Newsroom24x7 Staff
London: The “Leave European Union” vote took a lead as the world waited by 5.30 am (London time) this morning for the result of the historic referendum on whether or not Britain should leave the EU.
Referendum on Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?
Newsroom24x7 Desk
Tehran : Iran’s foreign ministry has taken a major step forward in implementation of nuclear deal. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif and European Union (EU) foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini issued a joint statement, in which they highlighted the announcement concerning nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, P5 + 1, namely – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States plus Germany. The joint statement announced the start of implementation of the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the six world powers in the earlier month of July this year. An immediate impact of this announcement would be that now, Iran would start implementing its obligations pertaining to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the UN nuclear watchdog would prepare the means to monitor Iran’s measures.
According to the nuclear agreement between Iran and the world powers reached on July 14 in the Austrian capital of Vienna, Iran would improve transparency of its nuclear plan, downsize its capacity for uranium enrichment and do changes in the structure of its heavy water reactor in exchange for international and Western sanctions relief.On July 14, Iran reached the JCPOA with P5+1 over its controversial nuclear program after more than 18 months of marathon talks.Under the deal, all of the nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran would be lifted if the Islamic republic adheres to abide by the deal over the next 10 years, the lifting of sanctions would then proceed in a step-by-step manner.
Iran took another firm step in the direction of its Safeguards Agreement, wherein, Iran notified Yukiya Amano, Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that it would provisionally apply the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement when the nuclear deal would come into effect.
As a consequence of this announcement by Iran on beginning of implementation of nuclear deal, the United States of America took its administrative responsibility on Iran sanctions. In Washington, US President Barack Obama on Sunday ordered his administration to take steps to lift sanctions on Iran, as part of the nuclear agreement.He stated these exact words in a memorandum to US secretaries of state, energy, commerce and the treasury – I hereby direct you to take all necessary steps to give effect to the US commitments with respect to sanctions on Iran. The steps will take effect upon confirmation by the secretary of state that Iran had met its commitments under the JCPOA, after the IAEA verifies that Iran had fully complied with the terms of the agreement.
Newsroom24x7 Desk
Washington DC: US Secretary of State John Kerry and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond today issued a joint statement to welcome the “largely peaceful vote in Nigeria on March 28.
Kerry and Hammond stated that the Nigerian people have shown a commendable determination to register their vote and choose their leaders.
The joint statement goes on to say; “So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process. But there are disturbing indications that the collation process—where the votes are finally counted—may be subject to deliberate political interference. This would contravene the letter and spirit of the Abuja Accord, to which both major parties committed themselves.”
The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission (INEC), or its Chairman, Prof. Jega; or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people, it has been emphasised.
Newsroom24x7 Desk
London: The UK will provide up to £2 million to support international relief efforts following the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Pam, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has announced.
Working closely alongside the Governments of Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand, the Department for International Development will provide support to UN organisations and aid agencies. Many people are in need of support and girls and women will be left particularly vulnerable without urgent shelter or other vital supplies.
Following a request from the Government of Vanuatu, up to £1 million will be made immediately available to UN organisations and international aid agencies already working in the region.
An additional £1 million will be made available by the activation of the UK’s Rapid Response Facility, which provides emergency support via pre-approved organisations in the event of a humanitarian disaster overseas. This will ensure its members are able to quickly respond to people’s needs on the ground.
All our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu as they start to assess the full scale of this disaster.
It is already clear that there has been widespread devastation. Many families have lost their homes and power supplies, roads and other infrastructure have been left badly damaged.
Our support will ensure relief agencies can provide temporary shelters; protect vulnerable people, especially women and children; and provide emergency supplies as the country responds to this emergency.
-Justine Greening, International Development Secretary, UK
Cyclone Pam hit the Pacific’s Vanuatu archipelago on Friday 13th March, bringing winds of 250kmph and heavy rainfall. The category 5 tropical storm has caused widespread destruction, particularly in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Communication networks have been severely disrupted by power outages and much of the infrastructure system across the archipelago has been destroyed. Red weather alerts remain in place whilst international teams work to measure the full impact of the cyclone.
The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) was established in March 2012. It is a network of pre-approved specialist aid organisations and private businesses who can rapidly deliver emergency medical, water and sanitation assistance to affected people.
