Category: MIL-OSI

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MEDIA RELEASE

18 December 2024  

Abortions Increase 23% Since Law Change

The Abortion Services Annual Report was released yesterday.

It shows a disturbing trend with the number of abortions increasing 23% since abortion was decriminalised. There has been a 15% increase in just the past 12 months alone. 16,000+ abortions were performed last year.

The ratio of abortions has increased since the law change from 18.6% to about 22.1% of known pregnancies ending in an abortion. This means that on average, every day, 45 children are killed in the womb in New Zealand.

There has also been a 67% increase in late-term abortions (20 weeks onwards) between 2021 and 2023.

Taking abortion out of the criminal code and inserting it into health legislation has given the unborn baby the same status as an appendix, gall bladder or tonsils – simply ’tissue’ removed as part of a ‘health procedure’.

But anyone who has viewed the ultrasound of an unborn child will know that this is a gross abuse of human rights. It also creates inconsistency with other legislation and public health messaging which clearly recognises the rights of the unborn child.

Abortion is both a health issue and a legal issue – for both the mother and the unborn child.

READ MORE about New Zealand’s Abortion Law

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In an effort to promote sustainable fishing and stronger stewardship of Belize’s rich marine environment, the Government of Belize and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) today announced they are joining forces with the Development Finance Corporation of Belize and Wildlife Conservation Society to establish a pilot program to support licensed artisanal fishers through loans tailored to their needs. In response, Chris Holtz, WWF-US vice president for Earth for Life said:

“Successful ocean conservation in Belize depends on sustainable livelihoods for fishers as much as long-term fisheries protection. By partnering with Belize’s Development Finance Corporation, we will support licensed fishers to invest in the gear and practices to fish more sustainably. The Artisanal Fishing Loan pilot is more than just a loan product co-designed with fisherman. It is a package of support that includes training in financial literacy, fisheries management, and data collection methods. As the test case for including this type of development finance in a Project Finance for Permanence initiative, WWF is excited for the potential opening up of new financing options for both community livelihoods and conservation.”

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BNZ has today announced it is cutting its popular standard 6-month fixed home loan rate to 5.99% p.a, giving it the lowest advertised 6-month rate of the five major banks*.

BNZ General Manager Home Lending James Leydon says this change supports New Zealanders’ demand for shorter term fixed rates in a falling interest rate environment.

“Customers are paying close attention to interest rates and we’re currently seeing over 90% of customers taking out home loans on fixed terms of 12 months or less as they look to make the most of the drop in interest rates.

“We’re always looking to pass on rate reductions to our customers. Today’s rate cut will hopefully provide some welcome interest relief to customers which could help with cashflow as we head into the festive season,” he says.

BNZ has also cut its standard 1-year fixed home loan rate to 5.95%.

BNZ’s new standard 6-month and 1-year fixed home loan rates will be available from 21 November 2024 for both new and existing customers.

BNZ lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), and terms apply. Rates subject to change. Up to $150 establishment fee and early repayment charges may apply.

*At as 7am 21 November 2024

The post BNZ cuts 6-month home loan interest rate appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

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En un esfuerzo por promover la pesca sostenible y una mejor administración del rico entorno marino de Belice, el Gobierno de Belice y World Wildlife Fund (WWF) anunciaron hoy que unirán fuerzas con Development Finance Corporation de Belice y Wildlife Conservation Society para establecer un programa piloto que ayude a los pescadores artesanales autorizados a través de préstamos adaptados a sus necesidades. En respuesta a lo anterior, Chris Holtz, vicepresidente de Earth for Life de WWF-US, dijo:

“La conservación exitosa de los océanos en Belice depende tanto de los medios de subsistencia sostenibles de los pescadores como de la protección de las pesquerías a largo plazo. Al asociarnos con Development Finance Corporation de Belice, apoyaremos a los pescadores autorizados para que inviertan en artes y prácticas para pescar de manera más sostenible. El programa piloto de préstamos para pesquerías artesanales es más que un simple producto de préstamo diseñado conjuntamente con los pescadores. Es un paquete de apoyo que incluye capacitación en materia de educación financiera, gestión pesquera y métodos de recopilación de datos. Como caso de prueba y para incluir este tipo de financiamiento para el desarrollo como una iniciativa de los Proyectos de Financiamiento para la Permanencia, WWF está entusiasmado ante la posible apertura de nuevas opciones de financiamiento tanto para los medios de subsistencia comunitarios como para la conservación”.

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World Wildlife Fund (WWF) se une a varias ONG y fundaciones para enviar una carta al presidente Biden pidiéndole que instituya un enfoque gubernamental integral a nivel federal para promover soluciones ambiciosas ante la contaminación por plásticos, tanto en Estados Unidos como a nivel internacional. WWF emitió el siguiente comunicado de Alejandro Pérez, vicepresidente senior de políticas y asuntos gubernamentales:

“La contaminación por plásticos devasta nuestro medio ambiente y amenaza la salud económica y humana de nuestras comunidades, por lo que necesitamos acciones significativas en todos los niveles de la sociedad, junto con el liderazgo del gobierno de Estados Unidos. Hacemos un llamado al Presidente para que plantee este tema en toda su administración, activando todas las capacidades del gobierno federal y señalando el liderazgo estadounidense en un tema de importancia global”.

“La Administración ya ha demostrado un liderazgo significativo, incluso trabajando con otros países para asegurar un acuerdo internacional para poner fin a la contaminación por plásticos. Debemos aprovechar esta oportunidad única para encaminarnos hacia un futuro en el que el plástico ya no termine en la naturaleza”.

Extracto de la carta al presidente Biden:

“Al instituir un enfoque de todo el gobierno a nivel federal, se pueden potenciar estos crecientes esfuerzos, ayudarlos a florecer y agregar un gran impulso a los esfuerzos para promover soluciones ambiciosas a la contaminación por plásticos en EE. UU. y a nivel internacional….”  

“También necesitamos acciones concertadas en Estados Unidos para implementar soluciones hoy mismo. Las acciones presidenciales para abordar la contaminación por plásticos aquí en nuestro país estimularán la certeza regulatoria que las empresas líderes están pidiendo para permitirles innovar y avanzar más rápido. También ayudará a impulsar la ambición global durante un momento crucial”.

“El presidente Biden tiene la oportunidad de poner todo el peso del gobierno federal respaldando soluciones que catalicen una economía circular y ayuden a sentar las bases para lograr una acción global concertada. Estamos siendo testigos de una oleada de apoyo por parte de las empresas y del público estadounidense. Es hora de potenciarlo con un enfoque gubernamental para reducir la contaminación por plásticos”.

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Today, the Copernicus Climate Change Service released data detailing the record-breaking temperatures recorded in January 2024, making it the warmest January on record. The data shows that Earth endured 12 consecutive months with global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. In response, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Marcene Mitchell, WWF senior vice president of climate change: 

“This is yet another reminder that while much has been accomplished, our work to-date to address climate change isn’t enough. This warmest January on record marked the eighth month in a row of record-setting temperatures. It’s time to stop ignoring the bell that tolls for a climate tragedy, and use this data to inform our next steps, both in the U.S. and globally.   

“We must act in the next six years to bend the curve on emissions, so what we decide to do now is more important than ever before — and the solutions are within our reach. Action now must consist of activities like tripling renewable energy deployment, phasing out fossil fuels, taking gas cars off the road, electrifying our homes and buildings, and investing in green technologies to transform industry and food systems. 

“It’s going to require active intervention, but committing to these steps can significantly shift the fight against climate change in our favor. We must pick up the pace to ensure a healthier, more just, and sustainable future.”

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Today, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) joined several NGOs and foundations to issue a letter to President Biden calling for him to institute a whole-of-government approach at the federal level to advance ambitious solutions to plastic pollution, both in the U.S. and internationally. WWF issued the following statement from Alejandro Pérez, senior vice president of policy and government affairs:

“With plastic pollution devastating our environment and threatening the economic and human health of our communities, we need bold action at all levels of society with the U.S. government leading the way. We are calling on the President to elevate this issue across his Administration, activating the full power of the federal government and signaling American leadership on an issue of global significance.

“The Administration has already demonstrated significant leadership, including by working with other countries toward securing an international agreement to end plastic pollution. We must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to set ourselves on a course to a future where plastic no longer ends up in nature.

“By instituting a whole-of-government approach at the federal level, you can empower these growing efforts, help them flourish, and add significant momentum to efforts to advance ambitious solutions to plastic pollution in the U.S. and internationally. We respectfully encourage you to take such presidential action…” – Excerpt from Letter to President Biden

“We also need concerted action in the U.S. to put solutions in place now. Presidential action to address plastic pollution here at home will spur the regulatory certainty that leading companies are calling for to enable them to innovate and move further faster. It will also help to drive global ambition at a pivotal moment.

“President Biden has an opportunity to put the full weight of the federal government behind solutions to catalyze a circular economy and set the stage for concerted global action. We are witnessing a groundswell of support from business and the American public. It’s time to supercharge it with a government-wide approach to reducing plastic pollution.”

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Read the letter here.