Cameroonian army recaptures border town from Boko Haram

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The Cameroonian army supported by Chadian troops has managed to regain control of Fotokol town in Cameroon’s Far North Region neighbouring Nigeria, military sources said.

The army made a strategic retreat Wednesday following a morning attack by about 7,000 Boko Haram militants armed with 30 armored trucks, 10 vehicles and hundreds of motorcycles, as well as sophisticated weapons.

Military sources earlier said 3 Cameroonian soldiers and 14 Chadian soldiers died and a huge number of Boko Haram militants were killed during the clash.

Source :  Cameroon Daily Net

‘Night of horror’ for one Culiacán family

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Soldier stands guard at the scene of yesterday's shooting

After two different gun battles, fake social media posts spark panic among citizens

Armed confrontations in Sinaloa killed at least 10 people yesterday before triggering the circulation of fake audio recordings and photographs on social media, warning of further attacks and spreading shockwaves of fear among citizens.

Early yesterday morning, Army and Navy personnel took on armed gunmen they encountered while patrolling in the Villas del Real residential area of the city of Culiacán.

For one family, it was a night of horror.

Antonio, whose last name was not given, and his family were awoken at 4:00am by the sound of gunfire outside their home. “The bullets came through the doors and windows, struck a vehicle in the garage and sent family photographs falling from the walls of the living room,” Antonio told the newspaper El Universal.

Five presumed criminals and one marine died in the gun battle, which left bullet holes in several houses in the neighborhood, Antonio said. “It’s a miracle that there wasn’t a tragedy as a result.”

There was another faceoff later in the day when heavily armed men riding in at least 10 vehicles engaged in a shootout for several minutes in Villa Juárez, Navolato. Four people died, including a pregnant woman caught in the crossfire.

Later, warnings of further violence began appearing on social networks. Audio recordings claimed there were groups of armed men traveling in convoys of up to 170 vehicles, and photos were posted that claimed to show victims of the Navolato shooting.

There were also reports of gunfire in various parts of Culiacán.

The newspaper Ríodoce said yesterday it appeared the reports were untrue but there had been no official word from state authorities and meanwhile residents were panicking.

Many parents announced they would not send their children to school today and would remain sheltered in their homes.

The Navolato shooting could have been the result of infighting within the Sinaloa Cartel as factions within the gang vie for control, particularly now that its former leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is behind bars in the United States, where he is awaiting trial on narcotics charges.

 Source : Mexico Daily News

Workers at world’s largest copper mine to strike Thursday: Union

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Workers at world's largest copper mine to strike Thursday: Union

The main union at BHP Billiton’s Escondida copper mine, the world’s largest, told Reuters on Tuesday that negotiations mediated by the Chilean government with the company have failed and that workers will go on strike on Thursday.

Workers warn that a strike at the Chilean mine would nearly halt production and could be lengthy, potentially affecting global supplies of a metal used in everything from construction to telecommunications.

“The company doesn’t want to change its position, so we understand that there is nothing left to negotiate … there is nothing left to talk about, we’ve already talked a lot and we are definitely going on strike,” said union spokesman Carlos Allendes.

The strike is planned to start at 8:00 a.m. (1100 GMT).

BHP Billiton said it could not immediately comment but expected to put out a statement later in the day.

Copper prices have spiked in recent weeks over fears of a strike at Escondida, which produced 6 percent of the world’s supply in 2015. One tonne of copper was trading at $5,795.00 at 7:18 p.m. local time (1018 GMT), up from a morning low of $5,786.

A strike would reduce production at the mine to “practically zero,” Allendes had said earlier on Tuesday.

The two sides on Friday started a five-day government-mediated period of negotiations that effectively delays a work stoppage the Escondida Union No. 1 voted for last week.

As no talks took place on Sunday, Wednesday will be the last day of the negotiations, unless both parties agree to an extension. If talks fail, a strike can only legally begin as of Thursday.

Allendes said the union has decided not to sit down to negotiate with the company on Wednesday.

“There will be no talks tomorrow,” Allendes said.

In a statement on Monday, the union said BHP had not committed to a benefits scheme that places new and longtime workers on equal footing. The union, which considers equality of benefits essential to any agreement, added that it tried to discuss the issue with the company, which asked to put it off to the end of negotiations.

Labor negotiations at Escondida are seen as a benchmark for the industry at large. The last wage talks four years ago, when copper prices were considerably higher, ended with Escondida offering each worker a bonus worth some $49,000, the highest ever offered in Chile’s mining industry.

Falling profits at Chile’s copper mines because of lower prices of the metal have caused belt-tightening that makes labor negotiations trickier. Labor problems at Escondida could portend tough negotiations this year at other Chilean copper mines, such as Anglo American and Glencore’s Collahuasi and Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres.

Escondida is majority-controlled by BHP, with Rio Tinto and Japan’s JECO also holding stakes.

Source : Santiago Times

Costa pede tréguas na dívida à oposição e atravessa-se por Centeno

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A dívida pública e a atuação de Mário Centeno quanto à CGD foram as questões dominantes no debate parlamentar quinzenal

“O senhor ministro [das Finanças] não mentiu”, garantiu António Costa, face às acusações, do PSD e do CDS, de que Centeno deu informações falsas ao Parlamento quando garantiu desconhecer as razões da demissão de Mário Centeno da presidência do banco público.

O que está em causa são alegados compromissos de Centeno com Domingues de que este e os seus colegas na administração da CGD ficariam isentos de apresentar declarações de rendimentos e património no Tribunal Constitucional quando foram retirados do perímetro do Estatuto do Gestor Público.

Na questão da dívida pública, PSD e CDS insistiram em acusações de que está a aumentar, sendo a gestão governamental do dossier, segundo Luís Montenegro, “um desastre” que um dia “rebentará nas mãos” do Governo.

Costa contrapôs recordando o aumento da dívida durante o governo PSD/CDS – 32 pontos percentuais, de 96,9% do PIB para 129%. No final do debate, embora ao ataque, o primeiro-ministro acabou, substantivamente por pedir tréguas ao PSD e CDS nesta matéria.

Fê-lo recordando os tempos em que foi líder da oposição – e reconhecendo que essa é a missão política mais difícil em Portugal: “Nunca ninguém me ouviu a dizer uma palavra que perturbasse a confiança dos mercados”, “nunca ninguém me viu a acender uma vela para que os juros da dívida pública aumentassem”.

Outra das novidades do debate prendeu-se com o novo aeroporto do Montijo. Costa revelou que uma decisão final, lá mais para o fim do ano, está dependente de um estudo que está a ser feito sobre as migrações de pássaros na zona (no Samouco, por exemplo, vive uma enorme comunidade de flamingos, que aproveita a Ponte Vasco da Gama para local de abrigo).

Quanto à questão da precariedade no Estado, Costa revelou que amanhã o Conselho de Ministros aprovará a formação em cada ministério de comissões bipartidas (“patrões”/sindicatos) que avaliarão as necessidades de emprego permanente, de modo a depois abrir vagas nos quadros que incorporem os trabalhadores atualmente com vínculo temporário.

Releia aqui o debate em direto.

última atualização : 2017/02/08 15:09

listar por :

15:09  Debate termina com forte ataque de Costa à oposição PSD/CDS by João Pedro Henriques

Na questão da dívida pública, “a oposição está a brincar com o fogo”, acusou o primeiro-ministro, dirigindo-se às bancadas do PSD e do CDS (mas sobretudo à primeira).

Recordando que em tempos foi líder da oposição – e reconhecendo que essa é a missão política mais difícil em Portugal -, António Costa garantiu: “Nunca ninguém me ouviu a dizer uma palavra que perturbasse a confiança dos mercados”. Ou, por outras palavras: “Nunca ninguém me viu a acender uma vela para que os juros da dívida pública aumentassem.” “Quem não sabe ser oposição não sabe ser Governo mas agora percebemos que quem não sabe ser Governo não sabe ser oposição.”

Antes, Costa tinha recordado uma intervenção da ex-ministra das Finanças Maria de Luís Albuquerque na televisão garantindo que era artitmeticamente impossível o défice de 2016 ser abaixo dos 2,7% do PIB. E rematou: “Posso aritmeticamente garantir que o défice vai ficar abaixo dos 2,3%.”

Pelas 17.09, Ferro Rodrigues deu por encerrado o debate quinzenal, fechando a sessão plenária.

14:58  Descentralização. PS pressiona Governo para acelerar processo legislativo by João Pedro Henriques

Carlos César, líder parlamentar do PS, encerra a sua intervenção falando da reforma da descentralização do poder do Estado – “pedra angular da reforma do Estado”.

“Recomendamos ao Governo aprofundamento deste debate”, afirma César, pedindo ainda que a matéria legislativa chegue do Governo ao Parlamento “logo que possível”, para que depois os deputados legislem.

Esta é uma área em que o PS e o Governo – e sobretudo o Presidente da República – têm pressionado o PSD para um grande acordo de regime.

14:50  Áreas protegidas. Costa desmente municipalização by João Pedro Henriques

“Não é intenção do Governo a municipalização da gestão das áreas protegidas”, garante o primeiro-ministro, em resposta a Heloísa Apolónia (PEV).

Para a deputada ecologista, esta suposta municipalização – que o PM desmentiu – iria contra uma “dimensão nacional” que a gestão das áreas protegidas deve ter.

Embora desmentindo-a tal municipalização, Costa reconhece que os municípios serão mais “associados” à gestão das áreas protegidas. “Teremos a ganhar associando mais os municípios”, afirma, explicando que esse envolvimento visa impedir situações de conflito envolvendo, em simultâneo, áreas protegidas, municípios e população.

Heloísa Apolónia insistiu ainda com o chefe do Governo para que o Executivo prossiga a tarefa de colocar nos quadros do Estado milhares de professores contratados a prazo há anos. “Devemos prossegui-lo”, assegurou Costa – sem no entanto se comprometer com números. Para a deputada ecologista, o Governo fica “muito aquém” do que é necessário quando só vincula definitivamente três mil profissionais do setor da Educação.

14:29  Precariedade. Jerónimo exige: “Que ninguém fique de fora” by João Pedro Henriques

Tal como previamente prometido, a questão da precariedade dos trabalhadores do Estado dominou a primeira intervenção do secretário-geral do PCP

“Que ninguém fique de fora neste processo de justiça social”, exige Jerónimo de Sousa, defendendo assim que rigorosamente todos os falsos precários ao serviço do Estado sejam colocados nos quadros.

O levantamento que o Governo fez identificou 116 mil casos de trabalhadores com vínculo temporário mas sem dizer quais destas situações representam uma utilização “indevida” desses vínculos.

14:24  Costa não responde a Cristas sobre “banco mau” by João Pedro Henriques

Assunção Cristas pergunta ao primeiro-ministro “para quando o banco mau” [um veículo bancário que absorverá o crédito mal das instituições financeiras portuguesas, limpando-lhes os saldos].

Costa defende a obra do seu Governo no que toca à banca – “não há nenhum problema novo e os velhos estão resolvidos ou em resolução” – mas não diz uma palavra sobre o tal “banco mau”, algo que envolve também o empenhamento do Banco de Portugal.

O Governo tinha dito que até ao final do ano de 2016 apresentaria uma solução mas não o fez. Aparentemente, o facto de a UE estar a pensar numa solução global europeia para o problema do mal parado, terá feito o Governo e BdP travarem.

 

14:12  Novo aeroporto depende de estudo sobre migração dos passáros, diz Costa. by João Pedro Henriques

Respondendo a Assunção Cristas, o primeiro-ministro reconhece que o Montijo é “a solução que aparenta viabilidade” como localização para o aeroporto da área metropolitana de Lisboa complementar ao da Portela.

Acrescenta, porém, que uma decisão final está dependente de um estudo, que só estará pronto no final do ano, sobre a migração de pássaros na zona do Montijo (estuário do Tejo). Segundo acrescentou, constata-se atualmente na Portela que o número de passageiros excedeu bastante o limiar previsto para daqui a sete anos – pelo que vai ser necessário acelerar a criação de uma solução complementar

14:05  Costa defende Centeno: “O senhor ministro não mentiu.” by João Pedro Henriques

António Costa defende o ministro das Finanças da acusação de Montenegro segundo a qual Mário Centeno “mentiu” quando disse no Parlamento que desconhecia as razões da demissão de António Domingues de presidente da CGD.

“O senhor ministro não mentiu e não há qualquer prova de que ele assumiu [com Domingues] os compromissos que dizem que ele assumiu”, argumentou o primeiro-ministro.

António Costa argumentou ainda que o diploma que retirou os gestores da CGD das obrigações do Estatuto do Gestor Público veio ao Parlamento antes da polémica se iniciar e “nenhum senhor deputado se lembrou de pôr em causa que havia alteração das obrigações e transparência”, recordou Costa.

O chefe do Governo respondeu ainda à líder do BE, Catarina Martins, por esta ter dito que o relatório da precariedade tinha uma “omissão” ao não revelar o número dos trabalhadores que estão em situação temporária não em relação direta com o Estado mas sim através de empresas privadas que o Estado subcontrata (“outsourcing”).

Para António Costa, este é um problema desses trabalhadores com essas empresas e não um problema do Estado, pelo que, se houver situações de “falso outsourcing”, tem de ser a Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho a intervir.

13:48  Caixa Geral de Depósitos volta a incendiar plenário da AR by João Pedro Henriques

Luís Montenegro diz que Mário Centeno, ministro das Finanças, “mentiu” quando disse no Parlamento que desconhecia as razões da demissão de António Domingues.

“Não estranha que o ministro das Finanças lhe tenha ocultado informações sobre a correspondência que trocou” com os ex-presidente do banco público, perguntou o líder parlamentar do PSD ao primeiro-ministro.

António Costa contra-argumenta que o Governo conseguiu na UE um plano de recapitalização do banco do Estado, evitando assim que se tenha tido de adotar a solução que o PSD exigia: a privatização.

Antes, sobre a dívida pública, Montenegro havia acusado a gestão do governo de ser “um desastre”. “Vai rebentar-lhe nas mãos!”, prognosticou.

13:36  Costa reconhece que abandono escolar precoce aumentou em 2016 by João Pedro Henriques

Depois de anunciar números positivos para o Governo no campo do emprego e da dívida pública líquida, o primeiro-ministro reconheceu que o abandono escolar precoce aumentou “três décimas” em 2016 – sem avançar números absolutos..

Depois ensaiou explicações, por exemplo, um “aumento significativo” do número de jovens a ter emprego – “a taxa de desemprego juvenil baixou quatro pontos percentuais”.

Alvitrou ainda que esse aumento do abandono escolar precoce (antes do 9º ano) pode ter resultado das políticas educativas do anterior Governo, que levantaram ao aumento das taxas de retenção (chumbos de ano).

13:30  Passos em silêncio, Montenegro representa PSD by João Pedro Henriques

A palavra na bancada do PSD ficou, desta vez, a cargo de Luís Montenegro, líder parlamentar, em vez de Pedro Passos Coelho, líder do partido.

Montenegro disse que a intervenção do primeiro-ministro representou “o regresso dos programinhas, dos power points, das fantasias”. No final perguntou pelos números do abandono escolar em 2016.

13:27  Precariedade. Trabalhadores do Estado chamados a co-decidir necessidades by João Pedro Henriques

O Conselho de Ministros vai aprovar amanhã a criação em cada ministério de uma comissão “bipartida” que vai analisar, caso a caso, as necessidades de emprego permanente.

É um passo em frente depois de revelado o levantamento governamental sobre o número de trabalhadores do Estado com vinculo temporário (cerca de 116 mil).

“Comissões bipartidas” significa que terão dupla representação: dos empregadores e dos empregados. “Identificar as necessidades permanentes” visa, depois, passar os precários necessários para os quadros do Estado, com “verdadeiros contratos”.

13:15  “Novas Oportunidades” passam a ter novo nome: “Qualifica” by João Pedro Henriques

O primeiro-ministro anunciou que no próximo dia 6 de março será lançado um programa sucedâneo das “Novas Oportunidades”.

“Qualifica” – assim se chama o programa. António Costa apresentou-se como sendo “um novo programa de qualificação de adultos, que associará a certificação de competências à criação de percursos personalizados de formação”.

13:10  Primeiro-ministro abre debate by João Pedro Henriques

Às 15.07 o presidente da Assembleia da República, Ferro Rodrigues, declarou a sessão aberta.

O debate quinzenal começará com uma intervenção do primeiro-ministro. Ferro Rodrigues enganou-se e disse que seria Luís Montenegro, líder parlamentar do PSD. Depois de reconhecer o erro, deu a palavra a António Costa.

 

 

Diário de Notícias

Bundestag muss Dokumente zu Parteispenden herausgeben

Urteil

Wer finanziert die deutschen Parteien? Das lässt sich oft schwer beantworten. Ein Gericht zwingt den Bundestag nach SPIEGEL-ONLINE-Informationen nun, interne Unterlagen zu veröffentlichen. Für Kritiker nur ein erster Schritt.

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Die undurchsichtige Parteienfinanzierung sorgt immer wieder für Skandale. Ende 2016 machten die Affären “Rent a Sozi” und Philip Morris Schlagzeilen: Im ersten Fall hat die SPD einige ihrer Minister für vierstellige Summen an Unternehmen und Lobbyisten vermittelt, im zweiten Fall sponserte der Tabakkonzern für 544.000 Euro Veranstaltungen von Union, SPD und FDP.

In den Rechenschaftsberichten der Parteien tauchen die Zahlungen nicht auf. Organisationen wie Abgeordnetenwatch fordern, dass sich das ändert. Nach SPIEGEL-ONLINE-Informationen können sie nun zumindest einen Etappensieg feiern. Das Verwaltungsgericht Berlin hat den Bundestag verpflichtet, interne Unterlagen zu Parteispenden herauszugeben. Das umfasst dem Urteil zufolge Korrespondenzen, Vermerke, Dienstanweisungen und sonstige amtliche Aufzeichnungen.

Das Urteil, das SPIEGEL ONLINE vorliegt, ist noch nicht rechtskräftig. Eine Berufung beim Oberverwaltungsgericht ist möglich und durchaus wahrscheinlich. Auf Anfrage wollte sich ein Sprecher des Bundestags nicht …zu der Entscheidung äußern.

Bundestagspräsident Norbert Lammert

AP

Bundestagspräsident Norbert Lammert

“Das Urteil bringt uns dem Ziel näher, die Parteienfinanzierung transparenter zu machen”, sagt Roman Ebener von Abgeordnetenwatch. Die Organisation hatte die Klage eingereicht. “Die Rechenschaftsberichte werden nur einmal pro Jahr veröffentlicht und fassen die Einkünfte der Parteien lediglich grob zusammen.” Sollte das Urteil von den nächsten Instanzen bestätigt werden, werde die Öffentlichkeit mehr über wirtschaftliche Verflechtungen und Abhängigkeiten der Parteien erfahren, so Ebener.

Ein weiterer Effekt: Die Veröffentlichung der Unterlagen würde einen Einblick geben, wie die Bundestagsverwaltung mit Unklarheiten umgeht. Prüfen die Beamten die Angaben der Parteien überhaupt? Was passiert bei Unregelmäßigkeiten? Gibt es Sanktionen?

Solche Anfragen hat der Bundestag bislang abgeschmettert – mit Verweis auf das Parteiengesetz. Dort ist aber lediglich geregelt, was veröffentlicht werden muss. Das Gericht entschied nun, dass der Bundestag nach dem Informationsfreiheitsgesetz (IFG) verpflichtet ist, die Dokumente herauszugeben.

Das IFG gibt jedem Bürger das Recht, auf Antrag Unterlagen von Bundesbehörden zu bekommen. Nur in Ausnahmefällen können die Beamten das ablehnen. Das Parteiengesetz enthalte aber “keine Spezialregelungen über den Zugang zu amtlichen Informationen im Rahmen der Parteienfinanzierung”, heißt es im Urteil des Berliner Verwaltungsgerichts.

Politikwissenschaftler Michael Koß von der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München begrüßt die Entscheidung. Er sieht darin aber nur einen ersten Schritt. Bei den Parteispenden seien die Grenzen zu hoch, kritisiert Koß. Bislang müssen Parteispenden:

  • bis 10.000 Euro nicht öffentlich gemeldet werden.
  • ab 10.000 Euro im Rechenschaftsbericht auftauchen.
  • ab 50.000 Euro unverzüglich gemeldet und auf der Webseite des Parlaments veröffentlicht werden.

“Der Korruptionsskandal um den Regensburger Bürgermeister hat gezeigt, dass 10.000 Euro zu viel sein können”, sagt Koß. Er plädiert dafür, Parteispenden ab 5000 Euro meldepflichtig zu machen. Ab 10.000 Euro sollten die Zuwendungen umgehend veröffentlicht werden, so der Politikwissenschaftler.

Noch wichtiger ist Koß ein anderer Punkt: “Der Bundestag kann nur Informationen veröffentlichen, die er hat.” Die Parteien müssten daher auch Sponsoringgeschäfte wie mit Philip Morris umgehend veröffentlichen und transparent kennzeichnen. Auch eine Obergrenze für Zuwendungen von Unternehmen oder Lobbygruppen hält Koß für sinnvoll.

 

Der Spiegel

Russia’s public debt amounts to 11 trillion: Time to panic?

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Russia's public debt amounts to 11 trillion: Time to panic?. 59743.jpeg

Source: Fotodom.ru

Russia’s public debt amounted to 11.1 trillion rubles or 13.2% of GDP as of 2016. The Finance Ministry expects that the national debt will reach 14.7% of GDP by the end of 2017 and by the end of 2019 – 15.7%.

Is this number critical for economy? Can it affect living standards of Russian citizens? To whom does Russia have to pay its debt? Pravda.Ru talks about these questions in an interview with the head of the Department for Finance and Economics at the Institute of Contemporary Development, Nikita Maslennikov.

“Fortunately, the amount of the Russian public debt is not critical to the health of the Russian economy. The majority of countries of the eurozone have this figure at over 80% of GDP. As for the  US, this amount equals their GDP, whereas the percentage of the public debt of Japan is higher than 130%.

“That said, the Russian financial system looks stable as far as the level of the public debt is concerned. The low external and internal debt is like an additional airbag for economy. With this protection, Russia will always be able to increase it to solve major economic problems.

The increase of this indicator in the coming years is also absolutely not crucial for our economy. New loans will be used to cover the state budget deficit, and this will allow Russia not to spend our gold and currency reserves.

At the same time, one must not forget that the financing of the public debt is made possible at the expense of economic agents. Market participants buy bonds on behalf of many members of the Russian business. The latter, in turn, consider domestic government bonds a profitable investment, and they make good money on that.

The public debt is financed at the expense of the economy, but it reduces the investment potential of the economy. Presently, the Finance Ministry and the Economic Development Ministry, in close cooperation with the Central Bank, run a very moderate policy of domestic borrowing, while  making sure government bonds do not harm the investment growth in the second half of 2017.

“As for the Russian external debt, it is much smaller than that of the internal debt – a little more than $10 billion. It should be noted that the placement of government bonds on the external market always occurs against the backdrop of highly favorable international environment, when one can borrow more cheaply. It is quite possible that Russia will borrow the next $3 billion in the upcoming spring, while markets remain in a more or less comfortable condition.

Recently, some economists suggest Russia should increase the national debt by the example of developed countries to the level of 100% of GDP – that would be a replacement to cheap oil. I do not think that it would be the right thing to do, although the debt build-up is viewed as an ordinary international practice. Yet, as experience shows, the debt trap, in which all of the emerging Asian states have found themselves now, is something extremely undesirable for national economy. Many countries had saved huge debts because they were attracted to the low dollar rate.

“The US Federal Reserve has started raising the basic rate, and this trend, as it seems, will last for the entire current and next year. At each rate increase, the dollar-denominated debt requires more and more resources. It is better for Russia to stick to the current debt policy.”

Source : Pravda Report

ACT could join high speed rail ‘value capture push

FEBRUARY 7 2017

Doug Dingwall

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The ACT could join neighbouring states in raising funds to build a high-speed rail link connecting Sydney to Melbourne under ‘value capture’ models proposed in a federal government report tabled on Tuesday.

In funding the high-speed rail system, which would pass through Canberra under proposals put forward to the standing committee that studied the development, state and territory governments could play a role in collecting funds by taxing or levying increases in values along the rail route.

The report said agreements between federal and state/territory governments should choose “value capture” methods, and determine the funds each state and territory involved could raise.

“Value capture” has grown in favour among proponents of high speed rail connecting east cost cities as governments look for funding sources that ease the public’s cost burden for a project previously estimated at $114 billion.

 

As the project re-entered public debate before last year’s federal election, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull gave fuel to hopes for a link when he proposed using “value capture” to kickstart the decades-old dream of building a high-speed rail line along Australia’s eastern coast.

Infrastructure, Transport and Cities committee chairman and Liberal MP John Alexander tabled its report in parliament on Tuesday after completing the study into the need for better transport infrastructure in urban and regional areas, and how to fund it using “value capture”.

High-speed rail could improve connectivity between major cities and create new centres along the route connected to them, encouraging greater settlement in regional centres, raising their property values, the report said.

“The committee believes the time has come for the Australian Government to seek expressions of interest for the development of high speed rail in eastern Australia.”

It recommended the federal government move to consider proposals for a high speed rail network and to assess whether a planning authority was needed.

While the committee did not prefer either public or private sources to drive funding, it said projects such as high speed rail risked not proceeding without “value capture”.

Increased values brought by high speed rail could be leveraged through capital gains tax, stamp duty, council rates, land tax, company tax or levies.

In a submission to the committee’s study, former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer rejected a plan for ‘dead-end’ spurs along the rail route, saying tunnels through the Brindabellas would let the line pass directly through Canberra.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has previously said Canberra should be on the main route of any high-speed rail link, not on a spur line.

Under a plan from Consolidated Land and Rail Australia, the route would include Goulburn and Yass, with a direct line to Canberra that would see some services operate directly to it, and others bypass the city.

Source : The Canberra Times

Armed robbery victim had owned Ngaruawahia dairy for only four months

6:20 PM Wednesday Feb 8, 2017

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Waingaro Dairy in Ngaruawahia was robbed yesterday when three masked men came in with weapons. Photo / File
Waingaro Dairy in Ngaruawahia was robbed yesterday when three masked men came in with weapons. Photo / File

A Ngaruawahia dairy owner retreated to protect his family when three men stormed into his shop armed with a pistol, a golf club, and another blunt object.

The owner of Waingaro Dairy, who only wanted to be referred to by his surname, Badel, had only been running his store for four months when he became the victim of the armed robbery this week.

Badel was in the shop at 4.30pm on Tuesday when three masked offenders entered the store carrying assorted weapons.

The robbers were saying things such as “come on, come on” and “hurry up” when they stormed into the shop, Badel said.

“They came really fast, I knew they were robbers,” he said.

Badel, who lives at the back of the dairy with his family, retreated to the back of the shop and closed the door to protect himself and his family.

The robbers stole a large amount of tobacco and cigarettes before fleeing the scene in a stolen car, which they dumped about 600-700m away. The car had been taken from a Ngaruawahia address earlier in the day.

Badel said he was “a little bit scared” when it first happened, but was now feeling better, and business was “back to normal”.

“This is the first time it’s happened,” he said.

Detective Russell Crawford, of Huntly police, said the stolen car, a blue/green 1997 Nissan Sentra hatchback, was dumped outside an early childhood centre in Brownlee Ave.

“This area is frequented by hundreds of people daily, including people who use the Hakarimata Summit Track steps as part of their fitness programme,” he said.

The three offenders are believed to be aged in their late teens or early 20s, have skinny to medium builds, were all approximately 1.7m to 1.8m tall, wearing dark-coloured, long shorts, lighter-coloured hoodies, and had masks covering their faces.

Police are requesting assistance from members of the public who may have any information relating to the incident.

People with information are asked to contact Huntly Police on 07 828 7560 or give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source : New Zealand Herald

Cathay Pacific boosts Adelaide-Hong Kong to five times weekly

A file image of a Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300. (Rob Finlayson)

Cathay Pacific is bringing back a fifth weekly flight between Adelaide and Hong Kong from early July.

The oneworld alliance member has been operating five flights a week on the route since December 2016, with the service operated by Airbus A330-300s due to drop back to four flights a week at the end of March 2017.

However, Cathay said it would again offer five flights a week from July 6, representing a 25 per cent increase in passenger seats as well as 15 tonnes of extra cargo capacity.

Cathay Pacific general manager for Southwest Pacific Nelson Chin said the additional frequency would offer South Australians more options for travel to Hong Kong and beyond, as well as help boost the number of overseas visitors to the state.

“We’ve not only seen increased numbers of tourists into Adelaide from mainland China, but also South Australians taking advantage of the one-stop connections via our Hong Kong hub,” Chin said in a statement.

“For example, it’s less than 23 hours to London, 13.5hrs to Beijing and Shanghai and one-stop to New York in just over 27 hours.”

In December, Cathay signed a sponsorship deal with Australian Football League club Port Adelaide, which is playing an AFL match against the Gold Coast Suns in Shanghai on Sunday May 14. It will be the first AFL match in China.

“This latest commercial partnership builds excitement for our historic game in China,” Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas said in a statement.

Chin said the airline was thrilled to be Port Adelaide’s official international airline partner.

“Australian Football in China is something that has enormous potential, and we see a partnership with Port Adelaide as a logical fit for us to support and grow sporting, cultural and business links between Australia and Hong Kong and China,” Chin said.

“We’ve been serving Adelaide for over 20 years and this partnership really demonstrates our commitment to the city. We’re looking forward to helping stage the game in Shanghai.”

 

Australian Aviation

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