IMF latest news

 

Dear MARIA, In today's edition, we highlight: Asia's economies can embrace services to boost growth, productivity WTO Director-General on the benefits of international commerce Additional chair for Sub-Saharan Africa on the Fund's Board Middle East and North Africa Regional Economic Outlook Launched COP29 update, IMF Managing Director visits Egypt, and much more ECONOMIC GROWTH Asia's Economies Can Embrace Services to Boost Growth and Productivity (Credit: JohnnyGreig/iStock by Getty Images) The Asia-Pacific region prospered by becoming the source of more than half of global factory output, but another transformation to higher-productivity services has the potential to further support growth, write the IMF’s Chikako Baba, Rahul Giri, and Krishna Srinivasan in a new blog. Employment and production typically move from agriculture to manufacturing to services, as part of natural progression that comes with rising income. Today, many Asian countries are highly industrialized. If history is a guide, industry’s share of production will shrink as more activity passes to services. The growth of services has already drawn about half of the region’s workers into that sector; this shift is likely to accelerate with further expansion of international trade in modern services such as finance, information, and communication technology, as well as business outsourcing. By contrast, traditional services—for example, tourism or distribution services—have lower productivity and contribute less to economic growth.

SPD update

 

Berlin, 08. November 2024  –  192/24

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Sozialdemokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen (AsJ) Resilienz des Bundesverfassungsgerichts stärken! Den Rechtsstaat auch in der Krise bewahren

Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft sozialdemokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen (ASJ) schließt sich dem Appell zahlreicher Juristenverbände (https://anwaltverein.de/de/newsroom) zur Stärkung der Resilienz des Bundesverfassungsgerichtes an. „Wir appellieren an alle demokratischen Fraktionen im Bundestag: Beschließen Sie jetzt die notwendigen Änderungen des Grundgesetzes, um das Bundesverfassungsgericht zum Schutz des freiheitlichen und demokratischen Rechtsstaats zu stärken“, sagten Antje Draheim und Harald Baumann-Hasske, Bundesvorsitzende der ASJ. Die geplante Grundgesetzänderung zur Stärkung der Resilienz des Bundesverfassungsgerichts als überparteiliches Projekt ist auch nach dem Ausscheiden der FDP aus der Ampelkoalition von so herausragender Bedeutung für den demokratischen Rechtsstaat, dass alle demokratischen Parteien sich dafür einsetzen sollten, die Reform noch vor den angestrebten Neuwahlen zu beschließen. Den demokratischen Parteien im Bundestag ist es gelungen, gemeinsam ein gutes Konzept zur Stärkung und besseren Absicherung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts vorzulegen. Das Gesetzgebungsverfahren sollte jetzt zügig im Bundestag und danach im Bundesrat abgeschlossen werden.

EUROPEAN BANK's update

 

News

EBRD to allocate additional €3 billion for its Green Cities programme 06-11-2024 01:35 PM GMT Replenished programme to introduce updated Green City Action Plan methodology EBRD and EU launch SME Go Green programme in Serbia 06-11-2024 03:38 PM GMT New credit line to increase green funding for local businesses EBRD guarantee to QNB Egypt to unlock €70 million for small firms in Egypt 08-11-2024 03:21 PM GMT Facility supported by European Union’s European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus EBRD to support climate finance and private sector mobilisation at COP29 08-11-2024 06:45 AM GMT Bank’s delegation to work with governments, private sector and fellow MDBs in Baku EBRD lends €100 million to TAG’s Vantage Development to boost green residential housing in Poland 08-11-2024 07:00 AM GMT Investment to finance around 3,000 new rental apartments

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION,s update

 

08 Nov 2024 Latest news

Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS, Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website which match with your news preferences.

NEWS ITEM DDG Ellard: WTO is an instrument to address trade and development challenges WTO Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard on 30 October underlined the important role of the WTO in helping to address global challenges and the needs of developing members. She was speaking at a fireside chat with Georgetown Law professors Jennifer Hillman and Katrin Kuhlmann at the Center on Inclusive Trade and Development in Washington, D.C. News item   ⟶

NEWS ITEM WTO Regional Trade Policy Course closes in Togo On 1 November, the WTO and the University of Lomé closed the second Regional Trade Policy Course organized in 2024 in Lomé, Togo. During eight weeks, 20 government officials from francophone African WTO member or observer countries deepened their knowledge of multilateral trade agreements under the guidance of WTO experts and speakers from the region. News item   ⟶   NEWS ITEM DDG Hill calls for strengthened efforts to tackle emerging challenges at Import Expo At the Hongqiao International Economic Forum on 5 November in Shanghai, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill emphasized the importance of ensuring that “trade remains a lever for lifting all livelihoods”. Delivering a message at a high-level session titled “China and 30 Years of the WTO: History and Evolution,” DDG Hill highlighted WTO members' active discussions on emerging challenges and encouraged China and all WTO members to keep working for a better future for all through the multilateral trading system. News item   ⟶

KREMLIN's Weekly information newsletter

November 4 − 11, 2024

Culture

Message on Alexandra Pakhmutova’s 95th birthdayNovember 9, 2024, 21:00

Greetings to the staff of the Chechen Republic MuseumNovember 7, 2024, 12:00

Meeting of the Presidential Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian Language and Languages of the Peoples of the Russian FederationNovember 5, 2024, 17:50

Environment

Greetings to the Second National Scientific and Practical Dokuchayev ConferenceNovember 7, 2024, 11:00

Foreign Policy

AHEPA Visits Delaware Valley, Kicks off Journey to Greece Fundraising

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

AHEPA Visits Delaware Valley, Kicks off Journey to Greece Fundraising

Supreme President Savas Tsivicos led a contingent of AHEPA's Global leaders in a visit to the Philadelphia Region chapters, hosted by the Camden Chapter 69 of Cherry Hill, NJ. Over 100 members of the organization with delegations from Philadelphia, Upper Darby, Wildwood, Vineland, and Cherry Hill attended a dinner reception in the Danielle Kousoulis Greek Cultural Center at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church. Joining the Supreme President was Supreme Governor Dean Moskos, Supreme Secretary Zenon Christodoulou, and Supreme Vice President Chris Kaitson from Houston, Texas. A mass initiation of the chapters spanning two regions ensued with the assistance of the District Five Lodge, led by District Governor Ion Kontolios and his lodge, Lou Stefanou, George Perentesis, Evans Farres, TJ Borzekas, Peter Doulis, and the host chapter President Jon Patouhas and his officers. The AHEPA Heroes Medal was bestowed on many from various communities for a lifetime of outstanding service. The Supreme President awarded this honor to Philip Nicolaides, Dr. Elias Iliades, Eleftherios Klekos, Peter Doulis, Peter Kallitsopoulos, Tony Ringos, George Giordas, John, George and Jim Armentani. Members of the Supreme and District Lodges assisted the Supreme President in making these presentations.

Also receiving the Heroes medal was Cherry Hill member Anastasios Efstratiades, Esq. in recognition of a generous $200,000 donation to the Journey to Greece program. The Supreme President announced the Journey to Greece Fundraiser on December 15 at The Graycliff, and set a goal of matching the $200,000 donation with combined proceeds from individual, chapter, and district donations for the event. The fathers of three students who participated in the 2024 Journey to Greece Program, Dennis Papadeas, Bobby Pantelous, and Dimitri Krontiris, gave testimonies to the group on their children's experience this past year, thanking AHEPA and the Supreme President for his initiative. At the end of the presentation and as a kickoff to the Journey to Greece December fifteenth fundraiser, the Cherry Hill and Vineland Chapters pledged an additional $10,000 to the program.

# # # American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

NATO update

 

8 November 2024 Update Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Ukraine associate themselves with this statement NATO Allies strongly condemn the decisions by the leaders of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to dangerously expand Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. READ MORE NATO Secretary General meets with European leaders in Hungary On 7 November 2024, Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in a meeting of the European Political Community in Budapest, Hungary. The meeting was an opportunity for European leaders to discuss a broad range of security challenges and the importance of working together to address them. Read more NATO Secretary General congratulates US President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance I congratulate Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO. Read more

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,..

Statement by the Prime Minister on Indigenous Veterans Day

November 8, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Indigenous Veterans Day:

“Today, on Indigenous Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis who have served in Canada’s Armed Forces. We honour their courage and commit to sharing their stories for generations to come.

“Indigenous Peoples are etched into Canada’s military history. They fought alongside British troops in the War of 1812. They served as snipers and scouts during the First and Second World Wars. They put their lives on the line – from Korea to Afghanistan. And today, with more than 2,700 Indigenous members serving in the Armed Forces, their contributions have been both numerous and invaluable.

“We are increasing our supports for Indigenous Veterans and their families. Earlier this year, we provided additional funding for the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund, a cross-industry effort to support the well-being of Veterans and their families, including within Indigenous communities. We are also funding organizations that host remembrance initiatives for Indigenous Veterans.

“On this Indigenous Veterans Day, and every day, we thank all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.

“Lest we forget.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat

November 8, 2024
Toronto, Ontario

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who was visiting Canada for the second High-Level Dialogue between Canada and the African Union Commission. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, and the Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen.

GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on November 7, 2024. _______     Canada: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual Canadian apple production is forecast to see a five percent growth in MY 2024/25, driven by a larger Quebec crop and average Ontario crop. Pear production is forecast to be down nine percent on 2023 numbers as a result of cold impacts to the crop in British Columbia. A larger Ontario crop will only partially offset losses in British Columbia. Production of table grapes is forecast to decline sixteen percent due to adverse weather events impacting Ontario and British Columbia. Imports of apples and pears are forecast to be down slightly in MY 2024/25 driven by shifting consumer preferences and a reduction in U.S. production. Exports of apples are forecast up eight percent on the larger forecasted crop. Imports of table grapes are forecast two percent higher.   Colombia: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report outlines Colombia’s requirements for import permits and export certificates for agricultural products intended for human and animal consumption. It also provides a list of the Colombian government agencies involved in the entry of imported food products. For assistance on trade policy and port issues in Colombia, U.S. exporters are encouraged to contact FAS Bogota at agbogota@fas.usda.gov or jose.quintero@usda.gov