Bahrain condemns assassination attempt of afghanistan’s First vice-President TL Bureau. Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain has strongly condemned the attempted assassination of First Vice-President of Afghanistan, Abdul Rashid Dostum. One of Dostum’s bodyguards was killed and two others were wounded. The Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims. It affirms the solidarity of Bahrain with Afghanistan against all forms of violence and terrorism and vows support of whatever would preserve Afghanistan’s security and peace. The Ministry also reiterates the unwavering position of the Kingdom that rejects all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, stressing the need for joint efforts to eradicate this dangerous phenomenon
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iaF Mig27 crash Karamjit Singh Parwana Foreign Correspondent New Delhi : An Indian Air Force MiG-27 (Upgrade) aircraft got airborne from Air Force Station Uttarlai, Rajasthan at 1127 hrs today for a routine sortie. The aircraft crashed at 1145 hrs, approximately 120 km south of Jodhpur. The pilot ejected safely and has been recovered by Search and Rescue helicopter. The pilot is safe and preliminary investigations have revealed no damage to any person or property on ground. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.
israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians in west Bank TL Bureau. Ramallah: Israeli forces launched early Sunday a large-scale arrest campaign in various parts of the West Bank, during which they arrested 11 Palestinians. A statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Society said that Israeli army stormed the cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Salfit, Qalqilya and Ramallah and arrest the people under the pretext that they are wanted by authorities
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tough new laws to protect australians from livestreaming of violent crimes TL Bureau. Canberra : Australian PM Scott Morrison will introduce new tough law for social media and other live platforms to restrict contents with hatered and crime. The Morrison Government will legislate tough new laws to prevent the weaponising of social media platforms and to protect Australians from the live-streaming of violent crimes, such as the Christchurch terror attack. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new legislation would be introduced into Parliament next week as part of the action the Government was taking to keep Australians safe in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks. “Big social media companies have a responsibility to take every possible action to ensure their technology products are not exploited by murderous terrorists,” the Prime Minister said. “It should not just be a matter of just doing the right thing. It should be the law. And that is what my Government will be doing next week to force social media companies to get their act together and work with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to defuse the threat their technologies can present to the safety of Australians. “This is about keeping Australians safe by forcing social media companies to step up and do what the community expects of them to stop terrorists and criminals spreading their hate. “A new taskforce bringing Government and social media companies together will also ensure we are all working together to deny terrorists the opportunity to use social media as part of their hatred and violence.
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“Big social media companies have a responsibility to take every possible action to ensure their technology products are not exploited by murderous terrorists,” the Prime Minister said. “These responses will form the basis of a model approach that Australia can take to the G20 to get our global partners on board to bring social media companies into our collective net of responsibility and accountability. We are already working to this end with our G20 and five eyes partners, including New Zealand.” The Attorney-General Christian Porter said, “the Criminal Code Amendment (Unlawful Showing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Bill 2019 will include new offences with penalties of up 10 per cent of a company’s annual turnover and potential prison sentences for executives of social media companies who fail to act to remove abhorrent violent material from their platforms.” “The Morrison Government will always act to keep Australians safe, and that includes keeping Australians safe online.” Minister for Communications,
Mitch Fifield said that “social media companies, like Facebook, which met with the Prime Minister, the AttorneyGeneral, myself and Minister Dutton earlier this week did not present any immediate solutions to the issues arising out of the horror that occurred in Christchurch.” “We will not allow social media platforms to be weaponised by terrorists and violent extremists who seek to harm and kill and nor would we allow a situation that a young Australian child could log onto social media and watch a mass murder take place.” The Attorney-General said the amendments would be modelled on existing offences in the Criminal Code which require platforms to notify police if their service is being used to access child pornography. “Mainstream media that broadcast such material would be putting their licence at risk and there is no reason why social media platforms should be treated any differently,” the Attorney-General said. “These companies have a social responsibility and they have clearly failed to meet that responsibility in their response to Christchurch. The Morrison Government will force action from these companies through these new laws.” The Bill will include new provisions to deal with the showing of “abhorrent violent material” which is material produced by a perpetrator, and which plays or livestreams the very worst types of offences. It will capture the playing or streaming of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, torture, rape and kidnapping on social media.
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editorial
Brutal Mass Shooting.. Is this the way on vice versa
A
s everyone witnessed either through news or through social media about the recent incident happens in Christchurch, New Zealand that an Australian man who started mass shooting in an open fire two times in a Mosque in Christchurch killed more than 50 Muslims and more than 100 injured, who were praying in Mosque at that time. This incident creates terrible terror amongst not only in Muslim community but to all over the world. New Zealand is considered to be one of the best countries in the world which invites everyone for tourism, for visitors and even welcomes refugees from all over the world. This country is one of the happy nation, one of the peaceful country in the world. But this kind of incident in New Zealand stopped that nation for a while and forced them to rethink that what exactly is happened in their home. The Christchurch mosque shootings were two consecutive terrorist attacks at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday Prayer on 15 March 2019. The attacks began at the Al Noor Mosque in the suburb of Riccarton at 1:40 pm, and continued at the Linwood Islamic Centre at about 1:55 pm.
The gunman live streamed the first attack on Facebook Live and created
kind of incidents for our country’s betterment or what lessons we are giving
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this brutal mass murder live via shooting through his machine gun. Same kind of incidents happens worldwide as well some on Muslims from others and some are from Muslims to others as mass shooting and killings and showed his anger on Muslims and blamed that whatever bad is happening to the world and US is happening because of them and vice versa. Any community can rethink that whether these kind of incidents that do… or we have to do these
to our future kids. See as we’ve come to know that for the betterment of our society or our country we live in currently wither our birth country or we migrated into.
Migration is a part of our life. Everyone is migrant is any country. In ancient time or during history everyone was free to move into Any country without any barriers and was welcomed. But now it becomes a reason for hatred. Even now as well in every country or island of this universe is mixed with migrants and even with refugees. So not even a single person or citizen of any country can say that this is only mine and not anyone else can come in or live into mine country as this universe is common for all to live in or to survive in. As our land is common for all. Our air is common for all to breathe, our nature is common for all to use. Our food is common for all to share. Our resources are common for all to share in need. But some think with stupidity that only one country is one’s own assets and it cannot be shared with others. So live within this universe with human rights and give rights to other humans as common for all.
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world FOREIGN VEHICLES WITH A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING FINES MAY BE DENIED ENTRY FROM 1 APRIL 2019 TL Bureau Singapore: As announced in February 2019, foreign vehicles with a number of outstanding fines for traffic, parking or vehicular emissions offences may be denied entry into Singapore. This move will take effect from 1 April 2019. 2. To avoid being denied entry into Singapore, foreign motorists are reminded to check if they have any outstanding fines for vehicle-related offences, settle them promptly before 1 April 2019, and retain the receipt for verification purposes where required during their subsequent entries into Singapore. They may check their outstanding fines at www.axs.com.sg. Payment for the fines can be made through the following channels (the full list of payment options is listed at Annex): • AXS kiosks, AXS website and AXS mobile app • Respective agencies’ websites • Respective agencies’ customer service counters • SingPost Post Offices
New Head of Mission to NATO and Rabat
TL Bureau. Helsinki: At the presidential session on Friday 29 March, the President of the Republic decided to appoint a new Head of Mission to NATO in Brussels and Rabat. The President of the Republic decided to appoint Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Klaus Korhonen to serve as Head of the Mission of Finland to NATO in Brussels from 1 June 2019. Korhonen is currently Senior Adviser at the Ministry’s Unit for Policy Planning and Research. Previously he has served as Ambassador for Arms Control and worked as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in The Hague. In 2016–2017, he worked as President of the Conference of States Parties (CSP) of the international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Korhonen joined the Foreign Ministry in 1987. He holds a Master of Social Sciences degree. The President of the Republic appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Pekka Hyvönen to serve as Head of the Mission of Finland in Rabat, Morocco, from 1 August 2019. Hyvönen will transfer to Rabat from the Ministry’s Department for Europe, where he is currently Senior Adviser on Migration.
Estonian anniversary in NATO: 15 years ago, our security policy status changed completely TL Bureau. Stenbock House: Today marks 15 years since Estonia joined NATO: an event that gave Estonia the greatest security guarantee ever due to a close defence cooperation with 28 allies. Prime Minister Jüri Ratas said that the day Estonia joined NATO is a day of allies. “For forty years, we were forced to look from the outside into a world behind the protective shield of NATO, so desirable and unattainable! In 2004, when we and other countries became members of NATO and the European Union, it was like a happy reunion.”
Moscow wants the most is to undermine the process of our European and Euro-Atlantic integration TL Bureau. Lviv: Head of State: The thing Moscow wants the most is to undermine the process of our European and Euro-Atlantic integration “The thing Moscow wants the most is to undermine the process of our European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The fifth column participates in the elections under the slogan of non-alignment renewal,” President Petro Poroshenko said during his conversation with Lviv residents. The President noted that in February 2014, when the annexation of Crimea began, he was in Simferopol and did everything possible to demonstrate to the world that the Verkhovna Rada of Crimea was empty and did not make any decisions. “At that time, Ukraine had a status of non-alignment and it did not protect us from anything. But no matter
how much they would grovel at Medvedev’s feet, hear me from Lviv - Ukrainians will not elect Boyko and Medvedchuk to the post of the President. This will never happen,” Petro Poroshenko emphasized. He also emphasized that the movement of Ukraine towards the EU and NATO membership
was a clear commitment envisaged in his program. “Other candidates avoid it for some reason. And I do not believe it is a coincidence. Such an omission in their program is their clear message to Putin about their willingness to trade the national interests,” he added.
U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working RAF Typhoons intercept Russian Aircraft over the Group and Designations Dialogue TL Bureau. Washington DC: Indian and U.S. officials met in Washington, DC on March 29 for the sixteenth meeting of the U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group and the second session of the U.S.-India Designations Dialogue. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales and Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Shri Mahaveer Singhvi led respective inter-Agency/inter-Departmental delegations to discuss counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries, resolving to continue close coordination on this important element of the bilateral relationship. The Counterterrorism Joint
Working Group exchanged views on threats posed by international terrorist organizations as well as ongoing concerns over cross-border terrorism in the South Asia region. Ambassador Sales emphasized U.S. support for the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism. Both sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take meaningful, irreversible, and verifiable action against terrorists and terrorist groups. There was discussion of strengthening cooperation on information sharing and other steps to disrupt the ability of terrorists to travel, consistent with the important provisions and obligations outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2396.
North Sea
TL Bureau London: RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon fighter aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth, with an RAF Voyager from Brize Norton, to monitor two Russian Blackjacks approaching UK airspace. The RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the Russian aircraft as they passed through a variety of international airspace before they were intercepted over the North Sea. Our fighters escorted them from the UK’s area of interest and ensured that they did not enter UK sovereign airspace. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: Our brave RAF pilots have shown again that we are ready to respond to any threat to the UK. Alongside our NATO allies,
Italy Organises First National Victim Identification Taskforce TL Bureau. Rome: International initiative to safeguard victims of child sexual abuse spreads to national level – 6 new victims localised on relevant clues The Italian Postal and Communications Police (Polizia Postale e delle Comunicazioni) with the support of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) hosted the first Victim Identification Taskforce (VIDTF) workshop at the Criminal Police Central Directorate in Italy. The aim of the workshop was to enhance cooperation at national and international level when identifying child sexual abuse victims and perpetrators. It was the first time that an EU Member
State organised a national VIDTF workshop with the support of Europol. Postal and Communications Police brought together 25 specialists in Rome from both regional departments and the Central Service of Postal and Communications Police. For 11 sets of
images analysed during this workshop depicting 6 victims, the specialists were able to determine the likely countries of production. These countries were informed and started investigations to identify perpetrators and safeguard the victims.
4 Three dead in Germany after small plane crashes into field
TL Bureau. Frankfurt: Three people died when the small plane they were in crashed into a field south of the German city of Frankfurt on Sunday, police said. Two more people were killed when a police vehicle responding to the plane crash was involved in a head-on collision. The six-seater aircraft slammed into the village of Erzhausen around 3:30 pm (1330 GMT), its charred debris scattered across a farm field in a 20-metre radius
Meeting with permanent members of Security Council
TL Correspondent. Moscow : Following an exchange of opinions, the meeting participants voiced their grave concern about several states’ continuing direct statements on their intention to further interfere in Venezuela’s domestic affairs, which makes the settlement of the internal political crisis in the country more problematic. They emphasised that only the people of Venezuela can make decisions on the future of their state. In addition, during the meeting Vladimir Putin informed the participants of the results of the talks held during his visit to Kyrgyzstan. Pressing socioeconomic matters were also discussed. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.
Israeli forces arrest 13 Palestinians in West Bank
Ramallah. TL Bureau: Israeli forces early Thursday launched a large-scale arrest campaign in various parts of the West Bank, during which they arrested 13 Palestinians. A statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Society said that the Israeli army broke into various areas in the cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalqilya and Salfit and arrested the people on the ground that they were wanted by authorities
world
Ebola cases rising in DR Congo, but UN health agency cites progress in community trust-building TL Bureau. Katwa and Butembo: Latest data from 26 March, indicates a total of 1,029 confirmed and probable cases of Ebola, while 642 people have died, making the latest outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic fever, which is endemic in the DRC, the worst in the country’s history. More than 320 patients have recovered and been discharged from treatment centres, according to the Government’s health ministry, which says that 125 new cases of infection were reported from 51 health areas in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the past week. Most patients came from the known virus hotspots of Katwa (36 cases) and Butembo (14), along with three emerging clusters in Mandima (19), Masereka (18) and Vuhovi (17). All new cases have been linked to known chains of transmission, indicating that contact tracing, vaccination and isolation of carriers for treatment is working, said WHO.
Situation still ‘fragile’ after spate of Ebola centre attacks “No major security incidents” have been reported in the last 10 days but the overall situation remains “fragile”, WHO says - a reference to several recent attacks on Ebola Treatment Centres by armed groups. Attacks on Ebola Treatment Centres in Katwa and Butembo “represented the first large-scale and organized attacks targeted directly at the Ebola response”, WHO said in a statement, describing them
as “a different order of magnitude” to incidents linked to mistrust in communities, or “dangers of being caught in crossfire between fighting parties”. In its latest risk assessment of the outbreak, the UN health agency concluded that the national and regional risk levels are still “very high”, although the global risk remains low. WHO insisted, meanwhile, that efforts to encourage communities to participate more in countering Ebola, had been successful.
Ensure time bound disposal of election petitions, criminal & Decide antidefection cases: Vice President TL Bureau. New Delhi: The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for speedy disposal of election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders pending before various courts. He also suggested the setting up of separate benches to expedite all such cases within six months or one year. The Vice President also wanted the presiding officers of legislative bodies to decide anti-defection cases within three months. Interacting with eminent lawyers, judges and the members of the Bar
Association here in Visakhapatnam today, Shri Naidu recollected his early days as a law student in Andhra University and shared his cherished memories with the gathering. Speaking at the 125th anniversary celebrations of Visakhapatnam District Court Bar Association, he expressed concern over the pendency of cases at various courts and said that time bound approval of applications and disposal of appeals was absolutely essential. Pointing out that a large amount of money was locked up in long pending tax-related litigations, the
Vice President said that delays in judicial litigations and proceedings could affect the image of the country. Expressing concern over pendency of 3.12 crore cases at various courts, Shri Naidu urged upon the Courts and the Bar Associations to seriously dwell on the matter and see that pendency was reduced. Quoting a popular adage, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’, Shri Naidu emphasized the need to undertake reforms to improve the functioning of judicial institutions to ensure speedy justice and equitable justice particularly to the common man.
Serious youth violence summit to launch public health duty to tackle serious violence TL Bureau. London: The new, multi-agency, ‘public health duty’ is intended to help spot the warning signs that a young person could be in danger, such as presenting in A&E with a suspicious injury, to worrying behaviour at school or issues at home. Similar approaches have been used in Scotland and Wales, and are designed to ensure every part of the system works together to support young people and makes targeted interventions before they commit violence or are groomed by gangs. The joined-up approach could
also include organisations jointly funding early intervention services to improve their coordination and would be backed up by legislation to make sure professionals in health, education, police, social services, housing and the voluntary sector work together and are held accountable for preventing and tackling serious violence. The announcement comes as the Prime Minister, Theresa May, is set to host a summit to tackle knife crime, which will also introduce this multi-agency response to violent crime. The summit will bring to-
gether attendees from a diverse range of backgrounds including law enforcement, health, the voluntary sector and education. Young people with experience of living in communities impacted by serious violence will also be attending the conference to share their insights. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, said: To bring about lasting change and protect young people from the tragic violence we have seen on our streets, we need to work across society to intervene early and stop them from being drawn into crime.
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australia RESPECT YOUR DRIVER CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO ‘BUS BETTER’ TL Bureau. Darwin : The Territory Government, in partnership with RADD Ambassadors Shannon Rioli, Lauren O’Shea and Phillip Wills, launched the Respect Your Driver campaign, encouraging Territorians using public transport to ‘bus better’. The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) developed the Respect Your Driver campaign in consultation with the public bus operators, to raise awareness of appropriate behaviour when traveling on public transport and interacting with bus drivers. Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Executive Director of Transport Safety and Services, Simon Saunders, said the campaign was an important initiative to combat anti-social behaviour and for passengers to be mindful of their bus drivers. “The Respect Your Driver campaign aims to raise awareness and change people’s behaviours towards bus drivers by personalising the story, and reminding passengers that they’re just like them people with families who are just doing their job and want to get home safely,” said Mr Saunders. “Everyone deserves the right to feel safe on our buses, and if you’re catching public transport, it pays to be respectful, and to ‘bus better’.” RADD Ambassador and NT Thunder star, Shannon Rioli, said being loud and disruptive can alarm other passengers and distract bus drivers, and inappropriate behaviour across the Territory’s bus networks is not on.
Unemployment In Regional Vic The Lowest In The Nation TL Bureau Melbourne : Victoria’s regional unemployment is the lowest in the nation, with more and more people finding work outside Melbourne. New Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows, an extra 10,200 people found a job in regional Victoria in the three months to February, more than double the number of jobs created in regional NSW. Victoria’s regional unemployment rate is 4.6 per cent – the lowest regional unemployment rate in Australia. Areas that experienced the highest employment growth in regional Victoria in the three months to February were Geelong, and Warrnambool and South West. Since the Andrews Labor Government was elected in November 2014, 68,500 jobs have been created in regional Victoria – 84 per cent of them full time.
Something’s fishy: ABF officers detect live fish in package from Vietnam TL Bureau. Melbourne: Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Victoria have detected 20 fish in an air cargo consignment arriving from Vietnam, which was labelled as “artificial flowers”. The package was X-rayed on arrival into Melbourne and officers quickly noted anomalies in the X-ray image. Upon further examination, 13 plastic bags containing artificial plants were found. Deconstruction of these bags revealed a further 10 bags concealed inside, each containing two fish.
New Zealand’s National Remembrance Service following Christchurch terrorist attack TL Bureau. Canberra : The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison share a visit in Christchurch Mosque which was filled in with mass murder shooting last month in New Zealand. PM added, “It’s been a great privilege to be here today with Jenny, the Governor General and Lady Cosgrove and Bill and Chloe Shorten, to stand together as Australians. To stand with New Zealanders, to stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters here, the first responders and all those who have been so directly and more broadly impacted. The service today was a thing of absolute beauty. Today, New Zealand has responded to hate with love. They’ve responded to violence with peace, and I think that is a very, very powerful message. The outpouring that we saw today and as we’ve seen over the last fortnight - from New Zealanders, from Australians, from all around the world - I think has
been a reminder of the goodness amongst the darkness that is often present. I suppose one of the most touching moments today was when Farid Ahmed spoke as someone who is a
survivor of that horrendous attack, that terrorist attack. He spoke of love and he spoke of peace and he spoke of forgiveness. These are very powerful, powerful things. Far more powerful than the hate and the violence that he encountered on that horrible day. To hear the names of the 50 souls that were lost, particularly the last name spoken by his
daughter, was overwhelming, overwhelming. But out of this comes a great hope and that’s been expressed, I think, so beautifully by the people of New Zealand in the only way they know how to; with a smile, with a beautiful Maori song and a sense of strength which Christchurch and New Zealand has responded to that call for kia kaha by doing exactly that, by staying strong. For that, we embrace our Kiwi brothers and sisters, our cousins and we stand with them, as we always will. I’m also very grateful to the appreciations of support from New Zealand for the great work that Australians have been doing here, both in the police work that is being undertaken, the other support which is coming again in this next week - I understand New South Wales Ambulance counsellors will be here in New Zealand, providing support.”
Papua New Guinean fishers found guilty of illegally fishing in Australian waters TL Bureau Sydney: The Daru National and District Court in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has handed down a series of fines to 14 fishers who were found guilty of illegally fishing in Australian waters within the Torres Strait Protected Zone. The fishers were apprehended in May 2018 by officers from Maritime Border Command (MBC), a multi-agency taskforce within the Australian Border Force (ABF), working closely with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). One master was convicted on two counts of unlicensed commercial fishing for crab and finfish near Saibai Island, and his crew were each convicted on one charge. A second master was convicted on two counts of
unlicensed commercial fishing for crab and finfish near Saibai Island and his crew were each convicted on one charge. The vessels were sighted by an MBC surveillance aircraft on Wednesday 23 May and were intercepted by the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Wollongong, near Sabai Island. Under the terms of the Torres Strait Treaty, PNG nationals suspected of fishing illegally in Australian waters of the Torres Strait are repatriated to PNG to face a local court. In sentencing the fishers, who were all from Mabaduan village in PNG, the Magistrate acknowledged their boats and gear had already been confiscated by AFMA. The Magistrate then handed down fines totalling PGK$3,600, which must be paid within 14 days, or the fishers will face jail time.
Man arrested over suspected molasses tobacco smuggling in Sydney TL Bureau. Sydney: The Australian Border Force (ABF) led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) has arrested and charged a 32-year-old man in Sydney over the alleged illicit importation of up to 184kg of molasses tobacco. It is alleged the man avoided paying duty on the tobacco products by providing false documents and concealing tobacco products within packages of other items. On 26 March 2019, following further investigations, ABF officers intercepted the man and his mother at Sydney International Airport as they arrived back into Australia from Beirut.
A search of the man’s baggage also located steroids that were seized and he was issued with a fine. The man’s mother was searched and found to be in possession of $20,000 of undeclared Aus-
tralian currency. This was referred to the Australian Federal Police and the cash was seized. Later that day, ABF officers working under the ITTF executed warrants at the man’s residence in Homebush, where they located documents relating to the alleged importation of molasses tobacco as well as additional steroid medication. The man was arrested and charged with multiple offences relating to the illegal importation of tobacco under Section 233BABAD(2) of the Customs Act 1901 and placed in the custody of NSW Police. He is expected to appear in court later this month.
6 Have you seen Gary Gao? Counties Manukau Police seeking Gary Gao
TL Bureau. Christchurch : Counties Manukau Police are seeking any sightings of Chunji Gao, known as Gary Gao. The 25-year-old was reported as missing on Monday 25 March. His family have not physically seen him since May 2018, and Police at this stage have no further information on where he might be.
Government moves on UN Rights Declaration TL Correspondent. Christchurch: Māori Development Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta announced today the Government will develop a plan of action to drive and measure Aotearoa New Zealand’s progress towards the aspirations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “This Government is committed to leadership and building closer partnerships with Māori. The Declaration plan will identify specific actions that can make real progress on the aspirations of Māori as the tangata whenua of Aotearoa,” said Nanaia Mahuta. Minister Mahuta said that although many Government actions on Māori development and wellbeing are consistent with the aspirations of the Declaration, there is still more that we could and should do. “We are often seen as leaders in indigenous rights, and a Declaration plan will show how the rubber is hitting the road by bringing greater transparency to the story that we tell about our progress.” The Declaration plan will be developed across 2019 and through engagement with Māori in the second half of the year. As a first step, the Minister will work with her Cabinet colleagues to appoint a technical working group to help provide advice about what this partnership process should look like. “Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to embed the partnership with Māori within the work we are leading.
NZ and other Oceania
Coalition Government delivers greater support for business, workers, families
TL Bureau. Christchurch : April 1 sees the Coalition Government delivering on its plan to provide greater support for business, workers and families in order to grow the economy and improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders. The following components of the Coalition’s plan will be introduced tomorrow: Supporting business to grow by introducing a $1 billion R&D tax incentive that will provide a 15 percent tax credit to any business spending a minimum of $50,000 on R&D. Saving businesses and customers $100 million over the next two years by dropping ACC levies on average from 72 cents to 67 cents per $100 of liable earnings. Helping Kiwis to plan for their retirement by adding new KiwiSaver contribution rates of 6% and 10%, and allowing more workers access to KiwiSaver by allowing those aged
over 65 to sign up. A pay boost of $1.20 an hour to lift the minimum wage to $17.70, the largest increase in history. Rates of New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension will increase by 2.6 percent, reflecting the bigger increases in wages under this Government. Justice Under-Secretary Jan Logie’s Bill providing greater support for domestic violence victims comes into force, with the new right to 10 days’ domestic violence leave and flexible working conditions taking effect. “The Coalition Government has a plan to grow the economy and share the benefits fairly. This package of changes shows the Government is delivering on that plan and will see thousands of business and hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders better off,” Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “We are delivering these impor-
Duke of Cambridge to visit Christchurch TL Bureau. Christchurch : Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed news that the Duke of Cambridge will visit New Zealand on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen to honour the victims of the Christchurch mosques terror attack. The visit will be in late April. “I am mindful that the trauma in Christchurch will last long after the National Remembrance Service this week,” Jacinda Ardern said. “I’m sure all New Zealanders but especially the Muslim community of Christchurch will appreciate seeing the compassion and support, that has been so tangibly demonstrated since the attack, continue
into the future. “Prince William has a strong connection with the people of Canterbury since his visits here following the Christchurch earthquakes. “I’m really pleased that he can make a short visit to support those affected by the attack and pay tribute to the extraordinary compassion and solidarity that New Zealanders have displayed in recent weeks. “The visit will be another sign that this nation will always stand with those affected by the terror attacks, and the people of Christchurch,” Jacinda Ardern said. Further details of the dates and programme will be announced in due course.
tant changes while continuing to manage the Government’s books responsibly, shown last week by the strong surplus in the Crown accounts. “The Coalition Government is responding to the international economic headwinds by providing additional support to business so they can innovate and create jobs with the introduction of the R&D tax credit and easing the cost of doing business by reducing ACC levies. “More than 2000 businesses will be able to benefit from the new R&D tax incentive which will provide a 15 percent tax credit to business spending a minimum of $50,000 on R&D, assisting them to produce higher value goods for export. “We are also improving the wellbeing of New Zealanders by supporting the lowest paid to be able to afford the basics. Kiwi workers deserve to be paid appropriately for the hard work and effort they put into their job.
New Zealand concerned at Brunei’s implementation of Sharia law
TL Bureau Christchurch : Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has expressed concern at the Government of Brunei Darussalam’s intention to fully implement Sharia law. “It is seriously regrettable that Brunei’s decision contravenes a number of international norms on human rights,” said Mr Peters. “New Zealand opposes any kind of discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation. We are also deeply concerned at the use of punishments that are cruel, inhuman or degrading. “New Zealand is a long-standing opponent of the use of the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances,” Mr Peters said.
Fairer ACC levies for businesses to take effect TL Bureau. Christchurch : Kiwi businesses will save around $100 million over the next two years thanks to reduced ACC Work Account levies that take effect this Monday 1 April, says ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. “Monday marks the beginning of the financial year for many businesses, and I am pleased to say that businesses and self-employed workers will be paying fairer ACC levies for the next two years. This is another step this Government has taken to share New Zealand’s prosperity more fairly,” says Iain Lees-Galloway. “ACC levies are paid by all Kiwi businesses to protect and ensure the wellbeing of their workers. With ACC’s accounts in a healthy state, the government has been
able to reduce these levies, ensuring they are fair for businesses and no higher than needed to meet the lifetime cost of injury claims.” Key aspects of the levies include: the average Work Account levies paid by employers and self-employed people will decrease from 72 cents to 67 cents per $100 of liable earnings, and the Earners levies, generally paid through PAYE, will remain at its current level of $1.21 per $100 of liable earnings. “The wellbeing of New Zealanders is paramount. ACC levies ensure that Kiwis are protected and cared for in the case of an accident anywhere – whether at work, at home or on the road,” says Iain Lees-Galloway. ACC levies are reviewed every two years.
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business
AFL gives Aussie businesses a free kick to China TL Bureau. Canberra : More Australian businesses will be able to showcase their produce first-hand to the growing China market under a new joint initiative between Austrade, the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Port Adelaide Football Club, to be launched ahead of the upcoming AFL premiership game in Shanghai. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham said the ‘Festival of Australia’ will span ten cities over two-weeks, stretching from Tianjin to Shenzhen and finishing in Shanghai where Port Adelaide will take on St Kilda at the premiership match. The program will include a significant number of events and activities supported by a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to reach consumers, buyers and potential investors in all corners of China. “China and Australia have deep commercial and cultural ties, built over many years, but there is significant opportunity to grow exports of quality Australian products and services to the world’s biggest consumer market. “As well as promoting premium Australian food and beverages, the Festival will highlight Australia’s capability in healthcare, culture, tourism, sports, education, financial services, business and innovation spheres. Austrade is coordinating the Festi-
The AFL and Port Adelaide Football Club, which have a Joint Venture to organise the annual AFL match in China, welcome the decision. val in partnership with industry, including Wine Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Dairy Australia, Hort Innovation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism Australia, State Governments, Australia-China Chambers of Commerce and the AFL. Highlights include Wine Australia masterclasses, a Tmall Global online promotion, the annual Australia-China Business Awards Dinner, consumer and alumni competitions, business delegations promoting sports technology asset management and aged care, and Australian photography exhibitions, Indigenous music performances and film screenings. The Festival will culminate in the third Australian Football League premiership game in Shanghai, between Port Adelaide and St Kilda, on 2 June. “The Liberal-National Government welcomes the new three year commitment to conducting this premiership game made by the two clubs and the
AFL. “We are committing up to $250,000 of annual government support towards this initiative, in addition to $400,000 recently announced for Tourism Australia to be the official tourism sponsor of the 2019 Toyota AFL premiership game.” The AFL and Port Adelaide Football Club, which have a Joint Venture to organise the annual AFL match in China, welcome the decision. “Today’s announcement is an incredible vote of confidence for what Port Adelaide is doing in China,” said Port Adelaide Chairman David Koch. “When we first played an official game in China in 2017, people were pleasantly surprised at what had been achieved. Now, the annual match which is to a large extent the product of Port Adelaide’s vision and excellence, is the anchor of a significant event for Australia in China. I couldn’t be prouder. “This is the realisation of everything
I thought this game could be,” said Koch. “Our sport brings people together. It is a great context around which people from all backgrounds can meet and network. Now, as the anchor of a broader program of business and cultural activity, the annual AFL match has found its rightful place on the landscape of the Australia-China relationship. “I encourage all businesses with a focus on China, and all footy supporters, to be there. With the announcement of this Festival of Australia, all roads lead to Shanghai. I can’t wait.” The AFL also welcomed this decision. “On behalf of the AFL, we thank the Government for their three-year commitment to support the Festival of Australia in China,” said AFL CEO Gill McLachlan. “This support will ensure our game becomes a marquee event in the Australia-China business calendar. “Today’s announcement and the Government’s commitment certifies the momentum built on the first two Shanghai matches extends into the future both on and off the field in China.” The match will be broadcast on Guangzhou TV and Shanghai TV and will coincide with various marketing and promotional activities to help entice more Chinese travellers to Australia.
Helping more Australian businesses export to the world TL Bureau . Canberra : The Liberal-National Government is backing Australian small and medium exporters through a $60 million boost to the export market development grants (EMDG) scheme to help them export more of their products and services to new markets around the world. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said the funding boost for the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme demonstrated the Government’s strong support for Australian businesses with export ambitions. “We recognise the enormous contribution our exporters make to the economy, to creating more jobs and that’s why we’re backing them through this scheme,” Minister Birmingham said. “Under our government the number of Australian businesses exporting goods and services has skyrocketed by 16 per cent, fuelled by trade deals that have improved access to 1.8 billion new customers and deliv-
“This is the second time that our government has boosted funding to the EMDG program, standing in stark contrast to Labor who in 2012-13 cut $100 million from the scheme. ered a record $22.2 billion trade surplus in 2018. “We have delivered Australian businesses with more potential customers through our trade deals and helped more businesses to reach those customers through our growing support for programs such as the EMDG. “Trade policy under the Liberals and Nationals has been a key driver of our economy, with our record levels of exports helping Australian businesses to grow and contribute to the 1.3 million new jobs created under our government.
“Through the EMDG scheme we’re supporting businesses to increase their marketing and promotional activities in international markets so they can connect with new customers and grow their exports. “This funding boost will help Australian companies get more exposure in international markets allowing them to develop brand recognition and form relationships with potential customers, that we know is so critical to export success. “It will make a real difference to Australian businesses that are
thinking globally about their business, whether they are exporting for the first time or considering developing new overseas markets. “This is the second time that our government has boosted funding to the EMDG program, standing in stark contrast to Labor who in 2012-13 cut $100 million from the scheme. “Due to our stronger economy and strong budget position, by 2022 we will have delivered $180 million in additional funding for the EMDG program since 2013 and have honoured our commitment to restore the $100 million in funding the Labor Party ripped out of it.” Last year alone over 3,500 Small and Medium Enterprises accessed the EMDG scheme, employing almost 66,500 Australians and generating exports of $3.8 billion The Liberal-National Government will invest an additional $60 million in the EMDG scheme over the next three years to help more Australian businesses export to the world.
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feature
Physicians with multiple malpractice claims are more likely to stop practicing or go solo, Stanford study finds Stanford researchers find that physicians with poor malpractice liability records are no more likely than physicians who did not experience claims to relocate for a fresh start elsewhere. However, they were more likely to cease practice or to shift to smaller practice groups or to solo practice.
BY STEPHANIE ASHE California esearchers at Stanford University released findings of a study examining what happens to physicians who experience multiple malpractice claims. Where do physicians with poor malpractice liability records go? Where do they practice? Who would hire them? Stanford professors David Studdert and Michelle Mello wanted to know. The answers to these questions are described in a new study released March 27 in the New England Journal of Medicine. After reviewing more than a decade’s worth of data from nearly half a million physicians, Studdert and Mello found that physicians who were sued repeatedly were no more likely to relocate their clinical practices than colleagues who had no claims. However, they were more likely to either cease practice or, if they continued to practice, to shift to smaller practice groups or solo practice. “There is an emerging awareness that a small group of ‘frequent flyers’ accounts for an impressively large share of all malpractice lawsuits,” said
R
Studdert, the lead researcher and professor at both Stanford Law School and Stanford University School of Medicine. “This study confirms that, and begins to shed light on the professional trajectories of these physicians.” In a 2016 study, also published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Studdert and Mello examined demographic characteristics of claim-prone physicians. “When we presented that work, people kept asking us questions about this group that we couldn’t answer, like who would ever hire or insure them,” Studdert said. “Now we have a better idea.” A small group with many lawsuits The research team reviewed data from 480,894 physicians who had 68,956 claims paid against them between 2003 and 2015. The researchers estimated that 2 percent of practicing physicians had two or more paid malpractice claims. Those physicians account for nearly 40 percent of all paid claims, confirming results from their earlier study. “Our main goal was to follow these multi-claim practitioners over time as they accumulated claims and see where they went and what
kind of changes they made to their practices,” said Mello, professor of law and professor of health research and medicine at Stanford and a co-author of the study. “One surprising result was that they were no more likely to relocate than their colleagues.” In the late 1980s, widespread concerns that physicians with poor liability records were moving interstate to put their reputations behind them led Congress to establish the National Practitioner Data Bank. When a malpractice claim is paid on behalf of a health practitioner, or the practitioner is subjected to certain forms of disciplinary action, the information must be reported to the Data Bank. Employers, such as hospitals, are then required to check the Data Bank. “Given the policy history here, it was gratifying to find that physicians prone to malpractice claims were not flight risks,” Mello said, noting that it is clearly harder for physicians with bad records to escape their past than it once was. They don’t move, but many go solo The study also found that claimprone physicians were more likely than
their peers to quit practicing. Nonetheless, more than 90 percent of physicians who racked up five or more paid claims continued to practice medicine. The study also showed that claimprone physicians were much more likely than their peers to shift into smaller practice settings. For example, physicians with five or more claims were more than twice as likely as physicians with no claims to switch to solo practice. “Compared to practicing in large group practices or hospitals, physicians in small or solo practices are subject to less oversight from administrators and peers,” Mello said. “Quality problems with solo practitioner may be more difficult to detect and report. From a patient safety standpoint, this is the study’s most troubling finding. Frankly, solo practice is the last place we want practitioners who pose patient safety risks to be working.” A single malpractice claim is a weak signal that there’s a quality problem, when there are repeated paid claims over a relatively short period of time, that sends an important signal about patient safety risk, Studdert said.
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life & real estate
REIA responds to oppositions start date for negative gearing and capital gains tax changes TL Bureau. Deakin: The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has reiterated its strong opposition to the Labor Party’s negative gearing and capital gains tax policy following the announcment that the 1 January 2020 would be the start date for their negative gearing and capital gains tax increases if they were to win the Federal election. “The REIA has always been concerned with the impact the policy
would have on housing markets, buyers, renters and economic activity,” REIA President Adrian Kelly said. “This concern is magnified in the current market. “There is almost truck loads of analysis and reports showing the adverse impacts of the policy on mum and dad investors, home owners, renters, the construction industry, state governments and the economy. “The latest was last week when
SQM Research showed that: house prices would drop between 5% to 12% on a weighted average for the capital cities for 2020 to 2022 over and above any other falls being experienced; rents are expected to increase by between 8% and 15% on a weighted average for the capital cities for 2020 to 2022; housing construction activity will fall by 25% to 30% from 2019 levels, which; will have employment and GDP impacts; property sales turnover is forecast to
fall by a further 12% to 15%, resulting in; a drop in state stamp duty revenue of approximately $2.3 billion. “For first home buyers, who according to Labor, should see improved housing affordability by a “levelling of the playing field” will now face a faltering economy, lower employment prospects, the possibility of higher interest rates under a Labor Government* and higher rents whilst they save for a deposit,” Mr Kelly said.
U.S. Travel Applauds Introduction of Visa Waiver Program Rename Bill TL Bureau. WASHINGTON DC: U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Barnes issued the following statement on the introduction of a bill to rename the Visa Waiver Program to the Secure Travel Partnership:
“Rebranding the Visa Waiver Program will have a lot of downstream benefits for both U.S. security and the U.S. economy. For many, the program has had the connotation of relaxed security standards, when in fact the opposite is true: membership in the VWP subjects entrants to rigorous pre-travel
vetting, mandates other security enhancements such as un-counterfeitable biometric passports, and enables invaluable intelligence-sharing with our partners in the program. Just as good, facilitating travel for citizens of our closest security allies also entails billions of dollars in proven economic im-
pact. “Renaming the program the Secure Travel Partnership will much more precisely describe its crucial role, and allow policymakers to focus on policies aimed at enhancing and expanding it in order to maximize its security and economic potential.”
Spotlight on Tourism Technology and Development Adventure Forum: Middle East in Cairo TL Bureau. Madrid: Digital solutions for tourism, innovating to ensure tourism’s contribution to sustainable development, and a tourism start-competition, took centre stage during the ‘UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventure Forum: Middle East”. Held within the 45th Meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East, the forum gathered ministers and tourism stakeholders from the region (Cairo, Egypt, 24-25 March 2019). The Regional Commission was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Egypt, H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to
supporting tourism as one of its economic pillars. The Tourism Tech Adventure Forum represents a platform for entrepreneurship and tourism innovation, which gathers leaders in innovation, top-level start-ups and key actors in the global innovation and digital transformation ecosystem. It is geared towards providing solutions to challenges related to digital transformation as a source of employment generation, competitiveness and sustainable development. The Forum brought together top regional startups Eco View Resort (Jordan), Eco Nubia (Egypt), Fujtown (UAE) and Lebanese Wanderers (Lebanon) and eight national startups from Egypt, supported by RiseUp.
Saudi Tourist, No Longer, Needs Entry Visa -Mauritius’ Tourism Minister TL Bureau. Riyadh: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has concluded here on Thursday “Mauritius Week, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” with a large media conference, attended by Tourism Minister of Mauritius Anil Kumar Singh Gayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Iqbal Latouna and a number of Mauritians officials. The conference started with a speech delivered by the Mauritian Minister of Tourism, in which he expressed sincere thanks of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the good reception and cooperation with the Mauritian tourism delegation. On the Mauritius tourist entry visa, the Mauritian official confirmed that Saudi tourist, no longer needs any, to travel to Mauritius
These companies pitched their ideas in front of a 5-member jury of innovation and tourism experts. Eco Nubia of Egypt emerged as the front-runner, represented by Thair Ayyash, a unique experience that seeks to bring human development trainings to families and individuals is the winning start-up. Thair Ayyash will receive a grant with StartEgypt, an institution established to inspire and support Egyptian entrepreneurs in the field of social impact enterprises, and also join the winners of the regional UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventures to be held during the upcoming UNWTO General Assembly in Saint Petersburg, Russia (September 2019).
600,000 working age people in the East Midlands are living in poverty TL Bureau (Source TUC) London : * New official statistics show working age poverty in the East Midlands has fallen little, despite employment growth * Government must take positive action to improve wages and empower workers, says TUC TUC analysis of new official poverty figures published today (Thursday) has found that working age poverty in the East Midlands has barely fallen since 2010/11, despite regional
unemployment falling significantly. The proportion of working age people living in poverty was 21% in 2010/11, and 20% in 2017/18, according to today’s new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The lack of progress comes despite unemployment in the East Midlands falling from 7.7% in 2011 to 4.0% in 2018. TUC Regional Secretary for the East Midlands Lee Barron
said: “Thousands of people in the East Midlands are working hard, but still locked in poverty – that’s not right. “The system is broken, with low pay, insecure work and the benefits freeze trapping families below the breadline. “We need to redesign the economy to make it fair again. People in the East Midlands need more control over their working lives and a fairer share of the wealth they create.
sports 10 IOC SANCTIONS THREE ATHLETES FOR FAILING ANTI-DOPING TESTS AT LONDON 2012 THE PROTECTION OF CLEAN ATHLETES AND THE FIGHT AGAINST DOPING ARE TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC), AS OUTLINED IN OLYMPIC AGENDA 2020, THE IOC’S STRATEGIC ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT. THE IOC IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING ADDITIONAL ANALYSES ON THE SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE OLYMPIC GAMES LONDON 2012. THIS PROGRAMME, WHICH USES THE LATEST SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS METHODS, AIMS TO TEST SAMPLES FOR ALL SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED IN 2012. TL Bureau London : As the International Testing Agency (ITA) is now operational, the IOC has delegated the selection of samples to be reanalysed and the results management to the ITA, which will therefore review all the test results and notify the athletes concerned. The notification gives them the choice to have their case heard before the CAS or before an IOC Disciplinary Commission. This choice is given as the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) for the Olympic Games London 2012 still apply for cases that arise from the current reanalyses. As part of this process, the IOC today announced that three athletes have been disqualified from the Olympic Games London 2012. The details follow. Valentin HRISTOV, 34, of Azerbaijan, competing in the Men’s 56kg Weightlifting event (Qualifications and Finals) in which he ranked 3rd and was awarded the bronze medal, has been disqualified from the Olympic Games London 2012. Re-analysis of Hristov’s samples from London 2012 resulted in a positive test for the prohibited substance Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (oralturinabol).
Sciver, Wyatt and Beaumont move up in Women’s T20I Rankings E
TL Bureau. ngland’s middle-order batter Natalie Sciver and the opening pair of Danielle Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont have all made notable gains in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after consistent performances in a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka. Sciver has moved up one place to 13th in the list of batters after unbeaten scores of 49, 10 and 11 during the series. Wyatt has advanced two slots to 15th after scoring 103 runs in the series including a half-century in the final match on Thursday while Beaumont has gained eight places to reach 18th after scoring 76 runs in the series. Amy Jones is another one to gain in the latest rankings update carried out on Friday, advancing 25 places to 45th position after scoring 111 runs in the three
matches. Among England’s bowlers, Linsey Smith has moved from 95th to 58th position after taking four wickets in the series, Kate Cross has moved up from 71st to 63rd while Laura Marsh has gone up from 82nd to 64th. For Sri Lanka, Imalka Mendis has moved up 15 places to 94th position and Oshadi Ranasinghe has moved from 172nd to 144th position among batters. Inoshi Fernando has advanced 30 places to 183rd among bowlers. England remain in second position and on 278 points in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings after their 3-0 series verdict, while Sri Lanka have lost one point and are now on 205 points but remain in eighth position. Australia lead the table with 283 points while the West Indies are only two points behind England in third position.
Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in fourth ODI
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TL Bureau mad Wasim, the Pakistan captain for the match, has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee. Pakistan have been fined for maintaining a slow overrate against Australia in the fourth ODI in Dubai on Friday. Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the fine after Imad Wasim’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their
match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. As such, Imad has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 10 per cent fines. If Pakistan commit another minor over-rate breach in an ODI within 12 months of this offence with Imad as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by him and Imad will face a suspension. Imad pleaded guilty to the offence after the end of the match and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Rashid Riaz, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Ahsan Raza leveled the charge.
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tech/auto
Sustainable structures for the future: Realignment of BMW Group Design. Jozef Kaban new head of Rolls-Royce design, Domagoj Dukec takes over BMW design, Van Hooydonk: “a signal of our future orientation” (Sub-Head) TL Bureau. Munich.: The BMW Group is reorganising its Design division and taking the next step towards sustainable, leaner structures. Jozef Kaban, previously head of the BMW core brand design, will take over Rolls-Royce brand design, effective 1 April 2019. Domagoj Dukec, previously head of BMW i and BMW M design, will assume design responsibility for the entire BMW brand, effective 1 April 2019. This systematic consolidation of design responsibility will focus BMW brand design more consistently on modern products with a distinctive character. “The realignment of BMW Group Design is a signal of our future orientation. The new structure will ensure more efficiency, speed and agility in our design process. The new responsibilities will set the design direction for the individual brands and align it to future demands,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, on Friday in Munich.
Milano Design Week, from 9 to 14 April at Magna Pars Suites Milan LAMBORGHINI LIVING IN THE FAST LANE TL Bureau. Sant’Agata Bolognese/Milan: From 9 to 14 April for the first time at Milan Design Week, Lamborghini presents Living in the Fast Lane: the interactive Lamborghini Lab where design merges with technological and engineering development. In addition, presented as a world preview at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Huracán EVO Spyder will be on show for the first time in Italy. The Lab space, located in Via Tortona 15 within the Magna Pars Suites Milan, is designed as an exhibition route that allows the visitor to immerse themselves, step by step, into the Lamborghini universe, from the first historical masterpieces to the significant current developments. In the first area, a multimedia journey passes through more than 50 years of history, with iconic models from 1963 to today. A bright, white environment is the background for the verde (green) Selvans of the Huracán EVO Spyder, with its leather and Alcantara interiors.
Tour de Corse: Day 3
Toyota Yaris WRC first and second on the Calvi Power Stage
T Guests can discover all the extraordinary performance of the car and in particular the Lamborghini Dinamica Integrated Vehicle (LDVI) system, as well as the new connectivity features through the 8.4” HMI touchscreen. In the customization area Ad Personam Studio, the personalization of a car’s every single detail can be realized virtually, thanks to the Car Configurator.
TL Bureau. he strong performance of the Toyota Yaris WRC on the Tour de Corse concluded with a one-two finish on the rally-ending Power Stage for Kris Meeke and Ott Tänak. All three of the team’s cars finished inside of the top 10 at the end of an event that promised much more, but for some time-consuming stoppages. The final day consisted of two stages to the north-west of the island of Corsica. After concentrating on preserving his tyres during the first stage, Meeke set the fastest time on the Power Stage into Calvi. Claiming his third stage win of the event, Meeke was 4.5 seconds faster than team-mate Tänak. Tänak had led the rally before he had to stop and change a tyre on Saturday afternoon. As a result, he finished sixth overall, but his four bonus points from the Power Stage mean he is only five points away from the lead of the drivers’ championship. Having both lost significant time with incidents earlier in the rally, Meeke and Jari-Matti Latvala finished in ninth and 10th overall respectively.
BMW M Motorsport presents first DTM car design for 2019 – ZF is BMW M Motorsport Premium Partner in the DTM Whether in the DTM, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, or countless other championships: Week after week BMW teams and drivers around the world do battle for points, victories and titles. Away from the track too, members of the large BMW Motorsport family around the world are also creating headlines. The “BMW Motorsport News” allows us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed. TL Bureau. W Series: Beitske Visser earns a seat in new race series. Beitske Visser (NED) – part of the BMW Motorsport Junior programme since 2017 and official test and reserve driver in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship this season – has done it! The Dutch driver has secured one of the 18 seats in the W Series, the first Formula series exclusively for women. Visser impressed the jury again at the crucial shootout at Almería (ESP). The W Series races feature on the same bill as the DTM. As well as her outings in Formula E and the W Series, Visser will also contest selected races at the wheel of the BMW M6 GT3 in 2019.
12 OIC Secretary General Condemns Mogadishu Terrorist Attack
TL Bureau. Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place in the Somali capital Mogadishu, resulting in killing and injuring a number of people. OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the people and the Government of the Republic of Somalia. Al-Othaimeen stressed the OIC position in supporting the Somali Government in its sincere efforts to combat terrorism, noting the need to strengthen the international partnership to counter the threat of terrorism
SEK 500 million to Green Climate Fund brought forward TL Bureau. Stockholm: Increased access to renewable energy through development cooperation is crucial, both for reduced climate impact and the transition to a climate-smart society, and also for sustainable economic development. Through an amendment to appropriation directions, the Government is investing in greater speed and quality in climate efforts. “The world needs major investments for a green transition and faster and larger initiatives to address the climate threat. The Swedish Government is contributing by providing additional funds to the Green Climate Fund, and making investments in renewable energy and flood defences in vulnerable development assistance countries,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson. In its initiative in climate efforts, the Government is choosing, among other things, to bring forward outstanding payments to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The fund is crucial for the financing of developing countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement and of climate change adaptation measures and emission restrictions in developing countries.
Fight against fraud targeting EU funds to be intensified
TL Bureau. Helsinki: The amendments required in the national legislation by the EU Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (the socalled PIF Directive) will enter into force on 1 April 2019. The Directive concerns tax and subsidy fraud targeting EU funds, among other things. The purpose of the amendments is to improve the possibilities to prevent and solve crimes for which cross-border cooperation is required. The Directive is also of significance for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), as the Office will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting offences affecting the Union’s financial interests. In future, the application of the Finnish criminal law will no longer require double criminality in cases where an offence affecting the Union’s financial interests is committed outside Finland and the perpetrator is a Finnish citizen or a person habitually resident in Finland.
world
Registered UK citizens’ right of residence will be protected until the end of 2020
TL Bureau Helsinki: UK citizens’ right of residence after Brexit will be protected by a special act. The Government submitted the act for approval on Thursday 28 March, and the President of the Republic will approve it on Friday. The special act was prepared for the eventuality of a no-deal Brexit in which the UK withdraws on 12 April from the EU without an agreement or transition period. It is estimated that in the event of a nodeal Brexit, some 5,000 UK citizens would have to apply for a Finnish residence permit at very
short notice. Some of them would not necessarily meet the requirements for obtaining a residence permit. “Finland is not closing its doors to UK citizens. The purpose of the act is to make sure that Brits who have settled here can continue to stay and live in Finland even if the UK withdraws without an agreement,” says Minister of the Interior Kai Mykkänen. Under the special act, UK citizens who are living in Finland and who have registered their right of residence as EU citizens may continue to stay, live, work and study in
the country and receive social security benefits until the end of 2020. This way they will have additional time to prepare for the new situation. UK citizens living in Finland are advised to register their right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service as soon as possible if they have not already done so. Those who have citizenship of another EU or EEA Member State should register their right of residence on the basis of that citizenship. Instructions for registration can be found on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service at migri.fi/brexit.
SPANISH EURO COUNTERFEIT PRINT-SHOP BUSTED TL Bureau. Madrid: The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) have dismantled the most active counterfeit euro print shop in Spain with the support of Europol. The specialised crime ring, based in in Tenerife, manufactured fake banknotes in 10 and 20 euro denominations, earning the gang around €7 500 every month. FOUR ARRESTS AND €15 500 IN COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTES SEIZED Operation Malla began in July 2018 when investigators from the Brigade of Investigation of the Bank of Spain noted a significant increase in fake €10 banknotes in the Tenerife, Spain. The criminals circulated the money as legal currency exploiting all kinds of businesses in the Canary Islands, as the owners did not notice it was fake. The investigators noticed that the counterfeit cryptocurrency produced by the criminal network was not only circulated in Spain, but also across Europe. On the day of the operation police arrested the four individuals responsible for producing the fake cryptocurrency and carried out one
house search in Tenerife, where a print shop producing fake €10 and €20 banknotes and ID cards was dismantled. A variety of printing equipment such as inkjet printers, computers, and the inks and paper needed to create the counterfeit banknotes was seized.In total, €15 500 in counterfeit banknotes (in 10 and 20 denominations) were confiscated: €9 000 during the search in Tenerife and €6 500 in circulation. Europol supported this opera-
tion by providing financial, technical and analytical support from the beginning and deploying a mobile office on the action day for on-thespot support. As the European Union’s Central Office for Combating Euro Counterfeiting, Europol facilitates the exchange of information and provides expertise, criminal and forensic analysis, training, financial and technical support to law enforcement agencies inside and outside the European Union.
32nd U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue TL Bureau Washington, DC ureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary W. Patrick Murphy co-chaired the 32nd U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on March 28, together with Deputy Foreign Minister Thongphane Savanphet of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The dialogue highlight-
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ed the broad range of U.S.-ASEAN cooperation across political, economic, and social pillars and highlighted the importance of the U.S.-ASEAN Strategic Partnership in securing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to work with ASEAN in securing a region based on clear and transparent rules and to strengthen the ASE-
AN-centered regional architecture. Participants welcomed the recent U.S.-DPRK summit in Hanoi, supported continued U.S. openness to diplomatic engagement to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, and recognized the importance of sustained, full implementation and enforcement of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
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