agr June 2024: Top 10 Bernews Instagram Photos By bernews.com Published On :: Sun, 30 Jun 2024 22:00:55 +0000 During June 2024, the top 10 ‘most liked’ photos on the Bernews Instagram page included Kebobs On The Curve restaurant’s opening, Bermuda Carnival images, Olympics siblings Emma & Jack Harvey, Modern Gent Dapper Lounge And Spa’s opening, a collision on Harbour Road, ValeVibe party at Clearwater and the Bermuda flag in Hamilton. #1 – Kebobs […] Full Article All Photos #Instagram #SocialMedia
agr July 2024: Top 10 Bernews Instagram Photos By bernews.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:45:01 +0000 During July 2024, the top 10 ‘most liked’ photos on the Bernews Instagram page included Jack Harvey winning his heat in the Olympics, BermudAir’s ‘Kids Fly Free’ promotion, supporters at the Olympics, Yan-Xia Rogers being called to Bermuda Bar, Eastern County Cup Cricket Competition, Jah-Nhai Perinchief, Dara Alizadeh & Emma Harvey at the Olympics and […] Full Article All News Photos #Instagram #SocialMedia
agr Aug 2024: Top 10 Bernews Instagram Photos By bernews.com Published On :: Sat, 31 Aug 2024 23:00:15 +0000 During August 2024, the top 10 most liked photos on the Bernews Instagram page included a baby girl being born during Hurricane Ernesto, a raft up in the West End, BELCO workers reparing a power outage, the Bacchanal Run event, Donna Raynor meeting Snoop Dogg, Somerset winning Cup Match, a map view of power outages […] Full Article All Photos #Instagram #SocialMedia
agr Sept 2024: Top 10 Bernews Instagram Photos By bernews.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:00:13 +0000 During September 2024, the top 10 ‘most liked’ photos on the Bernews Instagram page included Yushae DeSilva-Andrade finishing 4th in the 2024 Paralympics, ‘Zhamir Strong’ 6K Family Fun Walk, Run & Roll event, Northshore Medical awarding Toya Anderson $40K Scholarship, Jessica Lewis finishing 5th in the 100m at Paralympics, Zyon Minors, Asia Seymour & Shea-Lah […] Full Article All News Photos technology #Instagram #SocialMedia
agr Oct 2024: Top 10 Bernews Instagram Photos By bernews.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:00:52 +0000 During October 2024, the top 10 ‘most liked’ photos on the Bernews Instagram page included Bermuda Credit Union Co-op. Society appointing Ryan Robinson Perinchief, 2024 Bermuda Gombey Festival, the Somerset Bridge, microscopic view of Bermuda beach, Fenty Beauty launch event, BF&M Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, police seizing two firearms, Pronto’s brick & mortar outlet, Royal […] Full Article All Photos technology #Instagram #SocialMedia
agr Fenty Beauty, Skin & Fragrance Launch Today By bernews.com Published On :: Thu, 24 Oct 2024 13:51:59 +0000 Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, and Fenty Fragrance will officially launch at 59 Front in Hamilton today [Oct 24]. A spokesperson said, “Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, and Fenty Fragrance have officially landed at 59 Front, with the full collection available starting at 4:30 PM on Thursday, October 24, the company announced today. “To celebrate, the line […] Full Article All Business Entertainment Style & Beauty #BeautySalons #BermudaBusiness #FentyBeauty
agr West Hamilton: Agreement & Plan Of Merger By bernews.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Mar 2023 18:16:12 +0000 West Hamilton Holdings Limited has “entered into an agreement and plan of merger with Princess West Limited which will result in the sale of 69 and 71 Pitts Bay Road, representing approximately 86 percent of the Company’s property assets. The filing said, “In a filing with the Bermuda Stock Exchange West Hamilton Holdings Limited, is […] Full Article All Business #BermudaBusiness #BusinessMergers
agr BF&M & Argus Announce Merger Agreement By bernews.com Published On :: Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:32:03 +0000 BF&M and Argus Group announced today that they “have signed a definitive amalgamation agreement, pursuant to which BF&M and Argus will combine in an all-stock transaction.” A spokesperson said, “The transaction is subject to required regulatory approvals and shareholder approval with a planned completion date for the amalgamation in the fourth quarter of 2024. The amalgamation “Under […] Full Article All Business News #ArgusGroup #BermudaBusiness #BF&MLimited #BFMArgusMerger #BusinessMergers
agr 【 Instagramはじめました 】 By takuming.seesaa.net Published On :: Thu, 21 May 2020 10:21:18 +0900 柄にもないのですがhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CAY09e-Jcjk/?igshid=1jbj9ojaubyy7もし宜しかったら『8日で死ぬ怪獣の12日間の物語』この子の成長、進化も見守ってやって下さいhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtt5h2o3ddfAQk3fWNxlM95aTOCxFMnLe Full Article 日記
agr North Melbourne announces three-year Western Australia agreement - North Melbourne Football Club By news.google.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:30:00 GMT North Melbourne announces three-year Western Australia agreement North Melbourne Football ClubRoos end 14-year relationship amid bold new location for AFL games Fox SportsNorth Melbourne takes 'home' AFL matches to Western Australia ABC NewsEagles set for extra WA game West Coast Eagles Full Article
agr 49ers agree to 5-year, $92 million extension with CB Deommodore Lenoir By www.foxsports.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:51:46 -0500 San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has agreed to a five-year, $92 million extension to stay with the team instead of testing the free agent market next offseason Full Article nfl
agr This Bizarre Instagram Account Inserts Donald Trump Into Your Favorite Movies By cheezburger.com Published On :: Wed, 28 Aug 2019 07:00:00 -0700 Trump In Cinema is dedicated to displaying some of movie history's best moments with Donald Trump at the center of them. Some of these photoshops are too perfect. Others as just... troubling. Full Article donald trump movies photoshop
agr The first agricultural community of its kind in Ontario By inhabitat.com Published On :: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 16:30:00 +0000 Humans living in harmony with nature and with each other is really the goal of sustainable, environmentally-friendly design. And it is hardly a hip and modern idea, not unless you think the Stone Age is trendy. Long ago, people banded together in groups to live and work together as one community, rather than as individuals. Now, Castlepoint Numa is bringing this ancient idea into the modern era with an innovative design.[...] Full Article Landscape Architecture canada community agriculture post-format-gallery agricultural community
agr Why Is Instagram Content So Important? By www.rssground.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Apr 2019 14:21:09 +0000 You can hardly find a person who doesn’t know what Instagram is. And you can barely find internet marketers who don’t use Instagram in their marketing campaigns. Instagram is very popular and some even think that it will overtake Facebook. Actually, Facebook and Instagram are now closely collaborated, which only strengthens both of them. […] The post Why Is Instagram Content So Important? appeared first on RSSground.com. Full Article RSS Ground News
agr New Instagram Feeds Generator! By www.rssground.com Published On :: Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:26:13 +0000 We are glad to announce a new tool added to RSS Ground collection - Instagram Feeds. The post New Instagram Feeds Generator! appeared first on RSSground.com. Full Article RSS Ground News content discovery content feeds generator Instagram feeds
agr Meet Brand New Instagram Poster By www.rssground.com Published On :: Wed, 16 Jun 2021 16:00:19 +0000 We are glad to introduce our brand new automated Instagram Poster! Instagram is a very popular social network that allows you to attract more visitors and customers with your marketing campaigns. You can now send images from your favorite content feeds to your Instagram accounts. Read: Instagram Poster user guidePlease note, that you are able to […] The post Meet Brand New Instagram Poster appeared first on RSSground.com. Full Article RSS Ground News content distribution content publishing instagram poster RSS to Instagram social network publishing
agr The Art of Fragrance: The Secrets Behind the High Cost of Exclusive Perfumes By www.star2.org Published On :: Mon, 28 Aug 2023 14:58:44 +0000 An alluring scent can restore unforgettable memories, evoke emotions, rejuvenate mood, and enhance one’s presence. Luxurious fragrances expressing your personality cost an extra penny. Out of curiosity, imagine why these exclusive perfumes are way more expensive. Premium perfumes are masterpieces of pleasant aromas, luxurious packaging, and exceptional quality. Dossier perfume is an exclusive scent inspired ... Read more The post The Art of Fragrance: The Secrets Behind the High Cost of Exclusive Perfumes appeared first on Star Two. Full Article Style Art of Fragrance luxurious perfume marketing Packaging
agr Display data with the Repeat Signage datagrid By www.repeatsoftware.com Published On :: Sat, 12 Feb 2022 12:46:53 GMT 7-minute video shows you how to filter and display data in a datagrid as part of your digital signage software presentations for display on any screen, anywhere. This feature is available in Repeat Signage Corporate or Media Wall editions and is ideal for corporate offices to help keep staff updated on relevant information Full Article
agr Tomato Suspension Agreement Withdrawal Praised by FL Lawmakers By shark-tank.com Published On :: Sun, 17 Mar 2019 15:54:30 +0000 “Our domestic tomato industry has been harmed by Mexican producers dumping tomatoes in the U.S. market.” The post Tomato Suspension Agreement Withdrawal Praised by FL Lawmakers appeared first on Shark Tank. Full Article donald trump Featured florida Florida Politics Marco Rubio florida politics marco rubio mexico
agr James Roguski: Pandemic Agreement Aftermath – What You Need To Know (Video) By sonsoflibertymedia.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:17:37 +0000 The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body met on Monday, November 11, 2024 to consider calling for a special session of the World Health Assembly in the hopes of adopting the proposed “Pandemic Agreement” BEFORE the end of 2024. James Roguski joins me to clarify what is actually going on and why our voices must be a loud … Full Article Commentary News Videos
agr Boss Lewis '100% disagrees' England not fit enough By www.bbc.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:50:48 GMT England head coach Jon Lewis rejects accusations some of his players are not fit enough. Full Article
agr News24 Business | Instagram rolls out teen accounts as scrutiny mounts By www.news24.com Published On :: Tuesday Sep 17 2024 15:29:16 Meta Platforms is rolling out enhanced privacy and parental controls for Instagram accounts of users under 18 in a significant overhaul aimed at addressing growing concerns around the negative effects of social media. Full Article
agr News24 Business | Facebook, Instagram group bets on normal-looking AR glasses, celeb AI voices By www.news24.com Published On :: Thursday Sep 26 2024 11:49:14 Meta launched AI chatbots voiced by Hollywood celebrities including Judi Dench and John Cena on Wednesday, betting its billions of users are eager to embrace artificial intelligence. Full Article
agr What are the lasting impacts of the AUKUS agreement? By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Mon, 15 Aug 2022 21:32:19 +0000 What are the lasting impacts of the AUKUS agreement? Interview LJefferson 15 August 2022 Drawing on their International Affairs article, Jamal Barnes and Samuel Makinda outline the effect of AUKUS on Australia-France relations and the liberal order. Almost a year after the surprise announcement of the AUKUS treaty, its full diplomatic implications are still being understood. The security cooperation agreement between Australia, the US and the UK caused outrage in France and was a notable source of discord between states that see themselves as defenders of the liberal international order. In this interview Jamal Barnes and Samuel Makinda discuss their recent article in International Affairs and assess the effect of the agreement on relationships between its signatories and France and the EU, the potential for reconciliation in the treaty’s aftermath, as well as the implications it has for trust in world politics. What was the AUKUS treaty and why did Australia sign it? The AUKUS treaty is an agreement between Australia, the US and the UK. Signed in 2021, it facilitates cooperation on security issues in the Indo-Pacific between the three countries – specifically, it concerns the sharing of ‘military capabilities and critical technologies, such as cyber, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and undersea domains’. A key aspect is that Australia will purchase nuclear-fuelled submarines from either the US or UK. Australia decided to purchase nuclear-powered submarines – and reneged on its 2016 agreement to purchase French-built diesel-propelled submarines – because it believed that the French-made submarines were no longer fit for purpose. The AUKUS agreement reflects the increased attention that the US, UK and Australia are paying to the Indo-Pacific and their commitment to constraining China’s exercise of power in the region. However, the agreement is about more than submarines. Although Australia, the UK and US argue that AUKUS is designed to defend the rules-based international order and help ‘preserve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific’, AUKUS has been largely seen as a response to the rise of China and its military activities in the region. The AUKUS agreement reflects the increased attention that the US, UK and Australia are paying to the Indo-Pacific and their commitment to constraining China’s exercise of power in the region. What were the effects of the AUKUS treaty on relations between Australia and France? It led to a serious diplomatic rift. Australian officials, including former Prime Minister Morrison, had visited President Macron in France and told him nothing about AUKUS. Morrison had assured Macron in June 2021 while former Australian foreign and defence ministers had assured their French counterparts that Australia was fully committed to the purchase of French submarines just two weeks before the announcement of AUKUS. France was not only left out of talks but was also betrayed by a country it considered a close ally. When French officials found out about AUKUS on the day it was announced on 15 September 2021, they declared publicly that they had been betrayed and stabbed in the back. Not only had France built its relationship with Australia on trust, but its relationship was more than just about submarines. It was designed to be central to France’s 50-year engagement strategy in the Indo-Pacific. However, France was not only left out of talks but was also betrayed by a country it considered a close ally. France responded by temporarily recalling its ambassador and stated that it would ‘redefine’ its relationship with Australia. It did not say that it would not work with Australia, but rather downgraded its relationship to one where it would only do so on a case-by-case basis. In your article you mention that the AUKUS treaty was seen as a betrayal of trust by France in particular. Why use the word ‘betrayal’? The word betrayal is accurate because Australia’s actions went beyond simply cancelling a business contract. Australia breached France’s trust. Not all agreements involve trust. Some are driven by self-interest while others are simply legal contracts. When these agreements are broken, the usual response is feelings of disappointment and a belief that one party is unreliable and has not lived up to its end of the agreement. However, when diplomatic partnerships involve trust, they often contain an emotional element. A key element of trust is that one party makes itself vulnerable to another in the expectation that neither party will take advantage. When that trust is breached, the response is different from a breach of contract. It involves feelings of betrayal as deeper emotional factors are involved. This could be seen in President Macron’s anger, and his and other French officials’ willingness to publicly call Prime Minister Morrison a liar who had stabbed France in the back. If the previous France-Australia agreement was simply a legal contract, it would have been difficult to explain the emotional element of this diplomatic fallout. How did the signing of the AUKUS treaty affect wider relations between members of AUKUS and EU member states? The EU, like France, felt betrayed by the AUKUS announcement. Despite being a key ally of the US, Australia, and the UK, it was left out of AUKUS discussions, and was not aware of the agreement until it was announced in the media. For the EU, this was the latest in a long line of recent policy betrayals that had left it uncertain if it could trust key allies on important issues. What made this worse was that the EU was in the process of announcing its Indo-Pacific strategy, which was characterized as ‘maybe one of the [EU’s] most important geopolitical documents’ by High Representative for Foreign and Security Affairs, Josep Borrell. For the EU, this was the latest in a long line of recent policy betrayals that had left it uncertain if it could trust key allies on important issues. The result was greater calls from within the EU to more forcefully pursue ‘strategic autonomy’, meaning a more assertive and independent EU foreign policy. Do betrayals of trust affect the health of the liberal international order? Yes, they can. While it is common for leaders in liberal democracies to lie to their own people, lying to the leaders of other countries can have serious repercussions for the norms, rules and institutions of international society. A key aspect of international society is the ‘presumption of trust’ that facilitates legal compliance and diplomatic cooperation. Without this presumption it is difficult for states to engage in long term partnerships or have confidence that diplomatic agreements will be upheld. In our article, we highlight how Australia’s violation of a particular norm, that agreements must be kept, has undermined this presumption of trust. This norm not only helps build trust between states, but also contributes to the maintenance of international order by helping to support the presumption of trust in international society. Full Article
agr Undercurrents: Episode 60 - Protecting Human Rights in Trade Agreements By brightcove.hs.llnwd.net Published On :: Mon, 29 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0100 Full Article
agr Agri-food transitions and the “green public sphere” in China By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 15:31:14 +0000 Source Science Direct URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210422418300121 Release date 01 March 2019 Expert Dr Sam Geall In the news type Op-ed Hide date on homepage Full Article
agr The EU’s Un-Common Agricultural Policy By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:50:01 +0000 The EU’s Un-Common Agricultural Policy 21 October 2019 — 8:30AM TO 10:00AM Anonymous (not verified) 27 September 2019 Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE Despite its name, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides support to the agricultural sector that varies widely between the 27 member states. The OECD calculates the extent of this support at the EU level but members have blocked the organization calculating support levels for individual EU members. Overall, the EU’s producer support is equivalent to 20 per cent of farm income which is well-above the levels seen in the US at 12.2 per cent and China at 14.3 per cent. This roundtable will discuss the first estimates of support levels by EU countries produced by Ian Mitchell from the Center for Global Development. It will look at both direct subsidies under the CAP and those that inflate market prices. The discussion will consider the implications for EU finance, for the potential role of EU subsidy reform and for the UK’s options after Brexit. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. Full Article
agr What does sustainable agriculture mean? By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Wed, 11 May 2022 15:12:13 +0000 What does sustainable agriculture mean? 24 May 2022 — 5:30PM TO 6:30PM Anonymous (not verified) 11 May 2022 Chatham House and Online Experts compare and contrast visions of ‘sustainable’ agriculture. There is growing and unprecedented recognition of the adverse effects of food systems on global warming, air and water pollution, biodiversity, soil, and managing the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. At the same time, concern is rising over the role of climate change itself in compromising food security, supply-chain resilience and food price spikes. Against this backdrop, the need for agriculture to become more ‘sustainable’ is clear. However, there is little consensus over what that means in practice. To address this, Chatham House is launching a new research paper comparing and contrasting the two most commonly articulated versions of ‘sustainable agriculture’. The first focuses on sparing land for nature and increasing the productivity of agricultural land while minimizing environmental impacts. The second involves scaling up nature-friendly farming while emphasizing demand-side changes to reduce the overall pressure on land. How can we understand the arguments in support of either version and the assumptions and ideologies which underpin them? What are the implications of promoting one version of agriculture over the other How can policy transform agriculture and food systems? What should civil society support as ‘sustainable’ choices? Full Article
agr Clearer Role for Business Regulators Needed in Monitoring Trade Agreements By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Mon, 06 Jul 2020 17:23:33 +0000 6 July 2020 Dr Jennifer Ann Zerk Associate Fellow, International Law Programme As the economic recovery from coronavirus is worked through, careful steps are needed to ensure actions to enforce human rights commitments in trade agreements do not worsen human rights impacts. 2020-07-06-Cambodia-Workers-Rights Garment workers hold stickers bearing US$177 during a demonstration to demand an increase of their minimum salary in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images. Trade policy is a blunt instrument for realizing human rights. Although many trade agreements now include commitments on human rights-related issues - particularly labour rights - not everyone agrees that linking trade to compliance with human rights norms is appropriate, let alone effective.Sceptics point out that such provisions may become an excuse for interference or ‘disguised protectionism’ and admittedly anyone would be hard-pressed to identify many concrete improvements which can be directly attributed to social and human rights clauses in trade agreements.This lack of discernible impact has a lot to do with weak monitoring and enforcement. A more fundamental problem is the tendency of trading partners to gloss over – both in the way that commitments are framed and in subsequent monitoring efforts – significant implementation gaps between the standards states sign up to, and the reality.Working from ‘baseline’ international standards and treating each state’s human rights treaty ratification record as an indicator of compliance does offer objective verifiability. But it also means underlying economic, structural, cultural, social, and other problems, often go unidentified and unaddressed in the trading relationship.Regulatory failings of trading partnersThose with sufficient leverage can use dispute resolution or enforcement proceedings to signal displeasure at the regulatory failings of their trading partners, as recently shown by the European Commission (EC) in relation to labour violations by trading partners – against South Korea under the 2011 EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Cambodia under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) scheme.These actions do show a more proactive and rigorous EU approach to monitoring and enforcement and have been largely welcomed – especially by trade unions – as a necessary political response to persistent failings by the states to address violations of fundamental labour rights. However, claiming any major victories on behalf of the workers who produce the goods being traded seems premature.The ‘implementation gaps’ - between human rights commitments made in a state-to-state context and the reality of the human rights situation on the ground - mean there may be cases where enforcement action under a trading arrangement, such as the removal of trade preferences, may actually make things worse. Some local unions have expressed concern that the EU action against Cambodia may be detrimental to vulnerable migrant women factory workers, especially in the context of a worsening economic situation due to the pandemic.Making stakeholder voices heardThere are routes through which people with first-hand knowledge of human rights-related problems arising from trading relationships – such as labour rights abuses in global supply chains – can make their voices heard. Unions have used consultative bodies set up under trade agreements to highlight labour abuses in trading partner countries - this helped to shift the Commission’s strategy towards South Korea.But the rather vague and open-ended mandates of these consultative bodies, and their reliance on cash-strapped civil society organisations to do much of the heavy lifting, means they are not a solid basis for systematic follow-up of human rights problems.And yet, every country is likely to have a number of agencies with interests and expertise in these issues. Beyond labour inspectorates, this could include environmental regulators, licensing bodies, ombudsmen, national healthcare bodies, special-purpose commissions, ‘responsible business’ oversight and certification bodies, local government authorities and national human rights institutions.At present these groups are barely mentioned in trade agreements with monitoring frameworks for human rights. And if they do feature, there tends to be little in the agreement terms to guarantee their participation.To seriously address implementation gaps, there needs to be much greater and more systematic use of these domestic regulatory bodies in human rights monitoring and enforcement activities. These bodies are potentially vital sources of information and analysis about the many different social, economic, environmental and human rights consequences of trade, and can also contribute to designing and delivering ‘flanking measures’ needed to assist with the mitigation of human rights-related risks or adverse impacts which have been detected.Looking further ahead, monitoring practitioners may find - as those involved in the EU GSP+ scheme have already noticed - that close and visible engagement with domestic regulatory bodies helps strengthen a regulator in getting clearer political support and better resources. It can also help with greater ‘buy-in’ to human rights reform agendas, creating conditions for a positive legacy in the form of more confident, committed, and capable domestic regulatory bodies.Paying more attention to synergies that exist between the work of domestic regulatory bodies and the principles and objectives which cause states to seek human rights commitments from their trading partners is a vital contribution to the concept of ‘building back better’ from the present crisis.The goal should be to move from the present system – which veers between largely ineffective consultative arrangements and adversarial, often high stakes, dispute resolution – to more cooperative and collaborative systems which draw more proactively from the knowledge and expertise of domestic regulatory bodies, not only in the identification and monitoring of risks, but also in the delivery of jointly agreed strategies to address them.This article is part of the Chatham House Global Trade Policy Forum, promoting research and policy recommendations on the future of global trade. 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agr Is the Juba Peace Agreement a Turning Point for Sudan? By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Mon, 14 Sep 2020 13:34:19 +0000 14 September 2020 Dame Rosalind Marsden Associate Fellow, Africa Programme @MarsdenRosalind Sudan is looking towards a brighter future after the initialling of the Juba peace agreement on August 31, an important first step towards bringing peace to the conflict zones and laying the foundation for democratic transition and economic reform throughout the country. 2020-09-14-Sudan-Peace-Deal-Juba Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Lt General Abdel Fattah al Burhan (left), South Sudan President Salva Kiir (centre) and the Sudanese Prime Minister Dr Abdalla Hamdok (right) greet people gathering during the initialling of the Sudan peace deal with the rebel groups in Juba, South Sudan. Photo by AKUOT CHOL/AFP via Getty Images. Although there is a long road ahead to achieve sustainable peace and formidable challenges remain, the hope is Sudan can turn the page on decades of war that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced, particularly in Darfur and the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile).The peace agreement, between Sudan’s transitional government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), a broad alliance of armed and other movements, and Minni Minawi’s Sudan Liberation Movement, is not yet comprehensive as it did not include two other important armed movements.Expected to be formally signed in early October, the deal has been hailed as a ’historic achievement’ by the UN secretary-general, and the international community also commended the government of South Sudan for its positive role as mediator and urged hold-out groups to join the peace process. Much does depend on delivering on the agreement, and the experience of implementing past peace accords in Sudan has been dismal, particularly when it comes to bringing tangible benefits to people on the ground.What potentially makes the Juba agreement different is that Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government aspires to deliver peace, justice and democracy in line with the goals of the revolution; that the agreement was negotiated between the Sudanese themselves, with a light touch from the South Sudanese mediation and low-key logistical and technical support from the international community; and that much of the negotiations were conducted between former comrades, in marked contrast to the confrontational atmosphere that prevailed during the Bashir era.As Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok put it: ’This is a Sudanese peace, made with our own hands and by our own efforts’ and: ’This is not a paper agreement, but is a living organism that needs care, attention and political will from all of us’.Achievements of the agreementThe result of almost one year’s hard work in Juba, the agreement is comprehensive in scope and addresses the fundamental issues of Sudan’s crises in Darfur, the Two Areas and other marginalized regions, albeit in a mixture of regional and national protocols. It goes a long way to realizing the vision of a democratic ‘New Sudan’ based on respect for the diversity of the Sudanese people and equal citizenship without religious, ethnic, cultural or gender discrimination.There is a focus on the concerns of historically marginalized populations in Sudan’s conflict zones and disadvantaged areas, and it addresses root causes of conflict, such as issues of identity, marginalization, the relationship between religion and state, governance, resource-sharing, land issues, social justice, and equality at the national level.The deal also looks to resolve the consequences of conflict, such as humanitarian relief, the safe and voluntary return of IDPs and refugees to their original lands and compensation, eviction of illegal settlers and the development and reconstruction of the conflict-affected areas. It provides for significant devolution of power and resources to the regions, including autonomy for the Two Areas and restoration of a single Darfur region. On transitional justice, the government has committed to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ensure Bashir and others subject to arrest warrants will ‘appear before’ the ICC.This deal will change the face of the transitional government by bringing marginalized forces to the centre of the political process. The transitional period will extend to 2023, with the armed movements having three seats in the (currently 11-member) Sovereign Council and 25% of seats in the Cabinet and soon-to-be-formed Legislative Assembly.The power-sharing provisions have been criticized as disproportionate to the size of the movements’ political constituencies and military presence inside Sudan. But the movements argue significant representation in the government is necessary to support implementation and that their arrival in Khartoum will help to strengthen the transition to democracy.Establishing a single, national professional army, reflective of the diversity of Sudan and with a new military doctrine opens the way for much-needed comprehensive security sector reform. During the transition, this will include the creation of a 12,000 strong joint force between government security forces and the armed movements to help protect civilians in Darfur. Importantly, mechanisms allowing for civilian input on security reforms are also established.The deal also guarantees religious freedom and the separation of religion from politics. This ensures religion will not be exploited by state institutions as it was during the Bashir-era, provides for the constitution to be based on equal citizenship, and for the establishment of a National Commission for Religious Freedom to protect the rights of Christians and other minorities. In the Two Areas, the autonomous government will have special legislative powers to pass laws based on the secular 1973 Constitution.Increasing inclusivityKey to achieving inclusive and sustainable peace is ensuring popular ownership and finding ways to engage civil society stakeholders and marginalized communities such as nomads in dialogue, reconciliation and social peace initiatives. The negotiations were mainly a top-down elitist process. Although the UN brought IDPs, tribal leaders and women’s groups to Juba for short periods, there was limited participation by civil society. However, the agreement provides for a wider range of stakeholders to feed into a comprehensive peace through reconciliation and transitional justice mechanisms, follow-on conferences and an inclusive National Constitutional Conference.Achieving a comprehensive peace will also mean bringing other armed movements on board, particularly those led by Abdel Aziz Al Hilu and Abdel Wahid Al Nur, both of whom hold significant territory, forces and support (in the Two Areas and Darfur respectively). Negotiations in Juba with Abdel Aziz had stalled over his demands for a secular state or, failing that, the right to self-determination, but he has now reached a preliminary agreement with Prime Minister Hamdok on a way forward.Other challenges of implementing peaceTurning the peace agreement into reality on the ground will face many other challenges given the fragility of a civilian-military transitional government, distrust, and competition between the signatory movements and some political parties, as well as increasing insecurity in many parts of the country caused by armed militias, inter-tribal violence, the proliferation of weapons, and sabotage by elements of the former regime. There is also likely to be resistance from groups such as illegal settlers who see their interests being threatened.With its economy in meltdown because of economic mismanagement by the Bashir regime, COVID-19, and unprecedented floods, finding resources to implement the peace deal is far beyond the means of Sudan’s cash-strapped government. Implementation therefore requires sustained and generous support from its regional and international partners, including the country’s urgent removal from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which is preventing debt relief, access to concessionary loans and large-scale foreign investment. With donor budgets under heavy pressure, raising money will be hard, but by continuing to support a nascent democracy in a strategically important but unstable region, Sudan’s allies will be safeguarding their long-term interests.If properly implemented, the Juba peace agreement is a major first step towards creating a ‘New Sudan’ based on peace, equal citizenship and social justice. Key tests of whether Sudan can finally turn the page are whether the signatory movements and other revolutionary forces can unite to deliver the dividends of peace for the victims of Sudan’s conflicts, and embrace inclusion rather than tribalism and narrow political affiliation; whether the remaining armed movements are ready to start serious negotiations for a comprehensive peace; and whether Sudan now receives the support and attention it deserves from the international community. Surely Sudan has already come too far for this historic opportunity to be lost. Full Article
agr Subsidies and Sustainable Agriculture: Mapping the Policy Landscape By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Tue, 10 Dec 2019 18:36:21 +0000 Subsidies and Sustainable Agriculture: Mapping the Policy Landscape Research paper sysadmin 10 December 2019 Agricultural subsidies shape production and consumption patterns, with potentially significant effects on poverty, nutrition and other sustainability concerns. This paper maps the different types of support provided by governments to the agricultural sector, and highlights some of the complex political economy dynamics that underpin the relevant policies. — Aerial view of a wheat field on 24 May 2019 in Linyi, Shandong Province of China. Photo: Getty Images. Summary Agricultural subsidies, a mainstay of government policy, have a large part in shaping production and consumption patterns, with potentially significant effects as regards poverty, food security, nutrition, and other sustainability concerns such as climate change, land use practices and biodiversity. There are multiple types of direct and indirect support provided by governments to various actors in the agricultural sector; and in terms of political economy, there are complex dynamics underpinning the policies that sustain these subsidies. Overall, subsidies targeting producers have the most significant effect on production, and the greater trade-distorting effect. These subsidies promote domestic production and discourage imports, leading to overproduction that is largely disposed of on the international market, with the help of export subsidies. This can tend to intensify negative environmental agricultural practices, such as cultivating marginal land, unsustainable types of intensification, or incentivizing excessive pesticide and fertilizer use. On the other hand, producer subsidies that are not tied to output of a specific commodity (i.e. delinked) have far fewer distorting impacts and could help to deliver sustainable outcomes. For example, this type of subsidies can require crop diversification or be linked to conservation of permanent grassland. Subsidies that enable transfers to consumers, for example through food stamp programmes, also serve to delink production from consumption, can foster healthier diets, can play an important role in delivering food accessibility and security among low-income groups, and can represent one of the less trade-distorting subsidies. If subsidies are to be reformed to help promote healthier diets and encourage more sustainable production, it is essential to understand not only the type and amount of support that key countries provide, but also the domestic dynamics that can shape such policies. While price support, input subsidies or investment aids remain the central pillars of programmes in large developing countries such as Brazil, China or India, other economies – notably including the EU and Japan – focus on direct payments, support for general services and set-aside schemes, as well as significant border protection. The US, for its part, has tended to focus on subsidized insurance schemes and food programmes for poorer consumers. If subsidies are to deliver policy objectives, their design and implementation should delink production from consumption. For example, consumer subsidies designed to deliver nutrition and food security, or payments for environmental services to enable more environmentally friendly production systems, could prove to be the most effective, least trade-distorting means of achieving more sustainable and equitable agricultural production. The political economy of food means that the removal of subsidies is often highly sensitive, and tends to be met with significant resistance. However, reform that delinks support from production through a gradual transition process could ultimately prove successful in delivering effective subsidy schemes. Effective subsidy schemes must by design be truly result- and performance-based, supported by robust and objective indicators. At the same time, engaging multiple actors along key commodity value chains – including leading importing and exporting countries, traders and transporters – could lead to the development of international, commodity-specific arrangements that are able to deliver effective nutrition and sustainability goals. Subsidies and Sustainable Ag - Mapping the Policy Landscape FINAL-compressed (PDF) Full Article
agr Phillies, Sean Rodriguez agree to Minors deal By mlb.mlb.com Published On :: Fri, 8 Feb 2019 13:26:36 EDT The Phillies continued to bolster their infield depth on Friday by signing versatile veteran Sean Rodriguez to a Minor League contract with an invite to big league Spring Training, MLB.com has learned. Full Article
agr Zimbabwe Futures 2030: Policy Priorities for Industrialization, Agri-Business and Tourism By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Fri, 21 Jun 2019 13:45:01 +0000 Zimbabwe Futures 2030: Policy Priorities for Industrialization, Agri-Business and Tourism 6 June 2019 — 9:30AM TO 1:15PM Anonymous (not verified) 21 June 2019 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe The government of Zimbabwe has committed itself to facilitating an open-market economy and industrialization including through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and new industrialization policy. To achieve industrialization and economic expansion, government will need to underpin markets with provision of public goods, entrepreneurial incentives and protect contract enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms. The private sector also has a role to play in working with government to create an environment conducive to inclusive and job creating economic growth. Discussions at this invitation only event will help to identify specific policy options to support inclusive long-term economic growth in Zimbabwe. This roundtable is part of an ongoing research process that aims to draw on senior private sector expertise to develop policy recommendations to support inclusive economic growth in Zimbabwe. A summary of the first roundtable can be found here. Attendance at this event is by invitation only. Full Article
agr Mozambique’s Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement: One Year On By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 15:15:01 +0000 Mozambique’s Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement: One Year On 6 August 2020 — 2:30PM TO 4:30PM Anonymous (not verified) 29 July 2020 Online August 6, 2020 marks one year since the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement was signed in Maputo. The agreement, signed by the President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi and RENAMO leader Ossufo Momade, and witnessed by regional and international political and religious leaders, ended the return to conflict that started in 2013. It also paved the way for Mozambique’s national elections in October 2019. Since the agreement, the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) won a landslide victory in the elections, weakening RENAMO, and a splinter group has conducted targeted armed violence in Manica and Sofala provinces. Yet, the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process has made progress. At this event, senior figures reflect on the peace agreement and the key factors of its success. The event also draws upon insights from the authors of recent publications on the latest peace agreement in the context of longer term trends of democratization and peace-building in Mozambique. A Chatham House Africa Programme research paper published in August 2019, Prospects for a Sustainable Elite Bargain in Mozambique: Third Time Lucky?, examined how the deal was achieved. The Portuguese version includes the full text of the peace accord. Read the research paper in Portuguese or English here. Full Article
agr Boeing machinists agree to new contract, ending weeks-long strike By www.upi.com Published On :: Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:28:03 -0500 Tens of thousands of striking Boeing machinists voted Monday to ratify a new contract, ending their seven-week work stoppage. Full Article
agr U.S., South Korea agree to greater cooperation on civil nuclear energy By www.upi.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:17:40 -0500 Earlier this month, the United States and the Republic of Korea reached an agreement on greater cooperation on civil nuclear energy projects, the U.S. Department of Energy said this week. Full Article
agr How regenerative agriculture brings life back to the land | Gabe Brown By www.ted.com Published On :: Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:43:06 +0000 Over his decades of farming and ranching, Gabe Brown has noticed a troubling trend: the conventional farming techniques he used were degrading the soil and harming nature. He shares how his family farm turned things around by adopting regenerative agricultural practices — and shows how the wider food system can use these same methods to improve food quality and revitalize the land. Full Article Higher Education
agr No More Snow Days, Thanks to Remote Learning? Not Everyone Agrees By www.edweek.org Published On :: 2020-11-23T15:11:02-05:00 An increasing number of schools are replacing snow days with remote learning, but some plan to stick with the snow day tradition for now. Full Article Education
agr Morocco's first South-South Cooperation agreement to benefit Guinea and other countries in Africa By www.fao.org Published On :: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT Building on previous efforts, the Kingdom of Morocco will offer technical assistance to the Republic of Guinea through a South-South Cooperation Tripartite Agreement signed today at FAO headquarters by FAO [...] Full Article
agr FAO and China team up in SSC tripartite agreement to boost local farmers in Namibia By www.fao.org Published On :: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMT FAO and China have signed a two-year tripartite cooperation agreement worth about N$10.5 million (US$1.5 million) that will boost the efforts of local farmers in Namibia. The agreement, which is [...] Full Article
agr FAO calls for “paradigm shift” towards sustainable agriculture and family farming By www.fao.org Published On :: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMT Policy makers should support a broad array of approaches to overhauling global food systems, [...] Full Article
agr Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Agriculture welcomes FAO transformational changes By www.fao.org Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 00:00:00 GMT Rome, 2 December 2014 – The Ministers of Agriculture of the European Union and of other Mediterranean countries welcomed FAO’s transformational changes implemented in the last two years, and underlined [...] Full Article
agr FAO Director-General highlights International Year of Soils to Agriculture Ministers in Berlin By www.fao.org Published On :: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT Berlin- FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva has highlighted some of the most important events on the organization’s 2015 calendar during meetings with agriculture ministers who attended the Global Forum [...] Full Article
agr THE HINDU: Agriculture can't remain the same, says FAO official By www.fao.org Published On :: Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT With rapid soil degradation, fast depletion of groundwater, excessive use of pesticides-fertilizers and extreme weather events all collectively putting stress on farming and forestry, it is time to recognise the [...] Full Article
agr EL PAÍS, Maria Helena Semedo: “Agriculture should be integrated in climate change policies” By www.fao.org Published On :: Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT MANUEL PLANELLES, EL PAÍS, Paris- “Agriculture is seen as a threat in the fight against climate change,” Maria Helena Semedo warns. The Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization [...] Full Article
agr International symposium on agricultural biotechnologies By www.fao.org Published On :: Thu, 04 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT February’s international symposium, entitled “The role of agricultural biotechnologies in sustainable food systems and nutrition”, will explore how the application of science and technology, and particularly agricultural biotechnologies, can benefit [...] Full Article
agr FAO tapped to lead a global dialogue to mainstream biodiversity in agriculture, forestry and fisheries By www.fao.org Published On :: Thu, 08 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT Cancun, Mexico. On [...] Full Article
agr Launch of The State of Food and Agriculture 2017 – Leveraging food systems for inclusive rural transformation By www.fao.org Published On :: Fri, 06 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT Since the 1990s, rural transformations have helped millions of people exit poverty while remaining in rural areas. This underscores an important fact: revitalising rural economies helps create jobs for rural [...] Full Article
agr The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2018 By www.fao.org Published On :: Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT The report will be released during a presentation on Monday, 17 September, at 11:30 CEST, in FAO-HQ, Sheikh Zayed Center. This new edition of the report focuses on the complex [...] Full Article
agr The State of Food and Agriculture 2018 By www.fao.org Published On :: Tue, 09 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT The report will be released during Press Conference on Monday, 15 October, at 1:00 PMRome time, in FAO-HQ, Sheikh Zayed Center. The Press Conference will be webcast [...] Full Article