#InternationalUnity

[tmarshconnors]

Happy Commonwealth Day 2024!

On this auspicious occasion of Commonwealth Day, I celebrate the richness of cultures, traditions, and shared values that bind us together as a diverse family of nations. As we reflect on the theme for this year, "Unity in Diversity," let us recognize the strength that comes from embracing our differences and working towards a common future.

The Commonwealth, comprised of 54 member countries spanning continents, is a testament to the power of collaboration and mutual understanding. Today, I take a moment to honour the spirit of cooperation that has transcended geographical boundaries, fostering connections that promote peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

🌍 Diversity as Our Strength: The Commonwealth encapsulates a kaleidoscope of languages, cultures, and traditions, creating a mosaic that reflects the beauty of our shared humanity. It is within this diversity that we find our strength, drawing from the collective wisdom and experiences of each member nation.

🤝 Building Bridges: Commonwealth Day serves as a reminder of the importance of building bridges across nations. Whether through economic partnerships, educational exchanges, or collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges such as climate change and public health crises, our shared commitment to progress is the catalyst for positive change.

🌱 Sustainable Futures: As we face unprecedented global challenges, the Commonwealth community reaffirms its dedication to creating a sustainable future. By fostering innovation, championing environmental stewardship, and advocating for social justice, we pave the way for a world that prioritizes the well-being of both current and future generations.

🤲 Community of Values: At the heart of the Commonwealth are shared values, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. These principles serve as the foundation upon which we build a world where every individual is afforded dignity, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.

🌟 A Call to Action: On this Commonwealth Day, let us renew our commitment to working collaboratively towards a brighter, more inclusive future. By recognizing the strength in our diversity, fostering understanding, and championing common goals, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and forge a path towards a more harmonious world.

🎉 Wishing everyone a joyful Commonwealth Day filled with camaraderie, understanding, and a shared vision for a better tomorrow! 🌐✨

[thxnews]

If We Do Not Stand up to Putin, He Will be Back for More

Word-for-Word Transcript of the Speech

As delivered by The Rt Hon Lord Cameron Thank you, Mr President. Today, I want to cover three points. First, the history. Two years ago, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But let’s go back a little further. In 2008, I visited Tbilisi in Georgia shortly after Russian forces invaded South Ossetia. I said then that if we did not stand up to Putin, he would be back for more. In 2014, I was Prime Minister as his ‘little green men’ seized control of Crimea. I said again that if we did not stand up to Putin, he would be back for more. Now, having tried and failed to conquer all of Ukraine, the lesson of this history is clear. If we do not stand up to Putin, he will be back for more. Compared to 2008 and 2014, I do believe the world has started properly to wake up to Putin’s menace. Yet here is the tragedy of it all. Prior to 2014, did Ukraine pose a threat to Russia? No. Did Russia object to the formation of the Ukrainian state in 1991? No. Did it in 1994, when signing the Budapest Memorandum? No – in fact Russia pledged never to use force against Ukraine. If the Ukrainian state was such a threat to Russian-speaking residents, why did every region of Ukraine vote for independence, Crimea and the Donbas included? Cut through ludicrous accusations of Nazism against a state with a Jewish President, and what are you left with? Nothing but the ahistorical claim that Ukraine’s very existence is “anti-Russian”. A claim which runs contrary to the principle of self-determination, one of the foundations of the United Nations. Putin tries to claim that Russia is fighting not against Ukraine, but against the whole of the West. He claims we are somehow out to dismember Russia. That is the central lie of this war. The truth is we – myself included – spent years trying to build a new relationship with Moscow after the end of the Cold War. We did that because we profoundly believe that a secure, stable Russia, at peace with its neighbours, is in our interests and the world’s. It is a tragedy that Putin prefers to hark back to the ninth century to justify aggression, rather than taking up this offer of a different path. And turning to the consequences of all this. The scenes in territories liberated from Russia defy belief. Take Bucha. As has just been said, mutilated bodies of civilians with hands bound, shot at close range. A children’s centre turned into a torture chamber. The rape of teenage girls. Disturbing radio intercepts of Russian soldiers referring to this as ‘cleansing’. Or consider places still held by Russia. Business gone. Independent media quashed. The rights of minorities, such as the Crimean Tartars, denied. Sinister ‘re-education centres’. Forcible deportations, with children torn from their parents to be raised as ‘Russians’. Ukrainians forced to accept Russian passports, or drafted to fight for Putin. Citizens forced to vote in sham referendums and now, outrageously, Russian Presidential elections held on Ukrainian territory. Crimea in particular now far more dependent on Moscow for budgetary support than it ever was to Kyiv. Invasion has brought these regions neither peace nor prosperity. And nor has Putin’s gambit benefited Russians. No Russian soldier had died fighting Ukraine before 2014 – now they have suffered over 300,000 casualties. Moreover, since the invasion, Russia has suffered its first attempted coup in over three decades, and its first debt default for over a century. Nor has the rest of the world been spared the consequences of this war. Rising energy and food costs have fuelled inflation. This has had consequences, especially for the world’s poorest. And this leads to my final point, why we must stay strong. Two years on, I recognise some want to rethink. There is a sense of fatigue, there are other problems, a compromise might seem attractive. But this is wrong. We must recognise the cost of giving up. Putin has said there will be no peace until Russia’s goals are achieved. And in his recent interview, he studiously avoided confirming he was satisfied with the land seized from Ukraine at present. This is not a man seeking compromise. Rather, this is a neo-imperialist bully who believes might is right. An unjust peace now merely invites a return to fighting in Ukraine when it suits him. But ultimately we must stay strong not only for the sake of Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine has been wronged. Yes, we admire their decision to pursue a democratic path, and fight for their right to do so. But crucially, we also know that this matters to all of us. If Putin were to eke out some kind of win, the rest of the world would suffer too. What starts in Ukraine would not end there. Putin could easily apply his distortions of history elsewhere, such as Moldova or the Baltic States. And others will be emboldened to turn to fighting when it suits them. No country with a large, aggressive neighbour would be safe. And that leads to the other great lie. Russia poses as a friend of those who feel cut out by the international system, but it has shown no interest in changes to make it fairer, such as Security Council reform. It does virtually nothing to support the key funds to back the poorest of our world such as GAVI or the Global Fund or the IDA under the World Bank. And its actions in Ukraine are so brazen so as to threaten the system itself. So yes, we should stand by Ukraine. But not just for Ukraine. Not just for Europe. But for the world and a simple principle. The security of borders. The sanctity of nations. The principle of self-determination. Ukraine’s fight is our fight. The world’s fight. And the world must stay strong. Thank you.   Sources: THX News, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office & The Rt Hon Lord Cameron. Read the full article

[sharonfacinelliactress]

A Bir of #sirtomjones #togetherathome #serviceproviders #ingratitude #showingsupport #localheroes #covid19 #staysafe #staysafeeveryone #onevoice #unity #internationalunity #athome https://www.instagram.com/p/B_LNkvgA4ta/?igshid=vt9ibw3dckmm

[hirunisenarathdassanayake-blog]

The @global_mars weekend came to an end. The team reached Colombo safe and sound. I had to run some errands as soon as I got back and fell sleep for good 3 hours in the middle of the day (probably because I was super tired! lol ). Overall, I am happy to say this project was a HUGE success!!! It was a very fulfilling and a humbling experience. The kids were GREAT! I enjoyed getting to know and mentor them. I will post more about my global mars experience this week! @global_mars is a GLOBAL project. I am happy to do the pilot in Sri Lanka and this was only the he first part of the pilot!!! A lot more coming your way!!! #Internationalunity #spaceexploration #staytuned @global_mars #TeamPassionLearning #slmars #marscreate #globalmarsweekend

[rencontresinfidelesch]

Le tiers des Canadiens seraient coupables d'infidélité... financière

Le tiers des Canadiens seraient coupables d'infidélité... financière  HuffPost QuebecSerions-nous coupables « d'infidélité financière »?  Radio Canada InternationalUn Canadien sur trois infidèle en finance  Le Soleil - Groupe Capitales MédiasFull coverage http://dlvr.it/QH7pzv #libertin #planCul #libertinage

[rencontresinfidelesch]

Le tiers des Canadiens seraient coupables d'infidélité... financière

Le tiers des Canadiens seraient coupables d'infidélité... financière  HuffPost QuebecSerions-nous coupables « d'infidélité financière »?  Radio Canada InternationalUn Canadien sur trois infidèle en finance  Le Soleil - Groupe Capitales MédiasFull coverage http://dlvr.it/QH6y3f #libertin #planCul #libertinage