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Mekong River Commission Reaches Out to China to Avert Dam Damage
The future of the Mekong River Basin was in the spotlight again at the third summit of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), held on 5 April 2018 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Mekong flows from China (where it is known as the Lancang), through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. However, it is rapidly being changed by large hydropower dams in China and downstream.
The MRC is an important intergovernmental organisation that aims to improve cross border management and sustainable development of the Mekong between Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, with Myanmar and China participating as “dialogue partners”. It works on fisheries, flood control, hydropower, irrigation and navigation.
At this year’s summit, the MRC released findings of a new study it commissioned to provide a detailed analysis of the costs and benefits of hydropower. Carried out between 2012-2017, the study, which is not peer-reviewed, claims that damming the river for power generation will have huge implications for the region.
By 2040, hydropower development could deliver a whopping 16-fold increase in economic benefits. But new dams may reduce income from fisheries by up to 15% and reduce sediment reaching the river mouth by as much as 97% by 2040. Loss of such nutrient rich sediment would be disastrous for fish and agriculture, particularly in the delta.
As investment rushes into hydropower development in the Mekong River Basin, what can intergovernmental platforms such as the MRC do to promote economic and environmental justice? What role does China play in lower Mekong affairs? To discuss these questions, we sat down with Mr Pham Tuan Phan, chief executive officer of MRC.
Wang Yan (WY): What is your perspective on hydropower construction along the Lancang Mekong River?
Pham Tuan Phan (PTP): At the core of our work (the 1995 Mekong Agreement to cooperatively and sustainably develop the river basin), any proposed construction of hydropower dams on the Mekong mainstream requires prior-consultation, under the MRC Procedure for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement (PNPCA).
The Council study results are very clear that countries’ plans are not optimal and sustainable from a basin-wide perspective. It is understandable as countries plans are made from a national perspective. The MRC will bring countries together to optimise their future plans to increase benefits and reduce potential costs.
I am very interested in the Senegal River Basin (shared between Mali, Mauritania and Senegal) and other examples where countries have jointly owned and operated dams. Such cases tell us that only through joint investment, and sharing costs and benefits, will countries address the bigger impacts of development.
At the same time, the MRC is now working with member countries to develop a joint environmental monitoring scheme for the current mainstream dams. The development of this scheme is based on the recommendations of the past prior consultation processes of three proposed mainstream dams: Xayaburi (2011), Don Sahong (2015) and Pak Beng (2017).
[Editor’s note: These three dams are being built in Laos despite MRC recommendations to suspend construction until further impact studies had been completed. A total of 11 dam projects are either under construction or being developed on the mainstream of the Lower Mekong River, with seven on the river in China.]
The scheme will include monitoring five key environment parameters, including hydrology, sediment, water quality, aquatic ecology and fisheries, to be conducted close to the dam sites. Results of the monitoring will inform adaptive management measures of the hydropower projects.
WY: What role does the MRC play in the Lancang-Mekong region as an intergovernmental organisation, particularly in bridging gaps of understanding and shaping common interests?
PTP: I think the MRC has a unique role to play in the regional governance of water and related resources for sustainable development.
It should be noted that there has been high demand for using Mekong water to boost economies in the region. Without a proper dialogue and benefit sharing mechanism, development in one country may mean losses in another. But when there is a proper mechanism for the countries to work together this creates the opportunity for cooperation and peace.
This is where the MRC plays the most important role as the platform for water diplomacy. No other organisation has the mandate or capacity to present an overall integrated basin perspective.
The MRC also has a singular ability to carry out professional analysis both within and across sectors – hydropower, fisheries, navigation, irrigation, water quality, wetlands and so on.
Taking a strategic basin-wide assessment allows us to determine and minimise risks. As a regional body, the MRC can assist here by acting as a facilitator of dialogue and by looking into mechanisms for sharing of benefits across borders.
Such a role was acknowledged and reconfirmed at the third summit by leaders of the MRC member countries. Our dialogue partners (China and Myanmar) also acknowledged the MRC’s importance.
WY: Can you give us some examples of how the MRC is promoting common views among different Mekong countries?
PTP: For example, through our water diplomacy platform the four countries are now increasing bilateral dialogue to build a common understanding of key cross-border water issues, find durable solutions to address issues together, and share best practices in water resources management.
On top of this, the countries also agreed to implement five joint projects that would lead to investment in water development and management. For example, the Mekong and Sekong Rivers Fisheries Management Project between Cambodia and Lao PDR addresses the issue of declining migratory whitefish species, and the Tonle Sap Lake and Songkhla Lake Basins Communication Outreach Project between Cambodia and Thailand supports healthy lake governance through outreach and learning exchange.
WY: What are the barriers to such cooperation?
PTP: Our member countries have been cooperating well under the 1995 Mekong Agreement, and with strong support from partners around the world. But since the Mekong River flows through six countries, and only countries in the lower reaches of the river are members of the commission, we have always wanted our dialogue partners – China and Myanmar – to join us.
I believe we could achieve more if the two countries join – for the sake of our shared water and people’s livelihoods. We also need to work closely with the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism and they should also work with us in the same spirit of cooperation and openness. [Editor’s note: In March 2016 China announced the establishment of a new sub-regional mechanism that promotes cooperation between China and the five lower Mekong countries.]
WY: What is China’s role as a dialogue partner in the MRC? Do you think the MRC is compatible with the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism, proposed by China?
PTP: Although China is not a full member of the MRC, there is a cooperative working relationship, which has gradually improved in recent years. The basis of that co-operation is good scientific analysis and understanding of the Mekong.
As a dialogue partner with the MRC, China is well aware of the potential consequences of hydropower construction and has indicated its willingness to work together at a technical level on these issues. China has also clearly stated that it will operate the upstream projects so that river flows downstream are maintained at acceptable levels.
At the third summit, China has once again expressed its willingness to work with the MRC and all riparian countries, inviting us to play a constructive role in the Lancang- Mekong water resources cooperation.
But it should be noted that cooperation still needs to be stronger. I am determined to showcase close cooperation and to eliminate doubts that MRC and LMC are competing. I invite China to work closely with us.
WY: Are there any existing mechanisms to provide ecological compensation to MRC members who will suffer from dam construction? What’s your view on cross-border ecological compensation?
PTP: We do not have any existing ecological compensation projects yet. At the national level, there are laws and regulations. At the regional/transboundary level, these kinds of schemes have to be negotiated. A possibility would be to have a MRC regional fund for managing and protecting key ecological or environment assets with regional significance.
We are now at an initial stage of preparing a strategy for basin-wide environment management.
By Wang Yan
News
Trudeau’s Gun Grab Could Cost Taxpayers a Whopping $7 Billion
A recent report indicates that since Trudeau’s announcement of his gun buyback program four years ago, almost none of the banned firearms have been surrendered.
The federal government plans to purchase 2,063 firearm models from retailers following the enactment of Bill C-21, which amends various Acts and introduces certain consequential changes related to firearms. It was granted royal assent on December 15 of last year.
This ban immediately criminalized the actions of federally-licensed firearms owners regarding the purchase, sale, transportation, importation, exportation, or use of hundreds of thousands of rifles and shotguns that were previously legal.
The gun ban focused on what it termed ‘assault-style weapons,’ which are, in reality, traditional semi-automatic rifles and shotguns that have enjoyed popularity among hunters and sport shooters for over a century.
In May 2020, the federal government enacted an Order-in-Council that prohibited 1,500 types of “assault-style” firearms and outlined specific components of the newly banned firearms. Property owners must adhere to the law by October 2023.
Trudeau’s Buyback Hasn’t Happened
“In the announcement regarding the ban, the prime minister stated that the government would seize the prohibited firearms, assuring that their lawful owners would be ‘grandfathered’ or compensated fairly.” “That hasn’t happened,” criminologist Gary Mauser told Rebel News.
Mauser projected expenses ranging from $2.6 billion to $6.7 billion. The figure reflects the compensation costs amounting to $756 million, as outlined by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).
“The projected expenses for gathering the illegal firearms are estimated to range from $1.6 billion to $7 billion.” “This range estimate increases to between $2.647 billion and $7 billion when compensation costs to owners are factored in,” Mauser stated.
Figures requested by Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs concerning firearms prohibited due to the May 1, 2020 Order In Council reveal that $72 million has been allocated to the firearm “buyback” program, yet not a single firearm has been confiscated to date.
In a recent revelation, Public Safety Canada disclosed that the federal government allocated a staggering $41,094,556, as prompted by an order paper question from Conservative Senator Don Plett last September, yet yielded no tangible outcomes.
An internal memo from late 2019 revealed that the Liberals projected their politically motivated harassment would incur a cost of $1.8 billion.
Enforcement efforts Questioned
By December 2023, estimates from TheGunBlog.ca indicate that the Liberals and RCMP had incurred or were responsible for approximately $30 million in personnel expenses related to the enforcement efforts. The union representing the police service previously stated that the effort to confiscate firearms is a “misdirected effort” aimed at ensuring public safety.
“This action diverts crucial personnel, resources, and funding from tackling the more pressing and escalating issue of criminal use of illegal firearms,” stated the National Police Federation (NPF).
The Canadian Sporting Arms & Ammunition Association (CSAAA), representing firearms retailers, has stated it will have “zero involvement” in the confiscation of these firearms. Even Canada Post held back from providing assistance due to safety concerns.
The consultant previously assessed that retailers are sitting on almost $1 billion worth of inventory that cannot be sold or returned to suppliers because of the Order-In-Council.
“Despite the ongoing confusion surrounding the ban, after four years, we ought to be able to address one crucial question.” Has the prohibition enhanced safety for Canadians? Mauser asks.
Illegally Obtained Firearms are the Problem
Statistics Canada reports a 10% increase in firearm-related violent crime between 2020 and 2022, rising from 12,614 incidents to 13,937 incidents. In that timeframe, the incidence of firearm-related violent crime increased from 33.7 incidents per 100,000 population in 2021 to 36.7 incidents the subsequent year.
“This marks the highest rate documented since the collection of comparable data began in 2009,” the criminologist explains.
Supplementary DataData indicates that firearm homicides have risen since 2020. “The issue lies not with lawfully-held firearms,” Mauser stated.
Firearms that have been banned under the Order-in-Council continue to be securely stored in the safes of their lawful owners. The individuals underwent a thorough vetting process by the RCMP and are subject to nightly monitoring to ensure there are no infractions that could pose a risk to public safety.
“The firearms involved in homicides were seldom legally owned weapons wielded by their rightful owners,” Mauser continues. The number of offenses linked to organized crime has surged from 4,810 in 2016 to a staggering 13,056 in 2020.
“If those in power … aim to diminish crime and enhance public safety, they ought to implement strategies that effectively focus on offenders and utilize our limited tax resources judiciously to reach these objectives,” he stated.
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Google’s Search Dominance Is Unwinding, But Still Accounting 48% Search Revenue
Google is so closely associated with its key product that its name is a verb that signifies “search.” However, Google’s dominance in that sector is dwindling.
According to eMarketer, Google will lose control of the US search industry for the first time in decades next year.
Google will remain the dominant search player, accounting for 48% of American search advertising revenue. And, remarkably, Google is still increasing its sales in the field, despite being the dominating player in search since the early days of the George W. Bush administration. However, Amazon is growing at a quicker rate.
Google’s Search Dominance Is Unwinding
Amazon will hold over a quarter of US search ad dollars next year, rising to 27% by 2026, while Google will fall even more, according to eMarketer.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report on the forecast.
Lest you think you’ll have to switch to Bing or Yahoo, this isn’t the end of Google or anything really near.
Google is the fourth-most valued public firm in the world. Its market worth is $2.1 trillion, trailing just Apple, Microsoft, and the AI chip darling Nvidia. It also maintains its dominance in other industries, such as display advertisements, where it dominates alongside Facebook’s parent firm Meta, and video ads on YouTube.
To put those “other” firms in context, each is worth more than Delta Air Lines’ total market value. So, yeah, Google is not going anywhere.
Nonetheless, Google faces numerous dangers to its operations, particularly from antitrust regulators.
On Monday, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Google must open up its Google Play Store to competitors, dealing a significant blow to the firm in its long-running battle with Fortnite creator Epic Games. Google announced that it would appeal the verdict.
In August, a federal judge ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly on search. That verdict could lead to the dissolution of the company’s search operation. Another antitrust lawsuit filed last month accuses Google of abusing its dominance in the online advertising business.
Meanwhile, European regulators have compelled Google to follow tough new standards, which have resulted in multiple $1 billion-plus fines.
Google’s Search Dominance Is Unwinding
On top of that, the marketplace is becoming more difficult on its own.
TikTok, the fastest-growing social network, is expanding into the search market. And Amazon has accomplished something few other digital titans have done to date: it has established a habit.
When you want to buy anything, you usually go to Amazon, not Google. Amazon then buys adverts to push companies’ products to the top of your search results, increasing sales and earning Amazon a greater portion of the revenue. According to eMarketer, it is expected to generate $27.8 billion in search revenue in the United States next year, trailing only Google’s $62.9 billion total.
And then there’s AI, the technology that (supposedly) will change everything.
Why search in stilted language for “kendall jenner why bad bunny breakup” or “police moving violation driver rights no stop sign” when you can just ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT, “What’s going on with Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny?” in “I need help fighting a moving violation involving a stop sign that wasn’t visible.” Google is working on exactly this technology with its Gemini product, but its success is far from guaranteed, especially with Apple collaborating with OpenAI and other businesses rapidly joining the market.
A Google spokeswoman referred to a blog post from last week in which the company unveiled ads in its AI overviews (the AI-generated text that appears at the top of search results). It’s Google’s way of expressing its ability to profit on a changing marketplace while retaining its business, even as its consumers steadily transition to ask-and-answer AI and away from search.
Google has long used a single catchphrase to defend itself against opponents who claim it is a monopoly abusing its power: competition is only a click away. Until recently, that seemed comically obtuse. Really? We are going to switch to Bing? Or Duck Duck Go? Give me a break.
But today, it feels more like reality.
Google is in no danger of disappearing. However, every highly dominating company faces some type of reckoning over time. GE, a Dow mainstay for more than a century, was broken up last year and is now a shell of its previous dominance. Sears declared bankruptcy in 2022 and is virtually out of business. US Steel, long the foundation of American manufacturing, is attempting to sell itself to a Japanese corporation.
SOURCE | CNN
News
The Supreme Court Turns Down Biden’s Government Appeal in a Texas Emergency Abortion Matter.
(VOR News) – A ruling that prohibits emergency abortions that contravene the Supreme Court law in the state of Texas, which has one of the most stringent abortion restrictions in the country, has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. The United States Supreme Court upheld this decision.
The justices did not provide any specifics regarding the underlying reasons for their decision to uphold an order from a lower court that declared hospitals cannot be legally obligated to administer abortions if doing so would violate the law in the state of Texas.
Institutions are not required to perform abortions, as stipulated in the decree. The common populace did not investigate any opposing viewpoints. The decision was made just weeks before a presidential election that brought abortion to the forefront of the political agenda.
This decision follows the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that ended abortion nationwide.
In response to a request from the administration of Vice President Joe Biden to overturn the lower court’s decision, the justices expressed their disapproval.
The government contends that hospitals are obligated to perform abortions in compliance with federal legislation when the health or life of an expectant patient is in an exceedingly precarious condition.
This is the case in regions where the procedure is prohibited. The difficulty hospitals in Texas and other states are experiencing in determining whether or not routine care could be in violation of stringent state laws that prohibit abortion has resulted in an increase in the number of complaints concerning pregnant women who are experiencing medical distress being turned away from emergency rooms.
The administration cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in a case that bore a striking resemblance to the one that was presented to it in Idaho at the beginning of the year. The justices took a limited decision in that case to allow the continuation of emergency abortions without interruption while a lawsuit was still being heard.
In contrast, Texas has been a vocal proponent of the injunction’s continued enforcement. Texas has argued that its circumstances are distinct from those of Idaho, as the state does have an exemption for situations that pose a significant hazard to the health of an expectant patient.
According to the state, the discrepancy is the result of this exemption. The state of Idaho had a provision that safeguarded a woman’s life when the issue was first broached; however, it did not include protection for her health.
Certified medical practitioners are not obligated to wait until a woman’s life is in imminent peril before they are legally permitted to perform an abortion, as determined by the state supreme court.
The state of Texas highlighted this to the Supreme Court.
Nevertheless, medical professionals have criticized the Texas statute as being perilously ambiguous, and a medical board has declined to provide a list of all the disorders that are eligible for an exception. Furthermore, the statute has been criticized for its hazardous ambiguity.
For an extended period, termination of pregnancies has been a standard procedure in medical treatment for individuals who have been experiencing significant issues. It is implemented in this manner to prevent catastrophic outcomes, such as sepsis, organ failure, and other severe scenarios.
Nevertheless, medical professionals and hospitals in Texas and other states with strict abortion laws have noted that it is uncertain whether or not these terminations could be in violation of abortion prohibitions that include the possibility of a prison sentence. This is the case in regions where abortion prohibitions are exceedingly restrictive.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which resulted in restrictions on the rights of women to have abortions in several Republican-ruled states, the Texas case was revisited in 2022.
As per the orders that were disclosed by the administration of Vice President Joe Biden, hospitals are still required to provide abortions in cases that are classified as dire emergency.
As stipulated in a piece of health care legislation, the majority of hospitals are obligated to provide medical assistance to patients who are experiencing medical distress. This is in accordance with the law.
The state of Texas maintained that hospitals should not be obligated to provide abortions throughout the litigation, as doing so would violate the state’s constitutional prohibition on abortions. In its January judgment, the 5th United States Circuit Court of Appeals concurred with the state and acknowledged that the administration had exceeded its authority.
SOURCE: AP
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