Federal Reserve Board Notification

Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement action with FMB Bancshares, Inc. https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/enforcement20230302a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Reserve Board announces four new members of its Community Advisory Council https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20230224a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Agencies issue 2022 Shared National Credit Program review https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20230224a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

NATO latest

 

NATO Secretary General in Helsinki: time to welcome Finland and Sweden as NATO members NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Helsinki today (28 February 2023) for meetings with senior officials, and to participate in the SAMAK Nordic Summit. In remarks alongside Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Mr Stoltenberg commended the "strong support that Finland has provided to Ukraine" at this critical moment in Russia's war of aggression. On NATO membership, he said "the time is now to ratify and to fully welcome both Finland and Sweden as members" of the Alliance. Click here to download the doorstep statement by the NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Finland. Click here for the opening speech by the NATO Secretary General at the SAMAK Nordic Summit. .  France conducts largest military exercise with Allied forces in decades - Exercise Orion 23 France has launched its biggest military exercise in decades. The second phase of Exercise Orion involves 7,000 soldiers including assets from host nation France and US and UK joint assets, as well as naval assets from NATO Allies Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, and focuses on defensive operations on land, in the air, at sea and in cyberspace. As part of the exercise, three French Air and Space Force A400M transport aircraft dropped 700 French troops from the 8th Marines Infantry Parachute Regiment and an attached company from the 17 Engineer Parachute Regiment over an airfield in Castres. Another three aircraft dropped 48 hours’ worth of equipment and supplies for the force to secure and hold the area. During another phase, 700 amphibious troops came ashore from the French Navy’s amphibious ships Tonnerre and Mistral, along with vehicles and equipment. They disembarked in the coastal town of Sète before heading further north to practise manoeuvres and operations. Click here to download the b-roll. Footage includes various shots of French paratroopers landing in Castres and French amphibious troops coming ashore in Sète, as well as interviews with French officers.

Press Release 2 March 2023   Statement by the North Atlantic Council marking one year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine The NATO Invitees associate themselves with this Statement.   As we solemnly mark one year of Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades, we as Allies reaffirm our solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine in the heroic defence of their nation, their land, and our shared values.  We pay tribute to the lives lost, and we deplore the tragic human suffering and destruction, including of Ukraine’s residential areas and civilian and energy infrastructure, caused by Russia’s illegal war.    We are further stepping up political and practical support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion, and will maintain our support for as long as necessary to help Ukraine prevail.  In this context, NATO will continue to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders, including international organisations, in particular the EU, as well as like-minded countries.  We remain resolute in supporting Ukraine’s long-term efforts to secure its free and democratic future. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.  We fully support Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence and to choose its own security arrangements.    Russia bears full responsibility for this war, a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.  Russia’s actions disregard OSCE principles and commitments and gravely undermine international security and stability and the rules-based international order.  While we have called on Russia to engage constructively in credible negotiations with Ukraine, Russia has not shown any genuine openness to a just and lasting peace. We remain determined to maintain coordinated international pressure on Russia.  We also condemn all those, including Belarus, who are actively facilitating Russia’s war.  There can be no impunity for Russian war crimes and other atrocities. All those responsible must be held accountable for abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly against Ukraine’s civilian population and including the deportation of children and conflict-related sexual violence.  Russia must immediately stop this war and withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution adopted on 23 February 2023 and other relevant Resolutions of the UN General Assembly.   Russia’s war also threatens global security.  Russia’s energy blackmail, its impact on global food supplies, its malign hybrid activities, its worldwide disinformation campaign, and its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric demonstrate clearly Russia’s disregard for international norms and the welfare of billions of people around the world.   We will continue to strive for peace, security, and stability in the whole of the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO is a defensive Alliance.  We are significantly strengthening our deterrence and defence posture, and we remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory in line with our 360-degree approach against all threats and challenges.  Our commitment to the Washington Treaty, including Article 5, is iron-clad. NATO is stronger and more united than ever.  We have welcomed the choice of Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO and reaffirmed our commitment to NATO’s Open Door policy. We will continue to strengthen our partnership with Ukraine as it advances its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.  We are also further strengthening our other partnerships, including by assisting those countries most exposed to Russia’s malign influence.    Russia’s efforts to break the resolve of the brave people of Ukraine are failing.  One year on, Ukrainians are fighting valiantly for freedom and independence.  We stand with them. Déclaration du Conseil de l’Atlantique Nord, un an après le début de la guerre d’agression que la Russie mène contre l’Ukraine Les pays invités à rejoindre l’Alliance s’associent à cette déclaration.   Il y a un an, la Russie déclenchait une guerre d’agression brutale contre l’Ukraine, faisant naître, pour la sécurité euro-atlantique, la menace la plus grave depuis des décennies. Aujourd’hui, nous, les Alliés, réaffirmons solennellement notre solidarité avec le gouvernement et le peuple ukrainiens, qui défendent héroïquement leur patrie et leur sol, en même temps que nos valeurs communes. Nous rendons hommage à celles et ceux qui ont perdu la vie, et nous déplorons les tragiques souffrances ainsi que les effroyables destructions provoquées en Ukraine par la guerre que mène la Russie en toute illégalité, notamment la destruction de zones résidentielles et d’infrastructures civiles et énergétiques.   Alors que l’Ukraine se défend face à l’invasion russe, nous intensifions encore le soutien politique et pratique que nous lui apportons, et nous continuerons de la soutenir aussi longtemps qu’il le faudra pour qu’elle l’emporte. À cette fin, l’OTAN continuera de travailler en concertation étroite avec les parties concernées, notamment les organisations internationales, en particulier l’Union européenne, et les pays partageant nos valeurs. Nous demeurons résolus à aider l’Ukraine dans les efforts de longue haleine qu’elle déploie pour garder sa liberté et préserver sa démocratie. Nous réaffirmons notre attachement indéfectible à l’indépendance de l’Ukraine, à sa souveraineté et à son intégrité territoriale à l’intérieur de ses frontières internationalement reconnues. Nous soutenons pleinement l’Ukraine dans le droit naturel qui est le sien de se défendre et de choisir elle-même ses arrangements de sécurité.   La Russie porte l’entière responsabilité de cette guerre, violation flagrante du droit international et de la Charte des Nations Unies. Par ses agissements, elle bafoue les principes de l’OSCE et les engagements pris dans le cadre de celle-ci, et elle porte gravement atteinte à la sécurité et à la stabilité dans le monde ainsi qu’à l’ordre international fondé sur des règles. Nous avons appelé la Russie à s’engager de manière constructive dans des négociations sincères avec l’Ukraine, mais elle ne s’est à aucun moment montrée véritablement prête à travailler à une paix juste et durable. Nous demeurons déterminés à maintenir sur la Russie une pression coordonnée au niveau international. Nous condamnons tous ceux, et notamment le Bélarus, qui facilitent activement la guerre que mène la Russie. Les crimes de guerre et autres atrocités perpétrés par les Russes ne sauraient rester impunis. Tous les auteurs d’exactions ou d’atteintes aux droits de la personne et au droit international humanitaire, en particulier contre la population civile ukrainienne, notamment ceux qui se livrent à la déportation d’enfants ou à des violences sexuelles liées au conflit, devront répondre de leurs actes. La Russie doit immédiatement mettre fin à cette guerre et retirer d’Ukraine l’ensemble des forces armées qu’elle y a déployées, conformément à la résolution que l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies a adoptée le 23 février 2023 et aux autres résolutions applicables de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies.   La guerre déclenchée par la Russie représente une menace pour la sécurité internationale. Le chantage énergétique de la Russie, les conséquences de ses agissements sur les approvisionnements alimentaires au niveau mondial, ses activités hybrides malveillantes, la campagne de désinformation qu’elle mène à l’échelle internationale et son discours irresponsable en matière nucléaire sont révélateurs de son mépris flagrant pour les règles internationales et pour le sort de milliards de personnes de par le monde.   Nous continuerons d’œuvrer en faveur de la paix, de la sécurité et de la stabilité dans l’ensemble de la zone euro-atlantique. L'OTAN est une alliance défensive. Nous renforçons sensiblement notre posture de dissuasion et de défense, et nous demeurons prêts à défendre chaque centimètre carré du territoire de l’Alliance suivant notre approche à 360 degrés, qui englobe toutes les menaces et tous les défis. Notre attachement au traité de Washington, et notamment à son article 5, est sans faille. L’OTAN est plus forte et plus unie que jamais. Nous nous félicitons que la Finlande et la Suède aient décidé de devenir membres de l’Alliance, et nous réaffirmons que nous sommes attachés à la politique de la porte ouverte de l’OTAN. Nous continuerons de développer notre partenariat avec l’Ukraine, qui travaille à la réalisation de ses aspirations euro-atlantiques. Nous nous employons en outre à consolider nos autres partenariats, notamment en apportant une aide aux pays les plus exposés à l’influence malfaisante de la Russie.   La Russie n’est pas parvenue à briser la détermination ni à entamer le courage du peuple ukrainien. Un an après l’invasion, les Ukrainiens continuent de défendre vaillamment leur liberté et leur indépendance. Nous sommes à leurs côtés.

NATO Secretary General meets with the President of Albania On Tuesday, 7 March 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the Albanian President, Mr. Bajram Begaj, at the NATO HQ. Media Advisory 13:00 - 13:30 (CET) Joint press point by the Secretary General and the President of Albania Media Coverage Media representatives, who have annual accreditation to NATO for 2023, can cover the press conference in person. Media without the annual accreditation wishing to cover the press conference should apply for ad-hoc accreditation via the NATO accreditation portal by midday on Monday 06 March. The press point will be streamed live on the NATO website and Twitter @NATOPress. A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures taken by a NATO photographer, will be available on the NATO website. The video will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

CDC:Have a COVID-19 Plan

March 1, 2023
This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Have a COVID-19 Plan

Talk with your healthcare provider about whether you are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

People who are more likely to get very sick include older adults (ages 50 years or more, with risk increasing with age), people who are unvaccinated, and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.

Build your personal plan now by downloading COVID-19 Plan – available in English and Spanish. Edit and save your plan, and share it with your family, friends, and healthcare provider.

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Know Your Treatment Options

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of hospitalization and death.

People who are more likely to get very sick include older adults (ages 50 years or more, with risk increasing with age), people who are unvaccinated, and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.

Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. The Treatment Locator (hhs.gov) can help you find a location that offers testing and treatment or a pharmacy where you can fill your prescription.

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People Who Are Immunocompromised

Some people who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) are more likely to get sick with COVID-19 or be sick for a longer period. People can be immunocompromised either due to a medical condition or from receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments.

If you or someone you live or spend time with is immunocompromised, it is important to have a COVID-19 plan to protect yourself from infection and prepare for what to do if you get sick.

Information on this page can help you build a COVID-19 plan for preventing, diagnosing, and treating COVID, so you know what to do and can act quickly if you’re exposed, develop symptoms, or test positive and when COVID-19 levels are increasing in your community.

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COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

A few weeks ago, the federal government announced plans to end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023. COVID-19 remains a public health priority, so this doesn’t mean that CDC will stop tracking COVID-19 and sharing data. Most CDC COVID-19 data activities won’t be directly affected, but there will be changes—learn about them in the COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.

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EESC:Agriculture | Rural Development | Environment - Newsletter of the NAT Section

 

March 2023 ■ www.eesc.europa.eu/nat

The NAT section of the EESC is currently working on a number of opinions.     Find out more about our: ongoing work   |   upcoming work

EDITORIAL

Circular economy can make the EU economy more resilient to external shocks The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) was set up in 2017 based on a recommendation in the NAT opinion on the Circular Economy Package and is a joint initiative of the EESC and the European Commission. It aims to be a source of information and a forum for discussion. Over the years the Platform has grown and this week's European Circular Economy Conference has demonstrated once again both how successful it is and the importance of fostering the transition to a circular economy. The Annual Activity Report included in this edition of the newsletter shows that there are currently over 761 good practices featured on its website, which has been visited nearly half a million times since it was set up. Read more

MEET OUR MEMBERS

Meet our members | Cillian LOHAN: We are the voice of our many and varied organisations and networks The NAT section feels like my home in the Committee. There I worked on opinions that led to the establishment of the Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Tables, as well as the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform. The EU can seem like a bureaucratic echo chamber lacking real voices and real-life perspectives but we can organise our section work to be inclusive and to give space to voices, such as those of youth, that usually do not have the resources or connections to reach the decision-makers in Brussels. Read more

On 9 February 2023 the EESC hosted a public hearing on the right to a healthy environment in the EU in the context of the war in Ukraine. The event gathered international institutions, environmental law experts and European and Ukrainian civil society stakeholders and looked into immediate EU responses to the environmental damages caused by the war, analysed EU legislation and collected experts' view on the protection and improvement of a healthy environment.  A video recording is available on our website. Read more

OUR FEATURED NEWS

Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference 2023 On 27 and 28 February 2023, the EESC and the European Commission co-hosted the 6th European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, welcoming altogether some 1,000 circular economy practitioners and specialists to debate new regulations and policies, showcase best practices of EU-funded projects and schemes, explore innovations and look for partners willing to launch on joint projects. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, who also took part in the event, stressed that Europe must transition to a circular economy and power it with renewable energy to remain sovereign and competitive. Read more

European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform - Annual Activity Report The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform's 2022 Annual Activity Report is now out. It describes what has been achieved over the last year and what the Platform has been focusing on. Find out which EU Circular Talks were organised, which issues the Leadership Groups were exploring and which international events the Platform took part in. The report also provides figures on website content and the Platform's social media accounts. Read more

EESC online event | Time for an EU Blue Deal On 27 February 2023, the EESC hosted a high-level hearing on water policies and challenges aiming to set the scene for its cross-cutting work on water in 2023. The event focused on the most pressing water-related challenges now and in the years to come, and on the state of play regarding existing policies and actions. The outcome of the hearing will now feed into a package of own-initiative opinions which aim to examine the economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical aspects of water. A video recording of the event is available online. Read more

EESC online event | Ecological overshoot  On 16 February 2023 the EESC hosted a public event to assess the extent of the EU's current ecological overshoot. The event looked into proposals from organised civil society to push back against resource depletion and presented good practices and initiatives to reduce the EU's impact on the environment. Speakers discussed how the European Green Deal and EU climate change policies can tackle the EU's footprint, the policy measures needed and the main challenges ahead. A video recording and the presentations of the speakers are available on our website. Read more

Pollution: "We cannot be satisfied with the current ecological state of European waters" In an interview with Toute l'Europe, NAT member Arnaud Schwartz talked about his recently adopted opinion on "Integrated water management – revised lists of surface and groundwater pollutants" and stressed the poor condition of surface and ground water in Europe and the importance of setting out a time limit for the phasing out of priority hazardous substances. Once released into the environment, different substances interact with each other so it's important that these cocktails of chemical products, as opposed to a molecule studied on its own in a laboratory, are taken into account to determine limits in the uses and in their presence in the environment. Read more

Timber construction can help reduce CO2 emissions  With the objective of more sustainable and less polluting buildings in mind, a recent hearing organised by the EESC explored the potential of wood construction in reducing CO2 emissions and thus in contributing to the EU's goal of climate neutrality. With the European Green Deal and the use of wood as building material, the EU could create a sustainable and climate-friendly future because increasing the share of renewable resources, and in particular the proportion of wood used in building materials, are key factors in reducing carbon emissions. An exploratory opinion on the topic is currently being drawn up. Read more

Study on Structured youth engagement Deadline for expression of interest: 20 March 2023 at 17:00 CET The EESC is planning to launch a procurement procedure for a study on Structured youth engagement in the aftermath of the European Year of Youth 2022. The goal of the study is to map and draw lessons from good practices of structured youth engagement to help the EU institutions, and in particular the EESC, to develop the necessary and appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the voices of young people are duly heard. The study shall, among others, provide case studies of participation mechanisms, EU policy recommendations and possible actions for future EESC initiatives. Read more

ALSO ON THE AGENDA

European Commission | Using less chemical pesticides: a toolbox of good practices The European Commission published a database presenting an overview of the integrated pest management (IPM) methods currently available. The toolbox, which will be updated with additional examples on a regular basis, is intended to inspire national authorities and farm advisors to develop and implement IPM approaches after adapting them to local/regional farm and agro-climatic conditions. In parallel to this, a study will assess their effectiveness and prospects for their further uptake and investigate key barriers and drivers affecting the reduction of dependency on pesticide use. Read more

European Citizens' Food Waste Panel Accelerating food waste reduction in the EU was the topic of the first of the new generation of citizens’ panel to actively contribute to the EU policy-making process. The panel presented 23 recommendations to speed up food waste reduction to the European Commission, all around three lines of action: strengthening the cooperation in the food value chain, encouraging food business initiatives and supporting the change of consumer behaviour. The recommendations will support the Commission’s work on food waste, including the upcoming legislative proposal to set legally binding EU reduction targets. Read more

FAO Brief | Enabling a legal environment for the prevention and reduction of food loss and waste A legal brief recently published by FAO outlines a set of key regulatory measures that contribute to an enabling environment for the prevention and reduction of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) at all stages of the food supply chain under an agri-food system approach. Regulatory measures to tackle FLW include establishing institutional mechanisms for coordination of action, allocating clear roles and responsibilities among all stakeholders involved and setting binding targets for the reduction of FLW. Read more

Rural pact conference | Sharing Experiences and Learning for the Future  The long-term vision for the EU's rural areas was launched in June 2021. Since then, rural pact mobilisation has started in various parts of the EU, aiming to make rural Europe stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous by 2040. But what are the experiences so far and what can we learn from each other in order to take the next step for a revitalised rural Europe? A conference in Uppsala (Sweden) will share best practices at national and local level and discuss the involvement and participation of youth in the Rural Pact. Read more

UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment The UN Secretary-General committed to convene a UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in June 2023 where, building on the momentum of the 2021 Food Systems Summit, countries will be able to review the commitments to action they had made, share stories of success and maintain bold action to further the resilience of food systems, while boosting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Stocktaking Moment will take place in Rome, 24–26 July 2023, at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Read more

Circular Cities Declaration Report 2022 The 2022 Circular Cities Declaration Report is the broadest ever assessment of circular economy practices across European cities. The report provides a very broad spectrum of data and shows that considerable progress is being made: half of the 40 cities involved in the programme already have circular economy strategies in place or in development. It also highlights how our urban areas are becoming circular, but also how the transition can be accelerated. Residents, city authorities, national governments and the private sector all have levers they can pull to help us go circular. Read more

Fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems On 21 February, the European Commission presented a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU's fisheries and aquaculture sector. From energy transition to protecting and restoring marine ecosystems, the main objectives of the measures are to promote the use of cleaner energy sources and reduce dependency on fossil fuels as well as reduce the sector's impact on marine ecosystems. The proposals also aim to make the sector an attractive job place for the younger generations. The NAT section will be actively involved in these proposals as part of its work on sustainable fisheries & aquaculture. Read more

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Have your say! Citizens and businesses can share their views on new EU policies and existing laws. All initatives here.   Today in the spotlight:     Reducing packaging waste – review of rules (expires 13/04)

RECENTLY ADOPTED OPINIONS

At its 576th plenary session, held on 22 and 23 February 2023, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinions in the field of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment:   Revision of EU ambient air quality legislation   Review of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive   Integrated water management - revised lists of surface and groundwater pollutants

UPCOMING EVENTS

7/03/2023 | 10:30-13:00 CET | Partnership event More farms across Europe: a roadmap for the re-territorialisation of European food systems (EESC partnership event with Viacampesina)

9/03/2023 | 11:00-12:30 CET| Thematic debate Rural Pact #1: Renewable energies in rural areas

4/04/2023 | 9:30-17:30 CEST | Workshop How to strengthen EU's leadership on the SDGs

OTHER LINKS AND NEWSLETTERS

European Environment Agency - news  European Commission - DG CLIMA - news European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform - newsletter Eurpean Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) - newsletter European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils (EEAC) - newsletter  FAO - newsletter  ECOLISE - newsletter Via Campesina - press releases - newsletter Copa Cogeca - press releases The European Network for Rural Development - home - events Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) - latest news  Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) - newsletter International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) - updates Meta - the news channel of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) - news European Parliament - Envi Committee - newsletter EESC - Liaison Group - newsletter

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