Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Past Supreme President, Board of Trustees Member, Anthony Kouzounis Passes Away

The members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) deeply mourn the passing of Board of Trustees Director and Past Supreme President Anthony Kouzounis, announced Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas. Brother Kouzounis passed away November 8, 2022. He was 86. “We mourn the significant loss of Past Supreme President Anthony Kouzounis,” Supreme President Kokotas said. “Brother Anthony loved the Order immensely, serving numerous offices with dedication, including as a valued member of the Board of Trustees. He will be remembered fondly by the AHEPA family as mentor to many Ahepans, for his generosity to the Order, and as a kind and gentle human being. We are grateful for his service to the community, and he will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Millie. May his memory be eternal.” Brother Kouzounis, a Life Member of Alexander the Great Chapter 29, Houston, served as Supreme President in 2013 to 2014. During his term, AHEPA amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars collectively for humanitarian assistance as AHEPA’s public health campaign for Greece hit its stride with the delivery of medical supplies shipments. He also oversaw the donation of food assistance for the children of Greece and Cyprus and AHEPA provided relief aid to tornado victims of the Midwest. Brother Anthony led a vital AHEPA delegation as part of an inaugural landmark Leadership Mission comprised of American Hellenic and American Jewish organizations to Israel, Cyprus, and Greece in January 2014. Additionally, during his term, AHEPA secured funds to donate a cart for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to use on the island of Halki. In 2019, Brother Anthony, and his wife, Millie, donated $50,000 to AHEPA’s “Century Capital Campaign.” Brother Kouzounis also served as chair of the AHEPA International Committee during his AHEPA career. For all his contributions to AHEPA and the Greek American community, Brother Kouzounis received the AHEPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 at the Centennial Grand Banquet in Orlando, Florida.

USDA update

 

Grain: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in grains. Covers wheat, rice and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, oats and rye). Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

The following GAIN reports were released on November 7, 2022.

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Australia: Dairy and Products Annual

Milk production in 2023 in Australia is forecast to decline by another two percent to 8.4 million metric tons (MMT), after an estimated six percent fall in 2022 to 8.55 MMT. This decline is expected despite a big increase in farm gate milk prices for 2022/23 to far exceed the previous record, and overall good seasonal production conditions for dairy farmers leading into the forecast year. The shortage of labor has precluded dairy farmers from taking advantage of these factors and will impact 2023 production. Factory use consumption of milk is forecast to decline to 5.535 MMT, from an estimated 5.685 MMT in 2022, pressured by lower milk production and also forecast growth in milk fluid exports in 2023. Australia is continuing to focus its processed milk products towards cheese production, which is set to remain fairly steady in 2023. However, the volume of butter, skim milk powder and whole milk powder production and exports are all forecast to decline moderately in 2023.

 

India: Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional

India’s hospitality sector, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has now recovered to pre-pandemic conditions and sales. The hotel, restaurant and institutional sector owes its rapid recovery to domestic travel and a return to in-person dining and catered events. By the end of 2022, a continued reduction in COVID-19 cases combined with improved consumer confidence for dining out, will drive demand for imported food products. Opportunities for U.S. exporters continue to remain in high-value consumer-oriented food products, including tree nuts, fresh fruits, wines, distilled spirits, condiments, and processed foods. However, high food price inflation, a sharp weakening of the rupee, and continued supply chain challenges may impact demand for imported food products in India.

 

Morocco: WTO Notification on Maximum Limits of Contaminants in Food

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/87 on October 17, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s maximum limits of contaminants in food and food products. Comments are due no later than December 16, 2022. Note that the Government of Morocco approved the Joint Order and published it in the Official Bulletin #7136 on October 20, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

 

For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade

This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in oilseeds. Covers oilseeds (copra, cottonseed, palm kernel, peanut, rapeseed, soybean and sunflower seed), meal (copra, cottonseed, fish, palm kernel, peanut, rapeseed, soybean and sunflower seed) and oil (coconut, cottonseed, olive, palm, palm kernel, peanut, rapeseed, soybean and sunflower seed).

• Current Report
• Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

World Agricultural Production

Monthly report on crop acreage, yield and production in major countries worldwide. Sources include reporting from FAS’s worldwide offices, official statistics of foreign governments,  and analysis of economic data and satellite imagery. The report reflects official USDA estimates released in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). 

• Current Report
• Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

Cotton: World Markets and Trade

This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in cotton.

• Current Report
• Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

From Leonidas Koumakis: "Στόχος: Εκρέμ Ιμάμογλου"

Leonidas Koumakis
Στόχος: Εκρέμ Ιμάμογλου


ΑΥΡΙΟ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ 11 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2022 ΔΙΚΑΖΕΤΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΤΟΥΡΚΙΚΟ ΚΑΘΕΣΤΩΣ Ο ΕΚΡΕΜ ΙΜΑΜΟΓΛΟΥ ΓΙΑΤΙ ΕΙΠΕ ΤΟΝ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟ ΠΑΡΑΝΟΜΙΑΣ, ΥΠΟΚΟΣΜΟΥ και ΕΜΠΟΡΙΟΥ ΝΑΡΚΩΤΙΚΩΝ ΣΟΥΛΕΙΜΑΝ ΣΟΙΛΟΥ .... ΒΛΑΚΑ!

NASA's Earth Observatory,update

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 Weekly News

LATEST IMAGES OF THE DAY view the archive

Tornado Damage in Texas The twister tore roofs off homes and flattened forests as winds raged to speeds of 170 miles per hour.       Flowing Free Through Albania Though there are more than one million dams and other barriers on Europe's rivers, little disrupts the natural flow of the Vjosa River.       Lake Torrens is a Lake Again In October 2022, a substantial amount of water returned to this ephemeral lake in South Australia.       Agriculture in Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert The fertile flood plains around the San Miguel River are conducive to maize and other agricultural production.       An Oceanic and Atmospheric Potpourri Smoke, cloud wakes, and an abundance of phytoplankton off the coast of Chile punctuate this spring scene.       Iceberg A-76A in the Drake Passage The berg maintained its huge size as it drifted into the turbulent passage between Antarctica and South America.       Smoky Skies in Northern India Seasonal fires and a mix of other pollutants darkened skies in Delhi and beyond.

NASA | 8800 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20771

Report by President Charles Michel to the European Parliament plenary session

 

Press material Wednesday 9 November 2022

● European Council   09/11/2022 18:19 | Statements and remarks | Report by President Charles Michel to the European Parliament plenary session   D'abord, permettez-moi, Madame la Présidente du Parlement, de vous indiquer que le devoir de mémoire est une exigence constante et je voudrais vous remercier de porter la voix de l'Europe en ce jour mémorable et en ce jour marquant. Our last European Council meeting was a pivotal one, because our decisions are awaited. They are awaited by citizens and families facing astronomical gas and electricity bills. Awaited by businesses, large and small, hit by unsustainable energy costs and inflationary pressures. And awaited by many European governments, worried about their shrinking budgetary margins.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,update

 

November 7, 2022 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.

Improving Ventilation in Your Home Small particles that people breathe out can contain virus particles, including the virus that causes COVID-19. If a guest visits your home, improving ventilation (air flow) can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in the air. Improving ventilation can help you reduce virus particles in your home and keep COVID-19 from spreading. You may or may not know if someone in your home or if a visitor to your home has COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses.

GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on November 4, 2022. _______   Canada: Grain and Feed Update In marketing year 2022/23, wheat production is forecast up more than 50 percent from the previous year on increased acreage and higher yields due to improved soil moisture. Wheat exports are forecast to increase year-over-year on larger domestic supplies. Crop 2022 will be the first sizable crop in four years to compete for rail services with other sectors throughout an entire marketing year. Non-durum and durum wheat are expected to be of high quality, resulting in lower feed-grade wheat supplies.   China: Oilseeds and Products Update China’s marketing year (MY) 22/23 soybean production is forecast to reach a near-record 19 million metric tons (MMT) on higher yields. Post maintains forecasted MY 22/23 soybean imports at 96.5 MMT on higher demand for soybean meal (SBM) for swine and poultry and vegetable oil demand for food sector use. Import growth is forecast to be partially constrained by higher domestic soybean production, ongoing sales of state reserve soybeans, and ongoing uncertainty regarding People’s Republic of China (PRC) COVID restrictions. MY 21/22 soybean imports were 91.6 MMT, 8.1 MMT lower than the previous year, on weak demand for SBM and vegetable oil.   European Union: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual EU commercial apple production in Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 is forecast at 11.9 MMT, an increase of 2.9% compared to the previous year. EU commercial pear production is expected to amount to 1.99 MMT, a rebound from the 14% lower crop in the previous year. EU commercial table grape production is forecast up 11.5% from the previous season at 1.57 MMT. However, the lack of seasonal workers and high energy prices may prompt farmers to leave some of their orchards unharvested. A higher than usual share of apples is expected to be diverted from the fresh market to the processing sector early in the season to avoid high storage costs.   India: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual India’s domestic apple and pear production in market year (MY) (July-June) 2022/23 are estimated at 2.35 million metric tons (MMT) and 311,000 metric tons (MT), respectively. Favorable rainfall in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has augmented yields and will lead to increased exports. Market year 2022/23 apple imports are estimated at 430,000 MT. India’s domestic apple industry continues to compete against imported Turkish and Iranian apples (in addition to other sources) and is hindered by an insufficient cold chain network that contributes to reduced product quality and limited distribution beyond the northern India region. Domestic table grape production is forecast at 2.85 MMT, largely unchanged from the previous MY as excessive rains in Maharashtra have delayed pruning and reduced the harvest window. Consumer demand for domestic and imported apples, pears, and grapes is steadily growing.   South Korea: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual Korea’s 2022/23 pear production is projected to increase by 16 percent, driven mostly by increased yields due to favorable weather. Korean pear consumption is projected to rise by 14.3 percent following a 6 percent fall in market prices, with the balance of increased production going to exports. Fresh pear imports (including U.S. origin) are not allowed under Korea’s existing phytosanitary regulations.   Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly Export prices increased one percent due to the strengthening of the Thai baht and strong export demand.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

Χορήγηση επιδόματος θέρμανσης χειμερινής περιόδου 2022 / 2023

Δημοσιεύθηκε στην Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως (ΦΕΚ Β΄ 5646) η κοινή Απόφαση του Υπουργού Οικονομικών κ. Χρήστου Σταϊκούρα, του Αναπληρωτή Υπουργού Οικονομικών κ. Θόδωρου Σκυλακάκη και του Υφυπουργού Οικονομικών κ. Απόστολου Βεσυρόπουλου, σχετικά με τη χορήγηση του επιδόματος θέρμανσης για τη χειμερινή περίοδο 2022/2023.

Με την απόφαση υλοποιούνται οι δεσμεύσεις της Κυβέρνησης για τη στήριξη των νοικοκυριών στην αντιμετώπιση του αυξημένου κόστους προμήθειας καυσίμων θέρμανσης κατά την τρέχουσα ενεργειακή κρίση και λαμβάνεται μέριμνα για την αύξηση των δικαιούχων και του ύψους του επιδόματος.

Ειδικότερα, η χορήγηση του επιδόματος επεκτείνεται και στο φωτιστικό πετρέλαιο (μπλε κηροζίνη) πέραν του πετρελαίου εσωτερικής καύσης θέρμανσης, του φυσικού αερίου, του υγραερίου, των καυσόξυλων, της βιομάζας (πέλετ) και της θερμικής ενέργειας μέσω τηλεθέρμανσης. Επιπλέον, διευρύνονται τα εισοδηματικά κριτήρια και τα όρια της συνολικής αξίας της ακίνητης περιουσίας των αιτούντων, ώστε να ενταχθούν στην επιδότηση περισσότεροι δικαιούχοι, και αυξάνεται η βάση υπολογισμού και το ανώτατο ποσό του επιδόματος.

Προβλέπεται διπλασιασμός του ποσού του επιδόματος, το οποίο δύναται να ανέλθει στα 1.600 ευρώ, για νέους δικαιούχους οι οποίοι δεν χρησιμοποιούν φυσικό αέριο και για παλαιούς δικαιούχους οι οποίοι παύουν να χρησιμοποιούν φυσικό αέριο και το αντικαθιστούν με μία από τις λοιπές επιδοτούμενες καύσιμες ύλες ή με τηλεθέρμανση.

Η καταβολή του επιδόματος θα πραγματοποιηθεί σε 3 δόσεις. Για τη διασφάλιση ρευστότητας στους καταναλωτές, κατά τη χορήγηση της πρώτης δόσης, η οποία θα πραγματοποιηθεί έως τις 21 Δεκεμβρίου 2022, οι παλαιοί δικαιούχοι δύνανται να λάβουν ως προκαταβολή το συνολικό ποσό του επιδόματος θέρμανσης που τους είχε καταβληθεί κατά την προηγούμενη χειμερινή περίοδο. Η προκαταβολή θα συμψηφίζεται με τις επόμενες καταβολές του επιδόματος.

Για την καταβολή του επιδόματος έχει δεσμευθεί στον Κρατικό Προϋπολογισμό ποσό ύψους 300 εκατομμυρίων ευρώ, έναντι 174 εκατομμυρίων ευρώ που είχαν διατεθεί για την καταβολή του επιδόματος θέρμανσης κατά τη χειμερινή περίοδο 2021/2022.

Η χορήγηση προσαυξημένου επιδόματος θέρμανσης χειμερινής περιόδου 2022/2023 με ευνοϊκότερους όρους, που επιτρέπουν την υπαγωγή περισσότερων δικαιούχων στην επιδότηση, σε συνδυασμό με την επιδότηση της αξίας πώλησης του πετρελαίου θέρμανσης κατά τη διάθεσή του στους τελικούς καταναλωτές, η οποία εφαρμόζεται από τη 14η Οκτωβρίου 2022, αποτελεί ακόμη ένα μέτρο που αποδεικνύει ότι η Κυβέρνηση βρίσκεται σταθερά δίπλα στα ελληνικά νοικοκυριά και κατά την παρούσα, ενεργειακή, κρίση.