NATO update

18 October 2024 Update NATO Secretary General: Strengthening deterrence “top priority” NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of talks on 18 October 2024 with a commitment to further support Ukraine, strengthen ties with partners in the Asia-Pacific and reinforce the Alliance’s deterrence and defence. READ MORE NATO Defence Ministers Meeting opens with a focus on Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific NATO Defence Ministers agreed on 17 October 2024 to boost cooperation with their Indo-Pacific partners and to step up support for Ukraine. Read more NATO launches five new multinational cooperation initiatives that enhance deterrence and defence On 17 October 2024, NATO launched five initiatives designed to address some of the most critical areas for Allied deterrence and defence. These new multinational High Visibility Projects will involve a total of 26 Allies and will help deliver critical capabilities that will enhance interoperability among NATO forces. Read more

APEC News

Public Policies in Focus as APEC Pushes for Sustainable Finance Solutions

Issued by the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process

Lima, Peru, 24 October 2024

The growing urgency to address climate change and environmental challenges has propelled sustainable finance into the spotlight as governments, businesses and investors increasingly prioritize sustainability considerations. This shift is transforming the financial landscape and driving capital toward projects that promote sustainability from renewable energy infrastructure to social impact initiatives.

Against this backdrop, APEC Finance Ministers from across the APEC region convened in Lima on Sunday to discuss strategies for promoting low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. Representatives from international organizations, business leaders, and experts also offered their views on transition to a sustainable economy and the potential for investment it may bring.

Opening the High-Level Event on Sustainable Finance: Public Policies in Action for Sustainable Development, José Arista Arbildo, Peru’s Minister of Economy and Finance, emphasized the importance of recognizing the interconnection between economic growth, environmental sustainability and social well-being.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION:AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

 

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Milk and dairy products newsletter

Follow us  |  |  |

Latest update Dashboard: Milk and dairy products Highlights EU butter prices: 786€/100 kg, +0.8% in the last 4 weeks; EU SMP prices: 250€/100 kg, -1.8% in the last 4 weeks; EU WMP prices: 410€/100 kg, -3.5% in the last 4 weeks; EU cheddar prices: 415€/100kg, +2.3% in the last 4 weeks; IT’s spot milk price slightly up, at 65.3c/kg (20.10.2024); Increase of feed cost by +1.1% and of energy cost by +4.7% in week 42 compared to the previous 4 weeks. EU milk and dairy products policy | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook Agricultural markets dashboard – sheep meat View the latest update Related links EU Sheepmeat and goatmeat policy | EU agriclutural markets short-term outlook – animal products Agricultural markets dashboard – poultry meat View the latest update Related links EU poultry policy | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook Agricultural markets dashboard – eggs View the latest update Related links EU eggs policy | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook Agricultural markets dashboard – Tomatoes See the latest update in the fruit and vegetables market observatory. Related links EU fruits and vegetables scheme | EU agricultural markets short-term outlook – arable crops

Upcoming event

Agri-Food Days 2024 Agri-Food Days 2024 teaser date 10/12/2024 - 12/12/2024 venue Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170 - 1049 Brussels Belgium Registration Register to attend on site

Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

U.S.A.'s interesting latest news

U.S.A. Gov

Freeze your credit to protect yourself from identity fraud Identity theft and credit fraud are common scams that can seriously damage your credit score. For example, they can limit your access to home, auto, and student loans. Placing a freeze on your credit protects you by: Restricting access to your credit report Preventing others from opening new credit accounts in your name Freezing your credit is free and lasts until you remove it. To do so, contact all three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

News and Media Release PBGC Approves SFA Application for Midwestern Teamsters Plan Midwestern Teamsters Pension Plan Averts Insolvency and Reduction of Benefits Through Receipt of Special Financial Assistance FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) announced today that it has approved the application submitted to the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program by the Midwestern Teamsters Pension Plan (Midwestern Teamsters Plan). The plan, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, covers 615 participants in the transportation industry. The Midwestern Teamsters Plan will receive approximately $23.6 million in SFA, including interest to the expected date of payment to the plan. The plan was projected to become insolvent and run out of money in 2032. Without the SFA Program, the Midwestern Teamsters Plan would have been required to reduce participants’ benefits to the PBGC guarantee levels upon plan insolvency, which is roughly 20 percent below the benefits payable under the terms of the plan. That means, if not for the SFA Program, participants in the plan would have seen their monthly pension benefits reduced by roughly 20 percent. SFA will enable the plan to continue to pay retirement benefits without reduction for many years into the future.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau....

 Statement by the Prime Minister on United Nations Day

October 24, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on United Nations Day:

“For nearly 80 years, the United Nations (UN) has brought the international community together to make progress on global challenges. Protecting human rights. Fighting climate change. Strengthening democracy, peace, and security. Reinforcing international law.

“As a founding member, Canada is doing its part to make this progress possible. Last month, at the UN General Assembly, we announced $200 million in measures to make the world better, fairer, and more secure. Our investments will protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, strengthen action on gender equality, fight climate change, and support efforts to restore peace and security in Haiti.

“We also adopted the Pact for the Future, so we can find shared solutions to shared challenges, alongside partners. As Co-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocates group and SDG Stimulus Leaders group, I continue to highlight Canada’s commitment to advancing the SDGs. With the Vancouver Principles, we are leading efforts to end the recruitment of child soldiers. And with the Elsie Initiative, we are increasing the participation of women in peace operations.

“The UN’s mission would not be possible without its humanitarian workers, officers, and peacekeepers. It is critical we ensure their safety and protect their ability to deliver life-saving assistance. When we work together, we can make life better. This is what the UN is about. I invite Canadians to learn more about this important work.”

Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 17, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:

European Economic and Social Committee,update

 

Please ignore this message if you have already registered Invitation Annual Conference on Fundamental rights & the Rule of Law Five years of civil society perspectives EESC, online & VMA22 06/11/2024 | 10:00 – 17:10

The fifth EESC FRRL Group's annual conference will provide a platform for debate of the fifth EC rule of law report, and the final report of the 2018-2024 first cycle of FRRL Group country visits to all EU Member States (as well as the report on the 2023-2024 visits). EESC Members, civil society representatives (including social partners), EU institutions and other stakeholders will discuss the main recent developments in the EU in the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law. Building on the dedicated EESC Opinion (SOC/797), they will also share their evaluation of the EU response through the rule of law review mechanism. Your participation and input are most welcome!

EESC opinion | A Blueprint for a European Green and Social Deal

 

We are excited to announce the adoption of the EESC own-initiative opinion A Blueprint for a European Green and Social Deal, based on a wellbeing economy, which has been adopted at the EESC Plenary in September 2024. You can find the opinion here. We want to extend a warm thank you for your active participation in our foresight workshop organised by the EESC in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre on 23 April. Your contribution was essential in shaping a common vision for future social wellbeing. At the EESC, we remain committed to fostering a social wellbeing economy. If you have any questions, ideas, or would like to explore specific topics further, please feel free to reach out by replying to this message.

European Economic and Social Committee Rue Belliard 99 1040 Brussels Belgium

EUR-Lex searches are evolving

 

Follow us

Upcoming switch to Elastic Search

EUR-Lex searches are evolving EUR-Lex will soon be migrating to a new search engine based on Elastic Search. In general, you should not be affected, since searches based on metadata should yield the same results.   However, this represents a transition to a new technology with different algorithms, which could lead to slightly different relevancy associated with the search results in some cases.    You can expect:  more robustness and stability for both EUR-Lex and the webservice;   an autocomplete feature based on phrases and not on terms.  The go-live is expected for mid-November. However, post go-live adjustments are to be expected as we open the new search to its widest possible test base, the public.   We welcome your feedback via the EUR-Lex help desk to help us continuously improve the new EUR-Lex search service.

If you have any questions, please contact us.