Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha in Brussels. The Secretary underscored U.S. commitment to ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position on the battlefield by the end of 2024. He reaffirmed U.S. readiness to ramp up training of Ukrainian forces and improve Kyiv’s ability to defend against Russian air attacks through enhanced capabilities. The Secretary and Foreign Minister signed a memorandum of understanding in support of Ukraine’s energy resilience, which reflects U.S. intent to provide $825 million in new U.S. energy assistance to Ukraine. The two also discussed Ukraine’s irreversible path…
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Department preliminarily finds subminimum wages no longer necessary to prevent curtailment of employment opportunities WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposed rule that would phase out the issuance of certificates allowing employers to pay some workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour, for the work they perform.The rule proposes to gradually eliminate certificates employers can apply for under Section 14(c) of Fair Labor Standards Act that allow them to pay certain workers with disabilities subminimum wages. The department proposes to discontinue the issuance of new certificates and establish a three-year phase-out period…
Ibrahim Thiaw, the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was speaking at the opening of COP16 a major global conference taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where a new global drought regime is expected to be agreed which will promote the shift from reactive relief response to proactive preparedness. Here’s what you need to know about droughts. Droughts are increasing in regularity and intensity Droughts are a natural phenomenon, but in recent decades have been intensified by climate change and unsustainable land practices. Their number has surged by nearly 30 per cent in frequency and intensity…
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels ahead of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting. Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Rutte discussed key Alliance priorities such as concrete steps to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s aggression and strengthening NATO partnerships in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sahel regions. Secretary Blinken and Secretary General Rutte welcomed King Abdullah II of Jordan’s participation for the first time at a Foreign Ministers Meeting as an integral step for increasing cooperation with NATO’s Southern partners. Both sides underscored the importance of Allies working collectively…
Twelve municipalities from across Ukraine are starting a transformative journey to climate-neutral rebuilding with support from the SUN4Ukraine initiative of the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. The announcement was made today at the conference on “State of Local Self Government: Challenges and Prospects” taking place in Kyiv on 2-3 December 2024. The event is organised by the Association of Ukrainian Cities, a SUN4Ukraine partner.SUN4Ukraine empowers Ukrainian cities to seamlessly integrate Climate Neutrality Plans into their recovery strategies, paving the way for sustainable and resilient urban development. The twelve selected municipalities will receive tailored expert support, participate in a comprehensive capacity-building programme, and…
Sod farm operator, landscaping retailer made improper deductions, misapplied exemptionTULSA, OK – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment and injunction to recover $72,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 20 workers whose Oklahoma employer misapplied the agriculture exemption to retail workers and did not pay overtime to employees who worked more than 40 hours per week regularly. Entered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, the Oct. 18, 2024, judgment against Robert K. Cook, III, operator of Rob’s Sod Inc., and Cook’s Farmland Enterprises LLC, operating as Green Acre Sod Farm, Green Acre…
It’s a personal victory for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who campaigned to get this proposal through EU governments, and whose pet pony Dolly was killed by a wolf in 2022. Countries that supported the proposal included Andorra, Armenia, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, North Macedonia, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Switzerland and Ukraine, along with all 27 EU members. The United Kingdom rejected it, as did Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Monaco and Albania, while Tunisia and Turkey abstained, according to two people in the room. “The change will enter into force in three months, unless at least one third of the Parties to the Council of Europe’s…
Renewed fighting last week led by the terrorist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other armed factions has engulfed parts of Aleppo, Idlib and Hama, destabilising frontlines that had remained unchanged since 2020. UN human rights office (OHCHR) spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva of “a number of extremely concerning incidents resulting in multiple civilian casualties, including a high number of women and children, stemming from attacks by both HTS and by pro-Government forces”. “The hostilities are resulting in destruction and damage to civilian objects, including health facilities, buildings hosting institutions dedicated to education, and food markets,” he added.…
The legitimate protests were dispersed using disproportionate and, in some cases, unnecessary force by the police in the capital, Tbilisi, according to the statement from High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Dozens of protesters and media workers were reportedly injured during the demonstrations sparked by a prime ministerial announcement postponing negotiations on joining the European Union. Security forces reportedly used pepper spray, water cannons and chemical irritants against protesters and journalists. Some were also reportedly chased and beaten by unidentified assailants. “The use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against protesters and media workers is extremely worrying,” said Mr. Türk.…
Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources (ENR) Geoffrey R. Pyatt will travel to the United Kingdom and France December 3-6 for the Resourcing Tomorrow Conference in London and International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Conference on Energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Paris. He will also attend a series of ministerial meetings on energy security, critical minerals, and our support to Ukraine. At Resourcing Tomorrow, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will deliver a keynote speech addressing the intersection of energy security and energy transition, including the role of diversifying critical mineral supply chains and competitiveness in clean and renewable energy technologies. He will also…