Latest news with #PaulMartin
News24
7 days ago
- Business
- News24
All you need to know about the G20 summit and why it matters to you
For the first time, South Africa is taking centre stage in global affairs in 2025 as we host the G20 Summit in November. The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum for governments and policymakers from 19 countries and two economic regions: the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). Established in 1999, the forum brings together the world's major economies to discuss and coordinate policies on global economic challenges. 'This is a moment for Africa – and for South Africans – to shape the future, not just respond to it,' says Shadi Chauke, Sanlam's Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability. Chauke says the G20 is a meeting based on diplomacy. Bringing the world's most influential leaders together on the biggest pressing global matters. The meeting doesn't make laws or regulations. 'Think of it as a forum where countries try to find common ground on shared global challenges – from inequality to energy security.' Paul Martin, former Canadian Prime Minister, describes the purpose of the G20 as 'recognition that countries cannot solve the problems of globalisation alone. Globalisation is a reality, climate change is a reality, and poverty in certain countries cannot be allowed to fester. We need to solve these together'. Read more | 'This is about shifting perceptions' – Khosi Nkosi heads to Milan and Paris fashion week 10 Things You Should Know About the G20 – And Why They Matter to You It's incredibly powerful The G20 countries, including the EU and AU represent 85% of the world's GDP, 75% of global trade and approximately two-thirds of the world's population. Decisions made here ripple out to every corner of the globe – including South Africa. Africa is under-represented – but that's changing South Africa is the only African nation with permanent membership in the G20. However, under this year's presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa advocated for greater African inclusion, and formally invited Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria to participate as guest countries in this year's G20 proceedings. It was born out of necessity The G20 evolved from the older G7 group (seven major economies), which was seen as too exclusive to address today's complex global challenges. The G7 found out the hard way that countries would not implement solutions that were dictated to them rather than workshopped with them. The G20 was created to be more representative – including both developed and developing nations. It began with finance but has grown in scope The G20 started in 1999 in Berlin as a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors. Its original focus was on global financial stability, but today it covers a wide range of topics such as – climate change, health, education, technology and social development. It's more informal than it seems Unlike the United Nations or World Health Organisation, the G20 is not a rules-based institution. Countries don't sign treaties, but they make commitments – and it's up to each country to implement them. This flexible structure allows for faster collaboration, but it also means accountability depends on individual governments. Read more | Cassie Ventura testifies about 'freak offs' in P Diddy case It shapes real-world outcomes Even though it's not a legislative body, the G20 sets the tone for global cooperation. For example, it agreed on measures to fight financial instability, committed to keeping global warming below 2°C, and pushed for reforms to benefit developing nations. South Africa is setting the agenda this year As hosts, we've chosen the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. We're making sure African issues like inequality, food security, the debt crisis, digital inclusion and climate resilience are front and centre – and that the global conversation includes the realities of the Global South. It impacts your everyday life The G20 influences everything from the price of fuel and groceries to how we deal with global pandemics. For instance, during COVID-19, the G20 launched the Debt Service Suspension Initiative to help poorer countries survive economically. It also pushes for fairer tax systems and stronger financial regulation. Every year we have a new President The host country of the G20 is called the President because it holds the G20 Presidency for the year, leading and coordinating the agenda, meetings, and priorities. It refers to the country chairing the G20, not an individual leader. Many ideas and voices feed into the G20 Even though G20 decisions are made by governments, many people are involved in the G20 through a range of engagement groups where ideas from business, civil society, women, youth, and labour are gathered and shared with government leaders. These include: B20 – Business, C20 – Civil Society, W20 – Women, L20 – Labour, Y20 – Youth, to name a few.
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Firethorn Trust tops out PBSA development in Leith Walk, Edinburgh
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant construction milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at Leith, Edinburgh, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site's structural framework. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Located on Leith Walk, Firethorn's six-storey asset will provide high quality accommodation for 230 student beds, alongside generous amenities including a fully equipped gym, student common room, cinema and modern study spaces. Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn's purchase of the site in February 2024, marking the first acquisition under its Living portfolio. The company has since expanded its footprint with additional PBSA assets in Hackney Wick and Stratford, plus a hotel development in central Dublin and the One Bessborough Gardens residential conversion in London. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With the structural frame now complete, Leith Walk is on track for completion in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Above: Firethorn Trust marks structural completion of its Leith Walk development at topping out ceremony with contractors, Ogilvie Construction Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn Trust, commented: 'As the first asset within our Living portfolio, topping out at Leith Walk is a significant milestone for Firethorn, and a prime example of our ability to deliver buildings swiftly and to a high standard. 'Edinburgh has a growing student population and an urgent need for modern, quality accommodation, so we are very pleased with the pace at which works are progressing and look forward to bringing the site to completion over the next 12 months.'
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Artist's final works to be showcased at 18th century palace
The final works of an artist and lecturer who continued painting after a cancer diagnosis are to go on public display for the first time in a Scottish mansion house dating back to the early 18th century. The career of Paul Martin, which spanned more than 50 years, will be celebrated this weekend at Dalkeith Palace, in Midlothian, despite the artist telling his family to burn his work after he passed away. More than 180 works created by Edinburgh-based Martin, who taught for more than 20 years at Leith School of Art, will be going on display at the palace, which was the historic home of the Buccleuch family for more than 200 years. Read more: Much of the exhibition, which will feature painting, printmaking, sculpture and installations, will focus on the artist's interests in the natural world. He is the first solo artist to be showcased at Dalkeith Palace, which dates back to 1702, when it was instigated by Anna Scott, the first Duchess of Buccleuch. Paul Martin's work will be showcased at Dalkeith Palace, in Midlothian, this weekend. She asked architect James Smith to drawn on William of Orange's Netherlands residence for inspiration, with his design incorporating the remains of a 12th century on the land. Martin's work, some of which is in the collections of the British Museum and Royal Academy in London, was featured in at least 10 exhibitions in Edinburgh in the space of 17 years, and was also exhibited overseas, including in France, the Netherlands and Australia. The work of artist Paul Martin will be celebrated this weekend at Dalkeith Palace in Midlothian. (Image: Supplied) Born in Bournemouth, Martin studied at Birmingham School of Art and the Royal Academy in London before teacher art in a boarding school in Warwickshire. He was lured north to Scotland by a former protégé, Philip Archer, the long-time principal of Leith School of Art, who was keen for him to work there. The exhibition, Where Echoes Meet, has been put together by the family of the artists, who passed away at the start of 2022, aged 73, from pancreatic cancer. The late artist Paul Martin, who taught for more than 20 years at Leith School of Art, (Image: Supplied) The artist's son, Harry, told The Herald: 'He had a short illness. He knew for about eight months that something was significantly wrong. 'He continued to work when he was ill – he just kept going. I cleared his workshop after he died and he didn't leave anything unfinished. It was amazing, really. Paul Martin's painting In a Green Shade will be going on display as part of the exhibition at Dalkeith Palace. (Image: Supplied) 'His final paintings weren't little works of art. They were around two metres square. They are a kind of culmination of a lot of quite a lot of his pieces. It really felt like he had gone full circle. 'He had a sort of intensity and self-belief about his work. He felt it dealt with important themes and ideas. He never doubted his work. I think that's why he wanted to get it all done and get everything finished.' The Wisdom of Birds will be among Paul Martin's works going on display at Dalkeith Palace. (Image: Supplied) The artist's son said the forthcoming exhibition will be the biggest ever showcase of his father's work. He added: 'Before my dad died, I asked him what we should do with all of his work, as we knew there was a lot. There were sheds and garages full of it, as was his studio. 'He actually said: 'Just take them outside and burn them.' I don't think he was being that negative. I think was just saying: 'Look, don't worry yourself with them.' He didn't want them to be a burden. 'But I felt that a lot of people had been very invested in dad's work and there were a lot of his students that really loved his teaching, had followed his work quite closely and always came to his exhibitions. 'He was always a really good communicator about his work and what it was. He had a sort of intensity and self-belief about his work. He felt it dealt with important themes and ideas. 'Once we had a bit of time and space after his death, we reflected and thought we should take time to go through all his work and archive it. 'I felt we really needed to do something appropriate, find somewhere really good for an exhibition and go for it. One thing led to another and we found ourselves at Dalkeith Palace. It was a really good opportunity.'
BreakingNews.ie
23-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Taoiseach to attend event marking 40th anniversary of Air India disaster in Cork
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to attend a commemoration to mark 40 years since the Air India disaster in West Cork. In June 1985, Air India Flight 182 was brought down off the coast of Cork in what was the worst aviation disaster in Irish and Canadian history. Advertisement Some 329 people were killed, including 29 families, the majority of whom were Canadians of Indian descent. The plane crashed as a result of a terrorist attack, and was the worst aviation act of terrorism until the September 11 attacks. An annual commemoration is held at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork. At the 20th commemoration of the disaster, Paul Martin became the first Canadian prime minister to visit the memorial. Advertisement As Taoiseach Mr Martin offered his condolences to the families of those killed after an Air India plane crashed earlier this month, he drew comparisons between the two tragedies. 'All of us who experienced that had a sense of trauma that people go through when crashes of this kind happen,' he said. The 2025 Air India flight struck a medical college hostel in a residential part of Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor was Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, who said it was 'a miracle' he survived. Advertisement
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford FC boss Stephen Elliott trying to deal with mounting absentee list ahead of Longford Town clash
It's a familiar tale of woe for Wexford FC manager Stephen Elliott as he grapples with an ever-growing absentee list ahead of the visit of Longford Town to Ferrycarrig Park for their SSE Airtricity League First Division clash on Friday (7.45 p.m.). Paul Martin and Conor Levingston will sit out their final games of a three-match suspension and, while Robbie McCourt is nearing a return, he is likely to remain sidelined for the visit of the midlanders.
