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Trudeau’s Resignation ‘Widely Expected,’ Says Former Top Adviser Gerald ButtsSanta’s Workshop 2024 ready to welcome holiday shoppers
WASHINGTON -- The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on the founder of Georgia’s ruling political party, which has steered the country away from a pro-Western stance and towards Russia, U.S. officials said Friday. The State and Treasury departments said they hit Georgian Dream party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili with penalties “for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation," according to a statement. The designation of Ivanishvili is the latest in a series of sanctions the U.S. has slapped on Georgian politicians, lawmakers and others this year. Those sanctions include freezes on assets and properties those targeted may have in U.S. jurisdictions or that might enter U.S. jurisdictions as well as travel bans on the targets and members of their families. “We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protestors, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia." Ivanishvili is a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgia’s prime minister. In 2012, he founded Georgian Dream, Georgia’s longtime ruling party. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights, prompting the European Union to suspend Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely. In October, Georgian Dream won another term in a divisive parliamentary election that has led to more mass protests. Last month, the country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze , announced a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia's bid to join the European Union, fueling further public outrage.So much for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) repeated assurances that it has been actively working on various infrastructure projects to address the metro’s perennial flood problem. The latest Commission on Audit (COA) report has exposed the agency for its “poor strategies” that deprived the public of much-needed benefits. In its 2023 report, the COA said that 22 projects worth over P510 million under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1 were “not completed” on time under the contract. This crucial project, backed by a $415-million loan from the World Bank, aims to rehabilitate 36 pumping stations and build 20 new ones this year. However, only two stations have been rehabilitated and none of the new ones have been completed as of September. The COA said the delays of up to 310 days cost the government P32.9 million, covering five years from 2018 to 2023, in commitment fees—or the nonrefundable charge imposed on borrowers with an unwithdrawn loan balance—to creditor banks. State auditors said these funds could have been used for other priority programs and projects. In addition, there were 29 projects worth P371.03 million not implemented due to cancellations and failure to hold early bidding activities. “This resulted in the nonattainment of the intended objectives of the projects and deprived the public of benefits therefrom,” the COA report stated. The commission pointed to “poor strategies in the monitoring and implementation of programs and projects, resulting in significant revisions in the target completion time.” And while it approved 22 subprojects for a contract extension, it said that pushing back completion targets “may be an indication of ineffective planning.” This audit report covers projects that have been ongoing up to last year, but the impact of inadequate flood control infrastructure was certainly felt this year when several typhoons hit the National Capital Region and highlighted the lack of a flood control master plan. In July, Typhoon “Carina” and the enhanced southwest monsoon (“habagat”) showed the metro’s “antiquated” drainage system, which the MMDA said had been built in the 1970s and was already silted with waste. Ironically, the Carina flooding happened within days of President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address where he reported that over 5,500 flood control projects have been completed between July 2022 and May 2024. In November, after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine,” the President admitted that the flood control infrastructure was not enough. “We have flood control infrastructure, but they’re not enough ... because in the whole history of the Philippines, we haven’t experienced anything like this,” Mr. Marcos said, attributing the floods to the changes in weather patterns that have brought increasingly severe and unpredictable storms. According to the Department of Science and Technology’s GeoRisk PH database, eight out of 10 residents in the National Capital Region are vulnerable to flooding while two out of 10 residents are affected by severe flooding that reaches at least one meter high and lasts for more than two days. The massive floods that were seen last year due to intermittent and heavy rains—not even typhoons—in many parts of Metro Manila should already have been a wake-up call. The government should have applied haste in upgrading and rehabilitating old infrastructure, particularly outdated drainage systems. There is simply no excuse for inefficiencies in implementing these projects considering that floods in Metro Manila have long been an issue. Some of the causes of delay cited in the COA report, such as customs clearances and port congestion, could easily be addressed by improving the process and removing red tape while reasons, such as changes of design and specifications for custom-made goods and reconceptualization, could be avoided if those in charge of the planning had solid strategy and foresight. MMDA officials should be held accountable for these delays—nearly half of its 58 flood control projects were stalled. Even worse, the agency only had a 12-percent accomplishment rate for its performance targets for “percentage decrease in flooded areas” under flood mitigation measures. Legislators must also act on the proposed National Land Use Act, which can help in addressing the flood problems by regulating urban development and institutionalizing proper utilization and management of land resources in the country. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives but has been stalled at the Senate committee level since 2022 despite Mr. Marcos tagging it as a priority since last year. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Unless these issues are addressed, the flooding problem will persist and the same excuses will be repeated every year at the expense of the greater public good.
Golden State Valkyries to pick Kate Martin, Kayla Thompson in Friday's expansion draft: SourcesAn afternoon outing turned racist when a MAGA fan allegedly made a slur at a Black family. Brown University politics Professor Deva Woodly , who studies social movements, political opinion, public meaning, and democratic theory, posted on Blue Sky that her husband was called the N-word outside of a car dealership. A white man told her husband "to just wait for Jan. 20th when they’re taking their country back," she said in the post. "So that’s what’s happening. For the record there’s not a godd--n thing I need to learn from any Trump voter," she continued. ALSO READ: 'We are screwed': Virologists warn about disease they say could become the next pandemic There has been an ongoing discussion among sects in the Democratic Party about embracing MAGA followers or creating an open dialogue about political differences to find common ground . "People think this is a f---ing game," Woodly continued. "It is not. Say 'liberal elites' as an excuse until you almost believe it. But this is what it is. This is the truth. Do not be confused. Know that. We just got reminded in this 'blue state.'" An FBI report under the previous Donald Trump administration revealed a huge surge (nearly 20%) in deadly hate crimes in 2019. That continued to increase, showing that "2021 was the highest year on record for reported hate crimes since the FBI began publishing the data in 1991."
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'Shoved around': Older jobseekers in pre-pension limbo losing their nest eggsSmall Industries Product Promotion Organisation (SIPPO), along with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad, will be organising a 45-day free residential training programme on agricultural entrepreneurship, agricultural clinics and agricultural business centres. The training includes practical exposure to agriculture and applied sector-based business, entrepreneurial marketing, accounts and finance, field and industrial visit, innovation, sessions on information and communication technology and personality development and Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation. Those interested in starting business after completing the training programme will receive loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore. Nabard is giving a subsidy of 36% for general category and 44% for women and SC/ST candidates. Students in the age group of 18-60 with a degree or diploma in science or engineering will be eligible to apply for the programme. Interested candidates may contact: Small Industries Product Promotion Organisation (SIPPO), 52 Ist Floor, T.B. Road, Mahaboobpalayam, Madurai 625016. Contact numbers: 88077 22339, 0452 2602339 or 2603085. Email: mdusippo@gmail.com, said a press release. Published - November 24, 2024 08:41 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditA presentation at the recent annual conference of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa brought home to me the extent to which people underestimate the amount of money needed to provide a comfortable, financially secure retirement. Kagisho Mahura, a Certified Financial Planner and director of Gradidge Mahura Investments, in his presentation "Retirement benefits counselling: From compliance to impact", explained that many people have little idea how much it takes, and when they find out that the reality doesn't match their dreams, it's often too late to do anything about it. With the exception of lottery winners and beneficiaries of large inheritances, the capital you build up in retirement funds is likely to be the biggest sum of money you will ever have in your life. But will it be enough? According to the recommended drawdown rates for living annuities, published by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (Asisa) in 2010, if, with a 4% after-inflation (real), after-costs return you initially draw 5% of your savings for an annual income, and then increase the amount annually by the inflation rate, your capital will sustain you for 33 years before rapidly depleting. Note that aiming for a 4% real, after-costs investment return does not come without risks, because your portfolio will be exposed to some stock-market volatility. Under this scenario, for every million rands saved, you can initially draw an annual income of R50 000, or just over R4 000 a month, if you plan a long retirement. And that's before tax. Surely drawing a little more won't matter all that much? It will – more so than you think. According to the Asisa recommendations, if you start by drawing 7.5%... Martin Hesse
SEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have unveiled a reliable companion for industrial work, the wearable robot ‘X-ble Shoulder.’ This device, just by being worn, can increase workers’ efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Two videos released on Hyundai Motor Group’s YouTube channel show the X-ble Shoulder in action, including product features and the development story . Hyundai Motor and Kia unveiled the X-ble Shoulder at Wearable Robot Tech Day held at the Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang near Seoul . The X-ble brand — a combination of ‘X,’ symbolizing infinite potential, and ‘able,’ indicating that anything can be realized — heralds a new era in wearable technology. The X-ble Shoulder, the first product in the X-ble line, is an industrial wearable robot developed by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB. When used in ‘overhead work’ where the arm is raised, it can assist the user’s upper arm muscle strength and reduce the burden on the upper extremity musculoskeletal system. The X-ble Shoulder will find use in various industries, including construction, shipbuilding, aviation and agriculture, not just automobiles. Following its domestic launch, the companies plan to gradually expand sales to overseas markets. In addition to the X-ble Shoulder, Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to develop an industrial wearable robot ‘X-ble Waist’ to assist the waist when lifting heavy loads, and a medical wearable robot ‘X-ble MEX’ for the rehabilitation of the walking impaired. “The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robot that leverages the technical capabilities of the Robotics LAB and implements feedback from actual users,” said Dong Jin Hyun , Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia. “Going forward, we aim to expand the availability of wearable robots, creating products that work naturally with users to enhance their daily lives. By pushing technological boundaries, we will make these beneficial products accessible to more people.” SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company; Kia CorporationFirst Horizon Names New Head of Investor Relations
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