Latest news with #APCA
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asia-Pacific scholars address AI, language, communication in Brunei
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua): The APCA-ANPOR-UBD Conference 2025 concluded in Brunei this week following two days of vibrant academic exchange on artificial intelligence (AI), language, and sustainable communication. The conference, themed "Communication and Languages in Asia-Pacific Regions: Connection, Collaboration, and Sustainability," was co-organized by the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance (APCA), the Asian Network for Public Opinion Research (ANPOR), and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). The opening ceremony was graced by Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle. Scholars and educators from across the Asia Pacific region explore key issues in sustainable communication, AI, communication and multilingualism. Chen Changfeng, president of APCA and professor of Tsinghua University, commended the spirit of openness, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing that characterized the conference in her opening remarks. In his remarks, Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle said, "In a world transformed by artificial intelligence, shaped by digital disruption and challenged by rising misinformation, our ability to communicate with purpose, ethics and inclusivity has never been more vital." The conference featured five keynote speakers from world-leading institutions, addressing topics such as generative AI, digital ethics, multilingualism, language policy and sustainability. Jack Qiu, professor of Nanyang Technological University, demonstrated how AI is reshaping reading, listening and writing, calling for renewed focus on human agency in education. The conference marks a key milestone for the UBD Language Center, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for intercultural dialogue and sustainable communication, according to UBD. - Xinhua
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State Supreme Court will hear arguments over Pa.'s membership in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
(Getty Images) Pennsylvania's long-delayed membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative that would require fossil fuel burning power plants to pay for carbon dioxide emissions will be the subject of arguments Tuesday before the state Supreme Court. The program, known as RGGI, established a carbon credit auction for electricity producers in 11 northeast states to pay for the right to emit carbon dioxide. The money received would go to each state for uses, ranging from utility assistance and energy efficiency projects to subsidies for alternative energy. Gov. Tom Wolf entered the compact in 2022 over the objections of Republican state lawmakers. They raised concerns it would increase electricity prices, hasten the closing of the commonwealth's remaining coal power plants, and not reduce carbon emissions overall, but simply force them into other states. In a legal challenge to the program's constitutionality, GOP leaders in the House and Senate contended the requirement to buy carbon credits was an impermissible tax. A Commonwealth Court panel of five judges agreed. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In its decision, the appellate court said that Pennsylvania's participation in RGGI must be approved through the General Assembly and that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) does not have the authority to impose a tax. Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration appealed, with the DEP, arguing that the commonwealth's membership in RGGI is authorized by the state's Air Pollution Control Act (APCA). The law empowers the state to enact rules and regulations to reduce pollution, including establishing fees used to eliminate air emissions. Several nonprofit citizens rights and environmental groups including Penn Future, the Sierra Club, the Clean Air Council and the Environmental Defense Fund moved to intervene in the appeal. They argue the Commonwealth Court wrongly decided the case because it failed to consider the DEP and Environmental Quality Board's obligations under the Environmental Rights Amendment (ERA) to the state constitution. The groups also back the DEP's argument that the agency is empowered to establish fees to enforce the APCA. Adopted in 1971, the ERA requires the commonwealth to preserve public natural resources for the benefit of all people. It's considered one of the strongest such constitutional protections in the nation, according to PennFuture. Since the Commonwealth Court's decision in 2023, Shapiro has introduced a Pennsylvania-focused alternative to RGGI called the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) that he said would leverage the commonwealth's status as an energy exporter to fund carbon-neutral energy development. Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) who plans to introduce legislation to establish PACER, said Shapiro's alternative was developed in collaboration with Republican lawmakers and energy companies. Comitta said the Supreme Court case and RGGI would make the Supreme Court case moot, but GOP lawmakers have said the plan falls short of their goals to reduce energy costs and ensure reliable electricity supplies. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Harrisburg. An audio stream of the proceedings is available on YouTube. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Business Insider
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Kenya and South Africa emerge as private equity safe zones amid U.S. trade disruptions
Despite growing global uncertainty, a majority of private equity investors are doubling down on South Africa and Kenya as their top investment destinations over the next three years. Majority of private equity investors are focusing on South Africa and Kenya for the next three years. Global uncertainty and Trump's tariff policies are casting a shadow over Africa's fundraising prospects for 2025. Investment on the continent dropped by 11% since the start of 2024, driven by global economic headwinds and high interest rates. Despite growing global uncertainty, a majority of private equity investors are doubling down on South Africa and Kenya as their top investment destinations over the next three years, even as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies cast a shadow over Africa's fundraising prospects for 2025. According to the African Private Capital Association (APCA), more than 65% of general partners at private equity firms ranked South Africa and Kenya as their most attractive markets. Egypt and Nigeria followed, with around 50% of respondents highlighting them as key targets. However, optimism is tempered by concerns and over one-third of investors expressed pessimism about raising capital this year, citing pressures from currency depreciation across African economies and the ripple effects of Trump's protectionist trade stance, Bloomberg reported. Big deals dry up Investment on the continent dropped by 11% since the start of 2024, extending a downward trend that began in 2023. The slowdown has been driven by global economic headwinds, persistent inflation and high interest rates, which have made investors more risk-averse. As a result, large-scale deals have become increasingly rare, with smaller, lower-risk transactions now dominating the landscape. In the latest survey conducted by the London-based association, two key concerns still stood out. 'Exchange rate volatility on the continent' topped the list, cited by 84% of respondents. The second major concern, noted by 59% of investors, was the 'America-first investment approach,' which they fear could significantly affect foreign investment from U.S.-based firms. Venture capital funding for African startups fell by 22% to $3.6 billion last year, according to a separate report by the African Private Capital Association released earlier this month. The decline came as U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures rattled global markets, prompting investors to retreat from riskier assets. Earlier this month, Trump announced new tariffs of at least 10% on most imports into the U.S., targeting goods from about 60 countries, before pausing the duties for 90 days. Despite the turbulence, the survey found that over the next three years, general partners (GPs) in Africa are prioritizing investments in energy, healthcare, and consumer goods. The shift reflects a growing alignment with global trends and evolving local market needs.
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Clerks protest pension cuts, allowance freeze
Government offices in Rawalpindi came to a standstill on Thursday as clerical staff observed a complete shutdown to protest recent policy changes introduced by the Punjab government. The strike was held on the call of the provincial leadership of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA), which has strongly opposed what it calls "draconian" amendments to pension policies, changes in leave encashment rules, and the abolition of Rule 17-A. Employees also decried the government's failure to raise house rent, conveyance, and medical allowances in line with skyrocketing inflation. Mass protest rallies were staged in several cities, including large demonstrations outside the Department of Education and the Public Works Department (PWD) office. Key APCA leaders — including Shehzad Manzoor Kayani, Chaudhry Mubashar, Mirza Tauqeer, Raja Shahid, Raja Aftab, and Saqib Adnanled the rallies. Demonstrators carried placards and banners demanding pay raises and fulfilling other longstanding demands. The protests caused significant disruptions in Rawalpindi, with the rally blocking Murree Road and paralysing traffic for several hours. Protesters chanted slogans for nearly 10 hours, bringing daily government operations to a halt across all district offices due to locked offices.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Gross corruption in Civil Hospital alleged
Hyderabad A contractor providing services outsourced by the Civil Hospital Hyderabad has not paid his employees for over four months. All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) Sindh General Secretary and Central Joint Secretary of the United Labour Federation, Ashraf Khan Bozai, has appealed the provincial health minister, chief secretary, health secretary, DG NAB, deputy director anti-corruption, and other high-ups to investigate the embezzlement of salaries of daily-wage employees of Civil Hospital Hyderabad, and the non-payment of their wages for four to five months. Bozai stated that over 1,500 daily-wage workers are employed at the hospital under a contract system, but instead of receiving the government-approved salary of Rs37,000, they are paid Rs10,000 to Rs12,000. He further mentioned that these workers are facing severe difficulties during the holy month of Ramazan for not getting their rightful wages. The firm responsible for their contracts also holds four other profitable contracts with the hospital, which should also be investigated. The officials involved in the embezzlement should be terminated from their services.
