This report addresses: Digital Nomads

Mobile office essentials

Amazon

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic all but accelerated the transition to the remote work lifestyle, and now that the pandemic has just about subsided, most of us have become used to the work-from-home routine.

As a matter of fact, many full-time work-from-home professionals have grown to love this way of life since it affords them more time with family members and an opportunity to travel while they work.

The Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion, Embratur, announced that it would partner with the Portuguese company NomadX to stimulate the creation of coworking focused on foreigners who want to travel to Brazil and work remotely at the same time (the so-called "digital nomads").

It is estimated that there are 35 million digital nomads worldwide, i.e., people who combine remote work and travel between countries and continents for various periods.

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Home / Markets / Cryptocurrency /  Crypto nomads move back to big cities like London, New York in bear market

Crypto nomads move back to big cities like London, New York in bear market

The nomadic life is especially well suited to the crypto crowd, with its 24/7 market and ethos of a digital, borderless monetary future, but pandemic travel restrictions, followed by a crash in cryptocurrency prices have made it less practical and too expensive of a lifestyle to maintain

Listen to this article

Over the years, Oliver Gale’s workplace view has included the palm-lined promenade of Miami Beach, the sandy shores of Barbados and the turquoise waters of Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

“With crypto integrating into more aspects of traditional businesses and industries -- being in a major city like New York or London is beneficial from a networking standpoint as well."

Gale, who is also the co-founder and CEO of blockchain project Panther Protocol, returned to London in March 2020 to start Elemental.io, a consumer credit platform formerly known as PayMachine.

This report addresses: Digital Nomads

This report addresses: Digital Nomads

Title:

Content: How to setup a mobile office and live the life of a nomad

The first step towards becoming a digital nomad!
Mobile office essentials

Amazon

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic all but accelerated the transition to the remote work lifestyle, and now that the pandemic has just about subsided, most of us have become used to the work-from-home routine. As a matter of fact, many full-time work-from-home professionals have grown to love this way of life since it affords them more time with family members and an opportunity to travel while they work.

The prospect of being a digital nomad is a pretty enthralling one. Exploring different destinations while also managing your work routine is a luxury only afforded to a few. However, a nomadic work lifestyle isn't all about merry-making and enjoying destinations. There needs to be a proper setup that allows you to ensure your travel lifestyle doesn't affect your work and productivity.

That's precisely why having a mobile office with the right gadgets in your kit is a necessity that cannot be overlooked. Here's taking a peek at some of the most essential gadgets that need to make it to your working kit if you aspire to be a digital nomad.

1. A lightweight laptop

Microsoft Surface 4 Pro

The Microsoft Surface 4 Pro checks all the boxes as the perfect travel laptop. It's a lightweight, compact tablet that offers you the powers of a laptop. You can also use a stylus pen for more comfortable and convenient navigation.

The device in which all things start and come to an end; you simply can't set up without one. If you're looking for a laptop that suits a nomadic lifestyle, the weight and compactness of the device carry as much importance as your configurational choices.

For this specific purpose, we'd recommend going with the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. It weighs only 2.79 lbs - the ideal weight to go for if you're a frequent traveler. Also, the screen size is perfect, as it contributes massively to the overall size of the laptop. Also, you can use this as a tablet with a stylus pen for even more convenience.

2. A WiFi hotspot

GlocalMe U3 WiFi Hotspot

The GlocalMe Wifi Hotspot boasts a 3000mAh battery life along with 13 hours of use. It can be used in over 140 countries and provides and adds tremendous stability to your work by providing a stable internet connection during travel. Also, you need not pay any roaming fees to use this hotspot.

The internet is the next most important thing to consider after a laptop. A WiFi hotspot goes a long way in delivering internet at impressive speed so you can focus on work without any hassle. Now, the best solution would be to use the hotspot from your phone. Why spend on a device when you can do it from a phone that you already have?

Well, a wireless WiFi hotspot adds more convenience to your travel. You don't need a SIM card for it, and the device can also deliver fast internet by smartly selecting a fast network. Secondly, you're not paying for any roaming charges; it's a pay-as-you-go WiFi facility. Also, wireless WiFi hotspots have advanced security features, so rest assured your data is in safe hands! We recommend going for the GlocalMe U3 Mobile Wireless Hotspot if you decide on getting one.

3. A USB charging station

Baseus PowerCombo USB-C Charger

The Baseus PowerCombo can charge up to 6 devices simultaneously. It's also compatible with a host of laptops, phones, and tablets, so you can have all the charging requirements in one place. Also, it offers overpower protection.

A power station is a basic need for any digital nomad who wishes to save desk space. It's a one-size-fits-all solution that can power up multiple tech devices all at once. Be it a tablet, laptop, or phone — a multiport charging station will leave you in awe in terms of the convenience it brings to your life.

The Baseus PowerCombo USB-C charging station is a great choice at a reasonable price tag that can charge all your devices simultaneously. It'll ensure you don't need to clean up the clutter of tangled wires around your desk — say goodbye to tangled wires affecting your productivity when you have this device at your aid!

4. A work desk

Worky Home Office

The Home Office desk is an innovative solution to clearing clutter on a desk and embracing an organized approach to work. Apart from holding your stationery items and laptop, it also offers desk storage for some more. There are many other exciting features that make it a must-have for any nomad or a frequent traveler.

What if we tell you it's possible to carry your entire office setup in a bag? When we say 'work desk,' the usual laptop elevator lap desk comes to our mind. But that'd be too bulky to carry when you're traveling. After all, convenient travel is all about carrying stuff that doesn't take up a lot of space, and hence, traditional lap desks don't make the cut here.

Instead, this innovative Home Office portable workstation by Worky is all you need to have with you when setting out for your next workstation. It can hold a laptop and stationery items and also comes with built-in charging ports. There's also a video conferencing light that is useful for illuminating your workspace during meetings.

The most striking feature here is you can store all of these in the briefcase and set out for your next destination without having to worry about packing each item separately. It's lightweight and portable enough, so you can easily carry it during travel.

5. Noise-cancelling headphones

Beats Studio Earbuds

The Beats Studio buds offer a powerful and balanced sound output. They're a great choice to go for if you're looking for earbuds that'll last for a long time and provide quality output. The lightweight and compact design of the earbuds means you won't need to compromise on your backpack storage space. Also, they are available in five different colors.

Work-from-home, as much as it does allow you to explore new places, you simply cannot cut off contact with your colleagues. Collaborations are important, and a pair of the correct noise-canceling headphones can help you have smooth and seamless communication with them. You can also get a pair of headphones in this case, but we'd specifically recommend earbuds to align more with the objective of using products that take up minimal space in your luggage.

The Beats Studio earbuds deliver a powerful and well-balanced sound and also come with two distinct listening modes: Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. In terms of performance, these earbuds offer up to 8 hours of use. They come with a charging case, so your earbuds will keep on charging when you store them.

What's more, the Beats Studio earbuds are also IPX4 sweat and water-resistant. You can connect them to your laptop via Bluetooth. All in all, they're a great choice if you're looking for quality earbuds that ooze quality and can last for a long time.

6. A Portable wireless mouse

FENIFOX Flat Wireless Mouse

An ultra-thin and slim wireless mouse that's easy to carry anywhere. It also takes up very little safe in contrast to the traditional mouse and is very easy to operate. . Also, it comes with a low-decibel button that is suitable for coffee shops, libraries, and other occasions.

A portable wireless mouse can allow you to navigate easily if you're uncomfortable using the laptop mousepad. In this case, we would recommend going for the FENIFOX slim and portable wireless mouse.

It's a pretty compact and lightweight mouse that looks so thin you'd feel as if it's very much aligned with the surface. It boasts compatibility with a wide array of devices and is an environment-friendly and energy-saving device.

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What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Title:

Content:
Five Perfect Brazilian Destinations For Digital Nomads

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Brazil offers special visas for immigrants with no employment relationship in the country, whose work can be done remotely.

In addition to its landscapes with a good Internet connection, the authorities are negotiating agreements with international organizations specialized in setting up service networks for digital nomads to settle in the country.

It is estimated that there are 35 million digital nomads worldwide, i.e., people who combine remote work and travel between countries and continents for various periods.

The Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion, Embratur, announced that it would partner with the Portuguese company NomadX to stimulate the creation of coworking focused on foreigners who want to travel to Brazil and work remotely at the same time (the so-called "digital nomads").

"The new Embratur will focus on innovation and technology to bring more foreigners to our country and improve the experience of those visiting us."

"NomadX is already in Pipa, in Rio Grande do Norte. We want to expand this network to receive more tourists in Brazil", said Embratur's president, Marcelo Freixo.

ITACARÉ

Itacaré in Bahia is one of those places that's somehow more than you expect.

There must be hundreds of gorgeous tropical beaches and fishing villages in the northeast of Brazil; what's so special about this one?

This place is magic and one of Brazil's best-kept secrets.

While most of the beautiful areas near the sea in Brazil are completely built up, Itacaré and its surroundings are full of Mata Atlantica, the Atlantic jungle. Jungle all the way to the sea and a paradise for surfers and party lovers.

If Colombia is the home of magic realism, Itacaré will give it a good run for its money.

Tiny marmoset monkeys run along the telegraph wires, bullfrogs that sound more like meowing cats sit in ponds, capoeira is a way of life, and there's something about the place that makes it hard to leave.

It's relaxed enough to feel like an escape from the world, but don't mistake it for the kind of place where nothing ever happens.

Summer has more than enough bars and beach parties to keep you happy.

That is why whether on saltwater or freshwater beaches, the digital nomad or the remote worker traveling in Brazil must stop in Itacaré , one of the most beautiful destinations on the coast of Bahia, covered by the Atlantic forest and with practically deserted beaches.

There, the hard-working traveler comes into contact with the tranquility offered by the region, where it is possible to visit the attractions on foot.

The climate (warm all year round) is that of a small city with an ideal infrastructure for work.

NOMAD VILLAGE

In the paradisiacal Pipa Beach, in Tibau do Sul (Rio Grande do Norte), an official initiative is building the Nomad Village, the first special city for nomadic workers in South America.

The place - in partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and the Portuguese Nomadx, one of the largest companies in the segment in the world - was chosen for being a destination that combines nature, good internet connection, security, tranquility, and good weather, all year round to enjoy its characteristic beaches and dunes.

FLORIANÓPOLIS

The capital of Santa Catarina is known as the "Magic Island" and lives up to its name for its variety of clubs, good restaurants, a hundred beaches and islands to enjoy, a mild winter, and good connections that facilitate digital work.

With the country's most extensive circuit of urban mountain trails, "Floripa" combines the refinement of a big city with an exuberant natural environment.

GUARAMIRANGA

Another paradise that leaves its mark on the experience of nomadic life is Guaramiranga (Ceará).

With a colonial style reminiscent of Swiss architecture (that is why it is known as the "Switzerland of Ceará"), Guaramiranga arouses curiosity for having that European air, with cold weather and fine rain, in the state of Ceará, known for being a traditional destination of sun and beach.

In Guaramiranga the traveler also finds lush forests.

OURO PRETO

For nomads who enjoy history, nothing is better than installing the "office" in the colonial city of Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais).

The scenario of the Inconfidência Mineira (Mining Conspiracy) and full of monuments, the city breathes history, and the nomad who sits in a cafe or restaurant or walks the streets of Ouro Preto will go back in time and realize the greatness of a historical period during which mining was crucial for the growth of the region.

The largest baroque ensemble in the world and one of the main regions of the gold cycle, the city is an open-air museum and was the first Brazilian destination to be considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

NomadX currently brings together a community of some 20,000 digital nomads who travel the world.

The company has locations in Lisbon, Caparica, Madeira, Cape Verde, and Pipa.

"Today, we have a community of about 50 people using our space in Pipa. A digital nomad spends an average of €1,800 monthly and about 2 months in each location."

"We are talking about young people between 25 and 35 years old who earn between €3,000 and €5,000."

"It has an important impact on the economy of small cities," explained NomadX CEO Gonçalo Hall.

Some of the Brazilian cities that have expressed interest in receiving digital nomads are João Pessoa (PB), São Miguel do Gostoso (RN), Recife (PE), Maceió (AL), Santos (SP), and Florianópolis (SC).

Gonçalo explained that this type of visitor is not just interested in enjoying tourist attractions.

According to the director, they seek to insert themselves and live experiences in the community as if they were locals.

"They consume in the establishments that the residents like to go to, they want to learn the local culture, and some end up teaching foreign languages to the children."

"It's an immersion experience with many spin-offs for small towns," he concluded.

With information from El Mostrador

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Home / Markets / Cryptocurrency /  Crypto nomads move back to big cities like London, New York in bear market

Crypto nomads move back to big cities like London, New York in bear market

The nomadic life is especially well suited to the crypto crowd, with its 24/7 market and ethos of a digital, borderless monetary future, but pandemic travel restrictions, followed by a crash in cryptocurrency prices have made it less practical and too expensive of a lifestyle to maintain

Listen to this article

Over the years, Oliver Gale’s workplace view has included the palm-lined promenade of Miami Beach, the sandy shores of Barbados and the turquoise waters of Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

Now, the 36-year-old crypto entrepreneur is back in London, working out of hotel lobbies. Gone is the gentle sea breeze, replaced by the humming sounds of air conditioners trying to keep the British capital’s unusually warm summer at bay.

Gale is one of many crypto nomads who have started trickling back into major cities like London and New York, as financial hubs start buzzing back to life post-pandemic.

As a subset of digital nomads, roving crypto workers spent the past several years hopping from country to country, persuaded to leave large financial centers as living costs soared. The nomadic life is especially well suited to the crypto crowd, with its 24/7 market and ethos of a digital, borderless monetary future. But pandemic travel restrictions, followed by a crash in cryptocurrency prices have made it less practical and too expensive of a lifestyle to maintain.

“People want to be where business is happening and opportunities to expand their network are present," said Mary Elizabeth Elkordy, who launched her fully remote company Elkordy Global Strategies during the pandemic. “With crypto integrating into more aspects of traditional businesses and industries -- being in a major city like New York or London is beneficial from a networking standpoint as well."

Gale, who is also the co-founder and CEO of blockchain project Panther Protocol, returned to London in March 2020 to start Elemental.io, a consumer credit platform formerly known as PayMachine.

“London is considered the fintech hub of the world and has great tax benefits and fundraising incentives," said Gale, who boasts British and Barbadian passports.

The population of London rose 4% in July 2022 from the same month two years ago, according to NHS Digital data. Offices are starting to see workers return, although not to pre-pandemic levels just yet. About 60% to 70% of workers in London are back at their desks, according to data compiled in June by Google, which tracks the movements of some of its users.

Migration out of many New York City neighborhoods is also reversing as more households are moving to Manhattan than before the pandemic in 2019, according to Melissa, a global data intelligence and address analytics company.

From Partying in Venice, to fasting

Kenzi Wang, co-founder of Symbolic Capital and former vice president and general manager of crypto exchange Huobi Global, relocated back to New York in April after traveling around Europe and Latin America.

“I’m staying in NYC because the bear market reduced a lot of noise and unnecessary networking in the market," said Wang. “I can stay focused on building and hiring for my company.

The current crypto winter reminds him of the previous crash when cryptocurrency prices plunged 80% and it became “a highly efficient time to build" new products and services. The price of one Bitcoin is down 50% this year from its all time high of nearly $69,000 in November 2021.

Wang’s nomadic life included partying with Hollywood actor Vin Diesel during the 2021 Venice Film Festival and strolls on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas. Now he has been slipping back into a life of socializing, playing basketball and expanding his crypto ventures in the Big Apple.

“I’ve also gotten into 20-hour daily fasting and lost a bunch of weight after losing the nomadic conference lifestyle," Wang said.

Other nomads have hit pause on travel to get their financial bearings.

“This most recent turn of economic events and the consequent bear market has hit my finances a little," said 37 year-old Sukanta Sekhar Das, the chief executive of information site CoinMarketBag. “So I thought it would be prudent for me to recoup some of my losses, regain my composure, and move back to a city I love for a permanent residence."

Das, who spent the better part of the last five years traveling around the world, recently settled down in Seoul, where he says the “crypto scene" is great.

“I’m saving a fortune in travel costs -- not to mention the absolute nightmare that travel has been over the past 12-18 months," he added.

Nomads are growing up

Even as room rents in London rise 15% from last year, according to data compiled by roommate search website SpareRoom, and Manhattan rents climb to new highs, some nomads are returning to big cities for more stability. Many of them are, after all, growing older and finding that the lure of being a nomad is not always easy to reconcile with the demands of starting a family.

“My wife, then girlfriend, was unhappy and wanted me to travel less, and I also found that I wasn’t very productive work-wise when I was constantly on the road," said Lane Rettig, a 39-year-old former Ethereum core developer who spent more than four years on the global road before returning to New York in 2020.

Rettig, now a core developer at crypto project Spacemesh, purchased a condo in the New York neighborhood of Harlem and is “grappling with how to stay plugged into a super global, nomadic community with a newborn and a mortgage."

To be sure, some people will never stop roaming. Burning Man, an annual arts festival held in Nevada’s Black Rock City around the US Labor Day holiday, is on Gale’s agenda.

“Entrepreneurship is a game of balancing your responsibility and what you wish to do," he said. “It is an important part of my life to go on adventures -- work and play -- strike up a lifestyle which is dynamic and creative."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

Australia's commitment to pursue the acquisition of nuclear-power submarines under AUKUS was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden in San Diego on Tuesday

Professor Hugh White (pictured) has slammed the AUKUS deal, saying it acts as a promise that Australia will follow the US into a future conflict against China

'This is a very serious transformation of the nature of our alliance with the United States,' professor White said in an interview recorded for the ANU's politics podcast Democracy Sausage.

Top defence expert warns Australia could be dragged into World War 3 with Beijing over its AUKUS deal - as alarming map shows Chinese missiles could hit two thirds of the country

  • ANU professor Hugh White has slammed the AUKUS deal
  • He says it's a promise Australia will follow the US into war
  • Defence maps have revealed the range of China's missiles

A top defence expert has slammed the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal saying it could lead to Australia being forced to follow the US into a war against China.

This kind of interaction that promotes mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation is not limited to the China-Australia economic and trade level, but is what the relationship between the two countries should always look like.

Home>>

Hope Australian PM's visit to China draws an uppercase ‘J’ for bilateral relations: Global Times editorial

By Global Times (Global Times) 15:47, November 05, 2023

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

To a certain extent, it can be said that Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese's visit to China is already half successful even before he arrives in Beijing.

Military publication Stars and Stripes described the P-8A as “a multirole, twin-engine aircraft based on Boeing’s 737 Next Generation airliner,” adding, “Its missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue an

This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

Title:

Content: Top defence expert warns Australia could be dragged into World War 3 with Beijing over its AUKUS deal - as alarming map shows Chinese missiles could hit two thirds of the country

  • ANU professor Hugh White has slammed the AUKUS deal
  • He says it's a promise Australia will follow the US into war
  • Defence maps have revealed the range of China's missiles

A top defence expert has slammed the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal saying it could lead to Australia being forced to follow the US into a war against China.

Australia has committed to the vessels under the trilateral AUKUS security pact involving the US and UK.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday it will cost Australian taxpayers a mammoth $268billion to $368billion over the next 30 years.

He was joined by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden as he made in the announcement in San Diego on Tuesday.

The Australian National University's Hugh White, an emeritus professor of strategic studies and a former deputy secretary of the Defence Department, unleashed an extraordinary criticism of the plan on Sunday.

His comment comes as concerns are raised around Australia's defence capability after classified maps revealed Beijing's missiles can hit targets across most of the country.

Australia's commitment to pursue the acquisition of nuclear-power submarines under AUKUS was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden in San Diego on Tuesday

Professor Hugh White (pictured) has slammed the AUKUS deal, saying it acts as a promise that Australia will follow the US into a future conflict against China

'This is a very serious transformation of the nature of our alliance with the United States,' professor White said in an interview recorded for the ANU's politics podcast Democracy Sausage.

'The US don't really care about our submarine capability - they care deeply about tying Australia into their containment strategy against China.'

Australia plans to purchase between three and five US-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines as a stopgap measure before eight AUKUS-class nuclear submarines based on a British design are built in Adelaide, with the first to be completed by 2042.

Professor White said he couldn't see why the US would sell its own submarines - of which they have fewer than they need - unless it was absolutely sure Australia's submarines would be available to it in the event of a major conflict in Asia.

He said a war between America and China over Taiwan would be 'World War III' and have a 'very good chance' of being a nuclear conflict.

'Australia's experience of war shaped by the fact that we've tended to be on the winning side, but there is no reason to expect America to win in a war with China over Taiwan,' he warned.

He suggested there was also a high chance the AUKUS deal could fall over under a future American administration and a worsening strategic environment.

Last week's AUKUS announcement has triggered questions about how an already under-strain budget will handle the associated cost.

It has also reignited concerns about how Australia can ensure it maintains sovereign capability of the vessels it acquires under the pact.

The submarine deal with the US will cost Australian taxpayers a mammoth $268bn to $368bn over the next 30 years (pictured, a crew member onboard the USS Asheville in Perth)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement of the AUKUS details has been met with both criticism and praise

Professor White said there were cheaper, quicker, less risky and less demanding ways for Australia to get the submarines it needed, labelling the AUKUS plan a waste of money that 'doesn't make sense'.

'There's going to be no actual net increase in the number of submarines available until well into the 2040s, even if it goes to plan - which it probably won't,' he said.

It isn't the first time Professor White has publicly criticised the AUKUS security agreement since it was signed by the Morrison government in 2021.

He penned an article for The Saturday Paper just last week titled 'The AUKUS submarines will never happen'.

The publication of that article coincided with Paul Keating's incendiary appearance at the National Press Club in which he savaged the AUKUS pact as the 'worst deal in history.

Mr Keating - who was the Labor prime minister from 1991 to 1996 - also personally attacked Mr Albanese, cabinet members such as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and journalists who asked him questions on Wednesday.

Speaking on the ANU's podcast, Professor White stopped short of endorsing Mr Keating's language but said he shared his concerns about AUKUS.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating (pictured) slammed the plan as the 'worst deal in history' at the National Press Club as he savaged the government

Classified maps have revealed that China's land based missiles could hit targets across most parts of Australia if fired from their bases in the South China Sea

It comes as defence maps revealed that China's land based DF-26 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) could hit targets across two thirds of Australia.

The classified paper shows the 3,000-5,000 kilometre range of the missiles if they were fired from their base at Hainan Island or the country's militarised islands in the South China Sea.

A launch from Hainan Island could wipe out Darwin's defence base, RAAF Tindal and RAAF Learmouth, the Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt or any target in the north west, reports The Advertiser.

The news gets worse if Beijing fires missiles from their militarised islands such as Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, which are much closer to the country.

These attacks could take out targets in any area in the Northern Territory, almost every inch of Western Australia, as far west as Townsville and south western regions of South Australia.

Critical defence and intelligence facilities are spread across these states including but not limited to Pine Gap in the middle of the country, RAAF Pearce in WA and Fleet Base west.

It illustrates China's strong presence throughout the South China Sea could undermine Australia's geographical advantages

Australia could be dragged into war because of its AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, says expert

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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Content: Home>>

Hope Australian PM's visit to China draws an uppercase ‘J’ for bilateral relations: Global Times editorial

By Global Times (Global Times) 15:47, November 05, 2023

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

To a certain extent, it can be said that Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese's visit to China is already half successful even before he arrives in Beijing. The mere fact that he is the first Australian PM to visit China in seven years indicates the breakthrough that has been made in China-Australia relations. It is undoubtedly rare for a leader of Australia to not visit China, a country that Australia has huge bilateral trade with, for seven years. Albanese's visit to China from Saturday to Tuesday puts an end to this phase and turns a new page in China-Australia relations.

The first stop for Albanese and the Australian delegation is reportedly Shanghai, where they will attend the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and visit the booths of Australian companies. Based on the registration figures, this year's CIIE is a hot event, with Australian companies and organizations such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission expected to participate. This is just a fragment of the huge economic and trade relationship between China and Australia. This kind of interaction that promotes mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation is not limited to the China-Australia economic and trade level, but is what the relationship between the two countries should always look like.

Over the past seven years, China-Australia relations have gone from getting close to rapidly deteriorating to slowly recovering, following a U-shaped curve. They provide an exemplary case study for China's relations with the West and even international relations. It is not easy, especially for Western countries, to answer questions like how to deal with China, how to truly achieve mutual respect and mutual benefit and how to maintain diplomatic independence and formulate a China policy that is in one country's national interest as well as in the common interest of the region and the world amid the deepening strategic competition between China and the US. Countries have made different choices and achieved different results.

Prior to Albanese's arrival, China and Australia had held friendly consultations on WTO disputes over wine and wind towers since the start of this year and reached a consensus on a proper resolution to them. Canberra has ruled that there are no security risks associated with the Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin, thus giving the green light to the Chinese company's continued operation of the Port of Darwin. This series of positive messages between China and Australia, which we haven't seen for a long time, has cleared away most of the obstacles for bilateral relations to come out of their dilemma and get back on the right track, creating a favorable atmosphere for Albanese's visit to China.

Why are many problems that were so difficult to resolve in the past now overcome? The vivid words of a professor at the University of Sydney point to the answer. He said that Australia has swapped "poking Beijing in the eye and kicking it in the shins because it feels good" with a stated policy of "stabilization." In issues that are important to China, such as banning Huawei 5G, COVID-19 origins, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea, the previous two Australian governments have engaged in the behavior of "poking Beijing in the eye and kicking it in the shins." The Albanese government has made adjustments, and this led to a turning point in the China-Australia relationship. To put it simply, it is necessary to respect China's national interests, especially its core interests, but Australia's adjustment has gone through a tortuous process.

Of course, we hope that the China-Australia relationship in the future can completely turn the page on this extremely unpleasant chapter. However, considering that the Australian side bore the primary responsibility for the previous deterioration in China-Australia relations, the future will also hinge on Australia's ability to eradicate internal and external interferences to prevent a recurrence of past mistakes. It's worth mentioning the role of the US here, as its significant influence on Australia's policy toward China will persist in the long term.

Albanese visited the US before visiting China, but he also announced his visit to China before his US trip. Some suggest that this indicates that Albanese did not want the uncertainty that might arise during the visit to the US to affect his China trip. Therefore, he "locked in" the China visit schedule in advance. This also indicates that Albanese is consciously balancing the relationships with both China and the US, and has done so rather skillfully. In response to US President Joe Biden's warning about the risks of dealing with China, Albanese stated that the decision to restart relations with China was "calibrated and deliberate." We believe that his statement is genuine.

The choice of visiting China on November 4 holds another layer of significance. This day 50 years ago, in 1973, marked the end of a historic visit to China by then Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam, who became the first Australian prime minister to formally visit China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Albanese's visit to China on the same date, 50 years on, during another critical moment in China-Australia relations, establishes a historical connection spanning half a century and carries symbolic significance for the future of bilateral relations. We anticipate that Albanese's visit will serve as a new starting point, allowing China-Australia relations to set sail once again and extend the warming trend in the "U" shape of the bilateral relationship further to form an uppercase "J" shape.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Kou Jie)

Photos

Related Stories

Title:

Content: Truth, Inspiration, Hope.

US Navy Buzzes Taiwan Strait With Surveillance Aircraft

Neil lives in Canada and writes about society and politics.
Published: July 16, 2023

The U.S. Navy buzzed the Taiwan Strait with a spy plane on July 13 “amid increased Chinese People’s Liberation Army activities in the area,” South China Morning Post reported.

In coverage of the event, Reuters referred to the aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, as a “patrol plane” and noted its appearance converged with the third day of PLA exercises South of Taiwan.

Military publication Stars and Stripes described the P-8A as “a multirole, twin-engine aircraft based on Boeing’s 737 Next Generation airliner,” adding, “Its missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare.”

MORE ON CHINA GEOPOLITICS

Stars and Stripes added that the Taiwanese government stated the PLA’s exercises in the region involved “J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, H-6 bombers, Y-8 EW transport jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and carrier-based aircraft.”

The event led to some posturing between the PLA and the Navy.

The Navy’s 7th Fleet defended the maneuver in a statement, “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.”

While the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command posted on its WeChat account, “Troops in the theatre are always on high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” Reuters noted.

The Poseidon’s appearance sparked a reaction from the Chinese Communist Party’s military apparatus. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence told Reuters it had detected the PLA had scrambled 26 planes “including advanced Chinese J-16 and Su-30 fighters” to respond to the craft.

CCP messaging outlet Global Times defined the PLA’s activities as “aimed at safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and unity” in an article that lauded the country’s response to the Poseidon.

Tensions arose just days after NATO criticized “The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies” in Africa and the Middle East in the sixth paragraph of a joint statement released in the midst of the Vilnius Summit on July 11.

NATO, which did not name the CCP in its messaging, said that China’s work in the area poses a “challenge [to] our interests, security and values.”

“The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up,” the release also stated.

The sore spot between the alliance and China may be Beijing’s persistent active and passive support for the Russian Federation in the Ukraine War.

“The deepening strategic partnership between the PRC and Russia and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests,” the document read.

During a press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the point when he said, “China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan and carrying out substantial military build-up,” SCMP reported in a second article.

Al Jazeera reported that China’s Mission to the European Union responded in a statement, “We firmly oppose and reject this.”

The Mission added that Beijing opposes NATO’s “eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region,” a similar complaint to that of the Kremlin in the years leading up to the invasion of Ukraine.

In response, Global Times called NATO “Washington’s axe, spears and shovels” and a “source of war” wherever it goes.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, told reporters at the beginning of July that Secretary Blinken would meet with partners at the ASEAN summit to address China’s “increasingly unhelpful, coercive, and irresponsible actions,” The Independent reported.

Kritenbrink added, “It is not a matter of getting countries on board with the US view, it’s a matter of working with our partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region and to push back on behaviour that runs counter to that vision.”

Just one day prior to the Taiwan Strait incident, Associated Press reported that Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, had alleged “that the country’s warplanes repelled a U.S. spy plane flying over nearby waters Monday and warned of ‘shocking’ consequences if the U.S. continues reconnaissance in the area.”


This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

Australia's commitment to pursue the acquisition of nuclear-power submarines under AUKUS was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden in San Diego on Tuesday

Professor Hugh White (pictured) has slammed the AUKUS deal, saying it acts as a promise that Australia will follow the US into a future conflict against China

'This is a very serious transformation of the nature of our alliance with the United States,' professor White said in an interview recorded for the ANU's politics podcast Democracy Sausage.

Top defence expert warns Australia could be dragged into World War 3 with Beijing over its AUKUS deal - as alarming map shows Chinese missiles could hit two thirds of the country

  • ANU professor Hugh White has slammed the AUKUS deal
  • He says it's a promise Australia will follow the US into war
  • Defence maps have revealed the range of China's missiles

A top defence expert has slammed the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal saying it could lead to Australia being forced to follow the US into a war against China.

This kind of interaction that promotes mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation is not limited to the China-Australia economic and trade level, but is what the relationship between the two countries should always look like.

Home>>

Hope Australian PM's visit to China draws an uppercase ‘J’ for bilateral relations: Global Times editorial

By Global Times (Global Times) 15:47, November 05, 2023

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

To a certain extent, it can be said that Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese's visit to China is already half successful even before he arrives in Beijing.

Military publication Stars and Stripes described the P-8A as “a multirole, twin-engine aircraft based on Boeing’s 737 Next Generation airliner,” adding, “Its missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare.”

MORE ON CHINA GEOPOLITICS

Stars and Stripes added that the Taiwanese government stated the PLA’s exercises in the region involved “J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, H-6 bombers, Y-8 EW transport jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and carrier-based aircraft.”

The event led to some posturing between the PLA and the Navy.

The Navy’s 7th Fleet defended the maneuver in a statement, “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.”

While the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command posted on its WeChat account, “Troops in the theatre are always on high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” Reuters noted.

This report addresses: China's J-10 fighter jets

Title:

Content: Top defence expert warns Australia could be dragged into World War 3 with Beijing over its AUKUS deal - as alarming map shows Chinese missiles could hit two thirds of the country

  • ANU professor Hugh White has slammed the AUKUS deal
  • He says it's a promise Australia will follow the US into war
  • Defence maps have revealed the range of China's missiles

A top defence expert has slammed the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal saying it could lead to Australia being forced to follow the US into a war against China.

Australia has committed to the vessels under the trilateral AUKUS security pact involving the US and UK.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday it will cost Australian taxpayers a mammoth $268billion to $368billion over the next 30 years.

He was joined by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden as he made in the announcement in San Diego on Tuesday.

The Australian National University's Hugh White, an emeritus professor of strategic studies and a former deputy secretary of the Defence Department, unleashed an extraordinary criticism of the plan on Sunday.

His comment comes as concerns are raised around Australia's defence capability after classified maps revealed Beijing's missiles can hit targets across most of the country.

Australia's commitment to pursue the acquisition of nuclear-power submarines under AUKUS was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden in San Diego on Tuesday

Professor Hugh White (pictured) has slammed the AUKUS deal, saying it acts as a promise that Australia will follow the US into a future conflict against China

'This is a very serious transformation of the nature of our alliance with the United States,' professor White said in an interview recorded for the ANU's politics podcast Democracy Sausage.

'The US don't really care about our submarine capability - they care deeply about tying Australia into their containment strategy against China.'

Australia plans to purchase between three and five US-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines as a stopgap measure before eight AUKUS-class nuclear submarines based on a British design are built in Adelaide, with the first to be completed by 2042.

Professor White said he couldn't see why the US would sell its own submarines - of which they have fewer than they need - unless it was absolutely sure Australia's submarines would be available to it in the event of a major conflict in Asia.

He said a war between America and China over Taiwan would be 'World War III' and have a 'very good chance' of being a nuclear conflict.

'Australia's experience of war shaped by the fact that we've tended to be on the winning side, but there is no reason to expect America to win in a war with China over Taiwan,' he warned.

He suggested there was also a high chance the AUKUS deal could fall over under a future American administration and a worsening strategic environment.

Last week's AUKUS announcement has triggered questions about how an already under-strain budget will handle the associated cost.

It has also reignited concerns about how Australia can ensure it maintains sovereign capability of the vessels it acquires under the pact.

The submarine deal with the US will cost Australian taxpayers a mammoth $268bn to $368bn over the next 30 years (pictured, a crew member onboard the USS Asheville in Perth)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement of the AUKUS details has been met with both criticism and praise

Professor White said there were cheaper, quicker, less risky and less demanding ways for Australia to get the submarines it needed, labelling the AUKUS plan a waste of money that 'doesn't make sense'.

'There's going to be no actual net increase in the number of submarines available until well into the 2040s, even if it goes to plan - which it probably won't,' he said.

It isn't the first time Professor White has publicly criticised the AUKUS security agreement since it was signed by the Morrison government in 2021.

He penned an article for The Saturday Paper just last week titled 'The AUKUS submarines will never happen'.

The publication of that article coincided with Paul Keating's incendiary appearance at the National Press Club in which he savaged the AUKUS pact as the 'worst deal in history.

Mr Keating - who was the Labor prime minister from 1991 to 1996 - also personally attacked Mr Albanese, cabinet members such as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and journalists who asked him questions on Wednesday.

Speaking on the ANU's podcast, Professor White stopped short of endorsing Mr Keating's language but said he shared his concerns about AUKUS.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating (pictured) slammed the plan as the 'worst deal in history' at the National Press Club as he savaged the government

Classified maps have revealed that China's land based missiles could hit targets across most parts of Australia if fired from their bases in the South China Sea

It comes as defence maps revealed that China's land based DF-26 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) could hit targets across two thirds of Australia.

The classified paper shows the 3,000-5,000 kilometre range of the missiles if they were fired from their base at Hainan Island or the country's militarised islands in the South China Sea.

A launch from Hainan Island could wipe out Darwin's defence base, RAAF Tindal and RAAF Learmouth, the Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt or any target in the north west, reports The Advertiser.

The news gets worse if Beijing fires missiles from their militarised islands such as Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, which are much closer to the country.

These attacks could take out targets in any area in the Northern Territory, almost every inch of Western Australia, as far west as Townsville and south western regions of South Australia.

Critical defence and intelligence facilities are spread across these states including but not limited to Pine Gap in the middle of the country, RAAF Pearce in WA and Fleet Base west.

It illustrates China's strong presence throughout the South China Sea could undermine Australia's geographical advantages

Australia could be dragged into war because of its AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, says expert

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Title:

Content: Home>>

Hope Australian PM's visit to China draws an uppercase ‘J’ for bilateral relations: Global Times editorial

By Global Times (Global Times) 15:47, November 05, 2023

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

To a certain extent, it can be said that Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese's visit to China is already half successful even before he arrives in Beijing. The mere fact that he is the first Australian PM to visit China in seven years indicates the breakthrough that has been made in China-Australia relations. It is undoubtedly rare for a leader of Australia to not visit China, a country that Australia has huge bilateral trade with, for seven years. Albanese's visit to China from Saturday to Tuesday puts an end to this phase and turns a new page in China-Australia relations.

The first stop for Albanese and the Australian delegation is reportedly Shanghai, where they will attend the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and visit the booths of Australian companies. Based on the registration figures, this year's CIIE is a hot event, with Australian companies and organizations such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission expected to participate. This is just a fragment of the huge economic and trade relationship between China and Australia. This kind of interaction that promotes mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation is not limited to the China-Australia economic and trade level, but is what the relationship between the two countries should always look like.

Over the past seven years, China-Australia relations have gone from getting close to rapidly deteriorating to slowly recovering, following a U-shaped curve. They provide an exemplary case study for China's relations with the West and even international relations. It is not easy, especially for Western countries, to answer questions like how to deal with China, how to truly achieve mutual respect and mutual benefit and how to maintain diplomatic independence and formulate a China policy that is in one country's national interest as well as in the common interest of the region and the world amid the deepening strategic competition between China and the US. Countries have made different choices and achieved different results.

Prior to Albanese's arrival, China and Australia had held friendly consultations on WTO disputes over wine and wind towers since the start of this year and reached a consensus on a proper resolution to them. Canberra has ruled that there are no security risks associated with the Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin, thus giving the green light to the Chinese company's continued operation of the Port of Darwin. This series of positive messages between China and Australia, which we haven't seen for a long time, has cleared away most of the obstacles for bilateral relations to come out of their dilemma and get back on the right track, creating a favorable atmosphere for Albanese's visit to China.

Why are many problems that were so difficult to resolve in the past now overcome? The vivid words of a professor at the University of Sydney point to the answer. He said that Australia has swapped "poking Beijing in the eye and kicking it in the shins because it feels good" with a stated policy of "stabilization." In issues that are important to China, such as banning Huawei 5G, COVID-19 origins, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea, the previous two Australian governments have engaged in the behavior of "poking Beijing in the eye and kicking it in the shins." The Albanese government has made adjustments, and this led to a turning point in the China-Australia relationship. To put it simply, it is necessary to respect China's national interests, especially its core interests, but Australia's adjustment has gone through a tortuous process.

Of course, we hope that the China-Australia relationship in the future can completely turn the page on this extremely unpleasant chapter. However, considering that the Australian side bore the primary responsibility for the previous deterioration in China-Australia relations, the future will also hinge on Australia's ability to eradicate internal and external interferences to prevent a recurrence of past mistakes. It's worth mentioning the role of the US here, as its significant influence on Australia's policy toward China will persist in the long term.

Albanese visited the US before visiting China, but he also announced his visit to China before his US trip. Some suggest that this indicates that Albanese did not want the uncertainty that might arise during the visit to the US to affect his China trip. Therefore, he "locked in" the China visit schedule in advance. This also indicates that Albanese is consciously balancing the relationships with both China and the US, and has done so rather skillfully. In response to US President Joe Biden's warning about the risks of dealing with China, Albanese stated that the decision to restart relations with China was "calibrated and deliberate." We believe that his statement is genuine.

The choice of visiting China on November 4 holds another layer of significance. This day 50 years ago, in 1973, marked the end of a historic visit to China by then Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam, who became the first Australian prime minister to formally visit China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Albanese's visit to China on the same date, 50 years on, during another critical moment in China-Australia relations, establishes a historical connection spanning half a century and carries symbolic significance for the future of bilateral relations. We anticipate that Albanese's visit will serve as a new starting point, allowing China-Australia relations to set sail once again and extend the warming trend in the "U" shape of the bilateral relationship further to form an uppercase "J" shape.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Kou Jie)

Photos

Related Stories

Title:

Content: Truth, Inspiration, Hope.

US Navy Buzzes Taiwan Strait With Surveillance Aircraft

Neil lives in Canada and writes about society and politics.
Published: July 16, 2023

The U.S. Navy buzzed the Taiwan Strait with a spy plane on July 13 “amid increased Chinese People’s Liberation Army activities in the area,” South China Morning Post reported.

In coverage of the event, Reuters referred to the aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, as a “patrol plane” and noted its appearance converged with the third day of PLA exercises South of Taiwan.

Military publication Stars and Stripes described the P-8A as “a multirole, twin-engine aircraft based on Boeing’s 737 Next Generation airliner,” adding, “Its missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare.”

MORE ON CHINA GEOPOLITICS

Stars and Stripes added that the Taiwanese government stated the PLA’s exercises in the region involved “J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, H-6 bombers, Y-8 EW transport jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and carrier-based aircraft.”

The event led to some posturing between the PLA and the Navy.

The Navy’s 7th Fleet defended the maneuver in a statement, “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.”

While the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command posted on its WeChat account, “Troops in the theatre are always on high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” Reuters noted.

The Poseidon’s appearance sparked a reaction from the Chinese Communist Party’s military apparatus. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence told Reuters it had detected the PLA had scrambled 26 planes “including advanced Chinese J-16 and Su-30 fighters” to respond to the craft.

CCP messaging outlet Global Times defined the PLA’s activities as “aimed at safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and unity” in an article that lauded the country’s response to the Poseidon.

Tensions arose just days after NATO criticized “The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies” in Africa and the Middle East in the sixth paragraph of a joint statement released in the midst of the Vilnius Summit on July 11.

NATO, which did not name the CCP in its messaging, said that China’s work in the area poses a “challenge [to] our interests, security and values.”

“The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up,” the release also stated.

The sore spot between the alliance and China may be Beijing’s persistent active and passive support for the Russian Federation in the Ukraine War.

“The deepening strategic partnership between the PRC and Russia and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests,” the document read.

During a press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the point when he said, “China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan and carrying out substantial military build-up,” SCMP reported in a second article.

Al Jazeera reported that China’s Mission to the European Union responded in a statement, “We firmly oppose and reject this.”

The Mission added that Beijing opposes NATO’s “eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region,” a similar complaint to that of the Kremlin in the years leading up to the invasion of Ukraine.

In response, Global Times called NATO “Washington’s axe, spears and shovels” and a “source of war” wherever it goes.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, told reporters at the beginning of July that Secretary Blinken would meet with partners at the ASEAN summit to address China’s “increasingly unhelpful, coercive, and irresponsible actions,” The Independent reported.

Kritenbrink added, “It is not a matter of getting countries on board with the US view, it’s a matter of working with our partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region and to push back on behaviour that runs counter to that vision.”

Just one day prior to the Taiwan Strait incident, Associated Press reported that Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, had alleged “that the country’s warplanes repelled a U.S. spy plane flying over nearby waters Monday and warned of ‘shocking’ consequences if the U.S. continues reconnaissance in the area.”


This report addresses: Saharan Dust Storm Impact

Timing of Saharan dust:

Monday - Little changes will be in the forecast as heavier amounts of dust remain over the gulf coast.

The dust is a combination of sand and dust traveling from North Africa across the Atlantic that peaking in late June through mid-August.

Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Millions of tons of dust are transported across the Atlantic every year
  • Nutrient-rich Saharan dust plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem
  • Dust suppresses hurricane development

WHOLE LOTTA DUST!

Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust

Dust from Africa moves across the Atlantic every year from late spring to early fall

It’s a common visitor in the summer months: dust from the Saharan Desert.

Others think it is the metals or organics in the dust, and then some think it’s the bacteria and fungi.”

The Saharan dust cloud carries vast amounts of sand particles that transport bacteria and fungi.

Hidden passengers in Sahara dust

“We all get allergies and potentially other more severe health effects when we breathe in dust, and it’s not fully known as to what causes those allergies,” said Dr.

This report addresses: Saharan Dust Storm Impact

Title:

Content: Breaking News
More () »

San Antonians may want to stay indoors next week. Here's why.

A noticeable change in the air will arrive to the Alamo City next week.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio skies could look quite different next week but not in the way we're hoping for.

As San Antonians eagerly wait for rain to break our triple-digit temperatures another common occurrence will pick-up next week known as Saharan dust.

The dust is a combination of sand and dust traveling from North Africa across the Atlantic that peaking in late June through mid-August.

Light amounts of Saharan dust have arrived to the Alamo City this past week but will become more noticeable. Therefore, if you have asthma, COPD or any other type of respiratory illness you will want to stay indoors as much as possible during this time.

Timing of Saharan dust:

Monday - Little changes will be in the forecast as heavier amounts of dust remain over the gulf coast.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Tuesday - A large moderate level of Saharan dust will move into South Texas and San Antonio by late afternoon. San Antonians may notice hazy skies and trouble breathing if you're more sensitive to dusty air. But the dust doesn't stop here.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Wednesday - By mid-week Saharan dust ramps up continuing to build and push farther north stretching to the Dallas area. The continuing flow of the dust is partly due to a high pressure bringing a southeasterly flow to help pump the dust toward South Texas.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Thursday - As the week progresses dust levels continue to rise and could affect air quality levels. For those with any respiratory illnesses they should avoid outdoor activity including vigorous exercise. Also try to keep windows and doors closed. We will continue to monitor this development next week.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

As dust increases across the area, San Antonians will notice more vibrant sunrises and sunsets. However, during the afternoons the sky appears a more milky white color.

Before You Leave, Check This Out

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

Title:

Content: Hurricane Killer? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust

Dust from Africa moves across the Atlantic every year from late spring to early fall

It’s a common visitor in the summer months: dust from the Saharan Desert. Hazy skies and occasional allergies are common issues caused by the dust. But did you know that this layer of dust is more interesting than it appears? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Millions of tons of dust are transported across the Atlantic every year
  • Nutrient-rich Saharan dust plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem
  • Dust suppresses hurricane development

WHOLE LOTTA DUST!

Every year, from late spring to early fall, trade winds transport 180 million tons of dust from the Saharan Desert across the Atlantic Ocean. Impressively, that’s as much as 4.5 million 18-wheelers full of dust!

NATURE’S BEST FRIEND

Saharan dust is often rich in nutrients like iron and phosphorus. As the dust settles over the ocean, it fertilizes algae and plankton, allowing them to grow and flourish in an otherwise barren environment. These organisms are vital sources of food for ocean life.

Similarly, as the dust settles over land, areas like the Amazon rainforest benefit from the extra nutrients.

HURRICANE EXTINGUISHER

The African dust that moves across the Atlantic Ocean is also called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The SAL occurs in waves at the same time as Atlantic hurricane season, from June through November.

It’s known that the SAL limits hurricane development and strength. This is because tropical storms like hurricanes need deep, rich moisture from the surface to the top of the atmosphere to survive. Since the air carrying Saharan dust is usually dry, it can prevent storms from forming and suppress existing storms from growing and strengthening.

DUST’S IMPACT ON TEXAS

While a dense plume of dust sometimes causes minor allergy-like symptoms for some, the most noticeable impact is on Texas skies. A haze often forms on the horizon, giving an ordinarily clear, blue sky a milky hue during the day.

At sunrise and sunset, the horizon can appear brilliantly orange because, with dust in the air, sunlight has more particles to bounce off.

About the Author

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

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Title:

Content: 03-27-2024

Sahara desert dust storms carry harmful bacteria and fungi around the globe

We often dismiss springtime allergies as reactions to local pollen. Yet, something else might cause our sniffles and sneezes: a massive dust storms that originate thousands of miles away in Africa’s Sahara region.

These gargantuan dust plumes travel the globe every summer, carrying a cocktail of pollutants and potential pathogens across continents.

Dr. Shankar Chellam, a Texas A&M University professor is leading the charge to understand the biological hitchhikers within dust storms.

He and his team are working to determine what microbes, specifically bacteria and fungi, migrate with the dust and explore their potential impact on human health.

Hidden passengers in Sahara dust

“We all get allergies and potentially other more severe health effects when we breathe in dust, and it’s not fully known as to what causes those allergies,” said Dr. Chellam.

“Some people may think it is just the sand or clay minerals in the dust. Others think it is the metals or organics in the dust, and then some think it’s the bacteria and fungi.”

The Saharan dust cloud carries vast amounts of sand particles that transport bacteria and fungi.

Dr. Chellam’s research uniquely addresses how Saharan dust storms introduce these microbes into North America.

What the dust storm from Sahara tells us

Dr. Chellam and his team analyzed samples from a Saharan dust event that reached Houston in 2018. They measured metals, bacteria, and fungi to investigate any connections.

Fascinatingly, their findings revealed strong links between the biodiversity of the microbes and specific elements, especially calcium.

While these elements occur naturally in the Sahara, they also exist in our local environments. Pinpointing the exact origin of the dust and its cargo remains a challenge that scientists continue to tackle.

Our air – Not as empty as we think

Perhaps the most startling discovery is that even seemingly lifeless clouds of dust brim with biological activity.

“A key takeaway from this study is that a lot of biodiversity is not scientifically described. It doesn’t have a name, it can’t be cultured, and because it can’t be cultured, it’s difficult to study,” explained Dr. Daniel Spalink, assistant professor at Texas A&M.

The team’s high-tech DNA analysis allowed them to create an inventory of bacteria and fungi, even if the microbes themselves weren’t active.

Surprisingly, they found traces of several pathogens known to cause disease in humans, as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It doesn’t tell us if they are going to be able to infect us and make us sick,” Spalink cautions, “But at least the DNA of several pathogenic bacteria and fungi were identified in the African dust.”

Impact of climate change on Sahara dust

Climate change is altering weather patterns globally. This transformation affects dust storm behavior, leading to variations in their frequency and intensity.

In 2020, the United States experienced the most massive Saharan dust storm ever recorded, which experts named “Godzilla.”

This event highlighted the potential for increasing occurrences of such dust invasions. “The whole dynamics of the Saharan dust coming to Houston is primarily driven by atmospheric processes,” said Dr. Sourav Das, a former student of Dr. Chellam.

Global connection of Sahara dust

Sahara dust storm travels far beyond the borders of North America, affecting global environmental systems in profound ways.

This dust, originating from the vast Sahara Desert, embarks on transcontinental journeys that influence climate, ocean biology, and ecosystems far removed from its source.

The Saharan dust plays a critical role in climate regulation. As it travels across oceans and continents, it reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth’s surface.

This natural phenomenon acts as a counterbalance to the warming effects of greenhouse gases, showcasing how desert dust can influence global temperatures.

However, the dust also carries microorganisms and nutrients, such as phosphorus, that fertilize remote ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the Caribbean Sea, demonstrating nature’s complex nutrient cycles.

Benefits to oceans

Ocean biology benefits from the nutrient-rich dust as well. When Saharan dust settles on ocean waters, it delivers essential minerals that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton.

These microscopic plants form the foundation of the oceanic food chain, supporting a diverse array of marine life.

The influx of nutrients from the Sahara can thus boost marine productivity, affecting fish populations and the global fishing industry.

Disadvantages

The impact of Saharan dust is not universally beneficial. In ecosystems unaccustomed to the influx of foreign particles and nutrients, the dust can disrupt local environments.

For example, excessive dust deposition can smother coral reefs, blocking sunlight and hindering photosynthesis. This can stress coral ecosystems, leading to bleaching events and loss of biodiversity.

Moreover, the health implications of Saharan dust extend across continents. The dust carries not only nutrients but also pollutants and pathogens that can affect air quality and public health.

Communities in the path of these dust plumes may experience increased respiratory issues, allergies, and diseases, highlighting the need for global health monitoring and preparedness.

Study insights

It’s crucial to gather data across multiple dust events, spanning many years, to get a clearer picture of these airborne microbial communities and how they might transform over time.

While a lot remains unknown, research like this shines a spotlight on the hidden travelers swirling in the air we breathe — travelers who might be affecting our health in surprising ways.

The next time you catch a glimpse of a dust storm rolling in, remember the globe-trotting microbes it carries!

The findings of the study are published in Environmental Science & Technology.

—–

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What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?


This report addresses: Saharan Dust Storm Impact

Timing of Saharan dust:

Monday - Little changes will be in the forecast as heavier amounts of dust remain over the gulf coast.

The dust is a combination of sand and dust traveling from North Africa across the Atlantic that peaking in late June through mid-August.

Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Millions of tons of dust are transported across the Atlantic every year
  • Nutrient-rich Saharan dust plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem
  • Dust suppresses hurricane development

WHOLE LOTTA DUST!

Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust

Dust from Africa moves across the Atlantic every year from late spring to early fall

It’s a common visitor in the summer months: dust from the Saharan Desert.

Others think it is the metals or organics in the dust, and then some think it’s the bacteria and fungi.”

The Saharan dust cloud carries vast amounts of sand particles that transport bacteria and fungi.

Hidden passengers in Sahara dust

“We all get allergies and potentially other more severe health effects when we breathe in dust, and it’s not fully known as to what causes those allergies,” said Dr.

This report addresses: Saharan Dust Storm Impact

Title:

Content: Breaking News
More () »

San Antonians may want to stay indoors next week. Here's why.

A noticeable change in the air will arrive to the Alamo City next week.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio skies could look quite different next week but not in the way we're hoping for.

As San Antonians eagerly wait for rain to break our triple-digit temperatures another common occurrence will pick-up next week known as Saharan dust.

The dust is a combination of sand and dust traveling from North Africa across the Atlantic that peaking in late June through mid-August.

Light amounts of Saharan dust have arrived to the Alamo City this past week but will become more noticeable. Therefore, if you have asthma, COPD or any other type of respiratory illness you will want to stay indoors as much as possible during this time.

Timing of Saharan dust:

Monday - Little changes will be in the forecast as heavier amounts of dust remain over the gulf coast.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Tuesday - A large moderate level of Saharan dust will move into South Texas and San Antonio by late afternoon. San Antonians may notice hazy skies and trouble breathing if you're more sensitive to dusty air. But the dust doesn't stop here.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Wednesday - By mid-week Saharan dust ramps up continuing to build and push farther north stretching to the Dallas area. The continuing flow of the dust is partly due to a high pressure bringing a southeasterly flow to help pump the dust toward South Texas.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

Thursday - As the week progresses dust levels continue to rise and could affect air quality levels. For those with any respiratory illnesses they should avoid outdoor activity including vigorous exercise. Also try to keep windows and doors closed. We will continue to monitor this development next week.

Credit: KENS 5 Weather

As dust increases across the area, San Antonians will notice more vibrant sunrises and sunsets. However, during the afternoons the sky appears a more milky white color.

Before You Leave, Check This Out

What areas of the Americas have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

What areas of the US have been affected by Saharan dust storms?

Title:

Content: Hurricane Killer? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust

Dust from Africa moves across the Atlantic every year from late spring to early fall

It’s a common visitor in the summer months: dust from the Saharan Desert. Hazy skies and occasional allergies are common issues caused by the dust. But did you know that this layer of dust is more interesting than it appears? Here are some things you may not know about Saharan dust:

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Millions of tons of dust are transported across the Atlantic every year
  • Nutrient-rich Saharan dust plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem
  • Dust suppresses hurricane development

WHOLE LOTTA DUST!

Every year, from late spring to early fall, trade winds transport 180 million tons of dust from the Saharan Desert across the Atlantic Ocean. Impressively, that’s as much as 4.5 million 18-wheelers full of dust!

NATURE’S BEST FRIEND

Saharan dust is often rich in nutrients like iron and phosphorus. As the dust settles over the ocean, it fertilizes algae and plankton, allowing them to grow and flourish in an otherwise barren environment. These organisms are vital sources of food for ocean life.

Similarly, as the dust settles over land, areas like the Amazon rainforest benefit from the extra nutrients.

HURRICANE EXTINGUISHER

The African dust that moves across the Atlantic Ocean is also called the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The SAL occurs in waves at the same time as Atlantic hurricane season, from June through November.

It’s known that the SAL limits hurricane development and strength. This is because tropical storms like hurricanes need deep, rich moisture from the surface to the top of the atmosphere to survive. Since the air carrying Saharan dust is usually dry, it can prevent storms from forming and suppress existing storms from growing and strengthening.

DUST’S IMPACT ON TEXAS

While a dense plume of dust sometimes causes minor allergy-like symptoms for some, the most noticeable impact is on Texas skies. A haze often forms on the horizon, giving an ordinarily clear, blue sky a milky hue during the day.

At sunrise and sunset, the horizon can appear brilliantly orange because, with dust in the air, sunlight has more particles to bounce off.

About the Author

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

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carries microorganisms and nutrients that act as fertilizer

delivers essential minerals for phytoplankton

Title:

Content: 03-27-2024

Sahara desert dust storms carry harmful bacteria and fungi around the globe

We often dismiss springtime allergies as reactions to local pollen. Yet, something else might cause our sniffles and sneezes: a massive dust storms that originate thousands of miles away in Africa’s Sahara region.

These gargantuan dust plumes travel the globe every summer, carrying a cocktail of pollutants and potential pathogens across continents.

Dr. Shankar Chellam, a Texas A&M University professor is leading the charge to understand the biological hitchhikers within dust storms.

He and his team are working to determine what microbes, specifically bacteria and fungi, migrate with the dust and explore their potential impact on human health.

Hidden passengers in Sahara dust

“We all get allergies and potentially other more severe health effects when we breathe in dust, and it’s not fully known as to what causes those allergies,” said Dr. Chellam.

“Some people may think it is just the sand or clay minerals in the dust. Others think it is the metals or organics in the dust, and then some think it’s the bacteria and fungi.”

The Saharan dust cloud carries vast amounts of sand particles that transport bacteria and fungi.

Dr. Chellam’s research uniquely addresses how Saharan dust storms introduce these microbes into North America.

What the dust storm from Sahara tells us

Dr. Chellam and his team analyzed samples from a Saharan dust event that reached Houston in 2018. They measured metals, bacteria, and fungi to investigate any connections.

Fascinatingly, their findings revealed strong links between the biodiversity of the microbes and specific elements, especially calcium.

While these elements occur naturally in the Sahara, they also exist in our local environments. Pinpointing the exact origin of the dust and its cargo remains a challenge that scientists continue to tackle.

Our air – Not as empty as we think

Perhaps the most startling discovery is that even seemingly lifeless clouds of dust brim with biological activity.

“A key takeaway from this study is that a lot of biodiversity is not scientifically described. It doesn’t have a name, it can’t be cultured, and because it can’t be cultured, it’s difficult to study,” explained Dr. Daniel Spalink, assistant professor at Texas A&M.

The team’s high-tech DNA analysis allowed them to create an inventory of bacteria and fungi, even if the microbes themselves weren’t active.

Surprisingly, they found traces of several pathogens known to cause disease in humans, as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It doesn’t tell us if they are going to be able to infect us and make us sick,” Spalink cautions, “But at least the DNA of several pathogenic bacteria and fungi were identified in the African dust.”

Impact of climate change on Sahara dust

Climate change is altering weather patterns globally. This transformation affects dust storm behavior, leading to variations in their frequency and intensity.

In 2020, the United States experienced the most massive Saharan dust storm ever recorded, which experts named “Godzilla.”

This event highlighted the potential for increasing occurrences of such dust invasions. “The whole dynamics of the Saharan dust coming to Houston is primarily driven by atmospheric processes,” said Dr. Sourav Das, a former student of Dr. Chellam.

Global connection of Sahara dust

Sahara dust storm travels far beyond the borders of North America, affecting global environmental systems in profound ways.

This dust, originating from the vast Sahara Desert, embarks on transcontinental journeys that influence climate, ocean biology, and ecosystems far removed from its source.

The Saharan dust plays a critical role in climate regulation. As it travels across oceans and continents, it reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth’s surface.

This natural phenomenon acts as a counterbalance to the warming effects of greenhouse gases, showcasing how desert dust can influence global temperatures.

However, the dust also carries microorganisms and nutrients, such as phosphorus, that fertilize remote ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the Caribbean Sea, demonstrating nature’s complex nutrient cycles.

Benefits to oceans

Ocean biology benefits from the nutrient-rich dust as well. When Saharan dust settles on ocean waters, it delivers essential minerals that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton.

These microscopic plants form the foundation of the oceanic food chain, supporting a diverse array of marine life.

The influx of nutrients from the Sahara can thus boost marine productivity, affecting fish populations and the global fishing industry.

Disadvantages

The impact of Saharan dust is not universally beneficial. In ecosystems unaccustomed to the influx of foreign particles and nutrients, the dust can disrupt local environments.

For example, excessive dust deposition can smother coral reefs, blocking sunlight and hindering photosynthesis. This can stress coral ecosystems, leading to bleaching events and loss of biodiversity.

Moreover, the health implications of Saharan dust extend across continents. The dust carries not only nutrients but also pollutants and pathogens that can affect air quality and public health.

Communities in the path of these dust plumes may experience increased respiratory issues, allergies, and diseases, highlighting the need for global health monitoring and preparedness.

Study insights

It’s crucial to gather data across multiple dust events, spanning many years, to get a clearer picture of these airborne microbial communities and how they might transform over time.

While a lot remains unknown, research like this shines a spotlight on the hidden travelers swirling in the air we breathe — travelers who might be affecting our health in surprising ways.

The next time you catch a glimpse of a dust storm rolling in, remember the globe-trotting microbes it carries!

The findings of the study are published in Environmental Science & Technology.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–

News coming your way
The biggest news about our planet delivered to you each day

What are the negative health effects of Saharan dust?


This report addresses: MBS and Saudi Arabia's vision of 2030

"The updated framework will also support the objectives of the FinTech strategy by making the kingdom one of the world's leading countries in the field, and it will contribute to the economic empowerment of Saudi society and its citizens by promoting further innovations in technology-based financial services," Sama said.

The move by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as Sama, is aligned with goals to develop the kingdom's economy, diversify its sources of income, enable financial institutions to support the growth of the private sector and allow new companies to provide a range of financial services, it said in a statement on its website on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia To Host UNCCD's Largest COP-16 Moot In Riyadh This Year

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Wednesday signed an agreement paving the way for the 16th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from 2-13 December 2024

RIYADH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jan, 2024) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Wednesday signed an agreement paving the way for the 16th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from 2-13 December 2024.

Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and COP16 President, said: “The hosting of the conference (COP16) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects the commitment of the wise leadership to environmental protection at the national, regional, and international levels.

Predominantly employed for prosecuting terrorism-related cases, the Saudi Specialized Criminal Court indicted al-Ghamdi with a slew of profound charges, among which were “betraying his religion,” “impugning the kingdom and the crown prince,” “conspiring against the government,” and “disturbing the society’s security.” These grav

This report addresses: MBS and Saudi Arabia's vision of 2030

Title:

Content: Sama updates regulatory sandbox's framework to support more FinTech start-ups

The banking regulator to soon hold an introductory workshop on the updated framework

Beta V.1.0 - Powered by automated translation

Saudi Arabia's banking regulator is updating the framework of its sandbox regulatory environment, in line with its economic transformation programme.

The move by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as Sama, is aligned with goals to develop the kingdom's economy, diversify its sources of income, enable financial institutions to support the growth of the private sector and allow new companies to provide a range of financial services, it said in a statement on its website on Thursday.

"The updated framework will also support the objectives of the FinTech strategy by making the kingdom one of the world's leading countries in the field, and it will contribute to the economic empowerment of Saudi society and its citizens by promoting further innovations in technology-based financial services," Sama said.

Sama launched the regulatory sandbox initiative back in 2018 to attract local, regional and international FinTech companies seeking to take advantage of current and new technologies to provide financial products and services to Saudi markets.

The sandbox environment is linked to the country's Vision 2030, an overarching road map that aims to overhaul and diversify the country's economy away from hydrocarbons.

The financial sector development programme, geared to transform and diversify the sector and support the national economy through financing and investment initiatives for the private sector, are among the key pillars of Vision 2030.

Other regulators in the Gulf have made similar moves to understand and assess the effect of new technologies on the financial services market.

Regulators in the Gulf states, including the UAE and Bahrain, are already taking steps to test financial technology and formulate regulations to better govern FinTech and crypto assets such as digital currencies.

The updated framework of the regulatory sandbox is open for local and international applicants to apply as entrepreneurs, non-regulated companies or existing regulated entities, Sama said.

"The key differentiator of the updated framework is to move from a cohort-based approach to an Always Open approach which will give greater flexibility to those applying. This transition will allow applicants to apply to the regulatory sandbox when they are ready and in addition bring their chosen business model/concept and not work to a specific one determined for the cohort," it said.

The Saudi Central Bank in co-operation with Saudi Fintech, will in the coming days hold an introductory workshop on the updated regulatory framework for the legislative experimental environment.

The number of certified companies in Sama's regulatory sandbox reached 38, it said in the statement.

"The initiative proved to be very successful as it enables Sama to adopt many services and products by issuing instructions and regulations, as well as launching many of those products and services to the clients within the financial sector by capitalising on the experiences of regulatory sandbox certified companies," Sama said.

Updated: September 01, 2022, 10:02 AM
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What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

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Title:

Content: Saudi Arabia To Host UNCCD's Largest COP-16 Moot In Riyadh This Year

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Wednesday signed an agreement paving the way for the 16th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from 2-13 December 2024

RIYADH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Jan, 2024) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Wednesday signed an agreement paving the way for the 16th session of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Riyadh from 2-13 December 2024.

The Riyadh COP16 will be the largest-ever meeting of UNCCD’s 197 Parties, the first to be held in the middle East region and the largest multilateral conference ever hosted by Saudi Arabia.

The 2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD, one of the three major environmental treaties known as the Rio Conventions, alongside climate change and biodiversity, a UNCCD news release said.

At the signing ceremony in Riyadh today, Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and COP16 President, said: “The hosting of the conference (COP16) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects the commitment of the wise leadership to environmental protection at the national, regional, and international levels. Additionally, Saudi Arabia launched several groundbreaking environmental projects, such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.”

UNCCD Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw said: “Today, we are losing fertile lands at an alarming rate, jeopardizing global stability, prosperity and sustainability. The Riyadh COP16 must mark a turning point in the way we treat our most precious resource—land—and collectively tackle the global drought emergency.

According to UNCCD data, up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, affecting half of humanity and with dire consequences for our climate, biodiversity and livelihoods. If current trends continue, restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 will be necessary to achieve a land-degradation-neutral world.

Droughts are hitting more often and harder all over the world—up by 29 per cent since 2000—driven by climate change but also the way we manage our land. One-quarter of the world’s population is already affected by droughts, with every three out of four people around the world projected to face water scarcity by 2050.

The Riyadh COP16 will focus on mobilizing governments, businesses and communities worldwide to accelerate action on land restoration and drought resilience as a cornerstone of food, water and energy security.

The two-week event will feature a high-level segment, as well as associated events including the Gender Caucus and the business for Land Forum.

Taking place in the most water-scarce region and one that is severely affected by desertification and land degradation, the Riyadh COP16 will showcase efforts underway in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East region and beyond towards a green transition based on sustainable land stewardship.

Title:

Content: Defend free speech and individual liberty online.

Push back against Big Tech and media gatekeepers.

Saudi Man Receives Death Penalty For Social Media Posts

The ultimate penalty for criticizing the regime.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net.

In an alarming precedent set by Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s paramount enforcers of capital punishment, a resident of Mecca and retired educator, Mohammed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, has been condemned to death. His crime? Expressing dissenting opinions on social media platforms. This distressing development underlines the kingdom’s complete intolerance of free speech and underscores escalating attempts to suppress dissent, gaining international criticism.

Predominantly employed for prosecuting terrorism-related cases, the Saudi Specialized Criminal Court indicted al-Ghamdi with a slew of profound charges, among which were “betraying his religion,” “impugning the kingdom and the crown prince,” “conspiring against the government,” and “disturbing the society’s security.” These grave offenses all trace back to his online activity, which entailed sharing opinions critical of the government.

What makes this case convoluted is that al-Ghamdi’s brother, Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, who resides in the UK, is renowned for his critical stance towards the Saudi regime. The latter believes this sentence against his brother is a mere ploy to get to him.

This tactic of targeting family members as a means to exert pressure on critics abroad is not uncommon, according to activists and those who have faced similar persecutions in the past.

Not surprisingly, this verdict has resonated internationally, inducing reproach from global human rights groups.

As the death penalty handed to al-Ghamdi underlines, the right to express dissent is notably endangered in the kingdom. The message being transmitted is ominous and unequivocal: any voice, however quiet or loud, daring to dissent, is at risk. Even a mere tweet could warrant a fatal outcome, heralding a profoundly disquieting future for free speech in Saudi Arabia.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net.

Defend free speech and individual liberty online.

Push back against Big Tech and media gatekeepers.

Defend free speech and individual liberty online. Push back against Big Tech and media gatekeepers.

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What internal changes has MBS implemented in Saudi Arabia?

Suppressed dissent--especially Islamist opposition