In pursuance of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, Eastern Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, YSM
Jun132017
Eastern Fleet Ships enter Freemantle to participate in AUSINDEX-17, a bilateral maritime exercise with Australian Navy
Jun132017
New MPs demand Sturgeon faces up to indyref2 reality
13 Jun 2017
The new group of Scottish Conservative MPs have today issued a joint statement urging Nicola Sturgeon to face reality on a second independence referendum.
The 13 MPs told her to admit the bid to break up Britain had failed, and instead focus on the day job of running the country.
The joint statement from Scottish Conservative MPs stated:
“Since June last year, Nicola Sturgeon has focused solely on independence and how she can force a second referendum on Scotland.
“During that time, we have seen the damage it has caused. It has created uncertainty, damaged prospects for Scottish business and held our economy back.
“It has been the first and only priority for her government – with a high price paid by people across our country.
“Because of the SNP obsession on independence, our school system is letting down a generation of children, and our NHS is struggling.
“Most recently, she chose to put independence ‘at the heart’ of the general election.
“The prospect of a second referendum alarmed the majority of Scots who do not want to face another painful period of upheaval and division.
“She asked them to vote on it – and the SNP lost 21 seats and half a million votes. It was a damning verdict.
“Unless we present a united front to the EU, Nicola Sturgeon will disrupt our negotiations. And unless she gets back to the day job, Scotland will continue to pay a high price.
“So she needs to end her denial, listen to what the people of Scotland have said and face up to the reality.
“She needs to look the Scottish people in the eye and tell them she has given up on a second independence referendum.
“Unless and until she does, she is putting her party ahead of her country – and we will not stand for it.”
Jun132017
Joint African action crucial to protect persons with albinism from violence, highlights UN expert
13 June 2017 – Highlighting the importance of cooperation among countries to overcome the violence and discrimination faced by persons with albinism, a United Nations rights expert has urged African nations to fully implement a regional action plan on ending attacks on persons with albinism.
“The plan sets out clearly what States can do – for example educating the public, collecting data and researching the root causes of the violence,” said the UN Independent Expert on human rights of persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, in her message for International Albinism Awareness Day.
The regional action plan to end attacks on persons with albinism in Africa – the first-ever such joint initiative – was recently endorsed by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. It includes 15 practical steps which are expected to go a long way in addressing the persisting and deadly challenge.
“International cooperation will be a turning point in the long battle to end discrimination for people with albinism, some of whom continue to be murdered for their body parts,” added Ms. Ero.
According to a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the action plan focuses on ensuring accountability as well as support for victims and uses legal and policy frameworks to deter practices of witchcraft and trafficking in body parts.
Further, Ms. Ero underscored that persons with albinism also face significant barriers restricting their equal participation in society, impacting their rights to enjoy physical and mental health and their ability to access adequate health care, education, social services, legal protection, and redress for abuses.
In particular, women and children face violence, suffer from discrimination, stigma and social exclusion, forced into becoming marginalized within their communities and face social exclusion caused by misunderstanding, deeply entrenched prejudices and stereotyping.
‘We cannot underestimate the importance of joint action’ – UN Independent Expert
“We cannot rest until we have seen change in people’s lives and tackled the root causes of the current situation,” she said, calling everyone concerned to be bold and to persevere to ensure that all people with albinism enjoy their full human rights.
“We cannot underestimate the importance of joint action […] we advance together, with renewed hope inspired by the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’ which is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Ms. Ero’s statement has been endorsed by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights; the UN Special Rapporteur on physical and mental health, Dainius Pûras; the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Mutuma Ruteere; the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar; and the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard.
Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
In December 2014, the UN General Assembly designated 13 June as the International Albinism Awareness Day to draw attention to the stigma and violence that persons with albinism everywhere in the world.
Jun132017
News story: CMA accepts gyms merger undertakings
The CMA has accepted proposals by David Lloyd to resolve concerns over its proposed purchase of Virgin Active gyms in Brighton and Brentwood.
Last month, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found competition concerns in these 2 locations because the companies’ gyms are situated close to each other and would face limited competition from other operators after the acquisition.
The CMA was concerned that the purchase could have resulted in higher prices or a worse deal for gym users in these areas. David Lloyd proposed not to purchase these gyms, which will instead remain under Virgin Active ownership.
David Lloyd originally proposed to purchase 16 Virgin Active gyms in total. The CMA has found no competition concerns in the other areas affected.
After consulting formally, the CMA believes the concerns have been addressed and has accepted these proposals.
All information relating to this investigation can be found on the case page.
Jun132017
Today’s further rise in inflation is deeply worrying, and once again shows how the Tories’ seven years of failed economic policy means working people are losing out – McDonnell
John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to today’s inflation figures, said:
“Today’s further rise in inflation is deeply worrying, and once again shows how the Tories’ seven years of failed economic policy means working people are losing out, with wages lagging behind prices since the Tories came to power.
“Young people in particular, are suffering from a widening pay gap between the under and over-24s – increased by age distinctions in the Tories’ so-called National Living Wage.
“And after seven wasted years of Tory economic failure with real wages falling behind prices, and living standards being squeezed, working people in our country simply cannot afford more of the same from Theresa May and her party.
“Only a Labour government will ensure working people’s living standards are protected with a real Living Wage of £10 per hour, and immediate end to austerity spending cuts. At a time when the government is in total disarray, if they will not act then they need to stand aside and let a Labour government build an economy that works for the many, not the few.”