Day: September 13, 2024

Lionel Messi is poised to return to action for Inter Miami this weekend after more than two months on the sidelines due to injury.

The 37-year-old Argentina captain has not played since suffering ankle ligament damage during the Albiceleste’s 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final in July.

But he has returned to full training and will almost certainly be called upon for Inter Miami’s home clash against Philadelphia on Saturday.

“Yes, he’s fine,” Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino told reporters on Friday.

“He trained [on Thursday] and he’s in our plans for the match. After training today we’ll think about the strategy for him, but he’s available.”

Messi has 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 MLS appearances this season.

Martino was unperturbed by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s lack of match fitness, saying his mere presence would provide a major boost to the Florida outfit.

“Welcoming back the best player in the world for our team, which was already on a good run, makes us all very happy
,” Martino said.

Inter Miami currently lead Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference standings with 59 points from 27 matches, eight points clear of second-placed Cincinnati. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Phnom penh: Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Environment Ministers or their representatives on Friday endorsed two important documents to address pressing environmental challenges, said a joint ministerial statement.

The 2030 Strategic Framework for Accelerating Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability in the GMS, and the Phnom Penh Joint Statement on Plastic Pollution Control were endorsed during the sixth GMS Environment Ministers’ Meeting held in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

“The strategic framework facilitates knowledge exchange, policy harmonization, and coordinated implementation of GMS-wide initiatives on climate and disaster resilience, greenhouse gas mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and environmental sustainability,” the statement said.

New initiatives will be developed to support the implementation of the strategic framework, it said, adding that these include an Asian Development Bank (ADB) technical assistance project and an investment pipeline that focuses on enhancing climate a
nd disaster resilience, supporting a just and inclusive low-carbon transition, developing circular green economy, and promoting nature-based solutions.

For the joint statement on plastic pollution control, the statement said the escalating crisis of plastic pollution has impacted communities, economies, and ecosystems.

“The joint statement emphasizes key actions to reduce plastic waste and pollution, including encouraging the circular economy, developing sustainable alternatives to plastics, and raising environmental education and awareness among our citizens,” the statement said.

Cambodian Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth said the two documents were a reflection of GMS countries’ joint commitment toward a greener, more sustainable future and provided clear roadmaps for regional cooperation in the coming years.

“These documents reflect our shared commitment to addressing key environmental challenges, from climate change to plastic pollution, and will guide our sub-regional cooperation,” he said.

”
By endorsing them, we strengthen our partnership and take meaningful steps toward a sustainable and resilient future for the Greater Mekong Subregion,” Sophalleth added.

The six GMS countries include Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

According to the statement, the GMS environment ministers were acutely aware of the significant threats posed by climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable resource use, saying that these challenges demand urgent, coordinated action to ensure a sustainable future for the people and planet.

They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to accelerating climate action and promoting environmental sustainability.

“Through continued cooperation, innovation, and determination, we will work together to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for the Greater Mekong Subregion,” the statement said. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Guangzhou: Carbon emissions allowances closed at 48.93 yuan (about 6.89 U.S. dollars) per tonne on Friday, 6.44 percent up from Thursday at Guangzhou Emissions Exchange, the largest local carbon market in China.

A total of 101 tonnes of allowances were transacted on Friday with a turnover of 4,942 yuan.

The allowances, officially known as Guangdong Emissions Allowances (GDEA), are carbon dioxide emissions caps assigned to companies. Firms whose emissions surpass their share must buy extra quotas from authorities or purchase unused quotas on the market from those that cause less pollution.

Since its opening in December 2013, the market has traded 228.58 million tonnes of GDEA, with a total turnover of 6.61 billion yuan. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Beijing: Technology-driven innovations are reshaping China’s service sector, unlocking growth potential and offering greater efficiency.

Themed “Global Services, Shared Prosperity,” the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services opened in Beijing on Thursday. From unmanned logistics vehicles to digital finance, cutting-edge innovations on display offer a glimpse into the future of the country’s service trade development.

Cainiao, China’s e-commerce heavyweight Alibaba’s logistics arm, showcased its latest unmanned logistics vehicle. Its ability to carry 500 to 700 parcels at one time significantly reduces the number of trips between destinations and courier hubs, thus increasing the efficiency of delivery and cutting costs.

The vehicle boasts an intelligent digital route planning and management system, allowing it to deliver to multiple destinations by simply binding waypoints on a mobile app, according to the company.

To facilitate cross-border trade, Chinese logistics firms and e-commerce platf
orms have established global digital networks and logistics infrastructure.

For instance, Cainiao is able to ship a parcel from China to over 14 countries in as fast as five working days. Likewise, JD Logistics, another leading logistics provider in China, has built nearly one million square meters of overseas warehouses to support both Chinese and local brands.

The company provides a seamless, one-stop solution from factories to international markets, said JD Logistics.

Beyond logistics innovations, digital finance solutions also a key highlight at the exhibition. For example, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China presented its AI-powered remote banking assistant, which optimizes customer experience and service efficiency by communicating with customers before connecting them to human agents.

Using large language models, it generates a summary of the customer’s background and needs, enabling agents to handle inquiries more effectively while streamlining the process.

These innovations at the fair r
eflect trends in China’s service trade, which has developed swiftly over the years with an expanding trade scale, optimizing structure, and continuously enhancing international competitiveness.

During the past decade, the average annual growth rate of service trade stood at 6.2 percent in U.S. dollar terms, higher than the global average and that of China’s trade in goods over the same period.

In 2023, China’s share of global service exports and service imports stood at 4.8 percent and 7.5 percent respectively, indicating huge growth potential.

“Currently, global service trade and service industry cooperation are developing in depth. The process of digital, intelligent and green development is accelerating,” said Wang Dongtang, an official with the Ministry of Commerce, adding that service trade has become an important driving force for economic globalization. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Beijing: Chinese lawmakers on Friday voted to adopt a revised National Defense Education Law.

The revised law, which was passed at a session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, will take effect on Sept. 21, 2024.

The revised law will strengthen national defense education on campus and broaden its scope and outreach in society.

The Law on National Defense Education was passed in 2001 and amended in 2018. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency