Latest news with #Fundamentals
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Woofie's Joins Forces with American Kennel Club to Elevate Dog Grooming Standards Nationwide
ASHBURN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Woofie's ®, a premier provider of personalized mobile pet care services, has announced a new nationwide collaboration with the American Kennel Club (AKC) to provide standardized grooming safety training and certifications to its franchise teams through the AKC S.A.F.E. (Safety, Assurance, Fundamentals, Education) Grooming Program. "We're providing pet parents with peace of mind. They can trust that their dogs are receiving the highest level of care and professionalism—values at the heart of everything Woofie's stands for," said Woofie's Co-Founder and President Amy Addington. Through this collaboration, Woofie's franchises across the country will complete the AKC Safety in the Salon courses, a comprehensive series of classes that cover best practices in pet care, health and safety protocols, accident prevention, sanitation, and handling of dogs with special needs. Upon completion, participating Woofie's locations will become AKC S.A.F.E. Groomers and Salons, pledging to uphold the AKC Groomer/Salon Oath that 'specifies a commitment to holding pet safety in the highest regard.' Certified locations will be listed on the AKC GroomerFinder and will post their certification seal to assure consumers that their Woofie's groomer is trained with the best safety practices with the AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Certification Program. For over 140 years, the AKC has been the leading advocate for all dogs—promoting responsible dog ownership and championing canine health and welfare. In 2015, AKC created a AKC S.A.F.E. grooming education and credentialing program, setting the highest industry standards nationwide for safety, skill, and service. 'This collaboration between Woofie's and the American Kennel Club reflects Woofie's dedication to its clients and the communities they serve. By prioritizing groom safety across its franchises nationwide, Woofie's is setting a high standard for the level of care they deliver,' said Gina M. DiNardo, President and CEO, AKC. Woofie's Co-Founder and President Amy Addington said, 'The American Kennel Club is the gold standard in the canine world, and this relationship reflects Woofie's deep commitment to excellence. By ensuring all Woofie's grooming professionals are trained and certified through the AKC's S.A.F.E. program, we're providing pet parents across the country with peace of mind. They can trust that their dogs are receiving the highest level of care and professionalism—values that are at the heart of everything Woofie's stands for.' For over 21 years, Woofie's has been the trusted name in pet care, offering grooming, walking, sitting, and mobile spa services. The solid relationship with the AKC—the nation's leading authority on dog care, breed standards, and canine health—cements Woofie's dedication to enhancing industry best practices and advancing pet well-being nationwide. For more information, visit or learn more about the AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Program at
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine completes internal procedures to open first cluster in EU negotiations
The Ukrainian government has today (14 May) approved the roadmaps necessary to open the first cluster in the pre-accession negotiations between Ukraine and the EU. Source: Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: The roadmaps pertain to the rule of law, public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions. "They are fully consistent with Ukraine's international obligations, our strategic and policy documents," Shmyhal said. The government has also approved the negotiating position on the first cluster of negotiations, Fundamentals. "Our goals are unchanged: to open negotiations on all six negotiating clusters this year, and to become an integral part of a united Europe after the war is over," Shmyhal noted. Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, noted on X (Twitter) that Ukraine has thus completed all internal steps to open the first negotiation cluster. "Ukraine's commitment is unwavering. Despite the war, we continue transformations to join the EU as a strong, capable member," Stefanishyna tweeted. Roadmaps on the rule of law and public administration are a condition for the opening of negotiations on Cluster 1, Fundamentals, the Ukrainian Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration said. Background: Hungary has not yet lifted its veto on the actual opening of accession talks between Ukraine and the EU. Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, remarked in Lviv that the EU is preparing a plan B in response to Hungary's veto. Bloomberg reported that the EU is discussing ways to prevent Hungary from disrupting the actual start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. Read more about Hungary's intentions in the article: Orbán sidelines Ukraine, helps Moldova. What might happen to Kyiv's EU dream with Hungary's veto Support Ukrainska Pravda on !
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian civil society calls on EU to overcome Hungary's veto on accession talks
Dozens of Ukrainian civil society organisations have signed an appeal calling on the foreign ministers of EU member states to find a way to unblock the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine – currently held up by Hungary's opposition. Source: The appeal, initiated by the Ukrainian Centre for European Policy and the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform, that has been signed by numerous civil society groups, including European Pravda. Details: The open letter warns that Ukraine's integration into the EU "faces challenges, as bilateral issues might obstruct the overall accession negotiation process" – a veiled reference to Hungary. It urges EU ministers to increase their efforts towards building a consensus among EU member states with regard to the opening of Cluster 1, Fundamentals, for Ukraine. "At this stage, Ukraine has completed its 'pre-accession homework'. However, moving forward now requires approval and support of the EU Member States for it to officially open Cluster 1, Fundamentals. This decision will benefit Ukraine as a candidate country and the EU as a whole," the letter reads. The signatories emphasise that taking concrete steps forward in the accession process and maintaining a credible prospect for full EU membership serves as a strong motivator for Ukrainian politicians to implement reforms effectively and to the full extent. They also note that reforms within the first negotiation cluster, Fundamentals, will further enhance democratic transformations in Ukraine, and that civil society is ready to monitor their effective implementation: "We fully support the idea that the accession process should follow a merit-based methodology. To this end, we stand ready to cooperate with EU Member States by providing our analytical reports on the accession negotiation process." Background: Ukraine and the European Commission had ambitious plans for progressing accession talks in 2025, but Hungary's veto has become a major obstacle. Recently, there have been signs that the European Union was considering continuing Moldova's accession process separately from Ukraine amid Hungary's opposition to negotiations with Kyiv. Following talks in Budapest on 29 April, Ukraine and Hungary agreed to hold regular talks with the aim of unblocking Ukraine's EU accession negotiations. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU confirms it may separate Ukraine and Moldova on their path to membership
The European Union is considering continuing Moldova's accession process separately from Ukraine amid Hungary's opposition to negotiations with Kyiv. Source: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kos said she couldn't rule out a "decoupling" of the two countries on the path to EU membership as early as June, when several enlargement-related decisions are expected in Brussels. Her statement comes against the backdrop of Hungary blocking progress on Ukraine's accession talks. "We are discussing already with the member states what to do because no member state is against starting to open the first cluster [of accession chapters] with Moldova," Kos noted. She added that Hungary is the only EU member state opposing Ukraine's accession. Until now, Moldova and Ukraine had moved forward together in the EU accession process and were viewed as moving in tandem. Last year, the EU's 27 member states gave the green light to start accession negotiations with both candidate countries, but no chapter of the negotiations has yet been opened. Talks with Ukraine are being blocked by Hungary, which has raised a number of obstacles, including demands for expanded rights for the Hungarian minority. Kos believes there is even a possibility that Moldova could become an EU member before the end of her mandate in 2029. She noted it would be considered a "failure if we will not get any newcomers into the EU in the times of the present European Commission". "Moldova is really a good student in the whole group. They really feel this historical moment," Kos added. She expressed regret that Hungary is politicising Ukraine's accession process. Budapest has even organised a consultative poll on Ukraine's EU membership, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has publicly voted against it. "Ukraine has done enough, I can tell you from my personal experience because I was facilitating the dialogue between Hungary and Ukraine," Kos said. She stated that Hungary has presented many demands for negotiation, and Ukraine is ready to fulfil them all. "But this is not enough for Hungary," Kos concluded. Background: European Pravda sources recently reported that if Hungary continues to block the opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraine's EU accession, Moldova, which began negotiations at the same time and is also ready to open Cluster 1, Fundamentals, may do so earlier. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine had achieved the fastest pace of the accession process among all of the countries that have ever sought to become an EU member. The European Commission said that the process of screening (checking the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law) within the framework of accession negotiations with Ukraine is proceeding at an unprecedented speed for the European Union. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU says it cannot open negotiation clusters with Ukraine without Hungary's consent
Polish Minister for European Affairs Adam Szłapka said on 18 March in Brussels that the European Commission and Poland, which holds the EU presidency in the first half of 2025, are ready to open negotiating clusters with Ukraine, in particular the first cluster, Fundamentals. However, this process requires unanimous support from all 27 EU states and is unfortunately being blocked by Hungary. Source: Adam Szłapka, answering the questions of a European Pravda correspondent Quote: "You know the political situation in terms of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Hungary. We are, as I always say, determined as the Polish presidency to move the EU enlargement process forward. This is one of our priorities." Details: At the same time, the European Commission confirmed that the EU is currently unable to open the first cluster in the negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU due to Hungary's blocking of the process. Szłapka said that the European Commission is also "very determined" to conduct a screening process of Ukrainian legislation. "So we are ready to work on that, but we need unanimity, unfortunately," the Polish minister stated. "We hope that this (opening of clusters in negotiations with Ukraine) will be a process based on achievements and should be based on arguments, not on political issues," Adam Szłapka expressed hope. "Enlargement will remain a priority for this Commission. For Ukraine, we opened the accession process in June 2024. This was a recognition of Ukraine's determination to move forward with its EU path and implement transformational reforms, despite the ongoing aggressive war by Russia. Until now, Ukraine has been making steady progress towards EU membership," European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier said at a briefing on 18 March. He clarified that Ukraine is currently "undergoing bilateral screening reports, which will last until the autumn of this year". "Provided all the necessary requirements are met, the European Commission expects the first cluster, Fundamentals, to open as soon as possible in 2025. But this requires the consent of all member states," the spokesperson said. "In these circumstances, the unanimity requirement is an obstacle. We need all member states to agree. The Commission has given its assessment, and we believe we can open the first cluster. But now we need the agreement of all member states," Guillaume Mercier concluded. Background: This year, the European Commission announced ambitious plans to open three clusters of negotiations between Ukraine and the EU before the end of the Polish presidency in June 2025. However, in mid-February, it became known that Hungary had blocked the opening of the first negotiation cluster and demanded to expand the list of requirements for Ukraine. Read also: Easing martial law, reforms by 2027: what the EU expects of Ukraine on its path to membership Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
