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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Pledges $50 Million for Lower Mekong River Projects

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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, shakes hands with her counterparts Pham Binh Minh, right, of Vietnam, and Surapong Tovichakchaikul, left, of Thailand during the photo session of the ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,

 

Chiangrai Times – Foreign Ministers of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam and the U.S. Secretary of State met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the 5th Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting.

They formally welcomed Myanmar as the sixth member of the LMI. The six Ministers emphasized the value of the LMI in narrowing the development gap among ASEAN Member States by focusing on building regional capacity in the Mekong subregion to address transnational challenges, particularly in the areas of environment and health, and to promote education and regional connectivity.

The Ministers expressed their approval of the addition of a new “Agriculture and Food Security” pillar, which would be co-chaired by Myanmar, to the LMI Plan of Action and Concept Paper. They tasked the next LMI Regional Working Group to elaborate on the content of this new pillar.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, rear center, gives a speech during second Friends of Lower Mekong Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,

The Ministers also approved the renaming of the “Environment” pillar to “Environment and Water,” and welcomed the broadening of water-related programming under LMI to address the range of water-related challenges facing the region, including water resources management and development, flood and drought management and forecasting, improving water quality, and expanding access to clean water and sanitation, in both rural and urban areas.

The Ministers noted with appreciation Viet Nam’s concept papers on underground water management and the management of water flow in the dry season for inclusion under the reformulated “Environment and Water” pillar, and they mutually decided to consider these proposals at the next LMI Regional Working Group. They were also pleased to note Thailand’s offer to co-chair a new “Energy Security” pillar and look forward to receiving a concept paper from Thailand on the proposed pillar to consider during the next LMI Regional Working Group.

The Ministers also endorsed incorporating the existing “Infrastructure” Pillar into a new “Connectivity” pillar, which would more closely align collective efforts under LMI with the objectives under the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walks to her seat with other foreign ministers during an East Asia Summit Ministerial Meeting at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional forum at Peace Palace,

The Ministers welcomed Secretary Clinton’s announcement of the Asia-Pacific Strategic Engagement Initiative (APSEI), a major new development initiative designed to deepen and sustain U.S. engagement in the Asia Pacific that includes $50 million in new U.S. programs supporting the LMI over a three year period.

These new programs are intended to complement and dramatically expand existing efforts to bolster regional capacity to address specific cross-border challenges and promote institutional and people-to-people connectivity in the Mekong sub region. They also acknowledged the importance of encouraging independent strategic thinking on LMI programs and priorities and decided to begin discussions at the next LMI Regional Working Group on the establishment of a track-two LMI group comprised of Eminent and Expert Persons (EEPs) from each LMI partner country.

The Ministers jointly decided to begin discussions on developing a regionally-based LMI Coordinating Network, which would strengthen the LMI through enhanced policy dialogue and information exchange and help ensure greater coordination among partner countries in the design and execution of LMI programs and activities. As the first step towards developing a regional coordinating network, the Ministers welcomed the establishment of a regionally-based interim coordination hub, which will also strengthen the use of the virtual secretariat

The Ministers jointly expressed their approval for the Joint Statement on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and welcomed the convening of the Policy Dialogue on the same issues in Siem Reap. They looked forward to hearing the outcomes and recommendations of the Policy Dialogue and pledged to work together to ensure that women and girls are fully integrated – both as change agents and beneficiaries – in all aspects of their development work in the region.

The Ministers announced their intention to redouble efforts to manage collaboratively the Mekong River in the spirit of the 1995 Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. They reaffirmed the role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) as the regional platform to promote and coordinate sustainable Mekong River Basin management and development for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being.

From left: ASEAN Director General Arthayudh Srisamoot of Thailand, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Laotian Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin pose for photographs during the 5th Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,

They praised the long-standing cooperation with MRC development partners and seek to continue efforts to reach development decisions based on sound science with full engagement of affected stakeholders. To this end, they welcomed the U.S. announcement of $ 1 million dollars over three years support for a MRC’s study on the sustainable management and development of the Mekong River. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening the long-term technical capacity of the MRC and noted that the U.S. announcement of a $2 million grant to support the MRC’s fisheries program would help aid this effort.

The Ministers acknowledged the continued success of the Forecast Mekong Project, which is conducted through the partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey and national governments and universities in the lower Mekong region. Forecast Mekong builds regional capacity related to addressing climate change challenges. They conveyed their appreciation for the announcement of additional programming through Forecast Mekong, which would address issues pertaining to water quality in the lower Mekong Basin.

The Ministers welcomed a new USAID-funded sustainable infrastructure planning and development program designed to build capacity among countries to meet international environmental and socioeconomic standards for major infrastructure investments and projects in the region. The Ministers also welcomed the recently launched collaboration to reduce wildlife trafficking through USAID’s Asia Regional Response to Endangered Species Trafficking (ARREST).

The Ministers acknowledged the success of LMI English Project: Professional Communication Skills for Leaders, which greatly contributes to the capacity building of LMI human resources to cope with challenges of the upcoming ASEAN Community.

The Ministers welcomed the USAID-funded Control and Prevention of Malaria (CAP) project, which builds a coordinated approach between Mekong countries in the border regions to prevent and control the spread of artemisinin-resistant Malaria. The Ministers also noted the success of the U.S. Pacific Command-organized November 2011 health conference focused on identifying resource requirements, communication strategies, and response mechanisms for pandemic preparedness and response, and the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies-led workshop held in June 2012, which considered how best to mitigate security impacts of diseases with pandemic potential.

The Ministers welcomed the outcomes of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves – Vietnam Stakeholder consultation and strategic planning workshop held in July 2012.

The Ministers affirmed that the LMI is an essential mechanism for furthering regional cooperation and enhancing national and local capacity in the Mekong countries in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. The Ministers also expressed their desire to continue programs on education, food security, environment, and health and programs to help advance connectivity. There was consensus to continue this effort through senior officials’ meetings, regional working groups, additional consultations, and targeted program activities.

The Ministers look forward to the 3nd Regional Working Group Meeting in Thailand, which is scheduled for September 27-28, 2012. The Ministers also looked forward to the convening of the sixth LMI Ministerial Meeting in 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.

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Trudeau’s Gun Grab Could Cost Taxpayers a Whopping $7 Billion

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Trudeau's Gun Grab
Trudeau plans to purchase 2,063 firearm from legal gun owners in Canada - Rebel News Image

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

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Google

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

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

Pixa Bay

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

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.

Could we remember Google in the same way that we remember Yahoo or Ask Jeeves in decades? These next few years could be significant.

SOURCE | CNN

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The Supreme Court Turns Down Biden’s Government Appeal in a Texas Emergency Abortion Matter.

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(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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