of electric bicycles surpassed 1.38 million units.
The total sales value of eligible products under the program topped 1.3 trillion yuan (about 180 billion U.S. dollars) last year, highlighting strong market vitality and immense potential. Notably, purchases of smart and eco-friendly products surged, particularly new energy vehicles (NEVs) and energy-efficient appliances.
The trade-in program has revitalized consumption momentum, promoted a more sustainable economy, and enhanced the quality of life for consumers, according to MOC official Li Gang.
In recent years, consumer spending has become an increasingly important economic driver. In 2024, final consumption expenditure accounted for 44.5 percent of economic growth, boosting GDP by 2.2 percentage points. Consumption now plays a more pivotal role than investment or exports in shaping the economic landscape.
New consumer trends in China have gained significant momentum, including a resurgence in tourism and rapid growth in digital entertainment, online education, and live-streaming e-commerce. Green products, such as energy-efficient appliances and NEVs, have also emerged as new growth areas.
In 2025, supporting consumption will remain a top priority for the government.
At the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2024, China’s policymakers, while mapping out economic work for 2025, highlighted the need to vigorously boost consumption and expand domestic demand on all fronts.
As part of its ongoing efforts to boost consumption, China has expanded the trade-in program. In addition to including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches, the government has increased the number of eligible home appliance categories from eight to 12 and added a wider range of passenger vehicles to the program. Approximately 81 billion yuan has been allocated for the first round of funding for the program this year.
Sheng noted that the government will ensure subsidies are delivered to consumers quickly and conveniently.
Local authorities are actively rolling out measures for the trade-in program. For instance, Shandong has launched 10 special initiatives for vehicle and appliance trade-ins, while Jiangsu is offering subsidies for smartphones, tablets and Bluetooth headsets. In Guizhou, an online platform has been set up to streamline the process of applying for subsidies.
Experts predict that with such supportive measures in place, consumer spending will continue to grow steadily this year, while the Chinese economy demonstrates strong resilience, underpinned by solid fundamentals and enormous potential.
Following today’s announcement from Chancellor of the Exchequer,Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:
“Oxford has one of the best performing economies in the country.
“We are the UK’s leader in scientific research, innovation and university spinouts, and have vibrant manufacturing, zero carbon and tourism sectors.
“Oxford is a success story, but, if the conditions are right, we can do so much more.
“Last year, alongside the Vice Chancellors of Oxford’s two universities, I wrote to the new Chancellor asking for an independent taskforce to be created for Oxford.
“The Growth Commission for Oxford, announced today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will bring together key partners to tackle the barriers to economic growth, enabling us to create more new jobs and build more new homes. We’re keen to work with both universities, businesses, the County and District councils and Government to move things forward.
“Our work here will form a key part of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, which I’m delighted to see is being strongly backed by the Government.
“Working together with like-minded organisations all committed to Oxford’s success, our city can realise its full potential and we can create secure, well-paid jobs for our children and grandchildren.”
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In the project “Active Citizen”voting has begun, dedicated to the festival “Chinese New Year in Moscow”. Participants will tell what events they would like to attend and evaluate the design of city venues. You can choose up to five answers to each question.
The festival will last until February 9. Residents and guests of the capital will get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the Celestial Empire, see theatrical performances, drum shows, as well as dragon and Chinese lion dances. In addition, master classes will teach everyone how to make Chinese lanterns, paper fans and other souvenirs.
The main venue will be Manezhnaya Square. Events will also take place at the Moscow Zoo, Moskino Cinema Park, VDNKh, Bolotnaya and Tverskaya Squares and other places. You can see the detailed schedule on the project’s special page “Winter in Moscow”, of which the festival became a part, and in “Russpass-magazine”.
The capital celebrates Chinese New Year as part of the cross-cultural Years of Russia and China. The festival is organized by the Moscow Government with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Russia.
For participating in the voting, “active citizens” will be awarded points in the city’s loyalty program “A Million Prizes”Muscovites can use them to receive souvenirs with logos of electronic projects, top up the Troika transport card and the parking account of the Parking of Russia application. In addition, points can be donated to charity.
Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it. In total, over seven thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30-40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”.
The creation, development and operation of the electronic government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State”and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.
Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 unites various events of the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go skating, skiing and tubing, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, show care for those who need it.
Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city – more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The largest festivals of the capital are organically woven into the project: “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others. All information about the project and winter season events can be found in a special section Mos.ru.
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Staff members check before the departure of a ferry carrying new energy vehicles at Xiuying Port, Haikou City of south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] To brace for the Spring Festival travel rush and better manage the influx of tourists and vehicles in Hainan, authorities have enhanced ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait and upgraded piers to ensure safe ocean transport. Ferries specifically designated for transporting new energy vehicles (NEVs) have also been put into operation. At least 20 voyages of this ferries have been scheduled daily, which can guarantee 3,500 NEVs in or out of the island, during this travel rush.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki paid a visit to the Lo Wu Control Point this morning to learn about the various arrangements and operations of relevant departments to cope with the increase in inbound and outbound passenger traffic during the Lunar New Year period.
Mr Chan also expressed wishes for the country to thrive vigorously, for Hong Kong to have harmony and prosperity, and every success to the community.
During his visit to the control point, the Chief Secretary extended his New Year greetings to the staff on duty and expressed his gratitude to them for performing their duties with dedication during the holidays.
Along the way, he took the opportunity to extend Lunar New Year greetings to citizens and travellers.
Accompanied by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok and Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat, Mr Chan met the frontline staff of the Immigration Department, Customs and Police on duty at the control point.
He learnt about the arrangements and operation conditions for customs clearance, diverting passenger movements, public order maintenance, etc at the control point during the Lunar New Year period.
Mr Chan was pleased to note that the relevant government departments have been in close co-ordination and liaison with stakeholders of transport, tourism and other sectors for making good preparations for receiving visitors during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, and ensuring the orderly operation of boundary control points.
The Chief Secretary also encouraged visitors arriving in Hong Kong to stay overnight during the Lunar New Year holidays to fully enjoy the rich and diverse celebratory activities to be held across various districts and experience Hong Kong’s unique city charm.
At the same time, he instructed relevant departments to collaborate with various stakeholders, including public transport operators, to strengthen information dissemination, including the situation at various boundary control points, details of celebration events and transport arrangements.
PHILL STONE (MAYOR, WHYALLA COUNCIL): Well, perhaps I can just thank everybody for being here. Today is a fantastic day. The start of what I would like to think is quite a few good announcements coming up, but we are able to move forward thanks to the Minister being here with a special announcement that our community is hanging out for. Minister.
CATHERINE KING: Well, thanks, it’s lovely to be here with you, Mayor Stone. It’s terrific– or Phill, I have to call you.
PHILL STONE: Yes, Phill.
CATHERINE KING: To really announce– we’re announcing today South Australia’s successful Growing Regions Round 2 projects. And here, of course, in Whyalla, we’re announcing $3.14 million for the play and splash park at the foreshore.
What I do want to say is congratulations to the council staff and councillors for working closely with your community on this project. These grants are very competitive, and you’ve got this on absolutely and utterly your merits. I know that place is really important for people. And as towns change what we want to do in our recreation time changes as well. Often the council facilities have not been able to keep up to date, and it’s really hard to get and attract the sort of money needed to do these big scale projects.
So, we’re really delighted, as the Albanese Labor Government, to partner with councils as a really trusted delivery partner, to really make sure we’re improving the places that people live. I know this is just one part of the foreshore redevelopment overall, but it is really the cornerstone of it, providing that first possibility of having a meeting space, a gathering space for families, improving accessibility, making sure you can actually use this amazing foreshore. Whether it’s wind, hopefully not hail, but certainly when the sun is shining as well. So delighted to make that announcement, alongside over $11 million that were announcing under Round 2, which of course builds here in this local community on our recent announcement around the Whyalla Airport. Investing some $16.3 million, knowing that you are going to need a longer and stronger runway for all of the development that is to come here in this community.
So, Mayor Stone, it’s lovely to be here to make that announcement. And as I said, congratulations to the local community for the work and effort that you’ve put in to get this project to this point.
PHILL STONE:Thank you very much, Minister. And do I say, you are experiencing just one of our 301 days of beautiful sunshine here in Whyalla. Welcome.
CATHERINE KING: Beautiful. Happy to take some questions.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Jack, do you want to start?
JOURNALIST: Yeah. So, Funding for this project has sort of been in the works for quite a while. It was not approved in May of last year. Has anything changed for the Federal Government to allow it to come to fruition this time?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Well, what happens with these projects is we have a– you know, I’ve really cleaned up the grants process because what we saw previously, frankly, were colour coded spreadsheets. And you may have not always seen projects of the most merit getting up. What we’ve done now is there’s a panel that assesses the first applic– sorry, so the Business Grant Hub assesses applications, and this initially determines whether they’re eligible or not eligible. I then have a panel of politicians from National Party, Liberal Party, Labor Party, independents having a look at those applications and making a recommendation to my department about how the merit rankings should be done. And then my department will then make recommendations to me. And that’s what’s happened, and I’ve gone down the list.
On this occasion, I think what’s happened is the council has listened. They weren’t successful in that first application. Listened, got feedback from the Grants Hub about what they could do to strengthen their application. And that’s what they’ve done.
JOURNALIST: This is probably more for Phill. Will council be targeting local contractors and businesses to take up the works for the development project?
PHILL STONE: They will certainly have the opportunity. Whatever works fall within the capabilities of our locals. We keep saying this: we will always favour local contractors. If they can come up with the goods, they come up with the price, and we can all move forward. And this will certainly be taken into account. No question about that at all.
CATHERINE KING: And I think you’ve estimated around 42 people will be employed in the construction of this project. And I always like to hear that as many locals as possible get those jobs, but they’ve got tender processes they’ll have to go through. Thank you.
JOURNALIST: That’s it from me.
CATHERINE KING: Yep. ABC?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Dan. You’re up.
JOURNALIST: Hello? Yes. Sorry, thanks so much for having me via the phone. One for Phill first. Is this something that– sorry, this specific splash and play plaza, is this something that the community have been yearning for?
PHILL STONE: Yes. It was one of the features in the original master plan put together by the community. Very much wanted a focus on water activities, sport. We always told the community it would take time. We would need extra funding to top up what council could provide. This funding now allows us to proceed. But the water feature was what the community wanted, and they’re now going to be able to get it.
JOURNALIST: Fantastic. Thanks very much Phill. Just a couple for the Minister. The question for you, Minister, you’re the Minister for Regional Development. How much is Whyalla on your radar in terms of regional cities [Indistinct]?
CATHERINE KING: Well, certainly the council has made sure Whyalla is on my radar. I think they were one of the first council groups to reach out to me when I became a new minister almost two and a half years ago now, so that is part of the job of council. We have lots and lots of local governments come to Canberra regularly, contact my office and talk about their projects. All regions are on my radar. Whyalla is incredibly important, not just to the state of South Australia but, obviously, in terms of the nation as a whole. The steel you produce here goes into many of my infrastructure projects that are right the way around the country, incredibly important for the entire community.
But I also care deeply. I live in a regional town myself and it’s got a long and deep history. I really love regional communities. I want to see them thrive. I want to see– they’re changing all the time; their economies are changing all the time. And part of my role as Regional Development Minister is trying to help make sure that they continue to become great places for people to live, to grow, to raise their families, as well as providing opportunities for tourism and bringing more money into the economy from other sources.
JOURNALIST: Minister, you did touch on it but, obviously, Whyalla’s industries kind of hinges on the steelworks. You guys have made a commitment of $63 million for a new green steel production system in Whyalla. Can you tell us how much of that you have already delivered? And what thresholds are we waiting to see the rest of the $63 million going to GFG?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Look, that will be questions for Minister Ed Husic, the Industry Minister. But the commitment that we have made is that we want to see the steelworks continue. We want to see it thrive. We know how important it is as I said, not just for South Australia but for the entire country. We know there are challenges as we head to net zero, in steel in particular – how we produce steel, how we make sure we reduce the energy intensity, the emissions intensity from a whole range of manufacturing, and steel is a really important component of that.
So, the questions in terms of the grant and thresholds really are for Minister Husic. But I know from the Albanese Labor Government’s point of view, we treat this very seriously. We want to make sure this is successful, and we’ll continue to work with council and our partners in the South Australian Labor Government to deliver for Whyalla.
JOURNALIST: I appreciate that. You have mentioned this is Minister Husic’s portfolio but, within Cabinet, how concerned is the Cabinet and the government about the situation at the steelworks at the moment and GFG’s ownership of that?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Well, obviously the commitment we’ve made is to that $63 million and we will continue to work very closely with the Malinauskas Labor Government. As the steelworks continue and the future of the steelworks continues we’ll continue talking to the South Australian Government about those matters.
JOURNALIST: No worries. Thanks very much, Minister. Appreciate your time.
CATHERINE KING: You are most welcome.
[Unrelated content – casual conversation]
PHILL STONE: Look, I just want to emphasise, I see today, as a result of a lot of hard work and negotiation, collaboration, sitting down, talking, Federal Government and particularly the funding we’ve already got for the airport, today’s announcement, other announcements that might just be around the corner, they’ve resulted through collaboration, through three parties sitting down, working together. And while we do that we can do nothing but succeed. And that is the crux.
There are some people that think we should go in, thumping on tables. While I’m Mayor that’s not my style and it’s not my team’s style. And I think you see the results of a whole team effort and we thank you so much for giving us this kick-start to get this underway. The community will certainly be waiting for that news. They’ll want us to start probably by yesterday.
CATHERINE KING: [Laughs] I’m sure they do.
PHILL STONE: I will now say, why have–
CATHERINE KING: [Interrupts] Where is it?
PHILL STONE: Yes. A week’s gone by, why haven’t you started? Obviously, there’s still a lot of work now behind the scenes, but you’ve really given us a good start. And while we continue to collaborate, work with both governments, we can’t do anything but succeed. And I thank you again very much for what you’ve done.
CATHERINE KING: You’re most welcome. Thanks, everybody.
[Applause]
[Unrelated content – casual conversation]
CATHERINE KING: Sorry, Dan*.
JOURNALIST: Sorry, one more very quick question. I’m told the Premier’s heading up to Whyalla tomorrow. Do you have any plans to meet with him or anyone from the State Government tomorrow?
CATHERINE KING: I think there will be someone else here with the Premier, as I understand it not from the Federal Government. But I’m heading to Katherine straight after this.
Tens of thousands of fish have died off northwestern Australia, as a large and long-lasting marine heatwave intensifies.
The fish kill at Gnoorea Beach near Karratha is concerning our team of scientists, as the hot mass of water heads south towards Ningaloo Reef and the seagrass gardens in Shark Bay. That’s because we’ve seen this before. An enormous marine heatwave in 2010-11 devastated fisheries and ecosystems further down the WA coast.
This marine heatwave began in September, with temperatures up to 3°C warmer than usual off Broome. There’s no end in sight.
The heatwave comes as oceans worldwide experience recordbreaking heat, driven by climate change. More than 90% of all heat trapped by greenhouse gases goes into the oceans.
The fish kill is a visible way to glimpse a disaster often out of sight and out of mind. But these marine heatwaves do much more, from wiping out seagrass meadows and kelp beds to trashing fisheries.
Marine heatwaves are periods of at least five consecutive days when ocean temperatures are significantly higher than the long-term average for the region and season.
Since September 2024, temperatures off Australia’s northwest coast have been high enough to be considered a heatwave.
In late December, the area of hotter water expanded southward along the Pilbara coast and became more intense. Temperatures hit 4–5°C above normal at the surface. Our research group has gathered data from satellite measurements, which tells us it’s hotter than usual. Data from autonomous ocean gliders also show unusual levels of heat as far down as 200 metres.
In January, this heatwave has become bad enough to be classified in some areas as a severe marine heatwave.
There’s no relief in sight yet. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts marine heatwave conditions to continue through February.
On the left, the marine heatwave on the Northwest Shelf is visible in dark red. On the right, the intensity of the heatwave is shown over time on the Northwest Shelf and further south in Central Western Australia. Author provided, CC BY
Will it be worse than the 2010 heatwave?
The current marine heatwave is, so far, the second-worst in Western Australia’s recorded history.
Over the 2010–11 summer, a severe marine heatwave devastated seas off the state. Temperatures hit up to 5°C above average, peaking in February and March.
The worst-hit areas were seas off the central West Australian coastline, leaving those to the north largely unaffected. But the heatwave stretched 2,000 kilometres, from the Pilbara all the way down to Denmark in the southwest.
The reason the 2010 heatwave spread so far south was due to the Leeuwin Current, which was stronger than usual due to weak southerly winds linked to a low pressure system off the coast.
The 2010-11 marine heatwave hit Central West Australian waters hardest. The Leeuwin Current ferried heat southward. Author provided, CC BY
The heat led to local extinction of kelp species along a 100km stretch of coastline. Scallop and blue swimmer crab fisheries had to close. Seagrass meadows in Shark Bay collapsed. Tropical species were sighted in new areas. And coral bleached at Ningaloo.
By contrast, this current marine heatwave has concentrated on the northern coastline, but may spread south in coming weeks.
Unfortunately, there are strong similarities between the 2010–11 heatwave and this one. Both occurred during a La Niña year.
A similar low pressure system in December 2024 weakened southerly winds during this heatwave, though not as pronounced as in 2010-11. We can expect to see the Leeuwin Current intensify and carry more warm water than usual south, but perhaps not as far as in 2010–11.
Weather systems at present are developing slightly differently to 2010–11, but they could still lead to weaker southerly winds and produce a stronger current channelling heat.
What does this mean for ocean life?
Marine heatwaves at this size and intensity can profoundly damage marine ecosystems and fisheries. The Karratha fish kill is the most visible sign of ecosystem distress.
We have already seen signs of bleaching in the coral reefs of the Kimberley region, while corals are experiencing heat stress at world-famous Ningaloo Reef.
The heat is now affecting the Gascoyne region between Carnarvon and Exmouth, and is likely to head further south.
Damage from the heatwave could threaten valuable industries such as the rock lobster fishery and marine tourism on the Coral Coast.
Bleached corals in Cygnet Bay north of Broome. Photo taken on 16th January. Kayleigh Foste, CC BY
More heatwaves will come
As the climate changes, modelling indicates marine heatwaves will hit more often and to intensify.
Worldwide, marine heatwaves have devastated ecosystems. One of the worst, the Pacific “blob” heatwave of 2014-2016, killed an estimated 100 million Pacific cod and four million birds from a single seabird species, as well as contributing to the starvation of about 7,000 humpback whales. The intense heat killed off cold-loving species and paved the way for tropical species to enter and even thrive.
While there is a clear link between the 2010-11 marine heatwave and climate change, we cannot conclusively say this current heatwave off Western Australia is linked to climate change.
That’s because we don’t have enough data about what’s happening under the surface. Temperatures in the ocean vary greatly by depth, and a hot surface doesn’t always mean heat has reached deeper water.
So while we know a marine heatwave is in progress, we don’t know how bad it is or how far down the heat has reached in different regions. We need better ways to measure temperatures at depth, to be able to gauge how bad a heatwave is. Installing more temperature sensors along the WA coastline would allow us to better monitor and respond to temperature extremes.
The earlier we know about a heatwave, the more we can do to prepare. The 2010-2011 heatwave made many people aware of what damage heat can do to an ocean, as fishing boats sat idle and tourists steered clear of dying coral.
More, and worse, is likely to come. Better conservation and management of our oceans can help. But tackling the root cause of intensifying heat – unchecked greenhouse gas emissions – is still far and away the most important challenge.
Matt Rayson receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Western Australian government. .
Nicole L. Jones receives funding from Australian Research Council and the Western Australian government.
Sina Pinter 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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CS celebrates Chinese New Year with community (with photos) CS celebrates Chinese New Year with community (with photos) ***********************************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (January 29), on the Chinese New Year’s Day, wishes the country to thrive vigorously, for Hong Kong to have harmony and prosperity, and every success to the community. He paid a visit to the Lo Wu Control Point this morning to learn about the various arrangements and operations of relevant departments to cope with the increase in inbound and outbound passenger traffic during the Chinese New Year period. During the visit, he extended his New Year greetings to the staff on duty, and expressed his gratitude to them for performing their duties with dedication during the holidays. Along the way, he took the opportunity to extend his Chinese New Year greetings to the citizens and travellers he met. Accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok; and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, Mr Chan inspected the Lo Wu Control Point and met the frontline staff of the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Hong Kong Police Force on duty. He learned about the arrangements and operation conditions for customs clearance, diverting passenger movements, public order maintenance, etc at the control point during the Chinese New Year period. Mr Chan was pleased to note that the relevant government departments have been in close co-ordination and liaison with stakeholders of transport, tourism and other sectors for making good preparation for receiving visitors during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, and ensuring the orderly operation of boundary control points. Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers during the Chinese New Year period, to enable flexible deployment of manpower, and operation of additional counters and channels with a view to diverting passenger and vehicular flow. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by the Police, the ImmD, the C&ED, and other relevant departments; and the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department will both operate 24 hours a dayduring the Golden Week, to closely monitor the situation of various control points and traffic conditions, and take prompt measures to ensure the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving visitors. Mr Chan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to colleagues of the Government and practitioners of various industries for their hard work during the Chinese New Year period. Mr Chan also appealed to visitors arriving in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year holidays to plan ahead for their itineraries. He encouraged them to stay overnight after participating in various local celebratory activities for the Chinese New Year and to make reference to the ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Hong Kong launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to fully enjoy the rich and diverse celebratory activities to be held across various districts in the city and experience Hong Kong’s unique city charm. At the same time, he instructed relevant departments to collaborate with various stakeholders, including public transport operators, to strengthen information dissemination including the situation at various boundary control points, details of celebration events and transport arrangements to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation. On January 27, Mr Chan participated in year-end caring visits in 18 districts co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Department. He visited elderly singleton and elderly doubleton grassroots families living in Po Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O, and distributed blessing bags to them to express the Government’s heartfelt wishes. He engaged in warm exchanges with the residents to let them feel the care and support of the community. He also attended the Yau Tsim Mong Presents – The Year of The Snake: Countdown Celebration at the Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Rest Garden yesterday (January 28) to share with the public the joys and blessings of the festive season and welcome the Year of the Snake.
Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2025Issued at HKT 12:15
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
[embedded content]
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday spoke on the U.S. Senate floor to condemn President Trump’s recent actions—including pardoning violent January 6th rioters and announcing a sweeping freeze on federal grants and loans—as a direct threat to democracy and public safety. Murphy warned these moves send a dangerous signal that political violence will be excused if it serves Trump’s interests, undermining the rule of law and putting the country’s democratic institutions at risk.
“Today you are fundamentally less likely to be attacked, to be murdered, by a neighbor, by somebody that you have a contest with, than you were centuries ago. Donald Trump is throwing that out the window,” said Murphy. “Donald Trump is throwing out the window the idea that we only advance ourselves politically or economically or socially through nonviolent means. Because what happened last week is that Donald Trump said to this country, ‘If you use violence on my behalf, you’re off the hook. If you beat the hell out of police officers, if you pound them over the head with metal poles, if you yank them by the neck and drag them into a crowd, hold them down so that people can stomp on them, if you taser police officers to the point that they suffer a heart attack, as long as you are doing that to advance my political power, you’re off the hook.’”
Murphy slammed Trump’s illegal freeze on federal grants and loans as a corrupt attack on American democracy: “What happened last night is part of a story. The president can’t be the only person in charge of who gets money or not in this country. That’s corrupt because then the president can dole out money to his political friends or the friends of his billionaire friends, can dole out money to states with senators that are loyal to him and can punish companies that are competitors with his billionaire friends or punish states represented by people who are disloyal to him. That’s not how our democracy works. We’re in charge of making sure that taxpayer money is spread out evenly, that it has nothing to do with loyalty or disloyalty to the leader.”
He continued: “A couple of days ago, all the inspectors general got fired. That’s illegal, but they all got fired. Why? Because if you’re going to engage in corruption inside these agencies, you don’t want anybody to be watching. And so you’ve got to put this next to each other. You’ve got to understand the story. If you’re trying to transition our democracy to a government in which only one person is in charge, you permit people to engage in violence on your behalf so as to intimidate the opposition into being silent, and I’m just going to tell you, if you don’t believe this, there are a lot of folks who don’t support Donald Trump who are not going to show up to rallies, who are not going to participate in politics because they just learned that if they do and somebody hurts them, that person might be let off the hook. You excuse violence, you arrange government so that you can operate in darkness, and you rig the rules so that nobody is in charge of dispensing money except for you. Violence is a legitimate tool of politics. One person in charge of doling out money. Government decisions made in secret. That’s not a democracy. That is a recipe for corruption.”
Murphy concluded: “And so, yes, I am fuming mad about how my Republican colleagues talk about law and order and then mostly, with a few exceptions, either remain silent when the most violent January 6 protesters get pardoned or celebrate those pardons. But I also want to be clear that it stands in a context, a context of actions taken during this first week, that are undermining our democracy to the point of putting it on the brink of possible extinction as a means for fundamental corruption to take place inside our government. That should be unacceptable. That is unacceptable. And I’m thankful to Senator Murray and others for bringing us down to the floor to raise this alarm bell. I yield the floor.”
A full transcript of his remarks can be found below:
MURPHY: “Thank you Mr. President. You know, the murder rate in the United States, the global murder rate, today, is infinitesimal; a fraction of what it was 200 years ago, 400 years ago, 600 years ago; a fraction of what it likely was in the bronze age or in the days when native tribes patrolled this land. What we’ve seen over the course of global history is that human beings have decided that instead of advancing our social power or our economic power or our political power through violence, instead we are going to have law and order. We’re going to have economies that reward merit. We’re going to punish people who disobey those laws to protect the rest of us.
“And that served us really, really well. Today you are fundamentally less likely to be attacked, to be murdered, by a neighbor, by somebody that you have a contest with, than you were centuries ago. Donald Trump is throwing that out the window. Donald Trump is throwing out the window the idea that we only advance ourselves politically or economically or socially through nonviolent means. Because what happened last week is that Donald Trump said to this country, ‘If you use violence on my behalf, you’re off the hook. If you beat the hell out of police officers, if you pound them over the head with metal poles, if you yank them by the neck and drag them into a crowd, hold them down so that people can stomp on them, if you taser police officers to the point that they suffer a heart attack, as long as you are doing that to advance my political power, you’re off the hook.’
“The people that walked out of jail last week were convicted of viciously violent crimes. And, yes, there were plenty of people who were convicted who didn’t engage in that horrific violence, but I was here in this chamber that day. I remember all of my Republican colleagues running out the door just like Democrats did. I don’t remember any of my Republican colleagues staying in the chamber to greet the tourists. Everybody knew that our safety was in jeopardy. Democrats certainly knew our safety was in jeopardy because as we found out, many of those protesters were looking for Democrats. One of the most violent protesters who was let out of jail last week in the middle of his sentence, after he had beaten up police officers, went to the gallows, went to the noose that was constructed, and posted on social media, “Too bad no Democrats here.’
“If you beat up a police officer for reasons other than perpetuating Donald Trump’s power, you’re still in jail. The only people who beat up police officers in the year 2021 that got let out of jail last week—the only ones—were the ones that beat up police officers to help Donald Trump. That sends a clear signal: that your violence is excused if it’s for Donald Trump’s political purposes. And that puts all of our lives in jeopardy. That puts our democracy in jeopardy, when violence is excused.
“What we are learning in the days following that unconscionable executive order, pardoning the rioters— not some of the rioters, everybody— is that it’s part of a plan. Listen, I have done a lot of work across the aisle. I have such respect for my Republican colleagues. I spent hours, weeks, days sitting in rooms negotiating immigration bills and voting bills and public safety bills. But, man, you are watching this president try to seize power right now, try to make us irrelevant, try to suppress political dissent.
“What happened last night is part of a story. The president can’t be the only person in charge of who gets money or not in this country. That’s corrupt because then the president can dole out money to his political friends or the friends of his billionaire friends, can dole out money to states with senators that are loyal to him and can punish companies that are competitors with his billionaire friends or punish states represented by people who are disloyal to him.
“That’s not how our democracy works. We’re in charge of making sure that taxpayer money is spread out evenly, that it has nothing to do with loyalty or disloyalty to the leader. A couple of days ago, all the inspectors general got fired. That’s illegal, but they all got fired. Why? Because if you’re going to engage in corruption inside these agencies, you don’t want anybody to be watching. And so you’ve got to put this next to each other. You’ve got to understand the story. If you’re trying to transition our democracy to a government in which only one person is in charge, you permit people to engage in violence on your behalf so as to intimidate the opposition into being silent, and I’m just going to tell you, if you don’t believe this, there are a lot of folks who don’t support Donald Trump who are not going to show up to rallies, who are not going to participate in politics because they just learned that if they do and somebody hurts them, that person might be let off the hook.
“You excuse violence, you arrange government so that you can operate in darkness, and you rig the rules so that nobody is in charge of dispensing money except for you. Violence is a legitimate tool of politics. One person in charge of doling out money. Government decisions made in secret. That’s not a democracy. That is a recipe for corruption. For corruption.
“And so, yes, I am fuming mad about how my Republican colleagues talk about law and order and then mostly, with a few exceptions, either remain silent when the most violent January 6 protesters get pardoned or celebrate those pardons. But I also want to be clear that it stands in a context, a context of actions taken during this first week, that are undermining our democracy to the point of putting it on the brink of possible extinction as a means for fundamental corruption to take place inside our government. That should be unacceptable. That is unacceptable. And I’m thankful to Senator Murray and others for bringing us down to the floor to raise this alarm bell. I yield the floor.”
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In a game with augmented reality “Winter in Moscow”, available in the application of the digital tourist service Russpass, a new cartoon has appeared. The red and gold patterned snake has become the personification of the festival “Chinese New Year in Moscow”. It is the official symbol of 2025, created by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China.
Explore Moscow with your smartphone
According to the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival of Chunjie, which signifies the renewal of nature and life’s opportunities, begins on January 29. According to the eastern calendar, 2025 is the year of the Green Wooden Snake, but the emblem was made in festive shades. In Chinese tradition, red (hong) brings good luck and protects from evil spirits, gold (jin) is associated with wealth and prosperity. The snake symbolizes wisdom, mystery and flexibility.
The patterned snake can be caught at the sites of the festival “Chinese New Year in Moscow” and get the maximum amount of game currency for it – 800 snowflakes. The cartoon is on Tverskaya Square, Novy Arbat, VDNKh, Kamergersky Lane, the amusement park “Dream Island”, the Moscow Zoo and other places.
Since the start of the augmented reality game “Winter in Moscow” Russpass app downloaded and updated more than 98 thousand times. After registration, users are given a map with cartoons that they need to catch using their smartphone while traveling around the city.
Muscovites and tourists are catching the characters from the Soyuzmultfilm studio: Matroskin the cat from the animated series Prostokvashino, Gromozeka from The Secret of the Third Planet, Rooster from The Bremen Town Musicians, and hockey players from the Vympel and Meteor teams from Puck! Puck!
For example, you can get 800 snowflakes for the parrot Kesha, who lives in the Museum of Moscow and the Ostafyevo Museum Estate. For Umka at the Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monument at VDNKh and the Lesnaya Skazka eco-center – 400. For Carlson at the Southern River Terminal and Vnukovo Airport – 200.
Accumulated snowflakes open up promo codes for participants to exchange for points in the city loyalty program “A Million Prizes”.
Chinese Lanterns and Dragon Dances
The capital is once again celebrating the Chinese New Year on a grand scale as part of the cross-cultural years of 2024–2025.
From January 28 to February 9, you can experience the atmosphere of China without leaving the capital: watch performances of national theaters on Manezhnaya Square and dragon dances on Tverskaya Square, attend a Chinese-style ice party at VDNKh, make paper dragons and master calligraphy on Bolotnaya Square. In addition, you can take many original photos on sites decorated with Chinese lanterns, air dragons, fans and coins.
The Winter in Moscow project is the main event of the season, which until February 28 brings together various events in the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go skating, skiing and tubing, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, and show concern for those who need it.
Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city: more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The project organically intertwined with the largest festivals of the capital “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light”, “Snow and Ice in Moscow” and many others. All information about the project and the events of the winter season can be found in a special section of mos.ru.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The Chinese New Year festival, which is taking place in the capital from January 28 to February 9 as part of the Winter in Moscow project, awaits guests at the venues on Tverskoy Boulevard. There are two chalets there, where master classes, lectures and creative activities are held under the guidance of experts in Eastern culture, including representatives of China and masters studying centuries-old traditions. Admission to all events is free.
The festival was a continuation of the events dedicated to the Cross Years of Culture of Russia and China, and is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.
“Russia and China are the largest neighbors, they have been developing friendly and partnership relations for many decades. In order to strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of our countries, it is necessary to talk about traditions and customs. The festival movement in Moscow unites and brings together the cultures of Russians and Chinese in holidays, games, master classes, theatrical performances,” said Olga Dolgikh, one of the organizers of the master classes within the framework of the festival, a teacher of the Chinese language, director of the Center for International Education and Professional Training.
Spring Festival in a Chalet at the Monument to K.A. Timiryazev
In the chalet, located near the monument to K.A. Timiryazev, guests will become acquainted with the world of Chinese art.
On January 29 from 12:00 to 15:00 there will be a master class on traditional paper cutting – jianzhi. This activity as an element of the spring festival symbolizes happiness and prosperity, and the patterns created become a bright decoration of houses.
On January 30, from 12:00 to 14:00, participants of the master class will create a composition called “Wild Orchid and Fry”, and from 19:00 to 19:45, they will create a snowflake, which is associated with spring in China.
On January 31, from 12:00 to 14:00, guests will learn how to depict geranium, a flower that in Chinese art often symbolizes renewal and harmony.
From 3 to 7 February, from 12:00 to 15:00, the chalet will host painting and calligraphy classes.
On February 9 at 19:00 there will be a master class on drawing a meihua plum – a spring symbol of resilience, joy and the awakening of nature.
Calligraphy, woodcut and tea ceremony in a chalet near the monument to S.A. Yesenin
In the chalet near the monument to S.A. Yesenin, guests will discover Chinese calligraphy, woodcuts and tea drinking traditions.
From January 29 to 31, from 12:00 to 15:00, calligraphy classes will be held here. Participants will learn how the elegant lines of hieroglyphs reflect the philosophy and aesthetics of China.
On January 31 from 19:00 to 19:45, guests are invited to a lecture with a demonstration about the clothing of the main nationality of China, the Han. They will also demonstrate the traditional Chinese costume, Hanfu.
On February 2, from 12:00 to 15:00, there will be a master class on Chinese xylography – printing from wooden boards, the ancient art of creating illustrations.
On February 3 at 19:00, the chalet will host a master class on creating an image of a meihua plum. Participants will learn to work in the realistic Chinese painting technique of gongbi. It involves precise drawing of details and the use of delicate gradations of colors.
On February 5 and 6, from 12:00 to 14:00, guests of the chalet will be immersed in the culture of Chinese tea drinking. Participants will learn how this drink became part of the culture of the Celestial Empire, and will also enjoy its taste and aroma.
Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 unites various events of the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go skating, skiing and tubing, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, show care for those who need it.
Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city – more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The project organically intertwined with the largest festivals of the capital “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light”, “Snow and Ice in Moscow” and many others. All information about the project and winter season events can be found in a special section Mos.ru.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Airport in Beijing sees influx of inbound travelers on eve of Spring Festival
Updated: January 29, 2025 08:05Xinhua
A mixed Chinese-foreign family pose for a photo at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. Beijing Capital International Airport saw an influx of inbound travelers on Tuesday, the eve of Spring Festival 2025. While many Chinese nationals returned home to celebrate the Spring Festival, some foreign visitors took advantage of visa-free or transit visa exemption policies to experience the festive atmosphere in China’s capital city. [Photo/Xinhua]Tourists from Vietnam wait for entry inspection at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Immigration officer Chen Miao (1st R) hands out a Spring Festival decoration carrying the Chinese “Fu” character, which symbolizes good fortune, to tourists at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]An immigration officer issues a temporary entry permit to a British passport holder at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]An immigration officer adjusts the date on an immigration stamp at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Tourists from South Korea display the immigration stamps on their passports at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]Immigration officer Chen Miao (1st R) handles transit visa exemption procedures for tourists from the U.S. at the immigration area of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates the 38th National Games in Dehradun It is a celebration of India’s incredible sporting talent and showcases the spirit of athletes from across the country: PM
We consider sports as a key driver for India’s holistic development: PM
We are creating more and more opportunities for our athletes so they can enhance their potential to the fullest: PM
India is making a strong push to host the 2036 Olympics: PM
The National Games is more than just a sporting event, It is a great platform to showcase the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,’ It is a celebration of India’s rich diversity and unity: PM
Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 9:02PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand today. Addressing the gathering, he remarked that Uttarakhand is resplendent today with the energy of the youth. He added that the 38th National Games were commencing today with the blessings of Baba Kedarnath, Badrinath and Maa Ganga. Highlighting that it was the 25th year of the formation of Uttarakhand, Shri Modi remarked that the youth from across the nation would be displaying their potential in this young state. He added that the event displayed a beautiful picture of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’. He further remarked that many local games were included in this edition of the National Games and the theme was ‘Green Games’, as there was usage of environment-friendly items. Elaborating further on the theme, the Prime Minister highlighted that even the trophies and medals were made of e-Waste and a tree would be planted in the name of every medal winner, which was a great initiative. He extended his best wishes to all the athletes for a great performance. He also congratulated the Government and people of Uttarakhand for organizing such a grand event.
The Prime Minister remarked that just as gold becomes pure through fire, athletes are given more opportunities to refine their abilities. He added that now many tournaments were organized over the year and several new tournaments were included in the Khelo India Series. Shri Modi emphasised that the Khelo India Youth games has provided opportunities for many young players to advance while the University Games offer many opportunities to the University students. He remarked that the Khelo India Para Games helped the Para athletes in improving their performance and creating new achievements. The Prime Minister recalled that recently the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games was underway in Ladakh and mentioned that last year, the Beach Games were organized.
Shri Modi remarked that the efforts to promote sports are not solely driven by the Government, but many Members of Parliament were organizing sports competitions in their constituencies to bring forward new talent. The Prime Minister, who is also the MP of Kashi, mentioned that in his parliamentary constituency alone, around 2.5 lakh youth get the opportunity to participate in sports competitions every year. He emphasized that a beautiful bouquet of sports has been created in the country, with flowers blooming in every season and tournaments being held continuously.
“Sports is considered a key medium for India’s holistic development”, said the Prime Minister and emphasized that when a country excels in sports, its reputation and profile also rise. Therefore, he added that sports was being linked to India’s development and the confidence of its youth. The Prime Minister highlighted that India was progressing towards becoming the world’s third-largest economic power, and the sports economy is a significant part of this effort. He noted that behind every athlete, there is an entire ecosystem, including coaches, trainers, nutrition and fitness experts, doctors, and equipment. Shri Modi mentioned that India was becoming a quality manufacturer of sports equipment used by athletes worldwide. He pointed out that Meerut had over 35,000 small and large factories producing sports equipment, employing more than 3 lakh people. He emphasized that such ecosystems were being developed across the country.
Remarking that he recently had the opportunity to meet the Olympics team of India at his residence in Delhi, the Prime Minister said that during the conversation, one of the athletes redefined “PM” as “Param Mitra” (best friend) instead of “Prime Minister.” He expressed that this trust gives him energy. He emphasized his complete confidence in the talent and potential of the athletes. The Prime Minister highlighted the continuous focus on supporting their talent over the past 10 years and the sports budget had more than tripled in the last decade. He added that under the TOPS scheme, hundreds of crores of rupees were being invested in dozens of athletes. He underscored that the Khelo India program was building modern sports infrastructure across the country. Shri Modi highlighted that sports was mainstreamed in schools, and the country’s first sports university was being established in Manipur.
Pointing out that the results of the Government’s efforts were visible on the ground and in the medal tally, the Prime Minister highlighted that Indian athletes are making their mark in every international event, showcasing their talent. He praised the excellent performance of Indian athletes in the Olympics and Paralympics, noting that many athletes from Uttarakhand had also won medals. He expressed his happiness that many medal winners were present at the venue to encourage the participants.
Shri Modi remarked that the glorious days of hockey were returning. He highlighted that India’s kho-kho team recently won the World Cup, and Gukesh D. stunned the world by winning the World Chess Championship. Additionally, Koneru Humpy became the Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion. The Prime Minister emphasized that these successes demonstrate how sports in India are no longer just extracurricular activities but the youth were now considering sports as a major career choice.
“Just as athletes always aim for big goals, India is also moving forward with great resolutions”, exclaimed the Prime Minister. He highlighted that India was making significant efforts to host the 2036 Olympics, which will elevate Indian sports to new heights. Emphasizing that the Olympics was not just a sports event; but drives multiple sectors in the host country, Shri Modi said the sports infrastructure built for the Olympics creates jobs and provides better facilities for future athletes. He added that the city hosting the Olympics sees new connectivity infrastructure, boosting the construction and transport sectors and the biggest benefit was to the country’s tourism, with new hotels being built and people from around the world coming to participate and watch the games. The Prime Minister noted that the National Games being held in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand will also benefit the local economy. He added that spectators from other parts of the country will visit different parts of Uttarakhand, showing that sports events benefit not only athletes but also various other sectors of the economy.
Emphasizing that the 21st century was being hailed as India’s century, Shri Modi, after visiting Baba Kedarnath, spontaneously felt that this was the decade of Uttarakhand. He expressed his happiness over Uttarakhand’s rapid progress. The Prime Minister highlighted that Uttarakhand had become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code, which will form the foundation for a dignified life for daughters, mothers, and sisters. It will strengthen the spirit of democracy and the essence of the Constitution. Shri Modi connected this to the sports event, noting that sportsmanship removes all feelings of discrimination. He added that every victory and medal is achieved through collective effort, and sports inspire teamwork. He stated that the same spirit applies to the Uniform Civil Code, where there is no discrimination, and everyone is equal. He congratulated the State Government of Uttarakhand for taking this historic step.
Noting that for the first time, Uttarakhand was hosting a national event on such a large scale, the Prime Minister lauded that this was a significant achievement in itself, creating more employment opportunities and providing local youth with jobs. He urged that Uttarakhand must explore new avenues for development, as its economy cannot solely rely on the Char Dham Yatra. He added that the Government was continuously enhancing facilities to increase the attraction of these pilgrimages, with the number of pilgrims setting new records each season. However, he noted that this is not enough. Shri Modi emphasized the need to promote winter spiritual journeys in Uttarakhand. He expressed his happiness that new steps were taken in this direction and shared his desire to be part of these winter journeys. He encouraged the youth from across the country to visit Uttarakhand during winters, as the number of pilgrims is lower, and there are many opportunities for adventure activities. He urged all athletes to explore these opportunities after the National Games and enjoy the hospitality of Devbhoomi for a longer duration.
The Prime Minister remarked that the athletes represent their respective states and will compete fiercely in the coming days, breaking national records and setting new ones. He urged them to give their best effort. Emphasising that the National Games was not just a sports competition but also a platform for “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat,” celebrating India’s diversity, Shri Modi encouraged the athletes to ensure that their medals reflect the unity and excellence of India. He urged them to learn about the languages, cuisines, and music of different states. Stressing on the importance of cleanliness, the PM highlighted that Uttarakhand was progressing towards becoming plastic-free, and this goal cannot be achieved without the athletes’ cooperation. He urged everyone to contribute to the success of this campaign.
Emphasising the importance of fitness and the growing problem of obesity in the country, the Prime Minister noted that obesity was affecting all age groups, including the youth, and increasing the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Shri Modi expressed satisfaction that the country was becoming more aware of fitness and a healthy lifestyle through the Fit India Movement. He mentioned that the National Games teach the importance of physical activity, discipline, and a balanced life. The Prime Minister urged the citizens to focus on two things: exercise and diet. He encouraged everyone to take some time each day for exercise, whether it’s walking or working out. He also stressed the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet, suggesting a reduction in unhealthy fats and oils. He advised reducing the use of cooking oil by at least 10% each month, as small steps can lead to significant health improvements. He highlighted that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind and a healthy nation. Shri Modi called on state governments, schools, offices, and community leaders to spread awareness about fitness and nutrition. He urged everyone to share their practical experiences and knowledge about proper nutrition. He concluded by calling for a collective effort to build a “Fit India” and announced the commencement of the 38th National Games, extending his best wishes to all participants.
The Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt.Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Ministers of State Shri Ajay Tamta, Smt Raksha Khadse were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
The 38th National Games is being hosted in Dehradun, Uttarakhand during its Silver Jubilee year and will be held in 11 cities across 8 districts of Uttarakhand from 28th January to 14th February.
36 states and one union territory will participate in the National Games. Over 17 days, competitions for 35 sports disciplines will be held. Among these, medals will be awarded for 33 sports, while two will be exhibition sports. Yoga and Mallakhamb have been included in the National Games for the first time. More than 10,000 athletes from across the country will participate in the event.
With a focus on sustainability, the theme for the National Games this year is “Green Games.” A special park, called the Sports Forest, will be developed near the venue, where more than 10,000 saplings will be planted by athletes and guests. The medals and certificates for the athletes will be made from environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials.
Inaugurating the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. It is a celebration of India’s incredible sporting talent and showcases the spirit of athletes from across the country. https://t.co/RT5QkE6Yu6
The National Games is more than just a sporting event. It is a great platform to showcase the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’ It is a celebration of India’s rich diversity and unity. pic.twitter.com/nRlLXcXzYC
It has been 14 years since the last outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a European Union (EU) country. However, three water buffaloes have recently tested positive for the disease in Germany. While FMD poses no risk to human health, it is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect various cloven-hoofed animals. The speed with which the disease spreads makes it essential to cull all animals hosted on the affected farm once an outbreak is detected, and to apply strict biosecurity measures. This results in significant economic losses. As a result of the 2001 outbreak in the United Kingdom (UK), over 6 million animals were culled in one year, costing more than £3 billion (more than €6.5 billion at current prices) in public expenditure and having a huge impact on the tourism sector. The EU has legislation in place outlining rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases such as FMD, including a notification system integrated into the World Animal Health Information System to facilitate a coordinated approach. The European Commission also cooperates with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to fight the spread of the disease. Since 1990, the use of preventive vaccines against FMD has been prohibited in the EU, except for in certain cases and in emergencies. Although conventional FMD vaccines protect livestock from developing the disease, vaccinated animals may still become infected and carry the disease.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Barry Richards, Emeritus Professor of Political Psychology, Bournemouth University
The conviction of Axel Rudakubana for the murder of three young girls in Southport has prompted many questions about how the UK handles violence without a clear ideological motive. This case has also shown up the confusion in this area, and made clear the need for a basic reframing of how we understand murderous violence against the public today.
The home secretary may be right to keep Prevent focused on violent Islamist and extreme right-wing terror. Yet there needs to be a complementary but distinct strategy to protect against another Southport-style attacker.
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has come rather late to his observation that the nature of terrorism has changed. Over four years ago it was becoming clear that the “terrorist” threat was increasingly coming from those with no clear and consistent attachment to any specific ideology, let alone any terrorist organisation.
This is borne out in the latest data on referrals to the Prevent counter-terrorism scheme. “Mixed, unstable and unclear” ideologies – when added to school massacre fixations and incel cases – outrank both extreme right-wing and Islamist categories.
Rudakubana had an al-Qaida-linked document in his possession, and had claimed to be a victim of racism. But overall his motive was not at all ideological, but is to be found in his mental ill-health.
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All the evidence presents him as a profoundly damaged individual who harboured an overwhelming need to inflict deathly violence, unconnected with any political aim. His choice of young children as victims is probably also of psychological significance.
Thus it may not be quite right to say, as the home secretary Yvette Cooper and others have, that Prevent “failed”. A cluster of agencies do seem collectively to have failed here. But Prevent was not designed to deal with apolitical and apparently random attacks on people unknown to the perpetrator.
What has failed is the conceptual frame underlying the UK’s counter-terrorism approach, which sees terrorism simply as an ideologically-driven response to the world. This understands it as basically different from attacks which are apparently not ideologically-driven, and so are seen as more idiosyncratic and psychological, like school massacres (though these have come to fall within Prevent’s remit).
Internal drivers of violence
However, it is also true that many of those who do have conventional terrorist aims are also driven by forces in their internal worlds.
While often not given a psychiatric diagnosis, many people who have carried out attacks appear to have been emotionally dysfunctional. Evidence for this goes back at least as far as 9/11, to the personality of the ringleader Mohamed Atta. It has since been accumulating in what is known of many convicted attackers, including those with lengthy ideological rationales, such as Anders Breivik.
The emergence of “incel” terror has further blurred the distinction between those with an apparent ideological rationale and those with obvious psychological problems.
At the psychological level, there is no clear separation between lone actor ideological attackers and those who are supposedly non-ideological. Common to all is some disturbance within the self, one requiring the enactment of lethal violence.
Ironically, the clear presence of psychological factors can also be seen – at a different level – in some of the people involved in the violent riots which occurred in response to the Southport murders. These were, in considerable part, the creation of online agitators, extreme right-wing activists and their bussed-in followers.
But some who took part were more casual joiners of the riots. These were people of no fixed ideological abode who were drawn by the excitement of the occasion and the opportunity to attack the police and other symbols of social order. The same psychological motive may be attributed to the “Maga tourist” element among the January 2021 invaders of the Capitol building in Washington DC.
Protecting the public
Such problems of group-based violence in public spaces may be amenable to primarily political and policy solutions (albeit very difficult ones to achieve). However, individuals who may suddenly erupt into violence, ideological or not, are even more difficult to identify, assess, monitor and contain.
The first step towards better protecting the public should be to recognise the psychological drivers of all such attacks. These include a preoccupation with grievance, often linked to a powerful sense of humiliation and psychological defences against that. For example, the hypermasculinity and fantasied omnipotence of Islamic State.
It is necessary, for various reasons, to retain the legal category of terrorist attacks. But it should be a subcategory of a more inclusive approach that covers all violent attacks on the public.
Where there is little or no consistent ideological element, the term terrorism, which has political connotations, should not be employed. Violence that doesn’t aim to promote a political objective would be better described as the infliction of terror on innocent members of the public, as a form of revenge upon the world or as an expression of hatred. Other political terms such as “radicalisation” and “extremism” may also be inappropriate or confusing when applied to such cases.
A conceptual framework which makes that distinction, while also recognising the common psychological ground of the draw towards violence, would allow for more effective interventions.
Prevent could continue its work (with much-needed improvements) to minimise ideologically rationalised attacks. But it would be coordinated with a complementary national agency that oversees and supports local services in identifying and managing people like Rudakubana. The face-to-face client work of both prongs would be guided and overseen by forensic psychiatrists and psychotherapists.
There will be more people in both sub-categories coming along with very weak control of their violent impulses. They will need skilful management that understands the drivers of profound disturbance.
Barry Richards 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.
The 1998 Good Friday agreement is commonly seen to have ended what were euphemistically termed “the Troubles” in Northern Ireland. However, just four months after the peace accord was signed, an attack on the town of Omagh resulted in the greatest loss of life in any single incident of the conflict.
The bombing, on August 15 1998, killed 29 people and injured an estimated 220 more. Among those who lost their lives were nine children and a woman who was pregnant with twins.
A group called “the Real IRA” claimed responsibility for the atrocity. It was one of the so-called “dissident” republican factions which broke away from the mainstream IRA after its political wing, Sinn Féin, turned toward peaceful politics. The Real IRA’s assault on Omagh was clearly intended to derail the Northern Ireland peace process and destroy the Good Friday agreement.
It could be argued, however, that the bombing had the opposite effect. The atrocity encouraged Northern Ireland’s politicians to come together and redouble their commitment to the peace process.
Public outcry over the attack also forced the Real IRA to announce a ceasefire. It later returned to violence, but widespread revulsion against the Omagh atrocity would undermine the support base that any dissident republican faction might draw upon.
Political representatives of the Real IRA and other such groups have never been able to mobilise electoral support in the way that Sinn Féin was able to, in spite of its association with the IRA.
The Omagh bombing also aided the ability of Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and others to steer mainstream republicans towards purely peaceful politics. The atrocity had shown the utter futility of violence.
Adams’ condemnation of the attack provoked accusations of hypocrisy as he had previously defended IRA violence. Nonetheless, Adams continued to lead republicanism in ways that would cement its commitment to peaceful methods.
The indiscriminate nature of the Omagh attack also helps explain the galvanising effect that it had on the peace process. People from both sides of the communal divide in Northern Ireland were killed, and from both sides of the Irish border. Two Spanish tourists also died visiting a region which the Good Friday agreement seemed to have made safe.
The visit of Bill Clinton a month after the attack also brought global attention to Omagh. The US president had first visited Northern Ireland following the paramilitary ceasefires of 1994, receiving a rapturous reception when he turned on the Christmas lights in Belfast.
But his return was as sombre as his first visit had been joyous. Despite this, the obvious sincerity of Clinton’s words and actions in Omagh would encourage the people and politicians of Northern Ireland to continue their efforts to build a peaceful society.
Bill and Hillary Clinton visit the site of the Omagh bombing with Tony and Cheri Blair. Clinton Digital Library
Unanswered questions
More than 25 years on from the attack, they have largely succeeded in this endeavour. However, serious questions remain about the Omagh atrocity. Authorities in both parts of Ireland have been criticised for their response.
In Northern Ireland, a former policing watchdog has argued that the security services failed to properly act on intelligence that might have prevented the attack.
In the Irish Republic, where the bomb was constructed, the only person that was ever jailed over the attack would later see his conviction overturned. The latter ruling was also seen to result from the mishandling of evidence, this time by the Irish police.
This explains why survivors and families of those killed and injured in the Omagh bombing have fought long and hard for an independent investigation into the attack. Neither the British nor the Irish government seemed eager to allow this, but legal action by members of the Omagh families led to a ruling by Belfast’s High Court in July 2021 which found it plausible that the attack might have been prevented by security services. This bolstered support for a public inquiry.
Finally, in February 2023, the British government acceded and Lord Turnbull, a senior Scottish judge, was appointed to chair the investigation. The Irish government has not followed suit, but has committed to supporting the British inquiry.
The inquiry officially opened in July of last year, but is only now beginning in earnest with a period of commemorative and personal statement hearings.
Over four weeks, it will receive testimony from people who were injured, those who responded to the attack, or who were simply witnesses to the atrocity and its aftermath. Each submission will be read by Turnbull, and he has said that they will “inform the direction and approach of the Inquiry”.
The inquiry begins
There has, however, been some controversy regarding contributions to the investigation, and specifically that of a former British Army agent who infiltrated republican paramilitaries. This operative took legal action after being refused key status at the inquiry, a role which would have entitled him to make opening and closing statements, and to propose lines of questioning.
He was instead granted witness status, and the inquiry will naturally be expected to examine evidence relating to information passed on to the police in the time leading up to the bombing.
As a result, Turnbull has sought to assure those who might doubt the value of the investigation: “My inquiry may be the final opportunity to get to the truth of whether the bombing could have been prevented by the UK state.”
Survivors and victims’ families will surely hope that this is the last time that that they will have to relive their trauma, and that the end result will indeed establish the truth as to what exactly the authorities knew about the Omagh attack. Then, the families may finally experience some closure, and be able to move on from what remains the deadliest attack in Northern Ireland’s history
Peter John McLoughlin has received funding in the past from the AHRC, Leverhulme Trust, the Irish Research Council, and the Fulbright Commission. He is a member of Greenpeace.
