… that portray the role of religion in the society.
Smithsonian … the Public Understanding of Religion in American History and … focusing on the influence of religion in American history and … and appreciate the significant impact religion has had and continues …
Lilly Endowment awards $43M for museum religion exhibits
Tai Ji Men and the Fiscal Justice against a spiritual movement in Taiwan
As European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB) and myself as a human rights lawyer have witnessed and have been dealing with cases of discrimination against religious and spiritual minorities and their members too.
More than once fiscal and tax issues have been used by governments to the detriment of some groups in order to stop their activities, for instance, when the groups where growing too fast or when they were disliked by the authorities.
At times these groups are denied the tax exempt status, if such a system is implemented in the country, or the status is revoked after being enjoyed for some time.
This has happened also in Western countries, not only outside Europe as someone may think.
Taiwan is now a full democracy whose present status stems from a complicate past; but after all, the times of martial law have gone since long.
Taiwan is a great country that I was glad to visit more than once, and where I had also the pleasure to teach a course on Human Rights, Minority Law and Freedom of Religion and Belief at Soochow University, back in 2012.
I was impressed by the cultural, religious and spiritual diversity of Taiwan where, in the same building, worship places of different religions can be found. One next to the other. Literally.
The tax case involving the Tai Ji Men community has lasted for far too long. In fact even though all the tax claims have been erased in Court, and no claim should exist anymore, however a tax claim for year 1992 is still maintained by the Tax Office despite the Court judgments in favour of Tai Ji Men, and which risks to damage Tai Ji Men, after having cost them millions Taiwanese dollars in trials costs.
The ongoing TJM case is unacceptable generally speaking, and also very difficult to understand from a legal point-of-view.
Basing on the legal principle of “Estoppel”, it cannot be argued or asserted that Tai Ji Men have to pay taxes for the disputed year 1992 as there should be no dispute at all, being this a clear contradiction, especially, if we take into account the other principle of “legitimate expectation” (or legal certainty) according to which those who act in good faith on the basis of law as it is or seems to be, should not be frustrated in their expectations.
As European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB) and I personally hope and wish that this case can be concluded in the best possible way, honouring Tai Ji Men and also honouring Taiwan’s democratic achievements and commitments for the safeguard of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Our expectation is that Taiwan will honour these principles and by complying with them will finally fully meet all legal expectations of Tai Ji Men in this matter.
La BEI et la Région Occitanie unies pour développer la mobilité hydrogène
Signature d’un contrat de financement de 40 M€ pour le projet Corridor H2 en Occitanie
Engagée dans le développement de nouvelles énergies d’avenir et non émettrices de gaz à effet de serre, la Région Occitanie a adopté en 2019 un Plan Hydrogène vert doté de 150 M€ destiné à accélérer le déploiement à grande échelle des solutions hydrogène sur le territoire. A l’occasion de l’ouverture du salon Energaïa, la présidente de Région Carole Delga et Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-Président de la Banque européenne d’investissement, annoncent qu’ils ont signé un contrat de prêt de 40 M€ pour le financement du projet de Corridor H2, unique en Europe.
La Région Occitanie, avec ses Agences Ad’Occ (Agence de Développement Economique) et AREC (Agence Régionale Energie Climat), a monté le projet Corridor H2 qui prévoit d’une part le développement de stations de distribution d‘hydrogène sur un axe Nord / Sud allant de la Méditerranée à la Mer du Nord, ainsi que les axes autoroutiers secondaires d’Occitanie (A61 et A20 notamment), et d’autre part le développement d’une flotte de véhicules lourds pour le transport de marchandises et de passagers (camions et autocars).
Le projet Corridor H2 cible :
- La logistique du froid (groupes frigorifiques), avec des solutions entièrement électriques et alimentées grâce à de l’hydrogène. Elles pourront être intégrées dans de nouvelles remorques ou dans des remorques existantes ;
- Les véhicules lourds, en particulier les camions porteurs (16/27t) notamment pour la distribution et collecte locale, et les camions tracteurs (44t) pour le transport long courrier, national et européen ;
- Les autocars Lio déployés par la SPL « d’Un point à l’Autre » dans le Tarn (Gaillac).
Huit stations seront installées afin de mettre à disposition des points de recharge hydrogène au plus près des grands axes de transport. Des infrastructures permettant d’accueillir les premiers camions à propulsion électrique hydrogène seront également mises en place en suivant l’évolution de l’introduction de ces véhicules sur le marché européen.
Ainsi, l’objectif est, d’ici 2023, le déploiement de :
- 20 unités réfrigérées dites « retrofit » (moteur d’origine du véhicule changé au profit d’une pile à combustible hydrogène) 40 remorques frigorifiques, 40 camions à propulsion H2, 15 autocars Lio en retrofit ;
- 8 stations hydrogène, soit 225t H2 distribuées/an, et 2,6 millions de litres de diesel évités par an ;
- 2 unités de production d’hydrogène vert implantées en Occitanie.
Au total, le projet Corridor H2 permettra d’éviter la consommation annuelle de 2,6 millions de tonnes de diesel.
Véritable puzzle à échelle européenne, le projet Corridor H2 s’enrichira des contributions de régions françaises et européennes qui viendront à leur tour apporter leur contribution au projet et participer au maillage du couloir européen nord-sud.
Un partenariat Région / BEI porteur
Estimé à près de 110 M€, le projet Corridor H2 bénéficie d’un prêt de 40 M€ alloué par la Banque européenne d’investissement (BEI). Ce financement s’inscrit dans l’action prioritaire menée par la Banque de l’Union européenne (UE) pour atténuer les effets du changement climatique. Persuadée que les technologies de l’hydrogène peuvent jouer un rôle majeur pour accélérer la transition énergétique, la BEI a renforcé son soutien aux porteurs de projet qu’elle accompagne également par son expertise.
« Ce projet marque une étape pour le développement de l’hydrogène au cœur des villes et territoires. C’est pourquoi, je suis très heureux de signer ce nouveau financement avec la Région Occitanie avec laquelle nous avons noué un partenariat de grande qualité. » a déclaré Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-Président de la BEI. Et d’ajouter : « Le financement de nouvelles technologies comme des projets innovants qui contribuent à la transition énergétique et à l’amélioration de la vie quotidienne des habitants est une priorité pour la Banque européenne du climat. En agissant ainsi, nous préparons l’avenir des jeunes générations. »
Cet accord est en parfaite adéquation avec la « Stratégie Nationale pour le développement de l’hydrogène décarboné en France » annoncée le 8 septembre 2020 : elle pose les jalons d’une ère nouvelle pour l’hydrogène en tant que future industrie stratégique en France comme au niveau européen.
La Région Occitanie a par ailleurs déposé sa candidature à l’appel à projets européen MIE Blending. L’Occitanie est à ce jour la première Région française en capacité de déposer un dossier de candidature. Plusieurs millions d’euros de subventions pourraient être allouées sur le territoire régional si ce dossier était retenu, et viendrait compléter les 40 M€ déjà alloués via le prêt. Des appels à projets pourraient être lancés dès le premier trimestre par la Région Occitanie pour attribuer ces subventions. Les entreprises de production et de distribution d’H2 renouvelable, les transporteurs qui feront l’acquisition de camions et de remorques frigorifiques hydrogène, ainsi que la Région elle-même dans le cadre de l’acquisition de 15 autocars H2, pourraient bénéficier de ces fonds. L’AREC interviendrait comme co-investisseur au sein des projets d’infrastructures.
« L’Occitanie s’est toujours positionnée comme pionnière dans le développement de la filière hydrogène sur son territoire. Cette volonté, nous l’avons illustrée dès 2019 par l’adoption d’un Plan Hydrogène vert sans précédent, doté de 150 M€, qui doit notamment permettre de concrétiser l’objectif que nous nous sommes fixés de devenir la 1ère région à énergie positive d’Europe d’ici 2050. Ce contrat que nous signons aujourd’hui avec la Banque européenne d’investissement dans le cadre du projet Corridor H2, illustre de nouveau notre détermination à faire de l’hydrogène l’une des énergies d’avenir en Occitanie. Elle vient également souligner l’importance des liens qui nous unissent à l’Europe, qui à travers le soutien financier qu’elle apporte, vient pleinement participer à la concrétisation de la transition énergétique », a déclaré Carole Delga à cette occasion.
Informations générales
En tant que banque européenne du climat, la BEI a décidé d’augmenter les financements de projets qu’elle soutient à l’appui des objectifs climatiques et environnementaux pour les porter à 50 % de son activité d’ici à 2025, de sorte que le Groupe BEI mobilise au moins 1 000 milliards d’EUR d’ici à 2030 pour promouvoir des investissements qui contribuent à la réalisation de ces objectifs. En France, en 2019, la BEI a consacré 47 % de ses financements – soit 3,28 milliards d’euros – à la lutte contre le changement climatique.
Press Conference by EP President Sassoli on summit, Brexit and long-term budget | News | European Parliament
, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201207IPR93207/
Deal on EU funds for common asylum,migration and integration policies up to 2027 | News | European Parliament
, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201207IPR93209/
Hyperloop Technology Included in European Union Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
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New data from WHO/Europe shows links between gender and noncommunicable diseases
Men and women have different biological and behavioural risk factors for contracting noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), as shown by a new series of WHO reports released today. The reports analyse gender-specific data on NCDs from 8 different countries providing interesting insights on the links between gender and certain NCDs.
The evidence gathered from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan highlights that socially constructed gender norms, roles and behaviours across the WHO European Region have a serious impact on health risks of men and women as different social groups. Those factors tend to change with age and according to social, economic, environmental and cultural influences.
“Behaviours are influenced by gender norms, roles and relations, which affect exposure to risk factors and health and help-seeking behaviours. Our interactions with the health system, including treatment adherence and outcomes, also vary based on gender,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
“This necessary gender-responsive approach is operationalized in the WHO European Programme of Work, our agenda for health 2020–2025, ‘United Action for Better Health’. The agenda mobilizes action to leave no one behind, including by identifying those groups of women and men who are more difficult to reach through effective policies and interventions. I am convinced that the enhanced country focus within the European Programme of Work will mean these findings will be used to accelerate the NCD response, from prevention to care, and support gender-responsive health systems across our region.”
Results of the data analysis are presented in 8 country-specific reports that show how gender is linked to the burden of noncommunicable diseases. NCDs continue to be the main health hazard in the European Region. NCDs like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases account for an estimated 89% of all deaths and 84% of disabilities in the Region.
The data has been gathered through the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) NCD risk-factor survey. STEPS is an internationally comparable and standardized surveillance tool that comprises structured household interviews followed by physical and biological measurements – from weight and height to blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels. Using data from STEPS, not only levels of NCD risk factors but also inequalities can be determined.
Different health hazards for men and women
According to the study, significantly higher percentages of men than women in most age groups engage in risk-associated behaviour. This includes tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, adding salt to meals and frequent consumption of processed foods.
On the other hand, a higher percentage of women in the older age groups are found to have most of the biological risk factors, such as overweight and obesity, and raised blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. In younger age groups men tend to have higher levels of biological risk factors.
Overall, cardiovascular diseases remain the main contributor to the burden of NCDs for both men and women. Although premature mortality from those conditions was declining for decades, a stagnation or even increase has been observed recently in some countries.
Improved NCD response needed
The reports highlight that social and economic inequality has a significant negative impact on people’s health and it may influence men and women differently. Compared to men and women with a high level of education or income, disadvantaged men and women with lower education or income levels reported less frequently that health-care professionals measured their most common risk factors for NCDs, like blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. At the same time, the prevalence of biological risk factors is typically higher for men with a high-level of education and women with a low-level of education than for others.
The new WHO findings make an important contribution to achieving international commitments in accelerating action towards reducing the NCD burden and ensuring healthy lives for all, at all ages, leaving no one behind. This is one of the core priorities of the WHO European Programme of Work 2020–2025, which aims to create a region where community-based public health actions and appropriate public policies secure a better life in an economy of well-being.
Italy: over 20% of children are overweight, says new report
Italian National Institute of Health/Angela Spinelli
New data from more than 50 000 children in Italy shows the percentage of overweight children in the country is 20.4%, with 9.4% of children considered obese and 2.4% severely obese, when using International Obesity Task Force criteria, and even higher if using WHO growth references.
While the data shows some reduction in the prevalence of overweight children in the past few years, slow progress or even regress in some areas highlight the need for intensification of policies in the country.
1 in 4 consumes fruit and vegetables less than once a day
Despite the progress made, Italy is still among the European countries with the highest values of excess weight among school-aged children.
The latest data highlights that almost 1 in 2 children does not have an adequate breakfast in the morning and 1 in 4 consumes fruit and vegetables less than once a day. Legumes are consumed less than once a week by 38% of children, and nearly half of children eat sweet snacks more than 3 days a week. Approximately 1 in 4 children still drink sugary drinks every day, but out of the listed trends, this is the only one that seems to be decreasing.
The indicators referring to physical activity have been mostly stable over the years. According to the latest results, 1 in 5 children did not exercise the day before the interview, more than 70% did not go to school on foot or by bicycle and almost half spend more than 2 hours a day in front of a television, tablet or mobile phone – a trend which the data shows may be increasing.
“These data give us valuable insights into the trends, and highlight the persistent challenges that we are facing,” says Angela Spinelli, Director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CNaPPS) of the Italian National Institute of Health. “The 2019 data show some improvements, with a further reduction of excess weight in children in our country, but they also indicate that there is still a lot to do in terms of promoting healthy lifestyles among children and young people.”
COSI: close monitoring for informed policies
These findings are based on a sample of more than 50 000 children and as many parents, and are the results of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) conducted in 2019 by OKkio alla SALUTE, the surveillance system coordinated by CNaPPS, which has recently been designated a WHO collaborating centre on childhood obesity.
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem globally. The WHO European Region is the region most affected by noncommunicable disease-related morbidity and mortality, and an increasing proportion of children and young people in the Region are living with overweight or obesity. COSI monitors the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children and produces high-quality data in participating countries every 3 years. It also monitors the diet and physical habits of school-aged children, as well as their school and family environments.
Italy was one of the first countries involved with COSI and has participated in 5 data collection rounds held since 2008. The country also has the greatest number of children involved (more than 40 000 for each survey). In the 4th round of COSI data collection (2015–2017), Italy was among the nations with the highest values of overweight in children, together with other southern European countries.
“We know that bold comprehensive approaches, possibly including the use of price policies, marketing restrictions (particularly in the digital sphere), better school food and more physical activity in schools can work,” says Dr João Breda, Head of the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases. “It is important that the data collected by these surveillance systems are the basis for choosing better policies aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles in order to improve people’s health and well-being.”
The national surveillance system shows the extent of overweight and obesity and of associated lifestyles in children, which makes it easier to evaluate of the impact of health and school policies undertaken over the years. The consistent monitoring and collection of data allows the country to evaluate and adjust policies efficiently, but monitoring is not enough, effective policies must be implemented for change to happen.
The full results of the 2019 round of COSI data collection in the country can be accessed in Italian. An English summary of key findings is also available.
Mount Everest is now 8,848.86 metres tall after measurement
By — Shyamal Sinha
Mount Everest Nepali: Sagarmāthā; T
In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society, as recommended by Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India, who chose the name of his predecessor in the post, Sir George Everest, despite Everest’s objections.
Mount Everest attracts many climbers, some of them highly experienced mountaineers. There are two main climbing routes, one approaching the summit from the southeast in Nepal (known as the “standard route”) and the other from the north in Tibet.
In the backdrop of a long-running conflict over Mount Everest’s height, Nepal and China have jointly announced the revised height of the world’s highest peak as 8,848.86 metres €” 86 cm higher than what was recognised since 1954.
The announcement was made via a joint video conference by Nepalese and Chinese officials based in Kathmandu and Beijing respectively.
The Nepal government decided to measure the exact height of the mountain amid debates that there might have been a change in its height due to various reasons, including the devastating earthquake of 2015.
Nepal recalculated the height of Mount Everest at 8,848.86 metres, the country’s foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali announced.
As per The Indian Express, this common declaration by both countries means that the two have shed their long-standing difference in opinion about the mountain’s height €” 29,017 feet (8,844 m) claimed by China and 29,028 ft (8,848 m) by Nepal. In feet, the new elevation is about 29,031 ft, or about 3 ft higher than Nepal’s previous claim.
According to the measurement done in 1954 by Survey of India, the height of Mount Everest is 8,848 metres, which as per The Wire report is the most commonly accepted height.
The exact height of Mount Everest had been contested ever since a group of British surveyors in India declared the height of Peak XV to be 8,778 metres in 1847, according to Business Standard.
Chinese authorities had said previously Mount Everest should be measured to its rock height, while Nepalese authorities argued the snow on top of the summit should be included.
In 2005, China’s measurement of 8,844.43 metres had put the mountain about 3.57 metres lower than Nepal’s (which followed the measurement given by Survey of India).
This is the first time Nepal conducted its own measurement of the summit.
Nepal government officials had told the BBC in 2012 that they were under pressure from China to accept the Chinese height and therefore they had decided to go for a fresh measurement to “set the record straight once and for all”.
The 2015 earthquake triggered a debate among scientists on whether it had affected the height of the mountain.
The government subsequently declared that it would measure the mountain on its own, instead of continuing to follow the Survey of India findings of 1954.
According to The Indian Express, there was also a third estimate. In 1999, a US team put the elevation at 29,035 feet (nearly 8,850 m). This survey was sponsored by the National Geographic Society, US. The Society uses this measurement, while the rest of the world, except China, had accepted 8,848 metres so far.
Tuesday’s announcement came after Kathmandu and Beijing sent an expedition of surveyors to the summit to calculate Everest’s precise height above sea level. Gyawali declared the findings of their surveys on a video call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. “Everest is an eternal symbol of friendship between Nepal and China,” Gyawali said.
Meanwhile, Susheel Dangol, Nepal’s chief survey officer, head of the measurement project, said they were confident that this is the “most accurate height” of Everest, according to The Washington Post. “It was a huge responsibility on our part. It is a moment of great pride for us.”
A team of Chinese surveyors climbed Mt. Everest from the North side, becoming the only climbers to summit the world’s highest peak during the coronavirus pandemic. The team was there to re-measure the height of Mount Everest.
Mount Everest has been host to other winter sports and adventuring besides mountaineering, including snowboarding, skiing, paragliding, and BASE jumping.
