CDFI Fund, US Department of the Treasury,update

 

A Public Meeting of the CDFI Fund's Advisory Board will be Held on April 11, 2024, in Washington, DC REMINDER: The Registration Deadline to Attend the Meeting In-Person is Monday, April 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is convening a meeting of the Community Development Advisory Board (the Advisory Board) from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The Advisory Board meeting will be held in Cash Room at the U.S. Department of the Treasury located at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220. The function of the Advisory Board is to advise the Director of the CDFI Fund on the policies regarding the activities of the CDFI Fund. The Advisory Board does not advise the CDFI Fund on approving or declining any particular application for monetary or non-monetary awards. Please use the following link to view the official meeting notice. Live Webcast You may view the public meeting as a live webcast. You do not need to register to view the webcast. The webcast will also be archived and available for viewing a few days after the meeting. Please use the following link to view the live webcast. Meeting Registration & Deadline If you would like to attend the meeting in-person, the Cash Room will accommodate up to 50 members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the meeting will be held in a secured federal building, members of the public who wish to attend the meeting must register in advance. The registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, April 8, 2024, or once the room capacity is reached. For entry into the building on the date of the meeting, each attendee must present his/her government issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, which includes a photo. Please use the following link to register. Questions Any questions can be directed to Bill Luecht in the Office of Legislative and External Affairs by e-mail at AdvisoryBoard@cdfi.treas.gov. Reasonable Accommodations: Requests for reasonable accommodations under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act should be directed to Jay Santiago at the CDFI Fund at 202-653-0300. Language Access Plan: Per Executive Order 13166 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, information on the CDFI Fund’s Language Access Plan, providing Limited English Proficient individuals with meaningful access to vital documents and information about relevant CDFI Fund programs and services, is available here.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FUND UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: CDFI Fund, US Department of the Treasury · 1801 L St., NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036· 202-653-0300

USDA FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on April 2, 2024. _______   Brazil: Sustainable Agriculture Programs in Brazil- Past Present and Future Brazil, a BRICS emerging economy, is the world’s sixth-largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter. Change in land use and forests (including deforestation and wildfires) is the main source of GHGs in Brazil, followed closely by agricultural production. Following COP 29, Brazil updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 48 percent by 2025 and 53 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 emissions. Given the importance of agriculture, Brazil has adopted and implemented regulations to make these activities more sustainable, with the main goals of mitigating GHGs and adapting to climate change. The Low-Carbon Agriculture (ABC) Plan, the Safra Plan, and the National Program for the Conversion of Degraded Pastures into Production Systems (PNCPC) are among the most significant recent initiatives. This report highlights Brazil’s programs to mitigate carbon emissions in the agricultural sector and promote sustainable practices. Canada: Canada Reviews Its Food Safety Legislation

GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on March 28, 2024. _______   China: Climate Reports Highlight Agriculture  On December 29, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) submitted two major reports related to climate change to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change (NC4) and the Third Biennial Update Report on Climate Change (BUR3). The reports summarize PRC climate change policy, actions, impacts, and progress achieved during the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period (2016-2020). Substantial sections of the reports focus on agriculture and include climate related information dating back to 2017 and 2018. Guatemala: Grain and Feed Annual Guatemala continues to be a net importer of both yellow corn and rice. Corn area and production in MY2024/2025 are forecast to slightly increase to keep up with increased consumption for both food and feed; the avian sector keeps steady growth at 3-4 percent annually. Rice is forecast to increase 4 per cent and harvest area and production have been revised up based on the latest survey carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture to include subsistence farming in addition to the commercial production. Fertilization costs have decreased, except for urea, but labor costs continue increasing due to growing migration. The United States loses market share in both grains due to more competitive prices in South America, via WTO quota openings by the Ministry of Economy. Vietnam: Oilseeds and Products Annual

Federal Reserve Board Notification,update

 

Senior Credit Officer Opinion Survey on Dealer Financing Terms https://www.federalreserve.gov/data/scoos.htm Federal Reserve Board releases annual audited financial statements https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20240326a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Agencies extend applicability date of certain provisions of their Community Reinvestment Act final rule https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20240321a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee release economic projections from the March 19-20 FOMC meeting https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20240320b.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20240320a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System   Visit us on the web at Federal Reserve Board.

 

Science for Impact Newsletter USAID Announces New SPARK Solicitation On March 8th, the Research Division announced a call for concept notes for a new Strategic Partnerships For Advancing Research And Knowledge (SPARK) solicitation. This activity is envisioned to support research generation, providing researchers in the U.S. and USAID partner countries with an opportunity to collaboratively study international development challenges and develop possible solutions through research projects. USAID welcomes applications from all types of organizations with administrative, grant making, and contract management experience. Concept note submissions will be accepted through 12 PM ET on Monday, April 8, 2024. You can find additional information in the full solicitation on grants.gov. In the News Percy Salas holds a rotten cacao fruit, opened to display the damaged seeds. Credit: PERU-Hub New PERU-Hub ClimateLinks Blog Post

U.S. National Science Foundation's, update

 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announces new Confronting Hazards, Impacts and Risks for a Resilient Planet (CHIRRP) Funding Opportunity Join a March 25, 2024, Virtual Webinar with NSF Program Officers to Learn about the New CHIRRP Funding Opportunity to Support Co-Designed Projects to Safeguard Community Resilience Natural hazards compounded by changing climates, rising populations, expanding demands for resources, and increasing reliance on technology are putting our economy, well-being, and national security at risk. The goal of Confronting Hazards, Impacts and Risks for a Resilient Planet (CHIRRP) (PD 24-297Y) is to help safeguard communities and ecosystems for a resilient planet by supporting the co-design of projects that deliver evidence-based, actionable solution pathways reducing the risk from earth system hazards compounded by global environmental change. Researchers, academics, and community leaders will work together on NSF-supported projects to advance understanding, forecasting and/or prediction of future Earth system hazards and risks, develop community-driven research questions, and inform actionable, science-based solutions that increase community resilience now and in the future. CHIRRP projects will demonstrate convergence of three essential elements: Equitable community partnerships An Earth-system science approach to advance knowledge of hazards, impacts and risks Pathways to actionable solutions to increase environmental and societal resilience CHIRRP currently supports planning, conference, RCNs, EAGER, and RAISE proposals that support the development of community partnerships, provide training for effective community engagement, catalyze ideas, and/or support the initial conceptualization, planning and collaboration activities aimed at formulating new and sound plans for future large-scale projects.  Registration Required to join CONFRONTING HAZARDS, IMPACTS AND RISKS FOR A RESILIENT PLANET (CHIRRP) FUNDING OPPORTUNITY webinar. Date and Time: March 25, 2024, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada). NSF invites you to a virtual webinar to have an interactive conversation about this new program. Program Directors will provide a brief overview of the new opportunity and then answer questions about it. Have your questions ready for the NSF team.  Register in advance for this webinar with Zoom. Upon registration, you will receive an email confirmation with the log-in information for the meeting. Registered attendees may join the webinar five minutes prior to the official start time.    Questions?  Contact nsfchirrp@nsf.gov.

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Research, Innovation, Synergies, and Education

US Commercial Service Aerospace Team,update

 

As AUKUS progresses towards realization, it marks a significant milestone for the UK, Australia, and the US as they navigate the implications for each country and their respective defense industries. For the first time in history, the Chiefs of Navy for the AUKUS countries will convene at a public forum during the Indian Ocean Defense & Security Show (IODS) in Perth, scheduled from July 24 - 26, 2024. This forum will focus on discussions regarding AUKUS Pillars 1 & 2, including but not limited to the Nuclear Submarine program. Moreover, it will serve as a platform for AUKUS experts to delve into the opportunities emerging as these nations progress.

USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on March 14, 2024. _______   Argentina: Oilseeds and Products Update Post lowers marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 production to 49.5 million metric tons (MMT), still nearly double last year’s crop, based on a stretch of dry and hot weather in the major production areas despite previous ideal rains following planting. Argentina’s soy crush was up 12 percent in January 2024 despite low stocks due to the disastrous crop the previous year. Sunflower production in MY2023/2024 is revised down to 3.5 MMT on lower planted area and yields. China: Draft National Food Safety Standard of General Principles for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods Notified to WTO On February 9 and February 12, 2024, China notified the revised draft National Food Safety Standard of General Principles for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1295 and under G/TBT/N/CHN/1827. The proposed date of entry into force is to be determined. This revised draft National Food Safety Standard closely mirrors the recently released draft letter from the Secretariat of the National Food Safety Standard Review Committee analyzed in FAS GAIN Report CH 2024-0021. This report explains the minor modifications between the two drafts and provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard notified to WTO. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulation. China: China Imported Live Seafood Products Market Update  The People's Republic of China (PRC) is one of the largest producers and consumers of seafood in the world. In particular, live seafood products represent a significant market opportunity given the United States advanced cold chain facilities and ability to transport live seafood. This report details the distribution channels for live seafood in China, potential market opportunities, and updates for 2024. Rwanda: Rwanda Passes New Biosafety Law On February 21, 2024, The Government of Rwanda (GoR) published a new biosafety law providing requirements for the transit and utilization of living modified organisms (LMOs) produced through modern biotechnology techniques. This law enters effect immediately.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

U.S. Department of State, update (part 2)

Part 1:https://politikinewsaaa.blogspot.com/2024/03/us-department-of-stateupdate-part-1.html

MS HARBUNOVA:  (Via interpreter) Greetings, everyone.  It’s a great honor for me to be here.  Also, receiving this award and being here is a source of great pride.  I’m also immensely grateful to you because you recognized that I was a courageous woman way before I did.  I’m still getting used to that thought.  (Laughter and applause.) Two years ago today I was in a pretrial detention center, having been detained for taking part in peaceful protest.  I was put in a cell for six months only for speaking out.  There, I was subjected to violence, to torture, and they threatened to take my parental rights from me.  They tortured all of us with cold, with lack of medical care.  I didn’t receive a single letter from my daughter, even though she wrote to me every single day.  Political prisoners in Belarus are made to wear a yellow tag like this, like the one I’m wearing.  It’s not a badge.  Five people have already died in custody.  Six people have disappeared; we don’t know where they are.  They are held incommunicado. After an unfair trial, I was sentenced to three years of house arrest.  In fear of further criminal prosecution, I was forced to leave my home.  I was desperate.  I feared for my life, and saying goodbye to my family was extremely difficult.  In the middle of the night, I had to climb over a tall fence at the international border between Belarus and Lithuania and ask for political asylum.  It made me very angry, and I did not give up.  I became the representative for social policy at the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which is working in exile.  Every day I work to help political prisoners and their families.  Every day I look for work – for ways to secure their release.  I am extremely happy to meet all of you, and I’m very happy to have met my fellow awardees, my dear sisters.  During this time we’ve gained so much energy from each other, so much knowledge, so much new – so many new contacts.  During this program we’ve discussed the issues that our countries are facing.  We look for solutions.  We discussed different options.  You are my inspiration.  Because of you I am not going to give up.  You shine like a diamond in my heart.  (Applause.) Women and girls in Belarus often think, “I am not anybody.  I am not anything special.  There are people who are more worthy than me.  I don’t deserve any award.”  This is how we’re being brought up by patriarchy and dictatorship in Belarus.  We’re taught that we’re nobody. For them, March 8th is just about celebrating the spring and beauty, and women are considered a mere decoration at a workplace and just homekeepers.  We’re never told that we should fight for our rights.  They never talk about equal opportunities and equal rights.  They never let us be heard. There is no law against domestic violence in Belarus.  There is a list of 88 jobs that women are banned from holding, and currently there are at least 187 female political prisoners in custody in Belarus, where they are subjected to torture and violence.