SARAJEVO, 9 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in co-operation with the Fojnicani-Maglaj Association, facilitated today a visit to the National Museum of BiH in Sarajevo for 50 students and teachers of Zepce’s Fra Grga Martic and Maglaj primary schools and their branch schools in Bradici and Tujnica.

The aim of the excursion, a rare opportunity for the children to visit the capital, was to promote cultural values and help build a more tolerant and cohesive society in the Maglaj and Zepce municipalities.

During their visit, the students and school principals had the opportunity to meet with Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. “We should invest more effort in creating opportunities for children to spend time with each other and learn from each other,” said Moore.

“The children visited the Museum, which is always very inspirational for our pupils. They get creative and express their impressions in the classroom through essays and art projects,” said Ivo Bilonic, Principal of Fra Grga Martic primary school from Zepce.

Osman Mujdza, Principal of Maglaj primary school, said: “Our school has had a very successful co-operation with the OSCE Mission to BiH so far. This activity enables the children not only to familiarize themselves with the cultural and historic heritage of BiH but also to forge closer ties among each other.”  

Strengthening multi-ethnic co-operation and tolerance in local communities is an important part of this visit. “We want to contribute to developing a culture of peace and creating better conditions for those living in rural areas,” said Davor Supukovic, member of the Steering Board of the Fojnicani-Maglaj Association.

The visit was organized as part of the OSCE Mission’s efforts to create closer links between schools and local communities through education about the diversity of the peoples, religions and traditions of BiH as a source of respect and pride.

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NEUM, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized a two-day alumni meeting for over 20 students who attended the OSCE-organized Youth and Security Summer School when it was held for the first time last year. The peace and security studies students of the Universities of Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka discussed current security challenges and ways to promote youth participation in the development of a comprehensive security policy for BiH.

“The meeting is an excellent opportunity for enhancing the knowledge and capacity of future security professionals. It provides a platform for them to actively participate in developing and implementing security policy,” said Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “The recommendations they produced will be forwarded to the BiH Council of Ministers’ Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Monitoring and Implementation of Security Policy.”

Damjan Jugovic, student at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo and member of the OSCE’s Youth Advisory Group said: “This is a chance for us to get more acquainted with the work of different security and intelligence agencies in BiH and support the co-operation between students from different universities.”

The students also expressed hope that affiliation with the summer school would help them in their future careers. “Having met peers from Mostar and Banja Luka, I realized that we all think alike. We want change and a better future. I am sure the practical knowledge we gained from the school will increase our chances for employment,” said Jovana Bilinac, student at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo.

The main goal of the Summer School on Youth and Security of the OSCE Mission to BiH is to promote the development of democratic institutions through education of young security experts. The school provides a forum for them to discuss a wide range of security- and policy-related issues and increases their participation in political life as well as decision-making processes.

The organization of the alumni meeting was supported by the Hungarian Embassy in BiH. 

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Montenegro’s Demilitarization Programme (MONDEM) has had a positive impact on promoting the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, said the country’s Defence Minister Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic as she addressed the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in Vienna on 20 April 2016, under the Chairmanship of Poland.

Run by Montenegro’s Government, OSCE and UNDP, the Programme has since 2007 contributed to the reduction of the country’s surplus ordnances by 85 per cent, decrease in the number of munitions sites and closure of open-space storage facilities. There are still about 1,900 tonnes of ammunition and some 14,000 pieces of armaments pending destruction.

“The Programme has had a positive impact on human security, counter-proliferation policy, sub-regional confidence- and security-building measures, the national small arms and light weapons control strategy, public administration reform, reducing of environmental pollution and sustainable development,” said Pejanovic-Djurisic.

MONDEM is based on five components aimed at demilitarizing chemicals, ammunition and heavy weapons, developing safe storage infrastructure and enhancing the knowledge and abilities of personnel working in this area.

Pejanovic-Djurisic said that the expert support and assistance provided by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has contributed not only to the implementation of MONDEM but also to strengthening of democratic institutions and overall reforms in the country.

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VIENNA, 15 June 2016 – The twentieth anniversary of the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control Agreement, which served as a framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia to engage with each other in order to promote peace and stability in the region, was marked today in Vienna.

Almir Sahovic, Assistant Minister for Multilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressed that today was a good opportunity to reflect on the path the region went through in the last 20 years. “Our region was a synonym for problems and a source of instability. Our friends from the OSCE family and international community used to send military and police forces to help us sustain peace and stability. Today, we are the ones contributing with military and diplomatic missions to peace and stability around the world.”

The Agreement remains highly relevant for stability in the region as well as for the entire OSCE area and serves as a model for other OSCE regions.

“We see that the four State parties show mutual understanding, professionalism and confidence in their joint treaty activities,” said Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Germany to the OSCE Eberhard Pohl. “The Agreement continues to play a useful role in maintaining military stability in South Eastern Europe by promoting co-operation, transparency and predictability. Key to this is upholding the common political will for good development in the future. The members of the contact group stand ready to further support these activities.”

The Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Marcel Pesko highlighted how the commitments from the Article IV of Dayton Peace Agreement became actions. “The four countries of the region proved they can establish a stable military balance, reducing the risk of a new escalation of the conflict. This would not be possible without courage and political will to move the process forward.”

The ceremony included a photo-exhibition dedicated to the process of implementation of the Agreement. Distinguished individuals and organizations from the region received special recognition for their contribution to the process.

Bosnia and Hercegovina is currently a Chair of Sub-Regional Consultative Commission in accordance with Article IV, Annex 1-B to the Dayton Agreement.

Learn more about the transfer of ownership of regional stability and how targets of arms control were achieved even beyond the set limits.

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Youth Forum on “Role of youth in peace-building and ensuring stability in Kyrgyzstan: means of collaboration and cooperation in combating violent extremism and radicalism among youth” will gather some 50 youth and public officials from Tokmok and Osh cities as well as from Batken, Chuy, Osh, and Jalal-Abad provinces in Jalal-Abad city.

Participants will discuss problems in their local communities and country-wide and ways to co-operate closer on security matters in the future. The event focuses on discussion of measures on preventing and combating violent extremism and radicalization among youth in Kyrgyzstan. 

Representatives of the youth and public officials are expected to lay foundation for further co-operation between the authorities and youth as pertains to youth and security policies in the respective provinces/cities and country-wide.

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Staff of the National Centre of the Kyrgyz Republic for the Prevention of Torture, with support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek will conduct monitoring visits to the detention facilities in Isyk-Kul, Naryn and Talas provinces between 10 and 17 August. These visits aim at monitoring detention conditions and human rights situation in the closed facilities.

The monitoring findings will be included in the 2016 Annual Report of the National Centre for the Prevention of Torture.

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BERLIN/WARSAW, 8 April 2016 – Political leaders must play a primary role in in countering discrimination and prejudice against Roma and Sinti and improving their situation, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister, and Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said today, on the occasion of International Roma Day.

“Political leaders at all levels must be at the forefront of efforts to end the systematic discrimination and racism that have long afflicted Roma and Sinti communities and individuals in many countries in the OSCE region,” OSCE  Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier said. “They have to lead both by word, in delivering positive messages and not resorting to negative stereotypes and scapegoating, and by example, in ensuring the implementation of policies at all levels of government to promote the integration and full political, economic and social participation of Roma and Sinti in their societies.”

In particular, they condemned the use by some politicians of racist language and messages aimed either at promoting hatred towards Roma and Sinti or reinforcing negative stereotypes.

“Alarmingly, we still see instances where politicians resort to the politics of fear and hatred for their own perceived gain, thus stoking unfair and dangerous prejudice against Roma and Sinti. This contributes to an atmosphere in which members of Europe’s largest minority are in danger of being targeted with hate crimes, including violent assaults, and even murder,” Director Link said. “Leaders must not only refrain from such statements, but take a step further – they must publicly condemn racist speech and acts against Roma and Sinti, and counter racism and discrimination in a systematic way.”

The subject of racist, anti-Roma rhetoric used by politicians was addressed at a side event organized by ODIHR and the Central Council for German Sinti and Roma, during the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, on 30 September 2015, at which participants highlighted the important role of state institutions in overcoming racism.

The Organization’s work in this area is guided by the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE Area, adopted in 2003, which includes measures to combat racism and discrimination, to promote greater public and economic participation, and to ensure equal access and opportunities in the areas of education, employment, housing and health services.

“The blueprint for addressing racism and discrimination against Roma and Sinti and for improving their situation already exists, in the form of the Action Plan,” said Mirjam Karoly, Chief of ODIHR’s Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues. “Greater political will and leadership are vital to making this a reality.”

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A memorandum of understanding signed on 19 May 2016 by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development, and the Union of Government Employees NGO aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of the community civil service of Armenia’s municipalities, local self-government bodies, and to improve relevant legislation, bringing it in line with international standards to reduce corruption in public administration.

Initiatives will include professional and regular training on principles and international standards of integrity in civil service, corruption risks, detection and prevention of corruption, reforms to training and recruitment of community servants in the regions, identifying legislation containing corruption risks, and recommendations for systemic reform.

“We hope this joint endeavour will contribute to the government’s efforts in implementing the anti-corruption strategy and in promoting efficient and accountable governance in Armenia,” said the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan Ambassador Argo Avakov.

David Lokyan, Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Development underlined the importance of co-operation in promoting better civil and community service, integrity and accountability among the local authorities, legislation reform in ensuring high-quality public administration in line with international standards throughout the regions in Armenia.

The initiative builds on Office-supported activities to train civil servants; improve the civil and community service system, including recruitment, monitoring and attestation; and to mainstream integrity in the public administration. A series of training courses for civil servants were held by the Union of Armenia's Government Employees NGO with the support of the OSCE Office and in partnership with the Civil Service Council of Armenia.

Vache Kalashyan, Chairperson of the Union of Government Employees, said: "We enjoy continuous co-operation with the civil and community services sector and are happy to enhance knowledge of corruption risks, conflict of interest, integrity and strengthen civil servants’ impact in delivering accountable and high-quality services on behalf of the State.”

Between 2009 and 2015 more than 300 civil servants representing 35 different state services were trained with the OSCE Office’s support on integrity, anti-corruption and ethics. 

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WARSAW, 3 June 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed concern today over yesterday’s sentencing by a court in Dushanbe of two leaders of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) to life imprisonment, and 11 other high-ranking party officials to jail terms ranging from two to 28 years.

“The harsh sentences handed down yesterday, following the earlier ban of the IRPT and the arrest and harassment of its members and their families and lawyers, raise concerns in relation to the commitments Tajikistan has made as an OSCE participating State to uphold key values of democracy, including political pluralism and political participation,” the ODIHR Director said. “ODIHR has raised this issue with the authorities in the past, and asked for more information on the rationale behind these actions.”

The IRPT party officials were convicted and sentenced by the court on charges that they had conspired in and taken part in the organization of an army coup in the country in September 2015. At that time, the Supreme Court banned the party as an “extremist and terrorist organization”.

The trials leading up to yesterday’s sentences were held behind closed doors, with the proceedings off-limits to the media as well.

“Fair-trial rights are a central element of the rule of law, and measures limiting public scrutiny of and access to criminal proceedings can only undermine confidence that these rights are being upheld,” Director Link said. “ODIHR continues to stand ready to support the Tajik authorities in fulfilling the country’s OSCE commitments in the areas of political pluralism and the rule of law.”

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Human rights and fair trial standards, as reflected in recent decisions of the Armenian Cassation Court, the country’s highest judicial instance for all except constitutional matters, were the focus of an OSCE-supported training workshop held on June 11 and 12 in Dilijan, Armenia. The workshop aimed at promoting transparency and predictability of justice and a unified application of the law.

Some forty judges of courts of general jurisdiction and the Court of Appeals and their assistants discussed the major precedent decisions of the Cassation Court related to human rights and the judicial supervision of pre-trial proceedings, presumption of innocence, right to liberty and security of person and other fair trial guarantees.

Davit Avetisyan, Chairman of the Criminal Chamber of the Cassation Court, who moderated the workshop, emphasised that precedent decisions of the Cassation Court not only shape judicial practice but also impact overall developments and on-going reforms in the criminal justice system.

“This initiative is a part of continuous efforts by the OSCE Office in Yerevan to promote the application of international best practices and human rights standards in the daily work of judges,” said Maria Silvanyan, National Legal Officer at the OSCE Office.

The event was the fourth in a series of workshops since November 2015 organized with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, in partnership with Armenia’s Cassation Court and the Judicial Department. The workshops have provided training to up to 100 criminal law judges and their assistants from the capital and the regions of Armenia. 

The OSCE Office has a long-standing relationship of co-operation with the Cassation Court, contributing to the independence, impartiality and professionalism of the judicial system and adoption of decisions based on international standards.

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By OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier

Today we celebrate a significant milestone for Montenegro and its people. A decade ago, the country restored its independence. At the same time, Montenegro also joined the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which with 57 participating States is the largest regional security organization worldwide.

By becoming a full-fledged OSCE participating State, and by inviting an OSCE field mission into the country, Montenegro entrusted the OSCE with important responsibilities to assist the country’s development. Hand in hand with Montenegro’s young state institutions and civil society, we embarked on responding to the country’s evolving needs with great enthusiasm.

Evolving democracy

I am proud that we have been able to make a substantial contribution towards further advancing the country’s democratic reform process. Through the hard work and energies of our Montenegrin partners, we can now see that these efforts have borne results and delivered tangible benefits for Montenegrin citizens.

The responsibility displayed in overcoming the recent political crisis is important above all for the people of this country but it is also a positive signal that resonates in the wider region. Political leaders managed to bridge their differences by reaching a compromise that will serve the public interest. It showed us that a crisis can turn into an opportunity.

With strong leadership to success

Leadership, a long-term vision and willingness to compromise will all be greatly needed in the coming months to ensure full implementation of all adopted laws and agreements, thereby creating a level playing field for the parliamentary elections scheduled for this autumn. The elections will be an important test for the country. At present, the Mission to Montenegro is providing technical assistance to the State Election Commission, who will play a key role in the administration of the coming elections.

Public trust requires commitment

Full implementation of necessary laws is vital, particularly in countering transnational threats, strengthening the rule of law and protecting media freedoms. That is where the OSCE can help. We will continue providing assistance in the implementation of many aspects of the reform process in accordance with our mandate. The OSCE, as a strategic partner, can continue to assist Montenegro in developing strong and independent institutions that enjoy wide public trust. Key changes need time, dedication and commitment by all stakeholders.

Diversity and pluralism a key objective

Looking at the broader international context, we see mounting challenges and a complex security environment. Armed conflict is once again a reality on European soil. Unprecedented waves of refugees and migrants continue to test the unity of the international community, and extremist movements continue to promote radical ideologies that threaten dialogue and peaceful coexistence. In these challenging circumstances, building and empowering diverse and pluralistic communities is fundamental, as is the promotion of dialogue and tolerance.  

These challenges show how volatile stability can be and how crises can escalate into violent conflict. Particularly in times of growing tensions, they also underscore the importance of the OSCE’s unique role as a platform for dialogue and as a driver for joint action.

Regional security – Montenegrin security

Only last year, the OSCE marked the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which is the foundation of our security order and the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security. It is thanks to this heritage that the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has become engaged in many diverse activities, from destroying heavy weapons and unsafe and obsolete military ammunition to supporting the rule of law, democratic policing and good governance, or enhancing environmental awareness and security.

We are pleased with what the OSCE has accomplished not only in Montenegro, but across the Western Balkans. The Organization has played an important role in post-conflict rehabilitation, promoting human rights and building democratic institutions. We have not acted alone but in co-operation with our national and international partners. We believe that strong partnerships offer the best guarantee for broad participation, effectiveness and our joint success.

Legitimate aspirations of today – concrete realities of tomorrow

We commend Montenegro’s achievements, its commitment to further democratic progress, and its role as a recognized factor for stability in the region. Working closely with the Montenegrin authorities and citizens, the OSCE will further develop its role as a partner that is responsive to the country’s evolving strategic priorities. We stand ready to support Montenegro as it continues to progress along the path of reform, where the legitimate aspirations of today can become the concrete realities of tomorrow. 

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Some 20 newly-recruited personnel of the Atlantis rehabilitation centre took part in a two-week capacity building training course, conducted in the premises of the penal colony in the village of Novopokrovka, which concluded on 10 June. The event was organized by the Kyrgyz State Service for Execution of Punishment (SSEP) and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

OSCE-supported international trainers and specialists on therapeutic work with drug- and alcohol-addicted prisoners presented the Minnesotan treatment model, which is recognized as a global best practice among psychotherapeutic programmes for treatment of people with such problems, and organized practical sessions on the development of therapeutic skills.

“Specific professional training is critical to enable the staff of the penitentiary service to carry out their work in full safety,” said Daniele Rumolo, Senior Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Providing them with the necessary skills to effectively deal with specific categories of prisoners is also crucial to prevent criminal activities inside the prisons and enhance the respect of the rule of law.”

The course is part of an OSCE project on supporting the implementation of the National Strategy on the Development of Penitentiary System “Umut-2”. The project addresses the human rights situation and safety in penitentiary establishments through capacity building activities for prison staff.

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VIENNA, 16 June 2016 – Accountability is crucial to preventing future crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, said President of the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi as she addressed the 823d meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) on Wednesday in Vienna.

Fernandez emphasized that the current security challenges are staggering in their numbers and complexity.

“The world is facing destabilizing conflicts around the globe which include not only deliberate acts of violence against the physical security and well-being of civilians, but also deliberate attacks against their cultures and identities,” she said. “This demands a multi-faceted response from the international community to stop violence in the short-term, but also sustainable conflict resolution in the long-term.”

Fernandez stressed the importance of justice in preventing future crimes and the necessity of building the capacity of national jurisdictions. The ICC can exercise jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide but it is complementary and not intended to replace national systems, she noted.

“Capacity building of national jurisdictions is essential. The OSCE has played a role - especially in the former Yugoslavia - and can also make contributions through supporting the rule of law and democratic institutions,” Fernandez said.

Ambassador Adam Bugajski of Poland, the OSCE participating State currently chairing the FSC, said: “In paragraph 30 of the Code of Conduct we committed ourselves, inter alia, to ensure that armed forces personnel are aware they are individually accountable under national and international law for their actions."

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The finalization of a Regulatory Reform Roadmap for Armenia was the focus of a workshop co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the Ministry of Justice of Armenia and the OSCE Office in Yerevan on 27 and 28 May 2016 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia.

The workshop provided an opportunity for participants from the executive branch, the legislature, civil society and international organizations to exchange views on how to improve the overall process of lawmaking in the country. Topics discussed included policy-making and legislative planning, public consultations and regulatory impact assessment, as well as monitoring and evaluation of legislation.

The purpose of the workshop was to discuss recommendations for reform from previous thematic lawmaking workshops, conducted in Armenia in 2015, and from OSCE/ODIHR’s 2014 report on the “Comprehensive Assessment of the Legislative Procedure in Armenia”. These recommendations were consolidated in a draft Regulatory Reform Roadmap with concrete action points in early 2016, and this draft provided a basis for workshop discussions.

"The recommendations in the draft Regulatory Reform Roadmap focus on identifying workable solutions and were developed by key Armenian stakeholders during a series of discussions," said Alice Thomas, Chief of ODIHR’s Legislative Support Unit. "The draft Roadmap thus constitutes a home-grown plan for action to address weaknesses identified in the Armenian lawmaking system during discussions at our 2015 workshops."

Arsen Mkrtchyan, First Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, said: "We have already begun initiating reforms as indicated in the draft Roadmap. This workshop will help us finalize this document, which will be very useful in helping us plan and implement additional reform processes to make our legislative process less burdensome and more planned, transparent, and participatory."

The consolidating workshop begins the final stage of the process of drafting a Regulatory Reform Roadmap for Armenia, as envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between OSCE/ODIHR and the Ministry of Justice in 2014. Once ready, the Roadmap will form the basis for future reforms of the legislative process in the country.

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Human rights and fair trial standards, as reflected in recent decisions of the Armenian Cassation Court, the country’s highest judicial instance for all except constitutional matters, were the focus of an OSCE-supported training workshop held on June 11 and 12 in Dilijan, Armenia. The workshop aimed at promoting transparency and predictability of justice and a unified application of the law.

Some forty judges of courts of general jurisdiction and the Court of Appeals and their assistants discussed the major precedent decisions of the Cassation Court related to human rights and the judicial supervision of pre-trial proceedings, presumption of innocence, right to liberty and security of person and other fair trial guarantees.

Davit Avetisyan, Chairman of the Criminal Chamber of the Cassation Court, who moderated the workshop, emphasised that precedent decisions of the Cassation Court not only shape judicial practice but also impact overall developments and on-going reforms in the criminal justice system.

“This initiative is a part of continuous efforts by the OSCE Office in Yerevan to promote the application of international best practices and human rights standards in the daily work of judges,” said Maria Silvanyan, National Legal Officer at the OSCE Office.

The event was the fourth in a series of workshops since November 2015 organized with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, in partnership with Armenia’s Cassation Court and the Judicial Department. The workshops have provided training to up to 100 criminal law judges and their assistants from the capital and the regions of Armenia. 

The OSCE Office has a long-standing relationship of co-operation with the Cassation Court, contributing to the independence, impartiality and professionalism of the judicial system and adoption of decisions based on international standards.

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Hospitality is an important element of how people connect with each other. Perspectives Assistant Alyssa Johnson discusses how individuals can practice hospitality in their own ways.

The post Advice: Hospitality Looks Different for Everyone appeared first on Pepperdine Graphic.

Posted by Pierre Kim on Nov 03

Posted by Pierre Kim on Nov 03

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The U.S. military released a video it said showed Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) removing an unexploded mine from the side of one of the two oil tankers attacked earlier in the day. - REUTERS

https://www.city-journal.org/article/the-inflation-reduction-act-a-looming-political-earthquake By Mark P. Mills If it weren’t for the election season swamping news coverage, odds are more people would be talking about the revelation that, to quote a Bloomberg headline, “The World Bank Somehow Lost Track of at Least $24 Billion.” In fact, that may understate the reality: the World Bank’s “accounting gap” could be as […]

Communist China solar CEO admits to buying US politicians and lobbyists. Longi’s chairman, Zhong Baoshen: “We paid billions in tuition fees to learn how to navigate U.S. politics.”https://t.co/KoZ96WQJUF pic.twitter.com/4ao1bXkVQI — Steve Milloy (@JunkScience) November 5, 2024 https://www.wsj.com/world/china/why-chinas-solar-boom-is-a-bust-for-its-leading-players-a869ccab

What’s at stake for climate policy? ‘Who the hell cares,’ Trump says. The presidential race features unusually sharp contrasts by the candidates on whether to address rising temperatures. By Benjamin Storrow, Scott Waldman, Adam Aton Excerpt: In Phoenix, temperatures this year spent 70 days over 110 degrees. Hurricanes lashed the Southeast, with back-to-back storms killing more […]

Last week, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published its report on the quantitative and qualitative elements of the NCQG. It conveys a strong message that global climate finance needs a boost in both quantity and quality to address developing economies’ needs for a just transition towards sustainability and resilience. 

“Ultimately, the goal of the NCQG (New Collective Quantified Goal) on climate finance must be to transform the climate finance landscape and herald a new era of mutual trust, cooperation and climate action,” the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report urges. 

Trump victory a ‘gut punch’ to US climate action By Benjamin Storrow, Corbin Hiar The president-elect vowed to promote fossil fuels, weaken pollution regulations and reverse Biden climate efforts. President-elect Donald Trump won a second term Wednesday morning after promising to unleash fossil fuel development, slash pollution regulations and dismantle President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. Climate […]

https://www.politico.eu/article/climate-world-diplomats-donald-trump-victory-clean-energy-fossil-fuels-greenhouse-emissions/ By Karl Mathiesen, Sara Schonhardt and Zia Weise Green stocks wobble as officials rush to respond and activists brace for the unknown. ‘It’s going to suck,’ one said. Their worst nightmare is now a burning reality. Climate diplomats and top-ranking activists on Wednesday struggled to project calm as it became inevitable: Donald Trump is returning to the White […]

EW shared the first teaser today for Bravo's upcoming reality competition series Spy Games. According to EW, the show "features 10 contestants living together in a large house and attempting to gather intel on their fellow players while competing in challenges designed by three former spies, alumni of the CIA, Secret Service, and FBI. Players will be eliminated until one remains to claim a $100,000 prize." Apparently the format is in some ways based on a real-life World War II-era scheme known as Station S, "in which civilians were recruited and relocated to a 'remote estate' to be trained as spies." Spy Games, which is hosted by model and martial artist Mia Kang, premieres on Monday, January 20, 2020, at 10/9c. I tried to embed the video, but Bravo's own awful, awful video platform (which is really quite terrible) automatically plays a Real Housewives promo instead. So check out the trailer here.
Thanks to Jeff for the intel alert!

The new Rollins Museum of Art building planned for Winter Park received a $750,000 national grant and approval of the building's design.

Americans under 30 are the only age group where a majority think the military has a negative effect on the country. Younger Americans are also likelier to say the military doesn’t make the world safer. And fewer than one in five of us under 35 say they’re “extremely proud” to be American — compared to half of those 55 and over.

Gary Harris’ impact on the Orlando Magic could be easy to overlook but he brought multiple "little things" to the team on and off the floor.

Lolita, the 57-year-old orca who’s been held in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium on Virginia Key since the 1970s, is expected to be returned to her home waters in the Puget Sound, where she will live out the remainder of her days.

As it faces criticism from conservatives, the Walt Disney Company has appointed its first chief brand officer.

Steve McQueen's latest movie splits its time between grand and grandiosity and packs a Dickensian amount of peril into an otherwise worthwhile story.

Gary Harris’ impact on the Orlando Magic could be easy to overlook but he brought multiple "little things" to the team on and off the floor.

ITU-T K.45 - Rationale for setting resistibility requirements of telecommunication equipment installed in the access and trunk networks against lightning

ITU-T K.21 - Rationale for setting resistibility requirements of telecommunication equipment installed in customer premises against lightning

ITU-T K.117 - Long reach single twisted-pair Ethernet resistibility testing

ITU-T K.20 - Rationale for setting resistibility requirements of telecommunication equipment installed in a telecommunication centre against lightning

Reliability requirements for telecommunication systems affected by particle radiation

Quality estimation methods and application guidelines for mitigation measures based on particle radiation tests

Electromagnetic compatibility requirements and measurement methods for wireline telecommunication network equipment

ITU-T K.20 - Rationale for setting resistibility requirements of telecommunication equipment installed in a telecommunication centre against lightning

Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for power equipment in telecommunication facilities

Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for DC power ports of telecommunication network equipment in frequencies below 150 kHz

Resistibility of telecommunication equipment installed in customer premises to overvoltages and overcurrents

Electromagnetic compatibility requirements and measurement methods for digital cellular mobile communication base station equipment