ΘΑΝΑΣΗΣ ΜΠΟΥΡΑΣ,Α/ΔΡΟΣ ΒΟΥΛΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ:Στο πλαίσιο ενίσχυσης της διαφάνειας για τον τρόπο λειτουργίας της αγοράς ενέργειας..

 Θανάσης Μπούρας

Αντιπρόεδρος της Βουλής των Ελλήνων

Βουλευτής ΝΔ Δυτικής Αττικής​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Αθήνα, 13.5.2022

 

ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ

 

Στο πλαίσιο ενίσχυσης της διαφάνειας για τον τρόπο λειτουργίας της αγοράς ενέργειας, η Ειδική Μόνιμη Επιτροπή Θεσμών και Διαφάνειας της Βουλής των Ελλήνων, υπό την προεδρία  του Αντιπρόεδρου της Βουλής και Βουλευτή Δυτικής Αττικής, κ. Θανάση Μπούρα, συνεδρίασε με θέμα ημερήσιας διάταξης την ενημέρωση από τον Πρόεδρο της Ρυθμιστικής Αρχής Ενέργειας (ΡΑΕ), κ. Αθανάσιο Δαγούμα, για θέματα αρμοδιότητας της Αρχής, κατόπιν σχετικών αιτημάτων μελών-Βουλευτών της Επιτροπής.

Η Ρυθμιστική Αρχή Ενέργειας (ΡΑΕ) είναι ανεξάρτητη ρυθμιστική αρχή, με κύρια αρμοδιότητα να εποπτεύει την εγχώρια αγορά ενέργειας (είτε από συμβατικά καύσιμα είτε από ανανεώσιμες πηγές ενέργειας ΑΠΕ και φυσικό αέριο), να εισηγείται στην Πολιτεία, να λαμβάνει μέτρα για την επίτευξη της απελευθέρωσης των αγορών ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας και φυσικού αερίου, να αδειοδοτεί τους σταθμούς ΑΠΕ, να λαμβάνει μέτρα για την προστασία των καταναλωτών και την ασφάλεια του ενεργειακού εφοδιασμού της χώρας κ.α.

Ο κ. Δαγούμας ενημέρωσε τα μέλη ότι τον Απρίλιο του 2022, με επιστολή του ο Υπουργός Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας ζήτησε από την Αρχή: α) ανάλυση των οικονομικών αποτελεσμάτων του έτους 2021 των παραγωγών ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας, βάσει των στοιχείων εκ της συμμετοχής τους στην χονδρεμπορική αγορά, β) σύγκριση με τα αντίστοιχα αποτελέσματα των οικονομικών καταστάσεων των εταιρειών των ετών 2019-2020, για το σκέλος της παραγωγής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας, και γ) αποτύπωση των οικονομικών αποτελεσμάτων των προμηθευτών ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας και φυσικού αερίου για τα έτη 2019-2021. Κατόπιν τούτου, υποβλήθηκε σχετικό υπόμνημα στον Υπουργό Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας στις αρχές Μαΐου του έτους.

Κατά την έναρξη της συνεδρίασης, ο κ. Μπούρας αναφέρθηκε στις πρόσφατες διευκρινήσεις του Υπουργείου Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας για τη φορολόγηση των εταιρειών παραγωγής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας.

Σύμφωνα με την επίσημη ανακοίνωση, το πόρισμα της ΡΑΕ καλύπτει την χρονική περίοδο από τον Οκτώβριο 2021 έως και τον Μάρτιο 2022, βασίζεται σε συγκεκριμένη επιστημονική μεθοδολογία και καταλήγει σε αυξημένο μεικτό περιθώριο κέρδους των καθετοποιημένων εταιρειών ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας στη χονδρεμπορική αγορά ύψους 591,45 εκατ. ευρώ, αφαιρουμένων εκπτώσεων ύψους 335,99 εκατ. ευρώ στις οποίες προχώρησε η ΔΕΗ προς τους πελάτες της. Η κυβέρνηση κάνοντας πράξη τη δέσμευση του Πρωθυπουργού, Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη, θα επιβάλει έκτακτο τέλος ύψους 90% στα επιπλέον έσοδα των εταιρειών, το υψηλότερο που επιβάλλεται σε ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη, με τα έσοδα του οποίου θα χρηματοδοτηθεί το Εθνικό Σχέδιο Στήριξης. Με βάση το σχέδιο αυτό, αλλά και το νέο μηχανισμό που θα ισχύσει από τον Ιούλιο, καταργείται ουσιαστικά η εφαρμογή της ρήτρας αναπροσαρμογής και σταματά η παραγωγή επιπλέον εσόδων για τους ηλεκτροπαραγωγούς.

Στο πλαίσιο του Εθνικού Προγράμματος Στήριξης που εξήγγειλε ο Πρωθυπουργός, το δεύτερο εξάμηνο του 2022 θα επιδοτηθούν οριζόντια όλοι οι καταναλωτές, ενώ η Κυβέρνηση θα προχωρήσει και σε μια θεσμική παρέμβαση στην αγορά ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας. Ο στόχος της παρέμβασης είναι η αποσύνδεση της λιανικής τιμής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας από την τιμή του φυσικού αερίου στις διεθνείς αγορές. Ειδικότερα, θα εφαρμοσθεί νέος μηχανισμός αποζημίωσης των μονάδων ηλεκτροπαραγωγής βάση του πραγματικού κόστους λειτουργίας, με αποτέλεσμα να αποσυνδεθεί από την χονδρική τιμή ενέργειας που μέχρι σήμερα επηρεάζεται  από την διεθνή τιμή φυσικού αερίου. Με τον τρόπο αυτό ανακτάται το σύνολο των υπερεσόδων των παραγωγών ενέργειας και του Ειδικού Λογαριασμού των ΑΠΕ που για το επόμενο εξάμηνο  εκτιμάται σε 1,63 δισ. ευρώ. 

Με βάση το Εθνικό Πρόγραμμα Στήριξης αλλά και τον νέο μηχανισμό που θα ισχύσει από τον Ιούλιο, καταργείται ουσιαστικά η εφαρμογή της ρήτρας αναπροσαρμογής και σταματά η παραγωγή επιπλέον εσόδων για τους ηλεκτροπαραγωγούς. Συνολικά, με τα νέα μέτρα που θα τεθούν σε εφαρμογή από τον Μάιο απορροφάται στους ευάλωτους καταναλωτές (περίπου 500.000 νοικοκυριά) το 100%  της αύξησης, σε όλα τα οικιακά τιμολόγια  έως και το 85% της αύξησης, σε 1.250.000 Μικρομεσαίες Επιχειρήσεις το 82% της αύξησης και στους αγρότες και στα αγροτικά τιμολόγια  το 90-95% της αύξησης.

Η Κυβέρνηση ανακοίνωσε την επιδότηση του 60% της αύξησης για όλους τους λογαριασμούς ρεύματος για το χρονικό διάστημα από τον Δεκέμβριο του 2021 έως τον Μάιο του 2022, η οποία θα δοθεί αναδρομικά. Η στήριξη αφορά όλους τους καταναλωτές, των οποίων η αύξηση των λογαριασμών για το συγκεκριμένο χρονικό διάστημα ξεπερνά τα 30 ευρώ αθροιστικά. Το ποσό της επιδότησης θα φτάνει έως τα 600 ευρώ και θα δίνεται σε όσους έχουν οικογενειακό εισόδημα έως 45.000 ευρώ.

Κλείνοντας τη συνεδρίαση, ο κ. Μπούρας εξέφρασε την ικανοποίησή του καθώς διεξήχθη μια πολύ σοβαρή και ουσιαστική συζήτηση για ένα θέμα που αποτελεί κύριο αντικείμενο συζήτησης όχι μόνο στα έδρανα της Βουλής αλλά και μεταξύ όλων των Ελλήνων  πολιτών που χρειάζονται άμεσα και ουσιαστικά μέτρα στήριξης και προστασίας από την άνοδο του βασικού αγαθού της ενέργειας.

 

National Science Foundation:We got it! Astronomers reveal first image of the black hole at the heart of our galaxy

NSF NEWS

News Release We got it! Astronomers reveal first image of the black hole at the heart of our galaxy May 12, 2022 Washington, D.C.  –  During a press conference hosted by the U.S. National Science Foundation with the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration in Washington, D.C. today, astronomers unveiled the first image of the supermassive black hole at the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. This result provides overwhelming evidence that the object is indeed a black hole and yields valuable clues about the workings of such giants, which are thought to reside at the center of most galaxies. The image was produced by a global research team called the Event Horizon Telescope, or EHT, Collaboration, using observations from a worldwide network of radio telescopes. Continue reading   Science Matters Check out the latest from NSF’s Science Matters blog. Image of Sgr A*, the black hole at the center of our galaxy At the center of our very own Milky Way galaxy, scientists long suspected that there was a supermassive black hole, and they named this black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*, pronounced "sadge-ay-star"). Thanks in part to U.S. National Science Foundation support, their years of rigorous research confirmed their suspicions. On May 12, 2022, scientists released the first direct visual evidence of Sgr A*. Continue reading Find more black hole information, images and video at Exploring black holes on NSF!  For more National Science Foundation Science Matters blog, visit our blog site. Contact the blog team.

 

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:POULTRY MEAT,EGGS,MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS Newsletters

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
POULTRY MEAT Newsletter





Agricultural markets dashboard – poultry meat

View the latest update
Related links

EU poultry policy | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook
Latest news

New study unveils how the CAP is contributing to animal welfare and antimicrobial use reduction
Today, the European Commission published a study examining how the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2014-20 contributed to improving animal welfare and reducing antimicrobial use. The study provides a snapshot of the situation regarding animal welfare and use of antimicrobials throughout the EU, ...



See also Full article



Strong increase in EU agri-food trade reported in beginning of 2022
Latest EU agri-food trade figures show strong growth in trade in January 2022, with exports increasing by 16% compared to the same period last year.


Eggs Newsletter



Agricultural markets dashboard – eggs
View the latest update
Related links
EU eggs policy | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook


See also Full article

MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS Newsletter



Latest update
Dashboard: Milk and dairy products
HighlightsThe prices for butter and WMP increased, for SMP and cheddar decreased during week 18, compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. Butter: 688 EUR/100 kg (+0.1 %), WMP: 520 EUR/100 kg (+ 1.2 %) SMP 404 EUR/100 kg (-2.2 %), Cheddar 373 EUR/100 kg (-0.9 %).
Spot milk prices in IT at 52.8 c/kg on 8 May.
Feed costs index up with +0.3 %, while energy costs index up with + 0.1 %.
World productions: AU: -3.2 % Jul – March 21/22 compared to 20/21; NZ: - 4% Jun – March 21/22 compared to 20/21; USA: - 1 % Jan-March 22 compared to 21 .
Related links

EU milk and dairy products policy | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook

See also Full article


Increased training, advice and innovation projects for EU farmers in 2014-2020 thanks to the Common Agricultural Policy
The Common Agricultural Policy increased training and advice projects for farmers in 2014-20 and more will be done in the new CAP to continue on that path.



See also Full article

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on..

 

Statement by the Prime Minister on the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

May 14, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi:

“It was with sadness that I learned of the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

“Sheikh Khalifa dedicated his life to public service, including as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. He was appointed as the second president of the country in 2004, succeeding his father and founder of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa promoted the UAE’s sustainable economic development, as well as peace, prosperity, and stability in the region – guiding principles that saw the UAE become a global centre for trade and commerce, cultural exchange, and tourism. He will also be remembered for the landmark peace deal between the UAE and Israel, known as the Abraham Accords, which was signed during his rule in 2020.

“Canada and the UAE enjoy a broad and deep relationship, which continued under His Highness’ leadership, as demonstrated by our cooperation on building prosperity for people in both countries, contributing to economic and social development in other countries, and strengthening regional and global security.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to extend my condolences to Sheikh Khalifa’s family and loved ones, Emiratis, and residents of the UAE.”

Prime Minister attends second Global COVID-19 Summit to contribute to a global solution

May 12, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario

W.V. Gov. Proclaims May "Order of AHEPA Month"

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

For Immediate Release | May 14, 2022

Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org W.V. Gov. Proclaims May "Order of AHEPA Month"

WASHINGTON, DC --  West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) proclaimed May 2022 as "Order of AHEPA Month in West Virginia" at a dinner to commemorate AHEPA's centennial anniversary hosted by Hancock Chapter 103, Weirton, W.V., at Hellenic Memorial Hall, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, May 10, 2022. In addition, a West Virginia State Legislature Citation was issued at the request of Delegate Mark Zatezalo (R), who represents Hancock, W.V. The proclamation and citation were each presented to Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Justice and Delegate Zatezalo for their commemoration of AHEPA's century of service," Supreme President Kokotas said. "We commend the hard work of the Weirton Ahepans who organized a fitting tribute to AHEPA's community service and good works that help to strengthen our society. Their history in the community runs deep. A special thanks to Chapter President James Banketas and the event's chairman, Brother Steve Psaros, who also helped to secure the proclamations, for a memorable evening." West Virginia Proclamation West Virginia Legislative Citation Supreme President Kokotas also congratulated 29 Ahepans in attendance who received their years-of-service pins ranging from 25 to 68 years, among them, Brother Michael Psaros, an AHEPA supporter, who received his 35-year service pin. Brother Psaros delivered the Keynote Address at the 45th Biennial Congressional Banquet in October 2021. Past Supreme President George E. Loucas, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, and several past and current Buckeye District 11 Lodge officers attended.

# # #

U.S. Department of State Weekly Digest Bulletin

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele J. Sison’s Travel to Switzerland
05/08/2022
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele J. Sison’s Travel to Switzerland
05/08/2022 11:00 AM EDT
Office of the Spokesperson

Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele J. Sison will travel to Switzerland May 9-11 for consultations on a wide range of U.S. priorities in the United Nations, including global health, health security, human rights, and preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

In Geneva, Assistant Secretary Sison will co-host with her UK counterpart a meeting of the Geneva Group on UN reform. She will also meet with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros to discuss the U.S. commitment to strengthening the health workforce and global health security at the WHO, including through sustainable financing and progress on reforms. Ahead of the World Health Assembly, Assistant Secretary Sison will also meet with the Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Nicole Su. She will meet with UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mami Mizutori to discuss the agency’s work on climate action, food security, and global health. She will meet with International Organization for Migration Director General António Vitorino to discuss migration issues worldwide, including in the Americas. In addition, Assistant Secretary Sison will meet Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the U.S. candidate for Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union. Following meetings in Geneva, Assistant Secretary Sison will meet with Swiss officials in Bern to discuss shared interests at the United Nations.

APEC update

New studies on Tariffs; FDIs and Global Value Chains are now online

Study on Tariffs: Analysis of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Tariff Liberalization Schedules



RCEP is the largest regional free trade agreement (FTA) in the world. Its potential is huge, as its 15 members account for about 2.2 billion people (30% of the global population), a regional gross domestic product (GDP) of about USD38,813 billion (30% of global GDP), and 28.8% of global trade. This study examines market access commitments and comparing the extent of tariff liberalization within RCEP as well as the other major regional FTA in the Asia-Pacific, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Read the full report
The FDI Network, Global Value Chain Participation and Economic Upgrading



Foreign direct investment (FDI) represents an important internationalization pathway to global value chain (GVC) participation. APEC economies as a group have dominated as FDI recipients, accounting for nearly 52% of the global inward FDI stock. This study analyses the role of FDI in economies' GVC participation.

Read the full report

ICYMI: Media opportunities at Second APEC Senior Officials' Meeting and Ministers' Responsible for Trade Meeting

NATIONAL SCIENSE FOUNDATION update

New Convergence Accelerator Funding Opportunity
05/09/2022

New Convergence Accelerator Funding Opportunity



The NSF Convergence Accelerator has issued a new funding opportunity for three new research track topics aligned to the 2022 cohort. Researchers and innovators have two submission pathways to submit their proposals: Solicitation, NSF-22-583 and Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NSFBAA-CA22-02.

The funding opportunity track focuses include:
Track H: Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities 

This track will converge a wide range of disciplines to include social sciences, behavioral sciences, engineering, computer science, ethics, and economics to develop use-inspired solutions to enhance the quality of life, employment access, and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges

This track will converge advances in fundamental materials science with materials design and manufacturing methods with the goal to couple their end-use and full life-cycle considerations for environmentally and economically sustainable materials and products that address global challenges.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian Government agency, is partnering with the NSF Convergence Accelerator on Track I. Australian researchers have the opportunity to be on multidisciplinary teams that submit proposals aligned to Track I.
Track J: Food & Nutrition Security

This track will converge a wide range of disciplines to address intertwined challenges in supporting population health, combating climate change, and addressing the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable by empowering youth, women, and disadvantaged communities.

PARTICIPATING IN THE NSF CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR

Selected teams begin in phase 1, participating in an accelerated 12 month planning effort, with grant funding up to $750,000.  Phase 1 teams participate in the program’s innovation curriculum designed to strengthen each team’s convergence approach and to further develop the solution concepts. At the end of phase 1, teams participate in a formal NSF pitch and proposal evaluation. Selected teams advance to phase 2 to continue developing sustainable, impactful solutions. Teams are eligible to receive up to $5 million of funding during phase 2.  

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DETAILS
Who can Apply:   

Researchers and innovators from academia, industry, government, nonprofit, and other organizations are encouraged to submit a letter of intent (required) and full proposal.  
Funding Opportunity: 

Submit your proposal using one of the submission pathways: Solicitation, NSF-22-583 and the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NSFBAA-CA22-02
Solicitation Key Dates:  

Letter of Intent (required): May 31, 2022

Full Proposal Deadline: July 20, 2022   

*Full proposals are due 5 p.m. submitter’s local time.   
Informational Webinars

Join an NSF Convergence Accelerator webinar to learn about the program and the current funding opportunity. During the webinars, participants will learn about the program’s model and fundamentals, including the program’s phased approach and innovation processes used to accelerate basic research into practice; and the solicitation opportunity and the research track focuses, required Convergence Accelerator fundamentals, and important submission information. The goal of these webinars is to bring awareness of this exciting opportunity to develop use-inspired solutions to have a positive impact on national and societal challenges.  

May 4, 2022, from 1 – 3 p.m. ET

May 5, 2022, from 3 – 5 p.m. ET

Webinar Registration: http://nsfconvergenceaccelerator.eventbrite.com/

After registering a confirmation email containing the meeting information, including how to join will be provided.   

Questions: Convergence-Accelerator@nsf.gov

ABOUT THE CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR

Research is often driven by a compelling societal or scientific challenge; however, it may take the researcher community years to develop a solution. To deliver tangible solutions that have a nation-wide societal impact and at a more accelerated pace, the NSF Convergence Accelerator brings together multiple disciplines, expertise, and cross- cutting partnerships to develop solutions through a convergence research approach and innovation processes.   
To learn about future opportunities with the Convergence Accelerator, visit: beta.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator  




What’s hot in science and engineering? Check out NSF research news for the day of May 09, 2022
05/09/2022
Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.

Mon, 09 May 2022
Method reduces plastic bottles to basic components suitable for reuse
Metal-organic framework used to degrade plastics
Discarded plastic bottles abound. Simple and effective methods to recycle, repurpose or reuse the omnipresent debris do not. Chemists at Northwestern University, ...
Continue Reading

Mon, 09 May 2022
Chemists harness the power of the sun to upcycle plastic waste
Light, oxygen and a catalyst convert polystyrene into benzoic acid
Polystyrene winds up in landfills and makes up about a third of landfill waste across the globe. A team of chemists at Cornell University, partially supported by a ...
Continue Reading

GEO Quarterly Webinar

May 12 2022 2:00PM to
May 12 2022 4:00PM
Zoom
The Directorate for Geosciences will host an informational session for those interested in submitting Letters of Intent (LOI) to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Excellence in Research Solicitation (NSF 20-542). The LOI deadline is the fourth Thursday in July (July 28).
The webinar will also cover the GEO Innovation Hub activities. Get in the know of how new NSF funding ...

Continue reading on NSF.gov
Engineering Research Initiation (ERI)

Available Formats:
HTML: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22595/nsf22595.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_30&WT.mc_ev=click
PDF: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22595/nsf22595.pdf?WT.mc_id=USNSF_30&WT.mc_ev=click

Document Number: nsf22595
Public Comment:
This is an NSF Program Announcements and Information - Engineering item.
What’s hot in science and engineering? Check out NSF research news for the day of May 10, 2022
05/10/2022
Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.


Tue, 10 May 2022
Engineers develop fast and accurate COVID-19 sensor

Technology could lead to more efficient and effective mass testing
Engineers at Johns Hopkins University, supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation, have developed a COVID-19 sensor that addresses the limitations of the two most widely used types of COVID-19 tests: PCR tests that require sample ...
Continue Reading


Tue, 10 May 2022
Structures considered key to gene expression are surprisingly fleeting
Theories of how loops control gene expression may need to be revised
In human chromosomes, DNA is coated by proteins, forming a long-beaded "string." This string is folded into numerous loops, which are believed to help cells control gene expression and facilitate DNA repair, among other functions. A study by ...
Continue Reading

Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.


Wed, 11 May 2022
More than 1 in 5 reptile species are threatened with extinction
But many likely benefit from efforts to save other animals
Conservation efforts for other animals have likely helped protect many reptile species, according to a new study led by scientists at NatureServe and other organizations. The study, ...
Continue Reading

Wed, 11 May 2022
Dynamic rivers contribute to Amazon's rich bird diversity
Genome-based study finds new bird species at high risk of imminent extinction
One of the most contentious questions in evolutionary biology is: how did the Amazon become so rich in species? A new study focused on birds examines how the movements of rivers in the Amazon have ...
Continue Reading

Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.
Thu, 12 May 2022
Ice shards in Antarctic clouds let more solar energy reach Earth's surface
Splintering of frozen liquid droplets to form ice shards an important process
Clouds come in myriad shapes, sizes and types, which control their effects on climate. New research led by the University of Washington shows that the splintering of frozen liquid droplets to form ice shards inside Southern Ocean clouds dramatically affects the clouds' ability ...
Continue Reading


For more National Science Foundation news, visit our news site.


Please contact the news team for our news items.
And, for our Research News items please contact the research news team.

APEC update

COVID-19 Trade Challenges a Chance to Refresh Asia-Pacific Integration: Report

Issued by the APEC Policy Support Unit

Bangkok, Thailand, 14 May 2022

There is no better time than now for APEC member economies to revive the work on integrating the Asia-Pacific, being the most dynamic region in the world, and bringing new energy to the long-term prospect of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific or FTAAP, according to a new policy brief.

“The pandemic and the aftermath of COVID-19 have only stressed the significance of regional economic integration,” said Dr Denis Hew, Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit. “APEC policymakers need to address emerging trade-related issues and challenges in order to realize deeper regional economic integration.”

“It is not enough for governments to take decisive action at the domestic level when the world faces a pandemic,” said Carlos Kuriyama, a senior analyst with the APEC Policy Support Unit, author of the policy brief. “International collaboration has to be part of the solution.”

“Most importantly, any regional integration scheme, including free and/or regional trade agreements, could assist to overcome pandemic-related challenges,” Kuriyama added.

The report identified six main challenges affecting trade that are deemed most critical: 1) disruption in accessing essential goods, 2) disruption in trade in services, 3) difficulties in supply chain logistics, 4) digital transformation, 5) transparency, and 6) regulatory bottlenecks affecting trade in essential goods.

While some of these disruptions were far more severe during the first stage of the pandemic, the challenges persist. For example, some of the export restrictions to essential goods are still in place, services trade has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, and cross-border data restrictions have increased globally.

“There’s a need for us to resolve bottlenecks in supply chain logistics. Delays in vessel arrivals have increased in almost 50 percent since the pandemic started and freight rates for 40-ft long containers have skyrocketed in more than 600 percent”, said Kuriyama 

The policy brief highlighted that APEC, as an incubator of ideas, could take these challenges into account and incorporate new topics related to trade in goods, services, trade facilitation and digital issues, among others, into the FTAAP work program.

Kuriyama explained that member economies could come together to collectively commit to not implementing export restrictions to essential goods and ensure their availability for commercial purchase. Another example is to ensure airports, ports, customs and border facilities remain operational during pandemics.

“There is also a need for APEC economies to facilitate the movement of essential workers, including air crews and maritime seafarers across borders,” he said. “Border cooperation and technical assistance needs to be strengthened by adapting modern technologies and paperless procedures.”

Important to the future of work and trade is digitalization. The report notes that modern trade rules for data privacy, data localization, cross-border data flows, and electronic commerce (consumer protection, electronic payments and electronic signatures, among others) are needed to foster the digital economy. 

“While the pandemic has accelerated structural changes in the economy, APEC is in a position to influence the global trade agenda,” Kuriyama concluded. “APEC encourages the resilience of economies by undertaking collective initiatives, including capacity-building activities, in areas of growing interest. We must seize this momentum to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable future.”

To read the full policy brief, “Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Renewed Agenda for FTAAP,” click here.

For further details, please contact:

Masyitha Baziad +65 9751 2146 at mb@apec.org

Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at mc@apec.org 

«Ζωντάνεψαν» τα μάτια νεκρού πέντε ώρες μετά το θάνατό του

Σε μία σημαντική ανακάλυψη προχώρησαν επιστήμονες: «Ζωντάνεψαν» τα μάτια νεκρού 5 ώρες μετά τον θάνατό του.

Συγκεκριμένα οι επιστήμονες αναβίωσαν νευρικά κύτταρα που αντιλαμβάνονται το φως σε μάτια ενός πεθαμένου.
Δημοσιεύοντας την έρευνά τους στο περιοδικό Nature, μια ομάδα ερευνητών από το Οφθαλμολογικό Κέντρο John A. Moran του Πανεπιστημίου της Γιούτα και συνεργάτες του Scripps Research περιγράφουν πώς χρησιμοποίησαν τον αμφιβληστροειδή ως μοντέλο του κεντρικού νευρικού συστήματος για να διερευνήσουν πώς πεθαίνουν οι νευρώνες αλλά και νέες μεθόδους για την αναζωογόνησή τους....

Aναγνώσατε πατώντας εδώ:

https://hellasjournal.com/2022/05/sigklonistiko-epistimoniko-epitevgma-zontanepsan-ta-matia-nekrou-pente-ores-meta-to-thanato-tou/