Απονομή του Βραβείου Ευκράντη στο Ινστιτούτο Θαλάσσιας Προστασίας Αρχιπέλαγος Ο κ. Κωνσταντίνος Μαζαράκης Αινιάν, Αντιναύαρχος (ε.α.) ΠΝ, Επίτιμος Αρχηγός Στόλου, Γενικός Διευθυντής του Ιδρύματος Αικατερίνης Λασκαρίδη απένειμε το βραβείο στην κα. Αναστασία Μήλιου, Διευθύντρια Έρευνας του Ινστιτούτου Θαλάσσιας Προστασίας «Αρχιπέλαγος». Ιδιαίτερη τιμή και ηθική στήριξη για όλους όσους απαρτίζουν το Ινστιτούτο Θαλάσσιας Προστασίας Αρχιπέλαγος, ήταν η απονομή προς το Ινστιτούτο Αρχιπέλαγος του Βραβείου Ευκράντη, "Μαριλένα Λασκαρίδη", για την αριστεία στον ναυτιλιακό πολιτισμό και την αρωγή στην ελληνική ναυτιλιακή κληρονομιά και παράδοση. Η εκδήλωση απονομής των Βραβείων Ευκράντη διοργανώθηκε για 12η χρονιά από «Ναυτικά Χρονικά» και φέτος έλαβε χώρα στο αίθριο του Μουσείου Μπενάκη, όπου έδωσαν το «παρών» επίλεκτα μέλη της ελληνικής ναυτιλιακής κοινότητας, για να τιμήσουν με την παρουσία τους πρωταγωνιστές της περασμένης χρονιάς. Οι βραβευθέντες επελέγησαν με τη συμμετοχή μιας διευρυμένης πολυσυλλεκτικής επιτροπής, που αντιπροσωπεύει τα ναυτιλιακά γράμματα, την ακαδημαϊκή έρευνα, την εξειδικευμένη ενημέρωση, το ναυτιλιακό επιχειρείν, καθώς και την πολιτισμική και φυσική κληρονομιά. Στην τελετή απονομής συμμετείχαν ο γ.γ. του Υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας Αιγαίου και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής, Δρ. Ευάγγελος Κυριαζόπουλος, ο Β΄ υπαρχηγός ΛΣ υποναύαρχος Νικόλαος Ισαακόγλου, ο πρόεδρος του Ιδρύματος Αικ. Λασκαρίδη κ. Πάνος Λασκαρίδης, καθώς και πολλοί επιφανείς εκπρόσωποι σημαντικών ναυτιλιακών εταιρειών και φορέων. Παρακολουθήστε το βίντεο της απονομής του Βραβείου Ευκράντη στο Ινστιτούτο Αρχιπέλαγος Διαβάστε την πλήρη ανακοίνωση από τα Ναυτικά Χρονικά για την Τελετή Απονομής των Βραβείων Ευκράντη ©2020 Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation | Pythagorio 83103, Samos, Greece

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service:update

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Thursday, July 30, 2020.  Bosnia and Herzegovina: FAIRS Export Certificate Report  Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) requires various certificates for imported food products which must be signed by the designated authorities. However, there are no specific formats that exporters are required to use, except for phytosanitary certificates that must be in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Some veterinary certificates require specific statements concerning contagious diseases, hormone use, pathogen reduction methods, etc., set by the State Veterinary Office (SVO). The SVO is responsible for verifying specific requirements for importing live animals and certain products of animal origin, which are in accordance with the World Animal Health Organization/Office International des Epizooties (OIE) recommendations. This report includes an Export Certificate matrix and a detailed outline of the content of each certificate. Sections last updated: January 2020.  Bosnia and Herzegovina: FAIRS Country Report  This report provides information on the food and agricultural product import requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Important points of contact for U.S. food exporters are listed in the appendices. Sections updated in June 2020: Executive Summary and Section X Trade Facilitation. Canada: Biofuels Annual  Canada is developing a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity (CI) of fuels and all energy used. Proposed regulations for liquid fuels are expected fall 2020 to come into force by 2022. The objective of the CFS is to lower greenhouse gas emissions by setting carbon emission reduction targets and incentivizing the adoption of lower CI fuels. The CFS in combination with carbon tax schemes, provincial policies encouraging the use of renewable fuels, and various grant programs are expected to drive changes to Canada’s fuel market, its delivery infrastructure, and vehicle fleet. Assuming a level playing field, U.S. and other foreign suppliers of lower cost reduced CI biofuels are expected to see expanded sales opportunities. This report covers federal and provincial regulations affecting renewable fuel markets. Keywords: Canada, Biofuels, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel, HDRD, Renewable Drop-in Diesel Colombia: Biofuels Annual  COVID-19 containment measures and the economic downturn dramatically curtailed Colombian motor fuel demand. Biofuels production and imports are estimated to fall in 2020. Ethanol production is estimated to decrease to 400 million liters as a result of lower gasoline demand and the closure of one ethanol facility not linked to the sugar industry. Biodiesel production is estimated to decrease to 550 million liters due to lower diesel demand and a downward trend in palm oil production. Other factors decreasing ethanol imports are Colombian policies such as a temporary ban on ethanol imports under the sanitary emergency and the imposed duty on ethanol imports from the United States. Colombia neither imports nor exports biodiesel. Nicaragua: FAIRS Export Certificate Report  This report lists Nicaraguan import requirements for export certificates and import permits for agrochemicals, veterinary products, feedstuffs and food products for human consumption. There were no significant changes to export certificates in 2020. Ukraine: FAIRS Export Certificate Report There were two new bilateral certificates negotiated in 2020: certificate for poultry hatching eggs and certificate for day-old chicks. Export Certificate Matrix was expanded to include new official generic certificates for live animals and reproductive materials. In November of 2019 Ukraine adopted import requirements for food products of animal origin and live animals. It also plans to introduce generic sample certificates for products of animal origin that can be endorsed by the exporting country’s authorities without additional negotiations. Ukraine: FAIRS Country Report There have been insignificant changes affecting Ukrainian agricultural product quality, safety, and sanitary regulations since Post’s previous FAIRS Annual Country Report. Ukraine passed a new Animal Feed Safety Law that became effective in January of 2020. Terms for the listing of foreign establishments on Ukraine’s Official List of Approved Countries and Facilities were updated. This new FAIRS Annual now has a section on Trade Facilitation. Additionally, Post added references to the recently submitted FAIRS subject reports on maximum residue levels of certain chemical and biological contaminants.

U.S. Department of Labor update

U.S. Department of Labor July 31, 2020 Secretary Scalia in Philadelphia U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Southeast Pennsylvania today to meet with essential workers and tour a grocery store and e-commerce fulfillment center. Following the tour, he held a roundtable discussion with local employers and business leaders on safely reopening and how the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is strengthening our economy. Combating Opioids The Department is providing a National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant to combat the opioid crisis in Washington state. #EndHumanTrafficking Thursday was World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Learn how the Bureau of International Labor Affairs is partnering to eliminate human trafficking around the world. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Child Labor Grants The Department will award $8 million in grants to increase tracing of goods made by child labor. Millions Restored A federal court has ordered the operating entity of two former Connecticut nursing homes and a former officer to pay $3.4 million to its health and retirement plans after a Department investigation and litigation. Wages Restored A California vehicle claims management company has paid $95,120 to 99 workers to resolve minimum wage violations. Discrimination Resolution A federal defense contractor has agreed to pay $67,858 to resolve allegations of gender-based hiring discrimination. COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES Release: El Paso Independent School District has paid back wages to an employee wrongly denied paid sick leave while self-quarantining Release: A California manufacturer will pay back wages after improperly denying coronavirus-related paid sick leave requests COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Fluctuating Workweek This new fact sheet has guidance for employers on calculating overtime once the Department’s fluctuating workweek final rule goes into effect Aug. 7, 2020.

U.S. Small Business Administration's update

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses. The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020.  Learn more Did you know that SBA's Lender Match tool connects small businesses with Community Development Financial Institutions, Minority Depository Institutions, Certified Development Companies, and other lenders? If you're considering a Paycheck Protection Program loan, get matched with a participating lender today. Get matched  Supporting Entrepreneurs & Workers with Disabilities By SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza For the 80 kids at Milestones Day School in Massachusetts, going to school means more than receiving an education; it also means a safe place to receive therapy and develop skills for a future career. Alex Smith-Michaels is the founder of Milestones – a school for students with disabilities. In many ways, Ms. Smith-Michaels is ideally suited for the role, as she has both autism and bipolar disorder, and has had to overcome the trauma she experienced in the educational and psychiatric systems as a result of her disabilities. Thirty years ago, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, enshrining the rights of more than 57 million Americans to have equal access and inclusion in society. While this advancement of equality has been monumental, entrepreneurs with disabilities still face unique barriers, including lack of funding and challenges establishing credit, as well as a significantly higher likelihood of going into business without support from family members and mentors. Learn more Small businesses are playing a big role during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential services to their communities. Food producers have been especially pivotal during this time, continuing to offer goods to consumers through retailers and restaurants – and directly to community members via farmers markets. While farmers markets may look a little different this summer, these centers of commerce have largely continued to be staples of their communities. Farmers markets contribute about $9 billion to the U.S. economy every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) says that the number of farmers markets in the U.S. has grown from just under 2,000 in 1994 to more than 8,600 today. Learn more Join the Second Lady of the United States, Mrs. Karen Pence, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Hiring Our Heroes for the Military Spouse Entrepreneur Summit on August 19. This virtual event features remarks from distinguished guests, military spouse small business owner spotlights, and discussions about key resources that all military spouse entrepreneurs should leverage. Register today The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts during these unprecedented times. The positions include: Call Center Customer Service Representative Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting Program Support Apply today Join the SBA for a virtual town hall about COVID-19 recovery resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs on August 3. The event will be hosted in the following eight languages: English Mandarin Korean Japanese Vietnamese Hmong Hindi Chamorro Register today The certification process for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs) has changed as SBA implements Congress’ changes to the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program (WOSB Federal Contracting Program), as put forth in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Join this webinar on August 6 to learn about the changes and the options available for obtaining a WOSB certification. Register today In April 2020 under the CARES Act and with the support of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), America's SBDC and the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) were awarded a grant to develop a new website that provides small businesses with access to a consolidation of COVID-19 related information and resources from multiple federal agencies. The grant also supports a new training platform for small business advisors. Learn more Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times.  Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing. Learn more Federal Coronavirus Resources State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.gov for updates from the White House's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   Learn more about the federal government's response Virtual Mentoring and Training  Offices around the country may be closed to the Coronavirus pandemic, but SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and other resource partners are providing free business mentoring and training by phone, email, and video. Find an SBA resource partner near you U.S. Small Business Administration 409 3rd St, SW. Washington DC 20416www.sba.gov