First, let me start by reaffirming the UK’s commitment to the principles enshrined in UN Security Council resolution 2334 which serves as a clear reinforcement of international support for a two-state solution. The suffering we have seen on, and since, the horrific attacks of October 7, underlines the importance, more than ever, of a diplomatic solution to this conflict which guarantees the safety and security of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. We call for the immediate release of all the remaining hostages, including the return of those who have died in captivity, and we are appalled by reports of…
Author: admin
Joint Statement by the Principals of the UN Steering Group on Solutions to Internal Displacement: DCO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNDPO, UNDPPA, UNICEF and UNHCR New York/ Geneva – Two years after the launch of the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, there has been significant progress towards its common vision and objectives. As members of the UN Steering Group on Solutions to Internal Displacement, we are committed to build on the momentum which has been achieved. However, internal displacement remains an issue deserving urgent attention, and much more remains to be done to support the almost 76 million people…
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Why do some planets have moons and some don’t? – Siddharth, age 6, Texas On Earth, you can look up at night and see the Moon shining bright from hundreds of thousands of miles away. But if you went to Venus, that wouldn’t be the case. Not every planet has a moon – so why do some planets have several moons, while others have none? I’m a physics instructor who has followed the current theories…
Labor Senator Fatima Payman has crossed the floor to support a motion moved by the Greens declaring “the need for the Senate to recognise the State of Palestine”. Although the stand of Payman invited a sanction by her party – which demands that its parliamentarians stick by the party line in votes – a government spokesperson quickly made it clear she won’t face discipline. Given the sensitivity of the issue, action against the 29-year-old Payman, a Muslim born in Kabul, Afghanistan, would be provocative and counter-productive. The Greens motion was defeated, 52-13, with both Labor and the Coalition voting against.…
Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt. (Matt Browne/Sportsfile via Getty Images)) Six Nations title holders Ireland are motivated enough for their upcoming Tests with Rugby World Cup champions South Africa not to be wound up by barbed comments from Springbok players, assistant coach Mike Catt said on Monday.WATCH | Boks break into song and dance at Heathrow Airport despite flight cancellationIreland travel to South Africa on Tuesday, bidding to win a series there for the first time. South Africans need to be in the know if we want to create a prosperous future. News24 has kept the country informed for 25…
The European Union has made progress towards having at least 50 Hydrogen Valleys – local industrial or transport clusters where renewable hydrogen supply feeds local demand – under construction or operational by 2030, but important work still needs to be done.Today, the Commission published a Staff Working Document outlining the strategic priorities and actions that are currently ongoing or planned. They comprise:The Commission will support a ‘Hydrogen Valley Facility’ through the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership under Horizon Europe, to help early-stage Hydrogen Valleys mature to the point where they can start construction.Building on the recently relaunched European Hydrogen Observatory, a new Clean…
Wide majorities of Biden and Trump supporters oppose cuts to Social Security The Washington Monument casts a shadow on the Federal Triangle area of Washington, D.C. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images) Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand Americans’ attitudes about U.S. government, such as its size and role. This report is based primarily on a survey of 8,709 adults, including 7,166 registered voters, from April 8 to 14, 2024. Some of the analysis in this report is based on a survey of 8,638 adults from May 13 to 19, 2024. Everyone who took part in these surveys is a member…
WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor announced its Employee Benefits Security Administration today issued a report to Congress on an interpretive bulletin related to fiduciary standards when selecting an annuity provider for a defined benefit pension plan. Interpretive Bulletin 95-1, which outlines these Employee Retirement Income Security Act fiduciary requirements, was first issued in 1995. EBSA issued this report in response to a SECURE 2.0 Act directive to review the bulletin, consult with the ERISA Advisory Council and determine whether any amendments are necessary.The bulletin lists factors that a fiduciary must consider when evaluating an annuity provider’s ability to pay claims and…
With nine days to go until the general election, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will turn his attention momentarily from the campaign to entertain Japan’s royals in London. And, of course, Westminster will also be looking ahead to England’s final group game of the Euros against Slovenia tonight. Here’s what to look out for today: Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the U.S. government struck a deal that will allow him to return home to Australia this week. He is pleading guilty to a felony charge of conspiring to disseminate classified information. Full details here. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and…
Americans are evenly divided in their preferences for the size of government. Yet a somewhat greater share wants the government to do more to solve problems than say it is doing too much better left to others. There is a persistent belief that government is wasteful: 56% say it is “almost always wasteful and inefficient.” However, a majority of Americans (58%) say government regulation of business is necessary to protect the public good. Divisions on government’s size, scope Overall, 49% say they would prefer a smaller government providing fewer services, while 48% say they would rather have a bigger government…