Eu development call for proposals

NEW DELHI: India led seven countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in objecting to some nations trying to bring in rules to erect barriers to services trade and cross-border movement of professionals through qualification and licensing requirements, and technical standards. India teamed up with South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Zimbabwe on Tuesday and raised objections to disciplines being built around requirements such as recognition of professional qualifications and professional bodies, among other requirements called domestic regulations in trade parlance. Ecuador and Venezuela joined in expressing their concern. Arguing that the joint initiative of the 59 members of the WTO was “not mandated to and cannot assume the role of making disciplines”, they said that some members were trying to “establish a competing and parallel mechanism to pursue and achieve the same objectives, without the consent of the entire membership”. The European Union, … [Read more...] about India, 6 others object to restrictions on services trade, workers’ movement

As the battle to allocate blame develops (Fraud office called in after G4S 'overcharges' for tagging, 12 July), there are some questions to ask. First, what about the role of the auditors, both internal and external? Big organisations, whether in the private, public or charitable sectors usually have independent internal audit before getting anywhere near the external auditors. Why didn't the "over-billing" get picked up during these stages? After all the recent financial debacles, isn't it time the standard of audit across all sectors was properly scrutinised? Additionally, given the huge increase in the amount of outsourcing, shouldn't the Freedom of Information Act be applied to the private sector undertaking work for government? It is wrong that the big outsourcing companies can conduct their business behind a veil of secrecy, in the name of commercial confidentiality. It's our money they are spending. If we are to have outsourcing, shouldn't the politicians who ran the show over … [Read more...] about Outsourcing firms on probation after Fraud Office called in

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set early Wednesday to secure a record fifth term in office with the support of right-wing parties, according to near complete unofficial election results. Netanyahu's Likud and the rival centrist Blue and White, led by former military chief Benny Gantz, were on pace to receive 35 Knesset seats each in the 120-seat parliament.  However, Likud and its allied right-wing and religious parties were set to win 65 seats, beating the leftist bloc. The results mean that Netanyahu appeared to have a mandate to form a coalition. "I was very moved that the nation of Israel once again entrusted me for the fifth time, and with an even greater trust," Netanyahu told supporters. "I want to make it clear, it will be a right-wing government, but I intend to be the prime minister of all Israeli citizens, right or left, Jews and non-Jews alike," he said. Read more: Ultranationalists to play kingmakers after Israeli election The … [Read more...] about Israel’s Netanyahu on pace for reelection

By Erik StokstadDec. 5, 2019 , 1:05 PM Even optimists at the European Space Agency (ESA) were startled last week when its member governments awarded it a €12.5 billion, 3-year budget, its largest ever and more than 20% above its previous 3 years of funding. With the unexpected windfall, ESA will develop a reusable space cargo capsule, support the International Space Station until 2030, and join NASA in retrieving rocks from Mars. But one of the biggest winners, up 29% to €1.8 billion, is Copernicus, a program supporting a fleet of satellites that continuously tracks features of Earth's atmosphere and surface, including the contours of the sea surface and shifts in vegetation. The money will help Europe expand the fleet to observe humanmade sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) on a daily basis—making ESA the only space agency capable of monitoring pledges made under the Paris accord to cut greenhouse gases. Europe's CO2 monitoring plans are "unparalleled," says Christopher … [Read more...] about Space budget boost puts Europe in lead to monitor carbon from space

HOW WILL THE REFERENDUM WORK? The vote will take place on Thursday 18 September 2014. Polls will open from 7am until 10pm and voters will be faced with a single question: should Scotland be an independent country? They will only be able to vote yes or no. On the basis of registrations, the electoral commission is expecting a high turnout of around 80% - roughly equating to 3.4 million people. Anyone who lives and is registered to vote in Scotland will be allowed to vote – including those aged 16-17. A simple majority is needed to secure victory. The result of the Scottish referendum will only be officially declared when counts from all Scotland's 32 local authorities have been provided to the chief counting officer (CCO) and she has accepted them as valid. As each local authority count is checked and accepted by the CCO, the local counting officer will be authorised to announce the totals for their local authority area. Recounts would only be undertaken at a local level and only … [Read more...] about Scottish independence: a guide to the big decision