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.…
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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…
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the public comment period for its proposed rule to protect workers from extreme heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces to remain open until Jan. 14, 2025.As published in the Federal Register on Aug. 30, 2024, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings had an initial 120-day public comment period scheduled to end on Dec. 30, 2024. OSHA is extending the deadline for submitting comments to provide stakeholders more time to review the proposed…
The United States congratulates European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative Kaja Kallas, and the new College of Commissioners as they assume office. The United States and Europe are steadfast partners who share democratic values and enjoy strong people-to-people connections. We look forward to working with the new Commission and Council leadership, along with the European Parliament and its President Roberta Metsola and the member states of the European Union. When the United States and European Union work together, we foster global security, prosperity, and democratic values that benefit the world. Source_link
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Good morning, everyone. Many thanks to the Irish Banking and Payments Federation and to the Federation of International Banks in Ireland for inviting me to speak here today. Firstly, I would like to commend the organisers for the timing of the event. In the last six months we have had European elections, US elections, and last but certainly not least, we will have Irish elections next Friday. It is certainly timely to come together to discuss the future of international financial markets.And I am delighted to be here having this discussion in Dublin, which has cemented itself as a major centre of…
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the rapidly developing situation in Syria. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Fidan discussed the need for de-escalation and the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure in Aleppo and elsewhere. They also discussed ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the need to bring the war to an end and secure the release of all hostages. Source_link
In her confirmation hearing held on 6 November 2024, Commissioner‑designate Maria Luís Albuquerque stood before the European Parliament to outline her vision and objectives as the prospective Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union. With a career spanning over three decades in economics and finance, Ms Albuquerque brings to the table a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to financial stability, competitiveness, and empowerment of EU citizens in the financial system.Members of the ECON Committee, along with those from the invited IMCO and LIBE committees, engaged in a comprehensive exchange with the Commissioner‑designate. They raised issues such as her approach to regulation and financial…
On behalf of the United States of America, I wish all Romanians a joyful celebration of the anniversary of your great unification, more than 100 years ago. Romania’s commitment to security and democracy in Europe is an inspiration for all nations. The United States is proud to work with you as you modernize your military and contribute to strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. Romania’s support for Ukraine, including welcoming refugees and providing security assistance, has bolstered the cause of freedom in the face of Russia’s aggression. Your leadership in helping Ukrainian grain reach global markets has helped feed the world. The…
The Commission has published today a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to support stakeholders in the implementation of the EU taxonomy, a classification system for sustainable economic activities. The publication, which aims to make the taxonomy easier to use, is part of the Commission’s simplification agenda and its effort to reduce the administrative burden on companies applying the EU sustainable finance framework.The FAQs provide technical clarifications regarding various elements of the EU taxonomy. Among other things, they cover the application of general taxonomy requirements and technical screening criteria for specific activities included in the Taxonomy Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts. They also address…
The decision by Georgian Dream to suspend Georgia’s EU accession process goes against the promise to the Georgian people enshrined in their constitution to pursue full integration into the European Union and NATO. By suspending Georgia’s EU accession process, Georgian Dream has rejected the opportunity for closer ties with Europe and made Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin. The Georgian people overwhelmingly support integration with Europe. The United States condemns the excessive use of force by police against Georgians seeking to exercise their rights to assembly and expression, including their freedom to peacefully protest. We call on all sides to…