Hong Kong – EAC supports and follows up on Government’s decision to postpone sixth-term Chief Executive Election

EAC supports and follows up on Government’s decision to postpone sixth-term Chief Executive Election

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The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:

 

     In response to the Government’s announcement of postponement of the sixth-term Chief Executive Election today (February 18), the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) expressed support over the Government’s decision.

 

     A spokesman for the EAC said, “The sixth-term Chief Executive Election was originally scheduled for March 27. The EAC learnt that in view of the severe epidemic situation of COVID-19, the Government has decided to postpone the election to May 8. The new nomination period runs from April 3 to 16. The EAC supports the Government’s decision and will follow up on the practical arrangements in relation to the postponement with the Registration and Electoral Office (REO).”



     “Public elections inevitably involve a lot of manpower and resources. Hong Kong is now facing the most severe situation since the epidemic. The Government must focus on fighting against the epidemic. Therefore, the EAC supports the Government’s decision to postpone the election,” the spokesman said.



     “Various aspects including election materials, venue arrangements, supplies delivery and training of electoral staff will need to be rearranged or prepared again for the sixth-term Chief Executive Election, which has been postponed to May 8. The REO will make every effort to make appropriate arrangements for the Chief Executive Election,” the spokesman added. 



     The EAC will continue to decide on public election matters in accordance with actual and objective considerations and related legislations. It will continue to devote full efforts, acting in accordance with an open, honest and fair principle to make reasonably practicable arrangements for public elections.

M.A. Haddad follows up with book two of his “The Shadow of the Staff” fantasy adventure series

Readers should expect more battles and a more intense power struggle between the forces of good and evil as the magical realm of Hatu continues to suffer the ravages of war.

San Diego, California, USA – WEBWIRE

Don’t miss the book display of M.A. Haddad’s “The Shadow of the Staff: Tomorrow is Just a Day Away” at the Tucson Festival of Books.



M.A. Haddad’s “The Shadow of the Staff: Tomorrow is Just a Day Away” (ReadersMagnet; 2022) has more action, intrigue, excitement, emotions, and higher stakes for the characters who find themselves again in war, having to make personal sacrifices.


“The Shadow of the Staff: Tomorrow is Just a Day Away” will bring avid readers of epic fantasy to shiver at the knowledge that evil refuses to die – and will plunge magical realms into another vicious cycle of war and conflict. The series’ protagonist, Burton Brew of Myopia, returns home to find it in ruins and ashes, having been ravaged by enemies as payback for his role in saving the lives of the elves and dwarves. Burton rebuilds his home and tries to live his life in peace.


Soon, Burton’s quiet existence is disturbed when an old enemy returns, standing in front of him one night. He realizes that once again, his life and that of his closest friends are now in danger. Together with his friends and allies, Burton has to face the renewed threats of evil – and will have to develop his unusual powers to protect the inhabitants of Hatu once again.


Follow the new adventures of Burton Brew and his friends in M.A. Haddad’s “The Shadow of the Staff: Tomorrow is Just a Day Away.” Purchase a copy today on his website https://mahaddadnovels.com/


“The Shadow of the Staff: Tomorrow is Just a Day Away” will be publicly displayed at the exhibit that self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet will put up at the 2022 Tucson Festival of Books on March 12-13, 2022, at the University of Arizona Mall, Tucson, AZ.


The Shadow of the Staff: Tomorrow is Just a Day Away

Author | M.A. Haddad

Published date | 2022

Publisher | ReadersMagnet

Book retail price | $5.99


Author Bio


M.A. Haddad’s second novel shows a much stronger understanding of prose and continuity. He continues to show a great understanding of character development, particularly the interaction of races and genders. This development leads to a great storyline with twists and turns guaranteed to keep the reader engrossed in the story.


During his military service, Haddad received several awards and decorations that included Two Air Force commendations and The Meritorious Service medal. He also has received several service medals and decorations from The State of Ohio and The Ohio Air National Guard. Upon his retirement from the service, he served as a hobby store manager and a General Manager for a construction equipment company. He retired for good in 2009 due to service-related illnesses.

Canada – Canada follows through on commitments to advance women, peace and security agenda with third national action plan

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement following a meeting of Cabinet ministers with Canadian and international leaders on Canada’s national action plan on women, peace and security.

June 16, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement following a meeting of Cabinet ministers with Canadian and international leaders on Canada’s national action plan on women, peace and security:

“In 2017, Canada launched Gender Equality: A Foundation for Peace; Canada’s National Action Plan 2017 to 2022 for the Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. This second national action plan guides Canada’s efforts to advance the women, peace and security agenda. For the first time, this plan provided a framework for a cohesive, whole-of-government approach and called upon 8 federal departments and 1 agency to work together to implement this important agenda.

“Today, I hosted a crucial discussion on our action plan with Canadian and international leaders, as well as the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development; the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs; Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, Acting Chief of the Defence Staff; and Brenda Lucki, Commissioner of the RCMP.

“We reflected on accomplishments, shared innovative practices and addressed challenges, and discussed areas needing improvement.   

“During the meeting, Canadian and international leaders shared their assessments of our progress, suggested ways to sustain and strengthen Canadian leadership and emphasized linkages between international and domestic efforts, including in the protection of Indigenous women and girls and immigration programs. We will continue to listen to and amplify the voices of women peacebuilders and feminist and women-led organizations and movements. Our work would simply not be possible without their collaboration.

“My colleagues and I reaffirmed our commitment to the implementation of our action plan. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that we committed to develop a third Canadian national action plan on women, peace and security. To ensure an inclusive process and ambitious goals, we have instructed our respective departments to initiate preparations now.

“The full implementation of the action plan remains a priority for the Government of Canada and is a cornerstone of our Feminist Foreign Policy.”

Quick facts

Canada’s second national action plan on women, peace and security, for the period 2017 to 2022, commits Canada to:

increasing the meaningful participation of women and women’s organizations and networks in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict state-building
preventing, responding to and ending impunity for sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated during conflicts and sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers and other international personnel, including humanitarian and development staff
promoting and protecting women’s and girls’ human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in fragile, conflict and post-conflict settings
meeting the specific needs of women and girls in humanitarian settings, including upholding their sexual rights and their access to sexual and reproductive health services
strengthening the capacity of peace operations to advance the women, peace and security agenda, including by deploying more women and fully embedding the agenda in Canadian Armed Forces operations and police deployments

Implementation of the action plan is informed by an advisory group co-chaired by Global Affairs Canada and the Women, Peace and Security Network-Canada, a network of over 80 Canadian non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Associated links

Canada’s national action plan on women, peace and security
Canada’s national action plan on women, peace and security: Progress reports