Latest news with #PACE
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
TDAP CE visits ‘3rd Pakistan Chemicals Expo'
KARACHI: The Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Faiz Ahad Chadhar, visited the 3rd edition of the Pakistan Chemicals Expo (PACE) 2025 at the Expo Centre Karachi, organised by the Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) under the leadership of its Chairman Haroon Ali Khan. The expo gathered 84 leading exhibitors from across Pakistan's chemical sector, highlighting the growing strength and potential of the industry. Prominent participants included Tufail Chemicals, Fauji Fertilisers, Sitara Chemicals, Ittehad Chemicals, Descon, and BAFF, among others. During his visit, the CE TDAP met with industry stakeholders and inspected the exhibition booths of the major exhibitors of the event. He expressed TDAP's continued commitment to supporting the chemical sector's growth through trade facilitation, export promotion, and policy advocacy. 'The chemicals industry is a critical pillar for industrial development and export diversification in Pakistan,' said the CE TDAP. Events like PACE provide a vital platform for B2B engagement, innovation showcase, and international visibility of our local manufacturers, he said. PACE 2025 served as a dynamic networking platform for domestic and international buyers, researchers, and policymakers, reinforcing Pakistan's potential as a competitive player in the global chemical supply chain. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
JAMnews
2 days ago
- Politics
- JAMnews
Georgia declines to back tribunal on Russian aggression against Ukraine
Georgia refuses to back tribunal against Russia On 24 June, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, comprising representatives from 46 member states, authorised the Secretary General to sign an agreement establishing a special tribunal on Russian aggression against Ukraine. Georgia did not support the tribunal's creation. In addition to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan abstained, while Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia voted against. On 25 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset signed an agreement establishing a special tribunal for Russian aggression against Ukraine, and approved its statute. The campaign to create a special tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression against Ukraine was launched by Ukrainian legal experts and government officials shortly after the full-scale war began. The idea was inspired by an article by renowned international lawyer and professor Philippe Sands titled 'Putin's Use of Force Is a Crime of Aggression.' During a debate in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko reacted to Georgia's position on the tribunal: 'A truly historic moment — the establishment of a tribunal against Russian aggression. But do you know what? Six member states didn't sign the agreement. And one of them is Georgia. Georgia itself is a victim of Russian aggression. 20% of Georgian territory is occupied by Russia — nearly the same as in Ukraine. Georgia became a victim of the Moscow regime before us, and yet now refuses to support a tribunal against Russian aggression. Can you imagine that? So the question is: who does the Georgian government really work for? Who are their masters?' Tina Bokuchava, chair of the United National Movement party, also commented on her meeting with the PACE President: 'During the meeting with the President, a shocking fact was raised — that a representative of Georgian Dream did not participate in the vote on establishing a special tribunal for Russian aggression against Ukraine. <…> This is yet more proof of Ivanishvili's regime being in alliance with Putin.' Georgian Dream's response When asked by Netgazeti why Georgia did not sign the agreement to create the tribunal, Georgian Dream's First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Giorgi Volski replied: 'You are an occupied country, missile systems are aimed at you. That's one important factor. Second — no one yet knows how things will develop, including with regard to Ukraine. And third — which everyone forgets — Georgia, along with a number of European countries, appealed to the Hague tribunal asking to accelerate this investigation. What more can a country do that lives under daily threat and continues to survive and develop at gunpoint? Saboteurs are attacking the country through the media and hanging on every word of some fool like Honcharenko. You're all Honcharenkos. What tribunal are we talking about? What can Honcharenko or anyone else do? Ukraine is drowning in blood. Georgia knows its own path and policy. There is no pro-Russian policy in this country. Georgia has signed more than 600 principled resolutions and statements in support of Ukraine. And yet they're all ungrateful people — Honcharenko included.'
JAMnews
3 days ago
- Politics
- JAMnews
PACE debates need for sanctions against Georgian Dream
PACE debates need for sanctions against Georgian Dream The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held a debate on Georgia, with speakers highlighting the country's democratic backsliding — including the arrest of opposition leaders, journalists, and participants in pro-European rallies. Members of the assembly called on Georgian Dream to release political prisoners and urged sanctions against those 'responsible for the repression.' What did speakers say? Erik-Niils Kross (Estonia): 'Colleagues, what more needs to happen in Georgia for us to finally wake up and take action? I would also ask you to use the right words to describe what's going on — and to stop calling it 'democratic backsliding'. This is not backsliding; it is a takeover of Georgia in the Russian style — allegedly under the direction and with the support of Russia. It is a state capture by an oligarchic, autocratic regime inspired and controlled by Moscow, and it is happening before our eyes. Bidzina Ivanishvili and his so-called government are turning Georgia 180 degrees — from democracy to dictatorship. Georgian Dream is rapidly consolidating authoritarian power. So let's be honest: if we fail to act now, we become complicit. Silence is no longer neutrality. Silence is betrayal. We therefore call for immediate targeted sanctions against all Georgian Dream officials — ministers, MPs, judges, police — and their families. We urge respected officials, civil servants, and police officers in Georgia to resign and join the people. We demand international legal action against Georgia, as was once done in the European Court of Human Rights and against the 'black colonels' in Greece, for grave violations — because Georgia now faces the threat of becoming the next country enslaved [by Russia], like Belarus today, which once belonged to Europe. This would be a victory for Russia and the 'Russian world', and a defeat for Europe and for this Assembly.' Perran Moon (United Kingdom): 'I had intended to speak specifically about the politically motivated arrests of Zurab Japaridze and Nika Melia, but while the world's attention was focused on the Middle East, Georgia's discredited government seized the moment to intensify its crackdown on democracy. It is now clear that the arrests of Japaridze and Melia on minor procedural charges are part of a broader campaign of repression. In fact, six opposition leaders have been arrested over the past few weeks. As Zurab Japaridze was led away in handcuffs, he said: 'In the end, we will win.' That is the spirit of someone who believes in freedom, even as he is forcibly silenced. That is the voice that must be heard in this chamber — and across Europe. And these arrests are no longer isolated incidents. Nika Gvaramia, another detained opposition leader, must also be added to the list of political prisoners. Last Wednesday in London, I met with Badri Japaridze, leader of the opposition party Lelo, who told me about laws passed in Georgia that restrict media freedom, civil society, and peaceful assembly. He mentioned he was returning to Tbilisi, expecting a minor charge and a fine from an unfair court. Instead, this Monday, Badri Japaridze and his co-leader Mamuka Khazaradze were sentenced to seven months in prison and banned from holding public office for two years. These are not just opposition figures — they are symbols of Georgia's democratic aspirations and resistance to organised authoritarianism. Friends, I must tell you: time is running out, and action is needed now. We are approaching the last possible moment to act on Georgia. If we are serious about supporting those who bravely resist political persecution in Georgia, we must hold the perpetrators accountable. Not just with words, but with action — freezing their assets, restricting access to Western education and institutions, and denying them the luxury of holidaying abroad while they dismantle democracy at home.' Oleksiy Honcharenko (Ukraine): 'Yesterday in this chamber, we welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who delivered a speech — but before that, he signed the agreement on a special tribunal. A truly historic moment — a tribunal to prosecute Russian aggression. But you know what? Six member states didn't sign it. And one of them was Georgia. Georgia — a country that itself has been a victim of Russian aggression. 20% of Georgia's territory is occupied by Russia — nearly the same share as in Ukraine. Georgia became a victim of the Moscow regime even before us — and yet it refuses to support a tribunal against Russian aggression. Can you believe that? So the question is: who does the Georgian government really work for? Who are their masters? When opposition leaders are arrested, this is not the voice of the Georgian people — it is the whisper of the Kremlin. The Georgian people deserve leaders who represent their interests — not Putin's. Yes, some of the blame lies with all of us. There was a moment in 2008 when Ukraine and Georgia stood at NATO's doorstep, and NATO said: 'Yes, we'll let you in — but we don't know when.' Many didn't understand what that meant — but Putin did. In 2008, he launched a war against Georgia, and later, against Ukraine. Now he is taking Georgia through hybrid means, because Russian tanks are too busy in Ukraine. That's why the attack on Georgia is being carried out not by tanks, but by puppets and Russian agents. This is not Bidzina Ivanishvili — he should be called 'Lukashvili', because he is turning Georgia into Belarus. This is Belarus's path: first losing democracy, then losing statehood. And now it is an occupied country. That is exactly what is happening in Georgia today. Just a few months ago, we met here with Giorgi Vashadze and other Georgian leaders who are now in prison. Just imagine — we met with them, shook their hands, said 'Long live Georgia' — and now they are behind bars.' Petra Bayr (Austria): 'According to the 2024 Democracy Index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Georgia ranks fourth in the world for democratic backsliding — and first in the South Caucasus. Protests demanding new elections have been ongoing for over 200 days. The government led by Georgian Dream has resorted to a range of repressive measures, including restrictive laws, harsher criminal prosecutions, and, at times, severe sentences against protesters, civil society, and prominent opposition figures. There is little indication that these protests will lead to political change in the near future. The most high-profile arrest so far has been that of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and director of an independent media outlet. She was detained in Batumi for putting up protest stickers and allegedly assaulting a police officer. Georgian Dream has passed laws aimed at suppressing dissent — for example, increasing fines and prison sentences, and reinstating the criminal offence of 'treason'. In December 2024, the administrative fine for blocking a road rose from the equivalent of €180 to €1,800 — a clear attempt to deter people from defending their fundamental rights. Our response must be unequivocal. There is a red line when it comes to our shared values, and imprisoning people for trying to exercise basic human rights such as freedom of expression and speech is completely unacceptable. We must not lose hope. We must increase the pressure — to push for new elections, demand investigations into violence against activists and peaceful demonstrators, and of course, to call for the release of all political prisoners.' Albana Vokshi (Albania): 'Just last week, four leaders of the democratic opposition were arrested — not for committing any crime, but for refusing to appear before a so-called parliamentary investigative commission that has nothing to do with the rule of law and is entirely tied to political persecution. Today, Georgia's accountability institutions have become tools of repression. Let us not forget that Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili — who once served as a vice-president of this Assembly — remains in politically motivated detention. And he is not alone. Other prominent opposition figures have also been arrested. The chair of the main opposition party, the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava — one of the most prominent and active opposition leaders — has become a target of state terror. Her husband was forcibly abducted, and her children have been threatened. This is not politics. This is persecution. We must call things by their name. And if we don't face reality, very soon all opposition leaders in Georgia will be in prison — and the opposition itself will cease to exist.'
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Satellite Image Reveals Unexpected East Coast Phenomena: 'Impressive'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A striking image of a massive bloom of phytoplankton—microscopic plant-like organisms that often float near the surface of the ocean—has been captured from space in the Gulf of Maine. Coccolithophores, a type of phytoplankton that has been less common in the waters off the New England coast since about 2010, "made an impressive appearance" this summer, NASA said in a statement. The image, taken by NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite, captured of one of the largest blooms of its kind to turn up on the waters of the Gulf of Maine in recent years. Coccolithophores have plates made of calcium carbonate. The light reflecting off the calcium carbonate gives the water a milky blue hue. Catherine Mitchell, a satellite oceanographer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, notes that coccolithophore blooms such as this one have been less common in the gulf waters over the past 15 years. An image of a massive bloom of phytoplankton captured from space by NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite. An image of a massive bloom of phytoplankton captured from space by NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite. NASA Earth Observatory The presence or absence of these tiny organisms—along with other types of phytoplankton—in the Gulf of Maine can impact the entire ecosystem from finfish to shellfish and the local fisheries that depend on them. Phytoplankton form a crucial part of the coastal and open ocean ecosystems and a healthy system houses a diverse range of species. Coccolithophores do not produce any known toxins that are harmful to humans, but dense phytoplankton blooms of any species can potentially cause localized issues, such as low dissolved oxygen levels that can kill fish, microbiologist Brianna King warned in a March article for the Maine government's department of marine resources. Blooms of coccolithophores can also be beneficial for the local environment. For example, their calcium carbonate scales can act as a natural buffer, "dissolving under certain conditions and helping to counter-act ocean acidification on a very localized level," King said. Recent years have seen coccolithophores make a rebound. Researchers have also reported a rise in dinoflagellates—a type of phytoplankton with whip-like tails—and a decades-long drop in phytoplankton productivity. These changes have occurred amid changing water conditions, such as varying temperatures, NASA said. The relationship between these changing water conditions and phytoplankton communities in the gulf is unknown but Mitchell believes ongoing research, with the help of images captured by PACE, could start pointing to some answers. "A major benefit of PACE is its ability to 'see the rainbow,'" Mitchell said, enabling scientists to observe the ocean color in more detail and at a higher resolution than before. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about marine life? Let us know via science@
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
InnovAge PACE Sponsors Documentary Spotlighting National Crisis in Family Caregiving
DENVER, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InnovAge, the nation's largest provider of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) based on participants served, announced today its sponsorship of the new PBS documentary Caregiving, airing tonight, June 24, at 9pm ET on PBS. Executive produced by and featuring Grammy-winning actor Bradley Cooper, and narrated by Emmy-winning actor Uzo Aduba, the film offers an in-depth look at the challenges and triumphs of America's caregivers. 'At InnovAge, our mission is rooted in supporting seniors and those who care for them,' says InnovAge CEO Patrick Blair. ' Caregiving demonstrates the critical role caregivers play across the country. We are proud to help bring these powerful stories to light as we work every day to deliver dignified, coordinated care to older adults through our PACE model.' InnovAge's sponsorship supports PBS in raising national awareness about the caregiving crisis— highlighted in the documentary through stories of families managing funding cuts, policy shifts, and workforce challenges. 'Documentaries like Caregiving remind us that caregiving is everyone's story,' Blair continued. 'Through PACE, our participants can stay safely at home with dignity and autonomy while enabling their loved ones to enjoy that time with them, while also easing the stress and pressure associated with senior care.' About InnovAge InnovAge is a market leader in managing the care of high-cost, frail, and predominantly dual-eligible seniors through the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). With a mission of enabling older adults to age independently in their own homes for as long as safely possible, InnovAge's person-centered care model is designed to improve the quality of care its participants receive while reducing over-utilization of high-cost care settings. InnovAge believes its PACE healthcare model is one in which all constituencies — participants, their families, providers, and government payors — 'win.' As of March 31, 2025, InnovAge served approximately 7,530 participants across 20 centers in six states. Lara Hazenfield Manager, Public Relations & Content Creation | InnovAge 720-884-7568 cell | [email protected] | John Eddy Goldin Solutions for InnovAge [email protected]
