In order to curb drunk driving accidents in the state, <keyword id="826" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="goa" source="Orion">Goa</keyword> will implement a new norm as per which bar and restaurant owners will have to arrange <keyword id="432469" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cabs" source="Orion">cabs</keyword> for their inebriated customers to drop them home or hotels in case of tourists. Speaking during 'Road Safety Week', Transport Minister Mauvin <keyword id="864619" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="godinho" source="Orion">Godinho</keyword> on Monday said that this is the new norm now. Earlier last year too, Godinho had announced this effort but it had not come into reality. However, recently police had intensified checks during the night and had fined those involved in drunk drinking. According to him if people are drunk, then bar owners should not allow them to go in their own vehicle, but they should arrange a cab to drop them off. "They can take their vehicles the next day," he said. "I am telling officers to liaison with <keyword id="6355410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bars" source="Orion">bars</keyword> and restaurants with heavy footfall, where people go. If somebody is drunk, it is the responsibility of the bar owner to send them home by hiring a cab. Don't send them off driving their own car. This is a new norm in Goa for the safety of people. We will implement it very strictly," he said. He said that everyone has to follow rules just like they do in foreign countries. "Goans and tourists when they go abroad, don't they follow rules? Goa is somewhere you can break every rule because everybody knows everybody and is well connected, as we have only 15 lakh population. You can walk into the secretariat with the minister and phone that you are being caught and to not issue a challan. It is bad," Godinho said. "We want to discontinue it. Now henceforth those who break rules will be fined," he said. "I am really concerned with drunk cases. The cases of accidents are alarming. Around 20 per cent of cases coming to Goa Medical College are accidents. You may be so innocent on the road by driving so slow, but one fine day a drunk person can come and hit you. This should not happen. Therefore, I am telling Regional Transport Officers (<keyword id="48945" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rto" source="Orion">RTO</keyword>) that you have to be ruthless as far as drunk and drive cases are concerned," he said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/mumbai-international-airport-switches-to-green-sources/articleshow/94761659.cms">Mumbai International Airport switches to Green sources</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/article/70-of-bengaluru-kids-have-lung-related-issues-environmentalist-warns-against-dangers-of-breathing-bengaluru-air/articleshow/94757838.cms">"70% of Bengaluru kids have lung-related issues": environmentalist warns against dangers of breathing Bengaluru air</a>

Soon, bars might have to book cabs for their drunk patrons in Goa

Before the crucial Goods and Services Tax (GST) council meeting scheduled for September 9th, the reconstituted Group of Ministers on GST for <keyword id="21498096" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rate-rationalisation" source="keywords">rate rationalisation</keyword> met for the first time on Thursday. West Bengal finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya says she has put in a request to reduce GST rates of 18 % on life and health <keyword id="21001667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="insurance-premiums" source="keywords">insurance premiums</keyword>. She said, "I have placed the request of reducing GST on life and <keyword id="19894985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-insurance" source="keywords">health insurance</keyword>. I have been told that the fitment committee is looking into it." Krishna Byre Gowda, Karnataka Minister said, "We have discussed the issue of relaxation in GST rates on insurance; we have asked for more data on it" On rate rationalisation or reducing the number of slabs under GST Bhattacharya said, "No member of the rate rationalisation committee is in favour of changing or reducing the number of current slabs under GST" On changes in current <keyword id="22881136" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-slabs" source="keywords">GST slabs</keyword> Krishna Byre Gowda, says, "Why disturb something which is going on smoothly." However, sources from the GoM told that, this was the first meeting of the reconstituted GoM on rate rationalisation and no decision has been taken on reducing slabs, cutting GST rates on different items or reducing GST rate on life and health insurance premiums. Proposals have come for reducing rates for insurance, hospitality and beverages, and the <keyword id="20646010" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-gaming-sector" source="keywords">online gaming sector</keyword>, among many. The GoM for rate rationalisation was reconstituted in June 2024, after the formation of the new government at the centre and new state governments in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary was appointed as the convenor of the GoM on GST rate rationalisation. The other members of the reconstituted panel are Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, and Rajasthan Medical, and Health Services Minister Gajendra Singh. The GoM also includes West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal. GST rate rationalisation has been pending before the committee for a long time, and it was anticipated that a decision would be taken regarding the fitment of the listed items under each GST slab. Particularly, products widely used by the public may be suggested for a transition from the 12% high-rate slab to the 5 % slab. In the last GST Council meeting held on June 22, Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> announced several significant measures, including Aadhaar biometric integration, and exemptions in railway services, among others.

GST slab changes unlikely soon; request for GST rate cut on insurance proposed by few states

Organising and successfully following through on a <keyword id="19895061" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="goa" source="keywords">Goa</keyword> trip is impressive by itself, but going there to help the coastal state in its ongoing battle with <keyword id="6361617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="Orion">climate change</keyword> will require some next-level commitment. Fortunately, with a little <keyword id="19899824" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-bank" source="keywords">World Bank</keyword> involvement, things may be looking up for our favourite beachy destination. Goa's idyllic coastline and laid-back lifestyle belie the harsh realities of climate change it is already facing. Studies have shown that about 80% of the Goan population lives in low-lying coastal areas, making it highly susceptible to flooding as sea levels rise at 1.5 mm a year in many of its coastlines. Further, fervently rising temperatures and an increase in devastating floods and cyclones in recent years have exacerbated the toll on the <keyword id="6356826" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environment" source="Orion">environment</keyword> and economy of the popular getaway. Recently, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stated that climate change is blurring the distinct seasons in Goa, with it now experiencing rainfall on days that were previously unheard of. Noting how hailstorms have begun battering villages in the coastal state’s interiors, Godinho emphasised the need for collective action beyond government efforts, urging everyone to contribute to the fight against climate change. Recognising the urgency of the situation, Goa has partnered with the World Bank to establish a first-of-its-kind sub-national climate-resilient <keyword id="121068" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-fund" source="Orion">green fund</keyword>. This initiative aims to address the state's thrust towards adopting renewable energy and bolster its climate resilience. To this end, the World Bank has agreed to collaborate with institutions like NABARD, SIDBI, and Power Finance Corporation to pool resources and offer loans at reduced rates for green projects undertaken by the local government and MSMEs. The fund will offer financial incentives to encourage the adoption of solar power plants, electric mobility solutions, and other climate-friendly measures. Power Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar explained that this initiative is envisioned as a model for other states in India to emulate in their own climate action plans. Goa rolled out its own climate action plan in April last year, introducing climate-smart ways of mitigating the ongoing crisis. Some of the initiatives include the creation of raised embankments to protect the traditional Goan farmlands and a “rice park” to promote climate-smart seeds. A few years ago, the World Bank had also approved funding for a “sand dune park”, which aimed at preserving the region’s sprawling sand dunes and its fragile flora and fauna. This would also help protect the area from <keyword id="670490" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coastal-erosion" source="Orion">coastal erosion</keyword> and storms, which are major threats to almost a third of the state’s coastlines.

Goa partners with World Bank to tackle sea level rise, coastal erosion and other climate change-related hazards

<ul class="summary-list"><li>It's now illegal for bosses to contact their employees after work hours in <keyword id="12009681" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="portugal" source="Orion">Portugal</keyword>, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-europe-health-3ac9da7707ce270d98d392c94154b909">AP reported</a>. </li><li>Employers must also pay WFH expenses such as increased electricity and internet bills. </li></ul>Portugal passed a batch of <keyword id="12507558" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="labor-laws" source="Orion">labor laws</keyword> last week in an attempt to attract more digital nomads to the country, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-europe-health-3ac9da7707ce270d98d392c94154b909">The Associated Press</a> reported. The new protections for digital workers include fining employers for calling workers after hours and requiring companies to pay for work-from-home expenses such as internet and electricity.But not all of Portugal's proposed labor laws were approved. The "right to disconnect," or the legal right to turn off work devices and messaging services after-hours, was struck down by Portuguese lawmakers. Freelancers and entrepreneurs are already taking advantage of Portugal's newly designed temporary resident visa. In February, the Portuguese islands of Madeira launched a "<keyword id="11929863" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="digital-nomad" source="Orion">digital nomad</keyword> village" with free WiFi and workstations. The European nation is not the only country hoping to attract a virtual workforce, despite <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/partying-yachts-drugs-remote-work-destroying-worlds-most-instagrammable-destinations-2021-7">the strain long-term tourists place on local infrastructure and frequent tax exemptions</a>. Tropical destinations such as <a href="https://www.gotobermuda.com/workfrombermuda">Bermuda</a>, <a href="https://antiguanomadresidence.com/">Antigua</a>, and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/costa-rica-digital-nomad">Costa Rica</a> announced plans to offer digital nomad <keyword id="12229793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="visas" source="Orion">visas</keyword> during the pandemic, which allow long-term stays up to two years. <a href="https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-news/digital-nomad-visas-eu-countries">European countries</a> including Croatia, Greece, and Spain also offer variations of virtual work visas. The term "digital nomad" became so popular over the past year that Merriam-Webster added it to the dictionary in late October. The number of digital nomads - now officially defined as someone who performs their occupation entirely over the internet while traveling - jumped nearly 50% in 2020. About 11 million Americans now identify as digital nomads, and over half are traditional full-time employees who've decided to do their jobs from the road, Insider's David Kushner reported. "We consider Portugal one of the best places in the world for these digital nomads and remote workers to choose to live in, we want to attract them to Portugal," Ana Mendes Godinho, Portugal's Minister of Labour and Social Security, said at the recent Web Summit conference in Lisbon. "The pandemic has accelerated the need to regulate what needs to be regulated."

It's now illegal for bosses to text workers after hours in Portugal, as the country attempts to attract digital nomads with new labor laws

<ul><li><keyword id="6927804" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="MediaMonks">MediaMonks</keyword> has conditionally agreed a merger with Delhi-based content creation and production company, WhiteBalance.</li><li>After opening an office in Bangalore in February this year and appointing <keyword id="4236914" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Poran-Malani">Poran Malani</keyword> as S4Capital’s Director for India, the company further strengthens its position in the region.</li><li>As a part of the merger, MediaMonks adds 50 experts to the team, with the intent of doubling the India business in the coming six months. </li><li>MediaMonks will also continue to invest in growing the content studio in Bangalore into a creative hub for APAC, and aims to size up the teams and studio facility in Delhi.</li></ul> <keyword id="172904" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Martin-Sorrell">Martin Sorrell</keyword>'s S4Capital has announced that its global content practice MediaMonks has conditionally agreed a merger with Delhi-based content creation and production company, WhiteBalance. After opening an office in Bangalore in February this year and appointing Poran Malani as S4Capital’s Director for India, the company further strengthens its position in the region. WhiteBalance was founded in 2010 by Robert Godinho with the intent of creating a one-stop shop for high quality visual productions. With a state of the art content studio and in-house film, 3D and post-production talent, WhiteBalance is fully equipped to produce content from feature films, commercials and documentaries to high-end digital content. As a part of the merger, MediaMonks adds 50 experts to the team, with the intent of doubling the India business in the coming six months. MediaMonks will also continue to invest in growing the content studio in Bangalore into a creative hub for APAC, and aims to size up the teams and studio facility in Delhi. Speaking about the strategic move, Sir Martin Sorrell, Executive Chairman, S4Capital said, “India is a country very close to my heart – one built on a heritage of creativity, and characterised by a vibrant culture. As you can imagine, I’m delighted to continue to expand into this fast growing market, offering a wealth of talent and significant growth opportunities, and the merger with WhiteBalance is the next step for us to build a leading creative content business here. At the same time we’re strengthening our position in the APAC region – ever more important – as India continues its trajectory to become the most populous country on earth.” “WhiteBalance is a close-knit family of artists, designers and visual storytellers. Our dream is to put a ding in the universe by creating internationally recognised work from our home, India. Having worked with the world’s leading media organisations, we’re incredibly excited that our journey has led us to join forces with MediaMonks. We’re looking forward to bringing the same professionalism to customising creative solutions for our clients in the APAC region,” added Robert Godinho, Founder &amp; CEO, WhiteBalance. Poran Malani, Director for India, <keyword id="6575085" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="S4-Capital">S4 Capital</keyword> further said, “The opportunity for the S4 Capital model in India is huge. India is globally recognised for its creativity and its leading-edge technology, making it the perfect place for integrating the two into a new service model. With operations in our current production hub in Bangalore, combined with the strength of WhiteBalance, bundling our forces in the pursuit of excellent fit-for-format content is an exciting prospect as we introduce our global network to this dynamic market and open it up to world-class digital work.”

Martin Sorrell's ad firm MediaMonks announces merger with content company WhiteBalance

New Delhi, Nov 20 () Martin Sorrell led S4 Capital on Wednesday said MediaMonks, its global creative production arm, has agreed to a merger with Delhi-based content creation and production company WhiteBalance.
 After opening an office in Bengaluru in February this year and appointing Poran Malani as S4 Capital's Director for India, this further strengthens company's position in the region, S4 Capital said.
 India is a very vibrant market. It is an important market with greatest potential, S4 Capital Executive Chairman Martin Sorrell told reporters here.
 "I'm delighted to continue to expand into this fast growing market, offering a wealth of talent and significant growth opportunities, and the merger with WhiteBalance is the next step for us to build a leading creative content business here," he added.
 Sorrell, however, refused to divulge the financial details of the merger.
 With the merger, MediaMonks adds 50 experts to the team with the intent of doubling the India business in the coming six months, S4 Capital said.
 MediaMonks will also continue to invest in growing the content studio in Bengaluru into a creative hub for APAC, and aims to size up the teams and studio facility in Delhi, it added.
 After the merger, WhiteBalance will be known as Media Monks India.
 "Having worked with the world's leading media organisations, we're incredibly excited that our journey has led us to join forces with MediaMonks. We're looking forward to bringing the same professionalism to customising creative solutions for our clients in the APAC region," WhiteBalance founder and CEO Robert Godinho said.
 S4 Capital plc was established by Martin Sorrell in May 2018. Its strategy is to build a purely digital advertising and marketing services business for global, multinational, regional, local clients and millennial-driven influencer brands.
 It is present in 26 countries with a strength of 2,000 people. AKT RVK

S4 Capital arm MediaMonks announces merger with WhiteBalance

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5279347a6bb3f71237c6c5bc-1200-900/macau-8.jpg?maxX=480&amp;maxY=360" border="0" alt="macau casino" width="480" height="360" />REUTERS/Bobby Yip </div></div>A stunning $202 billion in "ill-gotten funds are channeled through <keyword id="6517" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Macau">Macau</keyword> each year," according to <a href="http://www.cecc.gov/publications/annual-reports/2013-annual-report">The Congressional-Executive Commission on China Annual Report 2013</a>.
Diplomatic cables released by<a href="http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/12/09HONGKONG2313.html"> Wikileaks</a> claimed that the casino and hospitality sector accounted for over 50% of Macau's GDP but that, "its phenomenal success is based on a formula that facilitates if not encourages <keyword id="6355008" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="money-laundering">money laundering</keyword>."
And a lot of that money comes from <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>.
Macau casinos pulled in a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-01/macau-casino-revenue-rises-to-record-in-october.html">record 36.5 billion patacas ($4.57 billion)</a> in revenue in October, largely driven by Chinese visitors.
In 1999, Macau saw 800,000 mainland Chinese tourists. That figure exploded to about 12 million in 2008 and then <a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1189367/mainland-chinese-influx-prompts-macau-mull-visitor-cap">17 billion in 2012</a>. In 2012, another 11 million visitors came from <a href="http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/51417/modest-growth-for-macao-tourism">Hong Kong and Taiwan</a>.
<a href="http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/12/09HONGKONG2313.html">Diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks</a> claimed that the casino and hospitality sector accounted for over 50% of Macau's GDP but that, "its phenomenal success is based on a formula that facilitates if not encourages money laundering."
How exactly does it work?
China only allows 20,000 yuan ($3,200) to be moved out of the Mainland at a time and $50,000 a year. To circumvent that, Chinese high rollers can do one of two things. They can deposit money with junkets in the mainland and use that money in Macau, or they can borrow from third-party junket agents. 
If they choose to deposit the money, the junkets, who are basically gaming promoters, ferry money across borders. The gamblers can then use that money in Macau. Once they're done gambling they can take their winnings in U.S. funds or Hong Kong dollars and invest it in property or offshore tax havens.
These junket agents vary from sole proprietorships to publicly listed companies. They help arrange for visas and accommodations, including VIP rooms. They also collect gambling debts. 
Frequently, the money that ends up here has come through illegal means, through bribes or embezzlement.
A paper from <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2263202">Jorge A. F. Godinho, at the University of Macau</a> - Faculty of Law explains how junkets play a role in money laundering in Macau.
"According to the FATF and Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), there are several vulnerabilities regarding promoters, including the fact that their intervention enables the creation of an additional layer which may not contribute to knowing the identity of the players and the source of funds, in addition to the fact that not all jurisdictions regulate gaming promoters and/or their representative offices.
"...Gaming promoters may assist in the transfer of funds to the casinos of Macau. In the case of VIP Baccarat, the amounts involved can be very significant. Moreover, in many cases, there will be no actual transfer of funds, but rather a simple balancing of accounts between credits in mainland China and debits in Macau. This is one of the reasons why the gaming promoter sector is rather developed.
"There is no doubt that this channel can also serve for the movement of funds of an illicit origin, whether coming from corruption, embezzlement of public or private entities, or any other sources. Hence the particular need for rules and procedures for the detection of illegal transfers."
<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5279327b69bedd053a41ccc4-1200-924/macau-gambling-1.jpg" border="0" alt="macau gambling" width="480" height="359" />REUTERS/Bobby YipA Grease themed slot machine in Macau</div></div>
Triads
Triads, or Chinese organized crime units, "dominate the junket industry," <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/01/28/broken_tooth_and_new_macau_gambling_china?page=0,1">according to Benjamin Carlson at Foreign Policy</a>.
Since Chinese courts don't recognize or enforce payments on casino debts and since gambling is illegal in China, junkets often rely on triads to collect their debt.
Triads that operate in Macau and around the world, partake in everything from money laundering to drug and human trafficking.
Diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks that date back to 2009 explain how unregulated junkets are:
"Although they must register and are subject to nominal regulation in Macau, these facilitator organizations allegedly work closely with organized crime groups in mainland China to identify customers and collect debts. Junket operators work directly with Macau casinos to buy gaming chips at discounted rates, allowing players to avoid identification. 
"Know-your-customer (KYC) and record-keeping requirements are significantly looser than in other international gaming venues. Government efforts to regulate junket operators in Macau have been aimed at limiting competition, rather than combating illicit activities.
"Oversight of both casinos and junket operators is limited and remains a serious weakness in Macau's AML regime. Periodic tightening of Chinese Individual Visitor Scheme permit requirements may reflect Chinese government concern about corrupt officials laundering money in Macau."
Another way illicit money finds its way to Macau's casinos is through pawn shops. Visitors buy goods from a pawn shops with a debit card and then sell it back for cash.
Cracking Down
Since the Chinese handover late last year, Beijing has been cracking down on corruption which has included efforts to regulate the gambling industry. In December, some <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-04/macau-casinos-drop-on-report-of-junket-arrests-hong-kong-mover.html">junket operators were arrested.</a>
Last year, Senator John McCain raised concerns about illicit money from Macau making its way into the American political sphere by pointing out that CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Sheldon Adelson, got his profits from Macau.
Macau is considering implementing a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-08/macau-considers-requiring-tourists-to-declare-cash-at-border.html">cross-border cash declaration system</a> to restrict money laundering, though no specifics were unveiled.
A real crackdown on money laundering seems to still be a ways away.

You Searched For "godinho" and got 8 results

Soon, bars might have to book cabs for their drunk patrons in Goa

IANS

GST slab changes unlikely soon; request for GST rate cut on insurance proposed by few states

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Goa partners with World Bank to tackle sea level rise, coastal erosion and other climate change-related hazards

Ankush Banerjee

It's now illegal for bosses to text workers after hours in Portugal, as the country attempts to attract digital nomads with new labor laws

Hannah Towey

Martin Sorrell's ad firm MediaMonks announces merger with content company WhiteBalance

BI India Partner

S4 Capital arm MediaMonks announces merger with WhiteBalance

PTI

How China's Filthy Rich Use Macau To Launder Their Money

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