Research Briefing
As the US mid-term elections approach, the Democrats and Republicans are tied, approximately, in the opinion polls. This note brings together some polling information and summarises some of the main issues and recent news stories that may affect the result.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper has been replaced by CBP-7190: British military medals and how to apply
Research Briefing
The Government announced the outcome of the second stage of Sir John Holmes' review into military medals in July 2014. This now completes work into various retrospective medal campaigns. The government has stated that no further reviews of historic claims will now take place unless significant, new, evidence is produced that an injustice has occurred.
Research Briefing
The 2014 NATO Summit will be in Newport, Wales, in September.
Research Briefing
An overview of the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Research Briefing
Enormous numbers of Syrians have taken refuge in Jordan, putting strain on the small country’s resources. The House of Commons International Development Committee visited recently and voiced concern about Jordan’s political stability.
Research Briefing
Domestic legislation provides that both Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit cannot normally be paid in respect of children resident abroad. However, under provisions in EU law on social security coordination within the European Economic Area (EEA), Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit may be payable to EEA migrants in the United Kingdom in respect of their dependent children resident in another Member State.
Research Briefing
An emergency Bill, the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, is due to pass through all its parliamentary stages between 15 and 17 July. The Bill aims to allow police and security agencies to have continued access to communications data in order to combat crime and terrorism. This Note summarises the background, the Bill and criticisms that have been made of it.
Research Briefing
The Catalan Government hopes to hold a "consultation" on Catalan independence on 9 November 2014., but the Spanish Government hopes to prevent it from going ahead. This note provides an overview of the debate.
Research Briefing
The plight of civilians in Syria may be about to get a lot worse, as drought ravages the region, ISIS takes over much of the River Euphrates and government services threaten to collapse.
Research Briefing
Briefing on current tensions in the West Bank following the abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers.
Research Briefing
This Note explores what kind of framework might replace the Millennium Development Goals upon their expiry in 2015. It assesses reaction to the ‘zero draft’ of 17 new goals published by the Open Working Group in June 2014.
Research Briefing
Briefing on Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, formation of new Palestinian government, and international reaction.
Research Briefing
A brief profile of the far-right Front National (FN), led by Marine Le Pen, which obtained 24.9% of the vote in France in the recent European elections. This result was described as a “political earthquake.”
Research Briefing
A few days ago, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that Somalia was once again in a “political crisis”. In May, UN Special Envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Kay, said that Somalia is approaching “a danger zone”. For the first year or so after President Mohamud took office in September 2012, Western supporters of the Government put a positive spin on his performance. However, there is a growing sense that President Mohamud’s government is not turning out to be the fresh start that Somalia needed. Al-Shabaab has suffered important military reverses since President Mohamud took office and is now focusing increasingly on launching regular violent attacks on government-held areas, including Mogadishu, where security has declined markedly recently. It has also increased its attacks in neighbouring Kenya, which sent troops into southern Somalia in 2011.
Total results (page 138 of 184)