The United States (US) Government will be providing US$2 million in support of the creation of a Cyber Centre of Excellence in Jamaica, which will benefit the wider region.
US Vice President, Kamala Harris, made the announcement during a call with Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on August 8.
A statement issued by the White House said that the call “is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to elevate engagement with Caribbean leaders given our shared interests and common bonds”.
During the communication, the Vice President and Prime Minister Holness welcomed progress made on three short-term joint US-Caribbean committees that President Biden and the Vice President launched in June to produce concrete, near-term solutions to urgently address food security, energy security, and finance challenges confronting the region.
Vice President Harris met with Prime Minister Holness on March 30, where they discussed a range of issues, including security, COVID recovery, and economic growth.
On April 29, the Vice President convened Caribbean leaders virtually and on June 9, President Biden and the Vice President met with Caribbean leaders at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.
In addition, during the call, and throughout these engagements, the Vice President made clear that the US, as a neighbour in the Western Hemisphere, values its partnerships with Caribbean nations and that it is committed to addressing the region’s most pressing issues together.
VP Harris also congratulated Prime Minister Holness and the people of Jamaica on the occasion of the nation’s 60th anniversary of independence.
HMRC has warned UK firms yet to begin using the new Customs Declaration System that they may soon be unable to import products into the country.
Over 3,500 firms risk significant delays if they don’t move to the new service within the next two months and are being warned that registration and adoption aren’t instantaneous either.
HMRC’s director of programme and operational delivery for borders and trade, Julie Etheridge, noted, “There are now only two months left until businesses must use CDS for imports. Businesses need to move now or risk being unable to bring their goods into the UK.
“Registering takes time so businesses should start moving to the Customs Declaration Service to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruption to their business.”
The new Customs Declaration System, brought in following the UK’s departure from the EU, includes a number of significant changes for importing businesses, including;
- New data element fields with specific formats
- New dashboards to monitor and manage declarations
- A two-part customs procedure code, with a four-digit code combined with one of up to 99 three-digit additional procedure codes (APCs)
- Requirement for more detailed customs information
Learn more here: HMRC
A brand new sleeper train will let passengers travel from London to Stockholm in less than 24 hours.
The EuroNight service – expected to start running in September – will transport passengers between Sweden’s capital city and Hamburg in Germany. Combined with existing Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn services, it will cut train travel time between Stockholm and London to roughly one day.
The EuroNight train is powered by renewable energy – Swedish operator SJ only uses electricity from hydropower and wind turbines. Drivers will also use ‘freewheeling’ techniques to minimise energy use.
So all-aboard – here’s everything you need to know about the brand new train route connecting Sweden with the UK.
Operated by Swedish railway company SJ, the EuroNight train will run from Hamburg to Stockholm, stopping in Copenhagen along the way. The service covers 1080km and takes roughly 12 hours.
The train will have a variety of pricing offerings. If you’re travelling on a budget, opt for a standard seat or shared four-to-six-berth couchette. Looking to splash out? You’ll be able to book a private ‘deluxe’ sleeper compartment with its own sink, shower and toilet.
Breakfast boxes will be included for this latter option, with views out the window of the Swedish landscape.
You’ll sip your coffee with a clear conscience, too. The new Swedish train runs entirely on renewable electricity, making it an eco-conscious alternative to fuel-guzzling planes.
Drivers are also encouraged to ‘freewheel’ the traine. This involves switching off the engine and allowing the carriages to move forward using its own momentum.
Figures from the European Environment Agency show that where air travel generates 252.8 grams of carbon emissions per kilometre travelled, rail travelemits just 22.4 grams.
Source: euronewstravel
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