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Editorial
France says to build vessel for polar research
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PARIS, Nov 11, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - President Emmanuel Macron said Friday France will build an ice-capable vessel as part of a billion-euro plan to boost polar research.
Addressing a conference on the polar regions and glaciers, he urged world powers to act in the face of the climate emergency despite raging geopolitical tensions.
He said mankind faced a "civilisational" challenge and called for "an unprecedented level of cooperation" despite the "resurgence of geopolitical tensions".
He spoke on the final day of the One Planet-Polar summit, a conference he called to address the climate emergency. Russia, a major Arctic nation, was not invited over its invasion of Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine "has weakened cooperation with major geopolitical and scientific powers", Macron said, in a clear reference to Russia.
"Despite all these tensions, it's clear that we must act, and make the poles and glaciers privileged spaces for peace, scientific and environmental cooperation", Macron added.
Based between the French territory of New Caledonia and Australia, the new ship will divide its time between the Western Pacific and Antarctica, he said.
The vessel will bear the name of Michel Rocard, a former prime minister and ambassador for international negotiations over the Arctic and Antarctic who died in 2016, Macron said.
France plans to invest a billion euros ($1.1 billion) in polar research by 2030, Macron said.
In particular, the country will finance two major initiatives in the North and South Poles, including a Polar Pod expedition by a zero-emission vessel to explore the Southern Ocean which surrounds Antarctica.
France will also rebuild its scientific station in Antarctica called the Dumont d'Urville Station from 2026 and will work to renovate the Franco-Italian Concordia station, Macron said.
He also said Paris would closely coordinate with its European partners on a major research project in East Antarctica.
Momen for international financing to support climate migrants
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News Flash
Momen urges Netherlands to invest in Bangladesh Govt. committed to implementing SDGs confronting all challenges: PM Momen for international financing to support climate migrants World major economies to be honest to avert climate crisis: PM PM mourns death of Zeenat Barkatullah
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21 Sep 2023, 10:23
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Momen for international financing to support climate migrants
DHAKA, Sept 21, 2023 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has underlined the need for establishing international financing mechanisms to support climate migrants under the proposed "Loss and Damage Fund" for the climate vulnerable countries.
He also emphasized the importance of targeted policy interventions for climate migrants as part of the global commitment to 'leave no one behind'.
The foreign minister made the comments while addressing at the High-Level Breakfast of the Climate Mobility Summit on 'Harnessing Climate Mobility for Adaptation and Resilience' held on Wednesday on the sideline of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York, according to a foreign ministry press release received here today.
Dr Momen also urged for mainstreaming of the issue of climate mobility in both climate change and migration discourses.
The foreign minister highlighted Bangladesh's climate vulnerability and the challenges posed by climate-induced displacement of approximately 650,000 people every year.
He shared various actions taken by the Bangladesh government to address climate-induced displacements in the country, including the world's largest climate migrants' rehabilitation project in Cox's Bazar.
Moderated by Director General-elect of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope, the event was co-hosted by Bangladesh, Tuvalu, Niger, Botswana, Tonga, Comoros, Guatemala, IOM, President of the UN General Assembly and UN Global Centre of Climate Mobility.
Heads of states or governments, ministers and the high officials of various UN agencies took part in the discussion.
The leaders underscored the gravity of the climate crisis, pointing out that by 2050, over 200 million people could be forced to leave their homes due to climate change impacts.
They also stressed that women and girls, young people, individuals with disabilities and indigenous communities suffer disproportionately from these effects.
The timely mobilization of resources for climate finance and the implementation of early warning systems and data management were highlighted as crucial aspects of any solution.
Encouraging news: Update on E. coli outbreak in Calgary
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September 19, 2023
As hospital admissions and daily numbers of new E. coli cases continue to decline, health officials are seeing signs that the initial outbreak that affected several Calgary daycares has peaked.
The number of secondary transmissions connected to this outbreak remains low, indicating there is limited transmission of the E. coli bacteria beyond the initial outbreak.
The kitchen connected with the original outbreak remains closed indefinitely. In addition, precautionary measures at specific daycare facilities remain in place. Parents and operators have been made aware of these measures directly and through communication with Alberta Health Services.
“I am relieved every time I hear of a child who is well enough to leave hospital. My heart goes out to each family member who has been impacted, and I want them to know that we will get to the bottom of this. Thank you as well to our front-line staff for supporting these children and their families on the road to recovery.”
“Families have had their lives turned upside down by this outbreak. I'm relieved many of them are seeing their children recover and start to get back to their normal routines. I want to reassure parents they can place their trust in our high-quality child-care system and that they are not alone. We are here to support them in any way we can.”
“We are cautiously optimistic that the outbreak has peaked and that we will continue to see case numbers drop. That said, this does not diminish the fact that we still have some children who remain very ill, and my heart goes out to them, their parents and their loved ones.”
Hospitalizations and cases
As of Sept.19, there were a total of 348 lab-confirmed cases connected to this outbreak, no increase from Sept. 18. Between Sept. 9 and Sept. 14, there was an average increase of 33 new cases a day. Since then, the average case numbers decreased to fewer than four a day to no increase on Sept. 19.
There have been a total of 27 lab-confirmed secondary cases, with no additional secondary cases confirmed, since Sept. 16. Some cases of secondary transmission are common and expected in significant outbreaks such as this.
Currently eight patients are receiving care in hospital, down one from Sept. 18. All these patients have been confirmed as having hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), including two on dialysis (a decrease of one since Sept. 18). All patients are in stable condition and responding to treatment. Front-line health care teams continue to provide the best care and support possible.
A total of 707 children connected to the outbreak have been cleared to return to a daycare facility.
Daycares
As of Sept. 19, six daycare facilities are under closure or partial closure orders:
- Active Start Country Hills – Dolphin and Starfish preschool classes
- CanCare Childcare - Scenic Acres location – Busy Bees, Bumble Bees and Butterflies classrooms
- CEFA Early Learning Calgary South – JK 3-1 classroom
- Renert Junior Kindergarten – all four Junior K classrooms
- 1st Class Childcare Shawnessy – “Main daycare” area is being closed
- Calgary JCC Child Care – a closure order was issued for infant and toddler rooms on Sept. 15
Closure orders were rescinded for Classrooms 3 and 4 at Vik Academy on the afternoon of Sept. 18 following negative test results for E. coli.
Additionally, while MTC Daycare site is not being closed, affected children and staff in Prominade and McKenzie classrooms are being notified that they are excluded from attending all child-care facilities until they test negative for E. coli and remain symptom-free.
All closure orders are posted on the Calgary Zone Alberta Health Services website.
Initial results suggest these cases affecting additional daycare facilities are predominantly cases of secondary transmission. Either these new cases were in contact with children from the original daycare or children from the original daycares were in contact with the facility.
Parents and staff from all the daycare facilities involved are being provided with information about what to do if they experience symptoms, test positive or have concerns about the health and safety of their child.
Investigations
The public health investigation into this outbreak continues, and work continues to identify the source of the outbreak. Additionally, the ministries of Health and Children and Family Services are conducting a review of all shared kitchens serving child-care facilities across Alberta.
The food histories of more than 1,150 children and 250 daycare staff are being reviewed by public health officials. This includes those who became ill and those who did not, all of whom were at the 11 affected daycares between Aug. 15 and Aug. 31.
Guidance to parents
If children develop symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, families are encouraged to visit an emergency department. If a child is not symptomatic, do not take them to hospital. Families with concerns or questions can call Health Link at 8-1-1 or contact their family physician for advice and support.
In addition, Alberta’s government is providing families with a one-time payment of $2,000 per child enrolled in the original facilities that were closed due to the outbreak.
Alberta’s government is committed to working with parents and operators through this challenging time and encourage them to reach out to Child Care Connect at 1-844-644-5165 with questions or concerns.
Earth Day
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Earth Day: Minister’s Statement
The Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister responsible for the Climate Change Office, Shannon Phillips, has issued the following statement to mark Earth Day, which takes place each April 22:
“Every Earth Day, people from around the world celebrate all the natural wonders that surround us. Alberta has incredible natural resources and stunning wildlife. Our livelihoods depend on these wonders, which give us the water we drink, the air we breathe and the land that feeds us. Environment goes hand-in-hand with economy, and we must work to ensure that Alberta’s future is prosperous and sustainable.
“Earth Day is also an important moment to remember our shared responsibilities to future generations. That’s why our government is creating new parks and natural areas, leading the way on energy efficiency and ensuring we have clean air and water for Albertans now and in the future. By taking care of Alberta’s natural environment, we make life better for Albertans.”
- Additional Resources:
- Additional Resources:
- Agro-Ocean
- Bangabandhu Development and Research Institute (BRDI)
- Bangabandhu's Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Heritage
- Bangladesh North American Journalists Network
- Bangladesh Heritage and Ethnic Society of Alberta (BHESA)
- Coastal 19
- Delwar Jahid's Biography
- Diverse Edmonton
- Dr. Anwar Zahid
- Edmonton Bichitra
- Edmonton Oaths
- Motherlanguage Day in Canada
- Samajkantha News
- Step to Humanity Bangladesh