The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mitchel McLaughlin MLA has expressed his delight at the significant increase in female Members returned during last week’s Assembly elections and stressed the importance of building on it.

BAD REICHENHALL, Germany, 14 July 2016 – A two-day conference on confidence-building measures in the Transdniestrian settlement process was held in the town of Bad Reichenhall in Germany on 12 and 13 July 2016. As in past years, the conference, which traditionally takes place in the German state of Bavaria, brought together political representatives of the sides and international 5+2 partners in an informal setting to address the challenges at hand and advance confidence-building measures that would strengthen the process.

“The past few months have witnessed intensified dialogue between the sides, thanks in no small part to the unparalleled efforts and consensus among the mediators and observers,” noted Ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt, Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process.

During 5+2 talks on 2 and 3 June in Berlin, the sides committed to undertake concrete steps within a set timeframe, including in the fields of ecology, education, transportation and telecommunications.

“Of the commitments included in the Berlin protocol, the sides have completed an agreement on ecology and exchanged lists on the issue of criminal cases,” said Ambassador Michael Scanlan, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “The Bavaria conference’s informal setting provided a unique opportunity for the sides to continue working towards the remaining agreements in order to deliver important benefits for people on both banks and to strengthen the settlement process.”

“As a confidence-building measure in support of the formal process, I’m happy to say that the conference succeeded in promoting the emphasis on an outcomes-based process that the German Chairperson-in-Office and our international partners believe is a precondition for progress,” concluded Ambassador Meier-Klodt.

The conference is a multiyear initiative funded by the German government and was organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

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VIENNA, 25 July 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the revision of United States Department of Defense’s Law of War Manual, which better recognizes the status and role of journalists under the law of war.

“Updating the manual and deleting problematic provisions which could endanger members of the media covering armed conflicts was a much-needed and welcome step,” Mijatović said. “Journalists are civilians and should be treated and protected as just that.”

The first version of the Law of War Manual, released in June 2015, provides guidelines for members of the US military. The manual said that journalists in general are to be considered civilians, but that they also may be “members of the armed forces, persons authorized to accompany the armed forces, or unprivileged belligerents”. The term “unprivileged belligerents” could have allowed military commanders to detain journalists indefinitely outside the rules of war without charge or trial.

The original version of the manual also included provisions which likened war reporting to spying, and censorship. In the updated version of the manual, these provisions have been abolished.

“Working as a journalist in a conflict zone is a very dangerous job. This revised manual is one of many efforts needed to improve journalists’ safety,” Mijatović said.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom. 

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Eurospy fans, your collective prayers have been answered! The Sixties Bond knockoff (a term I use with great affection) title I've heard most often requested is finally coming to Blu-ray! In the UK, anyway. So American Eurospy aficionados who don't yet have all-region Blu-ray players (and you really ought to), add them to your Christmas lists! On February 17, 2020, Network will release the Bondified Jet Age Bulldog Drummond movie Some Girls Do (lesser sequel to the greatest Eurospy movie of all, Deadlier Than the Male) in Region B high-def. On the same date the title will also make its standalone DVD debut (Region 2). Both releases are quite notable, because they mark the first time ever that this title has been available in its native 1.66:1 widescreen aspect ratio. It was previously available only on a Region 2 double feature DVD from Network paired with Deadlier Than the Male (which the company has offered on its own on Blu-ray for some time now). While that title came in widescreen, the Some Girls Do on offer was a panned and scanned 4x3 version--and transferred from a rather iffy source. Hopefully (and presumably, given the new aspect ratio), Network have uncovered a better source print for the new 1080p HD transfer. So even if you don't have an all-region Blu-ray player, but do have an all-region DVD player, you'll still have a way to finally see this movie the way it was meant to be seen!

Some Girls Do (1969) stars Richard Johnson (Deadlier Than the Male, Danger Route), Daliah Lavi (Casino Royale, The High Commissioner), Beba Loncar (Fuller Report, Lucky the Inscrutable), James Villiers (For Your Eyes Only, Otley), and the great Robert Morley (Hot Enough For June,  Topkapi) in a scene-stealing role as cooking teacher "Miss Mary." Here's Network's description of the movie:

Richard Johnson returns as Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond in this action-packed take on the exploits of H.C. McNeile's famous fictional hero - this time with an added dose of late '60s whimsy when Drummond comes up against a gang of armed, gorgeous fembots! Some Girls Do is presented here as a new High Definition transfer from original film elements in its original aspect ratio.
Drummond is hot on the trail of his nemesis, the devious Carl Petersen, who is hell-bent on sabotaging the new British fighter airplane. Peterson must be stopped - whatever the cost - but this time he's protected by a bodyguard of murderous female androids!

Resolution 75 - (Rev. Geneva, 2022) - The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector's contribution in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, taking into account the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Do you want your roofing contractor firm to be considered attractive for an outside sale? Consider your personal and financial goals, and beware of one-off deals.

Gigi Schumm welcomes Susan McHugh-Polley, a 31-year veteran of the federal workforce, on this week's episode of Women of Washington. Polley says change is truly sparked when you allow yourself to embrace failure and the unknown.

The post Success comes from embracing the unknown first appeared on Federal News Network.

By UKWA CEO, Clare Bottle.

The UK Warehousing Association welcomes the opportunity to work with the new Government to tackle key issues that are important to our sector, including decarbonising the electricity network, reforming the planning system, modernising apprenticeships and promoting innovation in warehousing.

When it comes to solving inherently joint problems such as command and control at large scale, the OSD is a “partner to the services and not an opponent.”

The post When it comes to joint efforts, OSD seeks collaboration over ‘sixth service’ role first appeared on Federal News Network.

Together, we can make sure that as veterans transition to civilian life, it opens doors to new opportunities and ways to thrive. 

The post Servicemember comes full-circle: Serving our nation as an Army sergeant, VA training specialist on the Digital GI Bill first appeared on Federal News Network.

Larry Bafundo, the executive director of the TMF, said competitive proposals must include at least some repayment options and have measurable value.

The post TMF Board fine tunes criteria as funding becomes tighter first appeared on Federal News Network.

Granting access to, sharing and securing data in the cloud continues to challenge agencies across government. During this exclusive webinar, moderator Jason Miller will discuss cloud strategy, security and applications with agency and industry leaders.

The post Taking an API, cloud driven approach can lead agencies to better mission outcomes first appeared on Federal News Network.

Is deploying 5G in Singapore necessarily easier just because we’re smaller? Here, the big cities come out to play. #5g #connectivity

No Comment: when art overcomes war in Gaza

 New research from Wincanton reveals that two thirds (66%) of UK organisations say they are under pressure to hit their net-zero targets, with logistics seen as key to achieving their goals in this area, according to 83%.  

“When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be. For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see, there will be an answer. let it...

When you take stock of all the performing and fine arts offerings around the region, there's little doubt that entertainment lovers are spoiled for choice…

Don't even try to deny it, you're a total sucker for an animated children's movie…

The '12 Years a Slave' actress says the sudden passing of her co-star is 'still extremely raw' for her and she can't imagine returning to the movie set without him.

HD Brows add city centre to their list of academies.

BBC Gardeners’ World Live and BBC Good Food Show kick-off Summer 2023.

Birmingham Poet Laureate to lead on city's new Poetry Garden.

An exciting new local food market will begin this month at Twickenham Primary School in Kingstanding.

Watch your all-time favourite films in a truly unusual setting!

Celebrate the new Bond film in style.

Property specialists Stoford celebrate the start on site of a 63-bedroom Premier Inn hotel and restaurant in Dudley.

Celebrating the River Sherbourne through music, theatre and dance.

Holly Heywood enjoys an evening of sustainable food, drink and gardening at New Hall.

Hire bikes now available throughout the city centre.

Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Over the weekend, we learned that a second whistleblower has come forward in the Ukraine affair. The anonymous individual is said to have firsthand knowledge of President Trump's dealings with Ukraine. NPR justice correspondent Ryan Lucas is here in the studio with more. Hey there, Ryan. RYAN LUCAS, BYLINE: Hello there. KELLY: So whistleblower number two - what do we know about this person? LUCAS: A lot remains a mystery, to be honest. The individual has been described as an intelligence official but remains, as you said, anonymous. He or she is being represented by the same legal team as the whistleblower who submitted the initial formal complaint to the Intelligence Committee inspector general, and it's that complaint, of course, that kicked off this whole Trump-Ukraine affair. One of the lawyers on the legal team, Mark Zaid, says this second individual has spoken with the inspector general. That means that this person

Julio Comesaña fue anunciado y presentado como nuevo entrenador del Junior en reemplazo de Juan Cruz Real. Hablamos de su décimo periodo en el cuadro barranquillero. También hablamos con Andrés Felipe Cadavid, capitán del Medellín.

I want candy! If you're a big fan of sweet treats (or have children who are) and like to let your imagination run wild then you'll need to tweak the "I want candy" notion a little bit to "I Want Candytopia!"

The play explores the gulf between immigrant parents and their first-gen children.

Explore the history of hip hop.

She now has seven Olympic medals.

Shedeur Sanders is a quarterback with Jackson State.

Governor Rena Lalgie welcomed the HMS Trent and HMS Medway and extended her thanks to the Royal Bermuda Regiment for their support in facilitating on-island logistics. A spokesperson said, “Her Excellency the Governor, Ms Rena Lalgie, welcomed the recent visits from HMS Trent and HMS Medway and extended her thanks to the Royal Bermuda Regiment […]

Conyers has welcomed Bermudian lawyers Celine Collis and Matthew MacLeod to the firm. A spokesperson said, “Conyers is pleased to announce the continued growth of its market leading Bermuda corporate practice with the recruitment of two additional Bermudian lawyers. Conyers welcomes associates Celine Collis and Matthew MacLeod to the firm. “Celine Collis joins Conyers from Reed […]

The hatching process for Cahow chick in the CahowCam1 is now complete having been witnessed by viewers from Bermuda and around the world via the Nonsuch Expeditions CahowCam live stream. A spokesperson said, “Jeremy first observed dimples [small bumps / ripples in the egg surface] during his nest check on the 25th, then at 2:32am […]

The island has a new resident, namely a new flamingo chick, who is almost two weeks old now, having hatched on July 3rd. The Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] recently posted a video on their social media showing the new resident. Related Stories Osprey Dies After Being Found In St George’s Photo: Osprey & Its Prey […]

The Bermuda Petrel welcomed his latest chick to the world, with the event seen live on a stream from Nonsuch Island. J-P Rouja, Nonsuch Expeditions Founder said, “In the early hours of March 10th 2023, in the midst of a cold snap with sporadic hail throughout the night, the male Bermuda Petrel in Burrow #832, […]

Appleby welcomed new pupils Skye Burrows, Mya Gibbons and Akira McDonald to its long-standing legal trainee programme in Bermuda. A spokesperson said, “The two-year programme which provides pupils with training across the firm’s Corporate, Dispute Resolution and Insurance departments involves three 4-month seats in the first year and one 12-month seat in the second year. Pupils are assigned a senior attorney as a […]

Baseball player Adam Hall’s Biloxi Shuckers have been eliminated from the Double-A Southern League play-offs after losing 8-2 to the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium on Friday [September 20]. The defeat ended the Shuckers’ first play-off series since they reached the Southern League Championship Series in 2019. Hall, 25, was promoted to the Shuckers from […]