The Life News, October 1, 2018

TIME FOR MORRISON TO EXTEND BANKING ROYAL COMMISSION TL Bureau Canberra: Federal Labor is calling on Scott Morrison to extend the Banking Royal Commission, after the interim report made no recommendations.

Morrison delayed for 600 days before caving in to have a Banking Royal Commission — and then he gave it an incredibly short timeframe to report.

It’s just another example of him protecting the banks and covering up for them.

The Royal Commission has done an excellent job within the timeframe that the government set for it.

It’s now time for the Morrison to change the timetable he set down for the Royal Commission so people can have

NEWS Vol. 01 Issue 04 October 1, 2018 thelifenews.com.au

Judiciary Committee refers potential false statements for Criminal Investigation

Trust with US must be built before Korean Peninsula can be reunited, DPRK insists at UN

TL Bureau Washington DC: The Senate Judiciary committee today referred for criminal investigation apparent false statements made to committee investigators alleging misconduct by Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director Chris Wray, Chairman Chuck Grassley sought a criminal review of the actions by a named individual who provided Congress with the information diverting Committee resources from an ongoing investigation. Committee investigations have actively pursued a number of tips the committee has received the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, through the committee has not been able to substantiate any allegations of Judge Kavanaugh.

TL Bureau New York: “Without any trust in the US there will be no confidence in our national security,” Ri Yong Ho said, and underscored: “The DPRK Government’s commitment to the denuclearization is solid and firm.”

Yet, “if the party to this issue of denuclearization were South Korea (Republic of Korea) and not the US, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula would not have come to such a deadlock,” he explained, underscoring the “firm determination” of Chairman Kim Jong-Un, “to turn the Korean peninsula into a land free of both nuclear weapons and threats.”

The Foreign Minister cited “significant goodwill measures” in the past year, such as stopping nuclear and missiles tests, dismantling the nuclear test site, and pledging not to proliferate nuclear weapons and nuclear technology.

“However, we do not see any corresponding response from the US,”

Minneapolis To Host FIS Cross Country World Cup in 2020

TL Bureau.

Utah: The International Ski Federation (FIS) today officially confirmed that Minnesota will host a World Cup cross-country ski event in Minneapolis in March 2020. U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the Loppet Foundation will serve as hosts of the World Cup event, taking place at the new ‘The Trailhead’ facility in Theodore Wirth Park. “A Minnesotan who brought home a gold medal has now helped us bring home the World Cup,” said host committee co-chair RT Rybak. “Now it’s time for Minnesota too, once again, show we host big events better than anyone.”

Photo courtesy-UN

he said.

“Instead of addressing our concern for the absence of peace regime in the Korean peninsula, the US insists on the ‘denuclearization-first’ and increases the level of pressure by sanctions to achieve their purpose in a coercive manner,” he stated, adding that it even objected to the “declaration of the end of war.”

their say and the financial sector has the opportunity to work through the changes and recommendations.

We believe this is a once in a generation opportunity for reform. But we’ll only get that if the Commission has time to consult properly on specific proposals.

The final report is currently set to be delivered by 1 February - just four months away. Its now beyond doubt that this is not enough time to do the job properly.

It’s incredibly important the Royal Commissioner consults on recommendations with the banking sector - as well as victims’ groups - to ensure there are no unintended consequences flowing from the significant shake up expected.

Government Leaks Confirm Morrison the architect of reef cash splash

TL Bureau.

Canberra : In a recent press release issued by Chris Bowen, Shadow treasurer confirms that, The latest leaks from within the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government reported by the Saturday Paper in Australia confirm the now PM Scott Morrison was the architect of the decision to grant almost half a billion dollars in taxpayers money to small private foundation.

Today it is reported to commit the government to fixed amounts in future years.... Spending all the funds in the current year would avoid that. But in order for the budget to designate the reef funds as having been spent, not to have to carry over or relocate any in future years. The money needed to be given to an organisation that wasn’t a commonwealth agency. We know what happened after that the government transferred every single dollar of almost a half billion dollars in taxpayers money to a small private foundation, the Great Barrrier Reef Foundation, on 28 June 2018. This was just days before the end of the financial year.

It’s clear that Scott Morrison is responsible for trying to privatize the management of the Great Barrier Reef. The then treasurer, now Prime Minister is personally responsible for the most reckless piece of financial maladministration in living memory. Today’s revelation adds to previous reports that the department of finance recommended the budget allocation to protect the Reef be set at $200 million over six years.

At UN, China says it will not be ‘blackmailed’ or yield to trade pressure

Photo Courtesy- UN

TL Bureau.

New York: International trade is “win-win by nature” and should not be a zero-sum game, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told world leaders at the United Nations today, saying that China “will not be blackmailed or yield to pressure.” “China stands for a proper settlement based on rules and consensus through dialogue and consultation on an equal

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der for the common interests of all countries.” He stressed the importance to adapt to economic globaliza-

tion, and to ensure such processes are open, inclusive, and balanced to deliver benefits to all.

Indonesia again hit by powerful natural calamities

footing,” Mr. Wang told the Assembly’s annual general debate, adding that China is also acting “to uphold the free trade system and international rules and or-

TL Bureau.

Jakarta : Indonesia again hits by powerful earthquake of 7.5 magnitude tremor and tsunami as well in Sulawesi.

This disaster killed more than 400 lives and create cayous amongst the people of Indonesia. Many countries like India, Korea, Georgia, South Africa and others expressed their deep concern and condolences to the people and government of Indonesia and offered them help and aid in this time of need.

In emergencies, going to school can be nearly impossible, especially for girls. Providing a nutritious meal at school helps children stay in class and learn.

That investment in human potential builds economic growth in communities.

Giving everyone a chance for a brighter future.

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EDITORIAL

World is committing at every UNGA but not applying in reality

S

o Again likewise in every sessions and very time this year of 2018, United Nations General Assembly’s 73rd session started in Sept 18 with debates started on Sept 25 in New York. Top leaders and nation builders from all over the world attended this session and tried to present their own ways for the betterment of world and humanity.

Some leaders like Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, said that New Zealanders’ empathy and strong sense of justice is matched by their pragmatism. Regardless of its geographic isolation, New Zealand sees itself as a member of the international community, a community whose heart is in the United Nations.

She urged that the Organization’s founding principles not be consigned to the history books, noting that the need for multilateralism and collective action has never been greater.

But on contrary according to Roy Morgan research institute,”The most important Economic issue facing New Zealand is Poverty / The gap between the rich and poor 17% (up 1%) ahead of Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession/ High Dollar 4% (unchanged), Unemployment/ Job security 3% (down 2%) and Cost of living/ Inflation/ Financial hardship 3% (unchanged)” so I think the kiwis should try to put emphasis on main problems so that the uplifting should be in the right way and right direction.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, recalled that, three years ago, only his country, out of nearly 200 countries in the General Assembly Hall, opposed the nuclear deal with Iran. But on the other way has its border and other conflicts with Gaza Strip and Palestine as Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, said he has returned to the General Assembly to appeal for the freedom, independence and justice for his oppressed people who have been suffering under the yoke of Israeli occupation for more than 51 years. So for 70 years, the IsraeliPalestinian conflict has affected and made the maximum attention of the world towards these two nations as the Middle East landscape and defied the international community’s peacebuilding efforts. Tensions manipulated and escalated after many negotiations collapsed created additional violence, hardening public attitudes, and threatening prospects for a negotiated settlement. So after facing these challenges and their impact. So they have not been able to solve the is-

sue between them from last 70 years.

African nations in continent facing problems with wildlife trade, assaults, poverty, hunger, Terrorism, drugs and many others but got good debates like DanIel Kablan Duncan, Vice-President of Côte d’Ivoire, said reforming and modernizing the United Nations is ever more important at a time when the international community is losing the battle to protect the most vulnerable and promote an inclusive, fair global order. Rivo Rakotovao, President ad interim of Madagascar, underscored the great changes in the world: multi-polarity and economic globalization with dizzying levels of computerization as well as abundant diversity. “Much progress has been made,” he said, but added that there are a lack of confidence and insecurity, exacerbated by inequality and planetary challenges such as climate change, poverty and disease.

Azali Assoumani, President of the Comoros, said that tackling global problems depended on reforms aimed at making the United Nations more representative, equitable, efficient and able to fulfil its mission. That in-

problems like Endless Poverty, Overdependence on International Aid, Lack Of True Leadership, The Rich Subaltern Mindset, Endless Conflicts, Ignorance Of The Intellectual Principles, Inadequate Science And Engineering Education, Poor Understanding Of the World. But no nation is working on these problems seriously.

Donald Tusk, President of European Council of the European Union, said his bloc was fighting to protect the international world‑based order which is currently under great strain. The countries of the European continent care about respect and solidarity between nations, as well as unity and collective action in addressing the pressing issues before the United Nations. Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania, noted that this year the world marks the centenary of the end of the First World War, a war that caused the fall of empires and gave small nations in Europe the chance to achieve independence.

Following the end of the War, multilateral institutions were created to safeguard political independence and territorial integrity. However, the failure of

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cluded allocating at least two permanent Security Council seats to African States, complete with veto power.

Equally important are concerted international and national efforts to fight the spread of disease. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of Botswana, said the theme of the general debate — “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies” — should inspire Member States to fulfil the principles of the United Nations Charter and the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Jose Mario Vaz, President of Guinea‑Bissau, expressed concern that many conflicts persist around the world and many people continue to suffer the destruction of war. So these nations will try to remove or fix the

those institutions plunged the world into the Second World War. Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia, said he was honoured to address the Assembly in his native language on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the painful occupation of Georgia’s historical regions. Ten years ago, the Russian Federation launched another large-scale military aggression which resulted in the full occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. Joseph Muscat, Prime Min-

ister of Malta, said that to find solutions the international community must be committed to communicating and understanding one another. Charles Michel, Prime Minister of Belgium, recalled that unilateral actions and a lack of dialogue led to the horror of two world wars. The universal values of freedom, rule of law and democracy remain the best safeguards for fundamental human rights and freedom. Gjorge Ivanov, President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, recalled that “as a constitutive republic with a right of self-determination to secession, Macedonia was a co-founder of the United Nations”. Although his country became a member of the United Nations in 1993, it was denied the sovereign right to call itself by its name.

Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus, while endorsing the General Assembly theme and its focus on the founding principles of the United Nations, questioned how Members come back year after year, and yet are unable to fulfil the basic aims of the United Nations Charter. According to business insider, But even greatest and beautiful nations of Europe also facing basic problems like overcrowding of refugees, economic situation, immigration, terrorism, The state of EU member states’ public finances, crime, the European Union’s influence in the world etc and many others.

Some of the American and Mediterranean nations faces Inequality and informal employment, Women, rights and equality, Innovation and education, Chikungunya and obesity, contribute this assembly like Sebastian Pinera Echenique, President of Chile, said the world is experiencing huge global transformation, creating new dangers as well as amazing new opportunities.

Although being observant of the debates and meeting of all the leaders from worldwide at the United Nation General Assembly. So what we observed that in general assembly all nations and all leaders are trying and prove that they are doing best for their countries and nations and building best relationships with others nations specially with their neighbors. But in actual they are doing nothing for what they have to be.

(References by United Nations General assembly’s debates in New York)

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WORLD Footy Legend Honoured With Iconic New Signage On M80

Australia Resident Bureau.

Melbourne: Footy fans will have another reason to cheer this AFL Grand Final week as four brand new signs are unveiled along the newly upgraded M80 Ring Road commemorating the career and legacy of EJ Whitten.

Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan joined the Whitten family in Keilor East today to unveil the new signage on the approach to the EJ Whitten Bridge in Keilor East.

The red, white and blue pylons are four metres high and weigh up to 700kg each, emblazoned with the iconic image of EJ Whitten kicking for goal along with his signature and his nickname, “Mr Football”.

Three pylons have been installed on the Altona-bound approach to the EJ Whitten Bridge while one large sign marks the Greensborough-bound approach.

Singapore launches the Networked Trade Platform to digitalise and streamline endto-end trade processes TL Bureau.

Singapore: Traders, logistics service providers, carriers and banks can now look forward to a new one-stop trade platform that will serve as the trade info ecosystem to help digitalise and streamline their trade processes. The Networked Trade Platform (NTP) will connect players in the trade value chain in Singapore and onward to their counterparts abroad.

It aims to provide the foundation for Singapore to be a leading trade, supply chain and trade financing hub.

Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, launched the platform on 26 September 2018 at an event attended by close to 700 representatives from the trade, logistics, trade finance industries, and the Government sector. “NTP is a transformational platform, which will take us from a traditional national single window which gives traders a one-stop interface for all trade related regulatory transactions, to a one-stop interface that will enable them to interact with all business partners, stakeholders and regulators on trade related transactions,” said Mr Heng in his keynote speech at the Official Launch of NTP. “This will help companies raise productivity, boost competitiveness, and uncover new opportunities.” By bringing players across the trade value chain onto a single platform, the NTP enables end-to-end digital trade. Traders can tap on a range of trade-related value-added services (VAS) such as cargo freight booking, trade financing, cargo insurance, customs declarations and payment reconciliation.

President Berset calls for stronger international cooperation in New York TL Bureau.

Bern: During the ministerial week at the United Nations in New York, President Alain Berset stressed the importance to Switzerland of international cooperation and international law. This was also the key message of his address to the UN General Assembly, and was a theme he developed at various bilateral meetings during the week with heads of state and government.

At UN Security Council, world leaders debate Iran, North Korea sanctions and non-proliferation TL Bureau.

New York. Mr. Trump chaired the summit-level meeting of the 15-member Council, initiated by the US, to discuss ways that the body overseeing global peace and security can better enforce resolutions concerning the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Top of the President’s concerns after laying out the “urgent importance” of countering nuclear, biological and chemical weapons use everywhere, was the JCPOA, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The JCPOA – reached by Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the US and the European Union – sets out rigorous mechanisms for monitoring restrictions placed on Iran’s nu-

clear programme, while paving the way for the lifting of UN sanctions against the country.

“This horrible, one-sided deal allowed Iran to continue its path towards a bomb,” he declared. From

India and the United Nations to sign a Five-Year Sustainable Development Framework (2018-2022) TL Correspondent New Delhi : CEO NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant and United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Yuri Afanasiev, will sign the Government of India-United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for 20182022, at a special signing ceremony on September 28 at NITI Aayog premises. The signing ceremony would be presided over by Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Members of NITI Aayog and will be attended by the heads of UN agencies in India.

Government of India-United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) 2018-2022 outlines the work of UN agencies in India, to support the achievement of key development outcomes that have been identified in consultation with the government and are aligned to the national priorities. The NITI Aayog is the national counterpart for the UN in India for the operationalization of the UNSDF. Nineteen (19) UN agencies have signed on the UNSDF 2018-2022.

November, he said, US sanctions would be in “full force” and the White House would impose further measures. Anyone failing to comply with the US “would face severe consequences,” he warned.

2018 European Police Chiefs Convention TL Bureau.

Vienna: Co-hosted by Europol and the Austrian Police in the context of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the EPCC saw the participation of high-level representatives from all EU Member States, non-EU countries, agencies and institutions of the EU, as well as international organisations.

Hundreds of bilateral and multilateral meetings took place in the margins of the event. This unique opportunity allowed chiefs of police and high-level representatives from law enforcement agencies to share strategies on operational matters and their vision of international policing. Accordingly, the main topics discussed at the EPCC were interoperability of databases, community policing, and Europol as a knowledge-sharing hub.

One of the outcomes of the EPCC was the intention of police chiefs to explore how to better cooperate across borders and tackle the ever-changing landscape of crime.

Prime Ministers of Finland and Russia met in Helsinki

TL Bureau.

Helsinki. Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitri Medvedev met in Helsinki on 26 September 2018.

The Prime Ministers discussed the bilateral relations between Finland and Russia and certain regional and international issues. This was the fourth meeting between the Prime Ministers. “The main topics for me and my colleague today were environmental questions. The environment knows no national borders.

Through persistent cooperation over the years we have managed to improve the state of the Baltic Sea. Now we wish to draw attention to climate issues more broadly”, Minister Sipilä says.

“The topics discussed included the international climate negotiations and reducing black carbon emissions. Finland is prepared to organise an Arctic summit during the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Among the key targets is to promote practical action to reduce black carbon emissions.” The Prime Ministers discussed Finnish-Russian cooperation in the waste sector and visited a waste treatment and recycling plant of Fortum.

“We had a good talk about the economic relations between our two countries. The volumes of trade between Finland and Russia have stayed about the same as last year.

Russia remains one of the most important

trading partners for us. However, for Finland the trade balance is showing a permanent deficit”, Prime Minister Sipilä says.

Finland has investment projects under way in Russia worth EUR 12 billion, and new projects are being planned. Per capita, Finland is the largest foreign investor in Russia. Even if faced with difficulties at times, Finnish companies still operate in Russia on a longterm basis. “Today the Finnish company Valmet and Russian SVEZA signed a Protocol of Intent concerning technology for the SVEZA pulp mill to be built in Russia. Particular attention will be paid to minimising the environmental load.

4 United States Applauds Central African Republic’s Ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention

TL Bureau.

Washington DC. On September 25, 2018, the Government of the Central African Republic deposited its instrument of ratification to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) with the U.S. Department of State, one of this treaty’s Depositary Governments. The United States warmly congratulates the Central African Republic for taking this step, which advances the BWC toward the goal of universalization.

The BWC is the key instrument for strengthening international efforts against the threat posed by biological weapons, whether in the hands of state or non-state actors. Maximizing its effectiveness requires that all states become Parties and fully implement its obligations. The United States urges all states not party to the BWC to accede to the treaty without further delay.

EUROPOL WINS DIGITAL COMMUNICATION AWARD FOR EU MOST WANTED POSTCARDS TL Bureau.

Vienna: Catching Europe’s most wanted fugitives by sending them cheeky postcards. This innovative way of successfully involving the general public in criminal investigations was the main reason for awarding Europol with the Digital Communication Award for best campaign.

Europol was shortlisted three times in several categories with two different campaigns: twice for our EU Most Wanted campaign from last year, where national police authorities from 21 EU Member States sent a summer postcard to one of their most wanted criminals on the run, telling them they want them back.

$36 million for national suicide prevention projects Australia Resident Bureau .

Canberra : The Morrison Government will invest more than $36 million in national suicide prevention projects to raise awareness of the impact of suicide and to support Australians who may be at risk.

The funding, through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program, will help to deliver important awareness and stigma reduction activities, research, and leadership through variety of projects. These initiatives aim to reduce deaths by suicide across Australia.

Fifteen highly respected organisations will receive funding including Suicide Prevention Australia who will receive $1.2 million to continue its national leadership role for the suicide prevention sector.

Suicide is a national tragedy and close to 3,000 Australians take their lives each year.

One life lost to suicide is one too many. The support I have announced today will be vitally important in helping to reduce the number of people we lose to suicide each year. Male suicide rates are three times greater than females and the rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is around twice that of non-Indigenous people.

WORLD

Russia’s Lavrov denounces from UN podium West’s ‘brute force’ pursuit of domination TL Bureau.

New York: “We hear loud statements that not only call into question the legal validity of international treaties, but also declare the priority of self-serving unilateral approaches over the decisions taken in the framework of the United Nations,” he told world leaders on the fourth day of the Assembly’s annual general debate.

He specifically cited the United States unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear accord with Iran, calling it an example of “belligerent revisionism” attacking the basic principles of the Middle East peace settlement and commitments within the World Trade Organization and to the multilateral Paris climate accord.

“The international community has to pay

Photo Courtesy-UN

a high price for the parochial, self-serving ambitions of a small group of countries,” Mr. Lavrov said. “We are concerned about the desire to open yet another line of confrontation in Europe – this time, in the Balkans. The States of the region are being insistently drawn into the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-

tion (NATO),” he said. “Repeating the mantras about the inadmissibility of any interference in their domestic affairs, the European and US leaders in person are campaigning for the accession of the Balkan countries to the North Atlantic Alliance,” he added. He charged that the international military presence in Kosovo authorized by the Security Council is being transformed into a US military base. “Russia continues to do its utmost to build a world on the basis of law, truth, and justice, he pledged, and cited US President Harry Truman, a prime foe of the Soviet Union that preceded the current Russian Federation: ‘Great nations lead by the force of example rather than domination.’”

UK government and Bloomberg L.P. announce partnership to promote and improve reporting on gender equality in the workplace TL Bureau.

New York : The UK’s Minister for Women and Equalities, the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Michael R. Bloomberg, today announced a new partnership between the UK Government and Bloomberg L.P. to improve reporting and transparency around gender equality in the workplace.

Speaking at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York, Mordaunt and Bloomberg outlined a shared commitment to incorporate six data points from the UK Government’s gender pay gap metrics into the global reporting framework of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

UK Minister for Women and Equalities, Penny Mordaunt said: This partnership with Bloomberg

shows the growing global commitment to transparency and gender equality at work. Some of our biggest UK companies like Barclays, BT, Deloitte and Sky

Photo-UK Gov

have already taken action, showing that gender equality is not just a moral imperative, it is good business. Every human endeavour depends upon inclusion.

So that we can all thrive in the workplace, no matter who we are.

Successful Flight Test of Astra BVR Air-to-Air Missile in India TL Bureau.

New Delhi: Astra, the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), was successfully test fired by the Indian Air Force from Su-30 aircraft, today from Air Force Station, Kalaikunda.

The missile successfully engaged a manoeuvring target with high precision meeting the mission objectives. In the series of trials held to date, Astra has been launched in the complete Su-30 flight envelope. The flight test assumes significance as it was part of the series of final pre-induction trials. Astra is the best in class weapon system and has undergone more than twenty developmental trials. Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman lauded the efforts of Indian Air Force, DRDO and associated team members involved in the mission.

Estonian Government approved the 2019 state budget

TL Bureau.

Stenbock House: At today’s meeting, the government approved the 2019 draft state budget with a focus on people, public services, and a more balanced development.

The government focused on four major objectives in preparing the draft state budget: to promote economic growth, increase the population, strengthen the security, and improve prosperity and societal cohesion.

Figures in general The expenses and investments of next year’s draft state budget amount to 11.31 billion euros with an expected revenue of 11.06 billion euros. The country’s finances are in a good state – the nominal surplus of the budget is 133 million euros and the budget is structurally balanced. The tax burden will remain the same in the following years. The government debt will be reduced from the current 8.2 per

cent to 7.4 per cent in 2019, and to 5.4 per cent by 2022.

Investing into public services The state budget allocates approximately 13 million euros for increasing the salaries of the employees of the Police and Border Guard and eight million euros for increasing the wage fund of the Estonian Rescue Board.

Additional funding from the state budget will increase the average wage of teachers of general education to 1,500 euros next year. The wages of preschool teachers, social welfare officials, culture workers, and specialists of other fields will also increase.

An increase in the national defence budget According to current estimations, the defence budget for next year will be over 2.1 per cent of GDP. The Defence Forces will receive a wage increase and the state

will strengthen its military capabilities with major defence procurements constituting almost 40 per cent of the Estonian defence budget.

The efficiency of local governments will increase The income of local governments will increase approximately 5 per cent in 2019, amounting to approx.

2.2 billion euros. The income of local governments has increased with the financing reform. The budget allocates 3.8 million and 800,000 euros plus external financing a year, respectively, for the regional support programmes of Ida-Virumaa and South-Eastern Estonia until 2020.

Investments More than 360 million euros will be invested into necessary transport and infrastructure projects, rural development, and culture and sports projects.

AUSTRALIA

Photo Courtesy-AFP

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ACRRM joins calls for removal of children from detention on Nauru

TL Bureau.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) has joined other medical Colleges and stakeholders in calling on the Australian Govemment to umently transfer refugee and asylum seeker children and their families from Nauru to Australia for appropriate medical assessment and treatment.

President-elect Dr Ewen McPhee urged the Govemment to respond to the mounting concerns about the mental and physical health, safety and wellbeing of the refugee children who have been detained on Nauru.

'These children are a victirn of dreadful circumstances over which they have no control. The mental and physical impacts of their experiences will haunt them for on the rest of their lives", he said all members are well aware of the far reaching impacts of these situations on both the 'We are a nation which prides itself on providing a high standard of health care. We should be extending this to these children and their farnilies."

Cocaine found in suitcase lining at Sydney Airport

TL Bureau .

Sydney: Two Brazilian nationals have been arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to import 4.5 kilograms of cocaine through Sydney airport, concealed in the lining of their suitcases.

The 39-year-old male and 55-yearold female passengers, travelling together from Sao Paulo, were selected for baggage examinations by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers after landing in Sydney on 26 September 2018.

X-rays of their suitcases revealed anomalies in the suitcase linings consistent with a concealment. Further examinations revealed a powder which returned positive results for cocaine. The estimated street value of the drugs is about $1.5m. The two passengers were subsequently arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug under S.307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995. ABF Acting Regional Commander NSW, Tony McSweeney, said the detection highlighted the skills of ABF officers working at our borders.

In a Biggest operation, 500kg of cocaine seized in Solomon Islands, two arrested in Sydney as part of joint international operation TL Bureau.

Sydney: A joint international investigation has led to the seizure of approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine in the Solomon Islands and the arrest of two men in Sydney allegedly involved in planning to import the drugs into Australia.

The joint investigation involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and Australian Border Force (ABF), culminated on Thursday, 27 September, with simultaneous police activity in Sydney and the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara.

The Belgian-registered, doublemasted yacht Vieux Malin was searched by the RSIPF – with assistance from AFP – at a mooring outside the Honiara marina. A large quantity of cocaine was found concealed within the vessel and seized.

It is suspected the cocaine was placed on board the vessel in South America and was destined to be imported into Australia. The concealment of cocaine was complex and professionally constructed. It is esti-

mated the vessel contained 500 kilograms of cocaine.

Further forensic examination will be conducted by the AFP to determine the exact purity of the substance.

Law enforcement in Australia coordinated activity in Sydney on Thursday, 27 September, to coincide with the search of the yacht in Honiara. Two men were arrested and four search warrants conducted in the suburbs of Wahroonga, Bonnyrigg Heights, Dolls Point and Caringbah. Items seized during the warrants included a variety of documents and electronic material.

It will be alleged in court that a 41-year-old Wahroonga man was a key facilitator in organising the transportation of the drugs and financing the enterprise. It will be alleged a 39-year-old Bonnyrigg Heights man facilitated the transfer of money to fund this criminal enterprise.

The men appeared before Sydney Central Local Court yesterday (Friday, 28 September) where bail was refused. The matter is relisted for mention on 28 November, 2018.

AFP Detective Superintendent Ben McQuillan, Coordinator Organised Crime Sydney, said internation-

al collaboration in this case was pivotal in helping Australian authorities lay these charges.

“This is an unprecedented operation between Australian and Solomon Islands authorities, illustrating what can be achieved when our partners collaborate to stop large-scale drug importations before they have a chance to reach Australian communities,” Detective Superintendent McQuillan said.

Protecting Jobs: Firstever Cyber Security Professor in the NT

TL Correspondent.

Darwin. The Territory Labor Government is investing $1.5 million over the next three years and $850,000 ongoing to strengthen cyber security controls protecting government’s ICT network, as well as better supporting Territorians and Territory businesses to be cyber safe.

Cybercrime can affect any business, no matter how small the enterprise, and it is important that business owners have the tools to recognise the threats and avoid being the next victim.

Balga festival a celebration of women in the community TL Corespondent.

Perth: Mothers of Emo Stand and Move event celebrates the role of women in the community Festival supported by the McGowan Government with $5,000 through the Office of Multicultural Interests The Mothers of Emo Stand and Move Celebration will bring together many of Western Australia’s African communities for a day of celebration of the role of women.

Aimed at empowering women and recognising their importance in the family and community, the festival will pass on its message through singing, dancing, cultural performances and home-cooked food as well as through talks from government representatives and community leaders.

The festival is expected to attract more than 550 people to Balga Senior High School tomorrow (Septem-

ber 29), with support from community partners such as Edmund Rice Centre, Relationships Australia and WA Police.

Organised by the Emo Ya M’mbondo Women’s Group, the event aims to support, enable and celebrate women and mothers from Western Australian African communities. A YouTube video will be produced of the celebration to help promote its message further.

6 Foreign Minister to visit Indonesia and Thailand TL Correspondent.

Wellington: Foreign Affairs Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters will be seeking an update from the Indonesian Government on the impact of the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami during his regional visit.

Mr Peters departs on Monday for a scheduled visit to Thailand and Indonesia this week.

“The Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami will obviously be a current concern for the Indonesian government. My visit will be an opportunity to personally express the condolences of New Zealand for the loss of life, and to discuss any potential assistance,” said Mr Peters.

Mr Peters will co-chair the New Zealand-Indonesia Joint Ministerial Consultations (JMC) while in Jakarta, alongside Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

“These talks come at an important time, as we celebrate 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. Indonesia is a vital partner for New Zealand in the Asia Pacific region, and we share real interests across trade, security and people connections,’’ he said.

Mr Peters is also visiting Thailand this week.

“Thailand matters to New Zealand. We have warm, long-standing diplomatic ties, and a healthy trade relationship, with Thailand currently standing as our eighth largest trading partner,” said Mr Peters.

“This will be New Zealand’s highest level of engagement since Thailand’s military coup in 2014, and provides an opportunity for us to express our strong support for democratic elections next year, as well as to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues,’’ he said.

Mr Peters will meet with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and Thai political party representatives.

The Minister will visit Bangkok from 1-3 October, and Jakarta from 4-5 October.

Harnessing science to support the Mycoplasma bovis eradication TL Correspondent.

Wellington : This week in Wellington, the Mycoplasma bovis Strategic Science Advisory Group brought together around 75 key people for a workshop to develop the science plan that will prioritise Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) eradication research and help inform science funding decisions.

The attendees included local and international experts from science, veterinary, and educational organisations, industry, and government agencies.

“M. bovis eradication has many complexities. We are therefore drawing on a range of disciplines, social, biophysical and technological, to ensure we have the right priorities for the science plan,” said Dr John Roche, chair of the advisory group. By drawing on the collective knowledge and expertise of the workshop participants, the advisory group will develop a robust science plan that will make a significant contribution to phased eradication. “We have a real opportunity to eradicate the disease from our shores. All our testing so far shows we are making real progress, and this remains an achievable goal.

NZ AND OTHER OCEANIA

New Zealand Prime Minister calls any breakdown of multilateralism ‘catastrophic’ TL Bureau.

New York: Opening her address with a Māori salutation, Ms. Ardern highlighted how the crumbling of multilateralism would negatively impact her country and others in the Pacific, especially on climate change.

“Any disintegration of multilateralism – any undermining of climate related targets and agreements – aren’t interesting footnotes in geopolitical history.

They are catastrophic,” she warned.

Given the challenges of today, with their global nature and impact, “the need for collective action and multilateralism has never been clearer,” stressed the Prime Minister.

And yet, global debates and dialogues are not on the relevance and importance of international institutions but instead, “we find ourselves having to defend their very existence,” which begs the question: “How did we get here, and how do we get out?”

Prime Minister Ardern recounted that when Pacific Island leaders gath-

to the security of their region.

“The impacts of climate change are not academic, or even arguable,” she underscored.

“They are watching the sea levels rise, the extreme weather events increase, and the impact on their water supply and food crops.”

She called it “a grinding reality” to hear someone talk about where the sea was when they were a child, and potential loss of their entire village as an adult.

Noting that action in the wake of this global challenge remains optional, she stated: “But the impact of inaction does not.”

She detailed New Zealand’s efforts to combat this phenomenon, such as curbing offshore oil and gas exploration permits; setting a goal 100 per cent renewable energy goal by 2035; establishing a green infrastructure fund for innovation; and planting one billion trees over the next 10 years.

“These plans are unashamedly ambitious,” she maintained, adding “The threat climate change poses demands it.”

Photo courtesy-UN

ered at the Pacific Islands Forum two weeks ago, they declared climate change as “the single biggest threat”

Climate change encompasses the breadth of security issues facing the Blue Pacific region TL Bureau.

New York . TUILAEPA SAILELE MALIELEGAOI, Prime Minister of Samoa, pointed out that his message to the Assembly over the last 21 years has remained consistent: climate change constitutes a huge threat to small island developing States such as his. Action is urgently needed to mitigate that real threat, he said, adding that climate change encompasses the breadth of security issues facing the Blue Pacific region, including human, environmental and resource se-

curity, transnational crime and cybersecurity. It affects food security, access to safe water, and fundamentally affects Samoans’ ability to draw sustenance from the pristine ocean around them, he lamented.

The global reach of climate change, he added, should unite and strengthen the international community s resolve, not weaken and divide it. As a united community, there is a great deal it could do to arrest and even reverse climate change. But, no one country, or single group of na-

tions, and no single organization can solely wage and win the war against climate change.

Describing the Paris Agreement on climate change as a beacon of hope for vulnerable island States, he noted that it is based on shared responsibilities, trust, collaboration and principled action. It demonstrates “a new brand of cooperation” and a broad outlook, that set aside the narrow pursuits of self‑interest and the use of economic and political expediencies.

Government awards micro‑business grants in order to lift people out of poverty

TL Bureau.

New York. JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA, Prime Minister of Fiji, spotlighting his country’s willing and energetic contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations, said it is also “putting every ounce of energy we have into the fight to save this planet and its people” from the catastrophic impacts of climate change. Expressing pride in Fiji’s democratic process and its inclusive society, he highlighted its high literacy rate and strong social safety nets in particular. Meanwhile, the Government awards micro‑business grants in order to lift people out of poverty and reward and encourage self‑reliance and entrepreneur-

ship.

Fiji has also strengthened its independent institutions, he continued, noting that they protect consumers, fight corruption, provide legal assistance and advocate for and promote human rights. Tolerance and personal freedom are also critical principles for the Fijian people, he said, adding that they drove its decision to seek membership on the Human Rights Council in an upcoming session. “Fiji looks to a future free of racism, nepotism and privilege,” he said, calling for all people to be guaranteed their rights and protected by robust constitutional frameworks.

Recalling that Fiji has seen first‑hand how intolerance leads to

repression, violence and mass migration, he said its own ugly historical experience corroded peoples’ trust in each other and their sense in who they were as a nation.

“We must remember it so that we do not repeat it, and we will never stop working to keep it in our past,” he said. Today, Fiji is in its ninth year of strong economic growth, due in large part to the democracy that has taken root and is flourishing. “When people see that they have opportunity, that they can get justice, that they can speak their minds and be heard […] they invest their money and sweat in their futures and in greater possibilities for their children,” he stressed.

BUSINESS

Maximizing Finance to Power Development

TL Bureau.

Jakarta: In Indonesia, some 20 million people lack access to electricity—a significant challenge facing this diverse archipelago. At the same time, the country is working to keep up with the growing energy demands of a middle-income economy, while meeting its national commitments to produce 23 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025 and reduce carbon emissions by 29 percent by 2030.

Fortunately, Indonesia’s geography presents a unique opportunity: The country is home to 40 percent of the world’s geothermal reserves. Developing this resource could both service areas with high electricity demand and alleviate poverty through electrification in rural areas.

Confronting costly challenges Yet, new geothermal energy sites come with high costs and substantial risks that have often proved too prohibitive for developers. Exploration can cost between $30-$50 million, with no way to recoup losses if the geothermal resource proves insufficient. Later stages of development are less risky but more costly— requiring up to $400 million to develop a 100-megawatt site. With hundreds of potential sites across the country, billions of dollars in investments will be needed to tap the potential of geothermal power in Indonesia.

Telstra refunds $9.3m to 72,000 customers TL Bureau.

Canberra: Telstra has refunded $9.3 million to 72,000 customers it misled in relation to its ‘Premium Direct Billing’ (PDB) third-party billing service, according to a report it provided to the ACCC. In April 2018, the Federal Court ordered Telstra to pay penalties of $10 million for making false or misleading representations about charges for digital content, such as games and ringtones.

Telstra also committed to undertake a consumer remediation program, which has resulted in the $9.3 million of refunds to date.

“We are pleased to see so many customers refunded by Telstra. It’s clear a large number were charged for content like ringtones and wallpapers that they did not want, did not use, and had difficulty unsubscribing from,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

“Following our action, Telstra has paid close to $20 million in penalties and refunds. This should serve as a warning to all telecommunication providers that misleading and deceiving customers will result in serious consequences.”

Telstra committed to providing refunds to customers it could identify in its complaint records and those who contacted Telstra or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman directly.

7 Toyota Considers Hydrogen-based Mobility Partnership between Railways and Automobiles Working with local communities, contributing to realizing sustainable, low-carbon societies TL Bureau Tokyo. Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and East Japan Railway Company (JR East) have signed a basic agreement for a comprehensive business partnership centered on a hydrogen-based mobility partnership between railways and automobiles.

The partnership is aimed at realizing sustainable, low-carbon societies in the face of global warming and energy diversification.

The agreement is rooted in Toyota and JR East’s desire to link railways and automobiles (two key means of land transport), fuse management resources, and accelerate the shift toward a low-carbon society by promoting initiatives that make use of hydrogen.

Toyota has developed fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) and fuel cell buses (FC Buses) that feature Toyota-developed fuel cell (FC) technologies,

and has experience in supporting the establishment of a network of hydrogen supply infrastructure, including hydrogen stations. JR East possesses technologies, know-how, and management resources related both to the railway business and to the development of stations and station surroundings.

The two companies wish to combine their respective strengths, and are presently engaged in detailed discussions centered on a wide range of fields surrounding hydrogen use. These include: establishing hydrogen stations on land owned by JR East, introducing

FCEVs and FC Buses as a means of local transport, and applying FC technologies in railway carriages.

Toyota and JR East are also keen to ensure any tie-up between the two companies will lead to initiatives that are fully integrated into local communities. To this end, the two companies intend to request the cooperation of local governments, businesses, residents, and other stakeholders. In this way, they aim to construct a hydrogen supply chain that contributes to both regional growth and development.

India and Japan sign Loan Agreement for Construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project (I) and Kolkata East West Metro Project (III) with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Karamjit Singh Parwana.

Foreign Correspondent.

New Delhi: Two Loan Agreements were signed here today between Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA, New Delhi on Japanese Official Development Assistance loan for Construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project (I) of Yen 89.457 billion (Rs.5591 crore approx.) and Kolkata East-West Metro Project

(III) of Yen 25.903 billion (Rs.1619 crore approx.) [Exchange Rate: Yen 100 = Rs.62.50].

India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation since 1958.

In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has steadily progressed. This further consolidates and strengthens the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.

The objective of the MumbaiAhmedabad High Speed Rail Project (I) is to develop mass and high frequent transportation sys-

tem by constructing high speed rail between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with the use of Japanese high speed rail technologies, thereby improving the connectivity in India.

The objective of the Kolkata East West Metro Project (III) is to cope with the increase in traffic demand in Kolkata metropolitan area by extending the mass rapid transit system and improving urban environment through mitigation of traffic jams and decrease of pollution caused by increasing motor vehicles.

Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry Interim Report TL Bureau.

Sydney : Westpac Group today noted the release of the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Westpac Group Chief Executive Brian Hartzer said: “This report marks a significant step in the Royal Commission process. We’re reviewing it carefully and are focused on learning from the mis-

takes of the past and preventing them from happening again.

The Royal Commission has identified many examples of misconduct across the industry. I apologise to any customers who have been impacted by mistakes that we have made.

“While we’ve introduced a number of reforms, including to our remuneration structures, our approaches to dealing with customer issues and

removing grandfathered commissions attributable to BT products, we know we still have more work to do.”

Westpac Group will be responding fully to the Interim Report as part of the submission process.

“Westpac has engaged fully and constructively with the Royal Commission process and will continue to do so,” Mr Hartzer said.

8

FEATURE

Researchers pinpoint future probability of damaging man-made earthquakes Stanford researchers have mapped local susceptibility to man-made earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas. The new model incorporates physical properties of the Earth’s subsurface and forecasts a decline in potentially damaging shaking through 2020.

By Danielle Torrent Tucker.

California: Earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas had been on the rise due to injection of wastewater – a byproduct of oil and gas operations – before regulations started limiting injections. Now a new model developed by Stanford University researchers incorporates earthquake physics and the Earth’s hydrogeologic response to wastewater injection to forecast a decrease in manmade earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas through 2020.

The model is based on publicly available data on wastewater injection into the Arbuckle formation, a nearly 7,000-foot-deep sedimentary formation underlying northcentral Oklahoma and southern Kansas. Assuming wastewater injection from oil and gas operations continues at its current rate, researchers mapped the likelihood that the region will experience future earthquakes.

The research appears Sept. 26 in the journal Nature Communications.

“We’ve created a detailed model that allows regulators to know where most of the problems are likely to occur,” said co-author Mark Zoback, the Benjamin M. Page Professor of Geophysics at Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Stanford Earth). “This can be used in Oklahoma, or elsewhere, to provide a scientific basis for regulatory action.”

Local insights

(Oil and gas operations often produce large volumes of salty water that they dispose of by injecting it deep underground, a practice that can affect nearby faults.) (Image courtesy: BeyondImages/iStock)

Oil and gas operations often produce large volumes of salty water that they dispose of by injecting it deep underground to protect water in aquifers near the surface used for drinking, livestock and irrigation.

Fluid injected into the Arbuckle formation increases pressure that spreads over a large area. This pressure is problematic because it can affect large faults nearby that are already under stress from tectonic processes. These faults are capable of producing widely felt and potentially damaging earthquakes, if reached by the pressure increase caused by injection.

The same pressure increase in different areas can cause up to 100 times the number of

earthquakes, according to lead author Cornelius Langenbruch, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford Earth. The earthquakes are not necessarily concentrated in areas where the pressure change is highest. In order to understand where earthquakes will or will not occur on a local scale, the new model evaluates the pressure increase in the context of the area’s vulnerable, pre-existing faults.

“It was surprising for me to see that the local susceptibility to earthquakes fluctuates by such a large amount,” Langenbruch said. “The example of Oklahoma shows that the key to managing seismic hazards related to these man-made, induced earthquakes is managing

how much and where the wastewater is injected.”

Mandated reduction Oklahoma’s induced earthquakes increased drastically around 2009 and peaked in 2015, with nearly 1,000 widely felt earthquakes spread across the northern and central parts of the state. Oklahoma’s public utilities commission, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, mandated a 40 percent water injection reduction in early 2016 and the number of earthquakes declined thereafter.

The new model – which includes data from 809 injection wells from 2000 through 2018 – shows there will be a 32 percent, 24 percent and 19 percent probability of poten-

tially damaging earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or above in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, suggesting that Oklahoma’s policies are working.

If current injection practices in north-central Oklahoma and southern Kansas continue, one potentially damaging magnitude 5.0 or larger earthquake is expected to occur through 2020.

“The result of the new study is definitely good news – it shows injection rate reductions are still effective. In 2015 and 2016 the probabilities were as high as 70 percent,” Langenbruch said. “However, the problem is that earthquake probabilities in some areas are still much higher than historic rates.”

Protecting Jobs: First-ever Cyber Security Professor in the NT TL Correspondent.

Darwin: The Territory Labor Government is investing $1.5 million over the next three years and $850,000 ongoing to strengthen cyber security controls protecting government’s ICT network, as well as better supporting Territorians and Territory businesses to be cyber safe.

Cybercrime can affect any business, no matter how small the enterprise, and it is important that business owners have the

tools to recognise the threats and avoid being the next victim.

Minister for Corporate and Information Services, Lauren Moss announced today, as part of this investment, the appointment of Associate Professor Mamoun Alazab to the new Associate Professorship in Cyber Security.

This new position is part of a jointly funded $700,000 agreement with Charles Darwin University (CDU) over

five years, to lead both teaching and research in cybersecurity and to assist in building local cyber security capability within the Territory.

Associate Professor Alazab’s research has focused on cybersecurity and digital forensics, particularly cybercrime detection and prevention. He has been involved in past research work to support agencies like the Australian Federal Police, Attorney General’s Department and major banks in Australia.

9

LIFE & REAL ESTATE

2018 International Emmy Awards nominees span 20 Countries 2018, Australia is amongst Nominees TL Bureau New York: Nominations for the 2018 International Emmy ® Awards were announced today by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

There are 44 Nominees across 11 categories and 20 countries.

The full list of Nominees follows this release. Winners will be announced at a black-tie Ceremony on November 19, 2018 at the Hilton New York Hotel.

Nominees come from: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom & the United States.

“Look at the diversity & geographic spread of this year ’s nominations across all continents and platforms,” said Bruce L. Paisner, President and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, “it is clear that excellence in television is a global

phenomenon which transcends culture and language.”

In addition to the presentation of the International Emmy ® Awards for programming and performances, the Academy will present special awards to Greg Berlanti, the record setting Writer & Producer behind global hits Dawson’s Creek, The Flash&Blindspotand Sophie Turner Laing, CEO of Endemol Shine Group, a network of more than 120 creative production companies in 23 markets, responsible for international successes such as Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders and Black Mirrorand last year producing in over 50 languages.

This year ’s Gala partners are: Phoenix Satellite Television, TV Globo, RT America, Ernst & Young, Deluxe, Miptv, Sofitel Hotels and Variety.

2018 Semi-Final Judging Hosts were: A&E Ole, Cesar Sabroso (Miami, USA); ACTF, Berna-

dette O’Mahony (Melbourne, Australia); Active TV, Michael McKay (Singapore, Singapore); Aetios, Fabienne Larouche (Montreal, Canada); Apple Tree Productions, Piv Bernth (Cologne, G e r m a n y ) ; B l u e S k y M ed i a C o . L ed . , o f Z h e j i a n g , Abby Zhang (Hangzhou, PR C h i n a); B ro ad v i ew T V, L e o pold Hoesch (Cologne, German y ) ; C T C M e d i a , Vy a c h e s l a v M u r u g o v ( M o s c o w, R u s s i a ) ; ComediHa, Sylvain Parent B e d a r d ( Q u e b e c C i t y, C a n a da); Cyber Group Studios, Pierre Sissmann (Paris, France); Dopamine, Miguel Oliva (Madrid, Spain); FFP New Media, Michael Smeaton (B erl i n , Germ an y ) ; F o x L a t i n American Channel, Edgar Spielmann (Bogota, Colomb i a ) ; F u j i T V, M a m i k o M a e k a w a ( To k y o , J a p a n ) ; G l o b o T V, C a r l o s S c h r o d e r (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil & Lisbon, Portugal); Graf Filmp ro d u k t i o n , Kl au s G r a f ( B e rlin, Germany); HBO Latin

A m e r i c a G r o u p , F l a v i a Vi g i o (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); M T VA - H u n g a r i a n P u b l i c Service Media, Balázs Medveczky (Budapest, Hungary) ; NBCUniversal International Networks, Marcello Coltro (Bogota, Colombia); NHK, Ry o i c h i U e d a ( To k y o , J a p a n ) ; Okuhle International, Loui s e M c C l e l l a nd (Cape Town, S o u t h A f r i c a ) ; O R F E n t e rprise, Beatrice Cox-Riesenfelder (Vienna, Austria); Pyramedia, Nashwa Al Ruwaini (Abu Dhabi, UAE); RAI, Eleonora Andreatta (Rome, Italy); Shanghai Croton Culture Media, Benjamin Li (Shanghai, China); Singular DTV, Oliver Mahrdt (Zurich, Switzerland); Sonae FS, André Sampaio (Lisbon, Portugal) ; Star Media, Vlad Ryashin (Moscow, Russia); TV France International, Hervé Michel (Biarritz, France) ; WOWOW, Nobuya Wa z a k i ( To k y o , J a p a n ) ; Ziegler Film, Regina and Tanja Z i e g l e r ( B e r l i n , G e r m a n y ) .

World Tourism Day: harnessing new technologies to transform travel TL Bureau Madrid: “The digital transformation is about providing benefits to all, and we are making sure that tourism contributes to this global commitment,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, SecretaryGeneral of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Tourism has become one of the fastest growing and most important economic sectors in the world, according to the Madrid-based UNWTO, with international tourist arrivals having grown from 25 million in 1950 to nearly 1.3 billion today. The sector represents an estimated 10 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 1 in 10 jobs globally.

UNWTO expects that tourism will continue to grow at an average of 3 per

cent annually until 2030, as more people have access to travel thanks to the decline in the price of transport, especially air transport, and growing middle classes worldwide.

“The sheer size of global tourism

and its impact on many other sectors, and all of the Sustainable Development Goals, puts it at the forefront of social responsibility, which today goes handin-hand with innovation on all levels,” said Mr. Pololikashvili.

“Harnessing innovation and digital advances provides tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda,” he added.

In his message for the Day, Secretary-General António Guterres said the wide reach of tourism into many sectors, from infrastructure and energy to

transport and sanitation, and its huge impact on job creation, make it a vital contributor to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the same time, tourism plays a “pivotal” role in advancing cultural understanding and bringing people together.

“Yet tourism needs innovation in technology to realize its potential contributions,” he stated, adding that its benefits need to flow to host communities.

“On World Tourism Day, I call on governments to support digital technologies that can transform the way we travel, reduce the ecological burden of tourism and bring the benefits of tourism to all.”

Video portraits tell stories of Dutch migration to Australia Australia Resident Bureau Canberra : Five moving video portraits of Dutch immigrants, illuminated with archival records of their migration journey, are now available on the National Archives’ Destination: Australia website.

The videos feature firstgeneration Dutch migrants

Sherry Wright, entertainer and now community worker; Gerard van Wezel, who worked on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme; Petronella Wensing, lace maker/ teacher and community worker in migrant welfare; Cess Huig, his wife Ina and children; and second-generation Dutch mi-

grant and media personality Stephanie Brantz.

Reflections on migrating to Australia, the ever-present emotional ties to the Netherlands and the role of the National Archives in preserving their immigration records are common themes raised by the interviewees.

‘I’ve had such a fantastic life in Australia so I can’t be anything but really happy that Mum and Dad chose to move here and have their children here. Part of me loves Europe and I’m really glad we’ve got that connection and we continue some Dutch

cultural traditions… The Archives gave us all a copy of the paperwork that Mum and Dad had needed during their migration, and I realised I knew nothing about the process by which they came to be in Australia,’ says Stephanie Brantz.

10 2019 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL TEAM LISTS Australian Resident Bureau.

Sydney : The whirlwind that has been the 2019 player re-signings period has come to an end, with all eight clubs having set out their roster for season three of Suncorp Super Netball.

KEY STATISTICS There are 59 Australian (74%) and 21 international (26%) players in the 2019 season compared to 17 international players in 2018.

International players: England (8) Jamaica (5) South Africa (3) New Zealand (2) Malawi (1) Uganda (1) Trinidad (1) There is at least one international player in every team.

Only 33 positions will be available for new or resigned players in 2020.

The signing breakdown is: three years – 13 (16%) two years – 34 (43%) one year 33 (41%) Most players remained at their club, with 63 (79%) resigning with their team from 2018.

Six new players from overseas were signed to 2019 Suncorp Super Netball squads.

Six 2018 training partners were promoted to the full squad in 2019.

NFL AND NFLPA JOINT STATEMENT ON CONCUSSION PROTOCOL REVIEW

TL Bureau .

New York :The NFL and NFLPA concluded their review of the application of the Concussion Protocol involving New England Patriots’ safety Patrick Chung during the Patriots-Jaguars game on September 16. The NFL and NFLPA conducted interviews with relevant Patriots personnel, the game official involved, the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant (UNC) and the booth ATC spotter, all of whom fully cooperated in the review.

The interviews established that the booth ATC spotter, booth UNC, sideline medical staff, and the game official each concluded that they did not need to initiate the Protocol. The game official observed that Mr. Chung was slow to get up and therefore removed him from play, but he did not identify a need to trigger the Protocol. Additionally, the unaffiliated medical personnel (booth UNC and booth ATC spotter) reviewed the play, did not identify a mechanism of injury and concluded the player was not exhibiting signs or symptoms suggestive of a concussion and therefore did not initiate the Protocol.

Gavrilova grounds Kvitova to begin China Open

TL Bureau.

BEIJING : Daria Gavrilova scored her second victory over a Grand Slam champion in as many weeks on Saturday, as she defeated No.5 seed Petra Kvitova in the first round of the C h i n a Open, 6-2, 6-1.

The Aussie had a successful first week in China, as she defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko en route to reaching the third round of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, and scored her second Top 10 win of the season and first since May with the victory.

SPORTS

CRICKET REACHES FEVER PITCH FOR AUSSIE GIRLS CRICKET CENSUS REVEALS 60 PER CENT OF NEW CRICKET PLAYERS ARE FEMALE TL Bureau.

Sydney : The growing profile of elite women’s cricket and the commitment of grassroots programs has led to 60 per cent of new cricket players being female, according to the National Cricket Census.

The hugely successful Australian Women’s Cricket Team has helped ensure the women’s game is receiving the attention it deserves and Commonwealth Bank research shows 47 per cent of Aussies are more interested in women’s sport than they were a year ago.

The growing popularity for the sport, as well as grassroots cricket club programs, has meant more young girls are now taking up the sport than boys, with 6 in every 10 new participants being female1.

This figure is anticipated to continue to grow as the majority of Aussies (70 per cent) agree increased TV coverage will inspire more women to continue or take up competitive sport2.

Monique Macleod, Chief Marketing Officer at Commonwealth Bank, says, “It‘s fantastic to see the increase in participa-

tion amongst junior girls. Women’s sport is stepping into the limelight, and now with more broadcast support and hardworking grassroots programs, it is getting the full attention and uptake it deserves.

“We’ve been working with Cricket Australia to grow the women’s game for the last 20 years. Through initiatives such as the Growing Cricket For Girls Fund and our ongoing sponsorship of grassroots cricket clubs, we’re serious about creating opportunities for young players at all levels.”

Global Sport: Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania all represented in Top 10 of latest WBSC Baseball World Rankings Chinese Taipei has earned the most WBSC Baseball World Rankings points in 2018; Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Chile are the biggest gainers

TL Bureau.

LAUSANNE: The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today unveiled the newly updated WBSC Baseball World Rankings, which weigh a country’s National Team performance -- from U-12 to Professional -- in official WBSC-sanctioned international competitions over a fouryear period (2015-2018).

Underscoring baseball’s growing status as a major global team sport, representatives from the Americas, Asia, Europe and Ocea-

nia are all present within the Top 10 of the WBSC Baseball World Rankings.

“These rankings show that baseball is being played at elite levels all around the world, including key targets like Europe and Oceania, with Africa’s development on the rise as well,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “This ongoing global growth will boost the case and excitement for baseball and softball’s longterm Olympic future beyond Tokyo 2020, looking toward Paris

2024 and Los Angeles 2028.”

The new standings in the rankings reflect recent results and over 250 games from such events as the U-15 Baseball World Cup®, the Asian Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, the East Asian Cup, the South American Baseball Championship, the U-18 and U-12 continental championships that were played in Asia and Europe, the U-12 Pan-Am Championship, and the Balkan Baseball Championship, in addition to international friendlies.

Japanese star records Rugby World Cup 2019 anthem World in Union

TL Bureau.

Tokyo. With less than a year to go before Rugby World Cup 2019 ™ kicks off in Japan, tournament organisers have announced Japanese artist Kiyoe Yoshioka’s version of World in Union as the tournament’s official anthem.

The lead singer of the poprock band Ikimono-gakari, Kiyoe is hugely popular across Japan. Her version of World in Union, with its message of global unity and friendship, is synonymous with Rugby’s global showpiece and is set to be a hit among Japanese rugby fans and Kiyoe’s loyal fanbase throughout Japan.

At Rugby World Cup 1991 in England, world famous soprano Kiri Te Kanawa performed World in Union at a Rugby World Cup

for the first time. Since then the song has featured at every addition of the tournament and is typically performed by a wellknown artist or group from the tournament’s host country. It has been sung in a variety of musical styles from classical opera to tra-

ditional South African male vocal ensemble, and recorded in numerous languages including English, French, Welsh, Maori and Japanese.

Kiyoe Yoshioka said: “As a Japanese artist, it is a great honour to perform the official theme song for the first Rugby World Cup to be held in both Japan and Asia. World in Union is such a powerful and inspiring song and I have really enjoyed working with the music and lyrics, giving them what I hope is a unique, Japanese interpretation. I’m now looking forward with great anticipation to the start of the tournament.

World in Union captures the spirit of global friendship and respect that rugby epitomises. I’m happy to be able to help spread this wonderful message throughout Japan and to the world.”

TECH/AUTO

India to Locate Public Toilets on Google Maps MoHUA partners with Google to launch #LooReview Campaign Karamjit Singh Parwana.

Foreign Correspondent.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM – U), has partnered with Google to launch the Loo Review campaign to encourage all local guides in India to rate and review public toilets on Google Maps. This campaign is part of a feature which allows all citizens to locate public toilets in their cities on Google Maps, Search and the Assistant and also provide feedback on the same.

500+ cities in India with more than 30,000 toilets with the name of “SBM Toilet” are currently live on Google Maps.

One of the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM - U) is to provide sanitation coverage through public toilet facilities across cities in India for achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. With around 3400cities already having achieved ODF status, and other cities gearing up towards the same, there is now a need to ensure that the ODF status is sustained through continuous usage and proper maintenance of public toilets.

The joint campaign to be run throughout October and November 2018 is an effort to increase the awareness and ease of locating public toilets across India. The campaign will involve and engage Local Guides in India to rate and review public toilets on Google Maps, and use the hashtag #LooReview for the chance to be featured on Google Local Guides’ social channels. Local Guides are people who share reviews, photos, and knowledge on Google Maps to help people explore the world.

11 Co-Founder of British Design Brand Established & Sons Joins Esteemed Group of Mentors for the Lexus Design Award 2019 TL Bureau.

Tokyo : Lexus International today announced that this year’s Lexus Design Awards (LDA) finalists will get the rare opportunity to take their creative skills to the next level as Sebastian Wrong, Co-Founder and Design Director of leading UK-based design brand Established & Sons, joins the roster of prestigious LDA 2019 mentors, bringing his expertise in product design, manufacturing, and creative skills to the program. Additional mentors will be announced in October.

Established in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition that seeks to nurture up-and-coming designers who use design thinking to solve everyday problems and build a better future for individuals and for society.

This year, six finalists will be selected from around the world to receive mentorship and a production budget of up to 3 million JPY (over $25K USD) to build a functional prototype to display at Lexus’s exhibition at Milan Design Week 2019. A prototype will be selected to win the prestigious Lexus Design Award Grand Prix prize based on how the work integrates three fundamental principles from the Lexus brand: “Anticipate”, “Innovate”, and “Captivate”.

“Sebastian shares Lexus’ goal of addressing tomorrow’s challenges today and making the world a better place. Lexus proudly welcomes him to the design mentorship program,” stated Spiros Fotinos, Global Head of Brand Management and Market-

Six selected international finalists will receive once-in-alifetime mentoring from Sebastian Wrong, Design Director of Established & Sons, and other mentors in New York to prepare for Lexus’s Milan Design Week exhibition. ing for Lexus International.

Sebastian Wrong, Design Director of Established & Sons, has designed iconic furniture including the Heidi stool which mixes modernity with nostalgia and the Wrongwoods collection praised for its unexpected colors and designs reminiscent of wood-plank block prints. Wrong’s work with the newest generation of design talent as well as his collaboration with industry veterans make him the perfect talent to join Lexus Design Award’s panel of mentors.

Past Lexus Design Award mentoring featured some of today’s most respected creators such as Snarkitecture and Formafantasma and the format had each finalist receive tutelage at the mentors’ location. This year, Lexus brings all the finalists to one of the most important design capitals of the world, New York City, in January where they will receive guidance from all the mentors across

multiple design disciplines. Under expert supervision, the finalists will experience what it takes to emerge as an accomplished designer on the world stage. Whether tips on design or on the business of making inspiration into reality, the mentors’ global experience and success shared at the workshops will provide valuable insight to leading creative minds of the next generation of designers.

The judges of the Lexus Design Award 2019 returning from last year are: Sir David Adjaye, eminent architect of such innovative works as the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (named Cultural Event of the Year by the New York Times) and SPYSCAPE, an interactive experience museum with a unique intrigue and espionage theme; Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Architecture & Design at The Museum of Modern Art who is also curator of the XXII Triennale di Milano, Broken Nature: Design Takes on Human Survival; and Yoshihiro Sawa, President of Lexus International, whose vision for the competition encompasses the brand’s passion to foster a new-generation of creativity.

Toyota to supply its hydrogen technology to Caetanobus SA (Portugal) Europe

TL Bureau.

Lisbon: Toyota today took another important step towards a broader hydrogen society by announcing that it will provide its hydrogen fuel cell technology to Caetanobus SA in Portugal.

In line with its vision of a decarbonised society―as stated in its 2050 environmental challenge, Toyota is promoting the application of its hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond passenger cars, including heavy duty trucks1, small delivery trucks2, forklifts3 and buses4.

In Europe, Toyota will supply its fuel cell systems5, including fuel cell stacks, hydrogen tanks and other key components to Caetanobus SA―the renowned Portuguese bus engineering and production company―to build hydrogen fuel cell city buses.

The first zero emission fuel cell city buses will roll off the lines of Caetanobus SA, in a little over a year, and are to be operated as demonstration buses by Caetanobus SA.

“Supplying our fuel cell systems to Caetanobus demonstrates the many practical uses and environmental benefits of hydrogen towards a carbon-free society. We’re really excited by the prospect of seeing the first buses of our longstanding automotive partner in European cities.” said Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO, Toyota Motor Europe. “Hydrogen buses have significant advantages compared to other zero emission buses, such as superior driv-

ing range and short refuelling time.

These benefits allow hydrogen buses to be operated on longer routes and a higher utilisation”.

José Ramos, President of Salvador Caetano Indústria holding, commented: “We are very proud to be the first company in Europe to benefit from Toyota’s leading fuel cell technology and look forward to confirming our world-class bus development and manufacturing capabilities. We are

convinced that hydrogen is a great solution for zero emission buses.”

The announcement was made in Lisbon, in presence of some of the highest Portuguese government representatives for mobility and the environment, during the visit of the Energy Observer catamaran, the first hydrogen sea vessel powered purely by renewable solar and hydrogen energy.

12 Vice President of India will Confer “Vayoshreshtha Samman – 2018” TL Correspondent.

News Delhi: The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkiah Naidu will confer the “Vayoshreshtha Samman-2018” on the eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons on the occasion of ‘International Day of older Persons’ at a function organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 1st October, 2018 (Monday) in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. International Day of Older Persons is celebrated every year on 1st October since the year 2005.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot will preside over the function. Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Shri Ram das Athawale and Shri Vijay Sampla will also be present.

Alcohol-induced deaths decreasing over time TL Correspondent.

Canberra Australia has lower rates of deaths directly attributed to alcohol when compared with the late 1990s, with rates recorded at 5.1 deaths per 100,000 Australians in 2017 compared with 6.6 deaths 20 years ago - data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows.

“There were 1,366 alcohol-induced deaths in 2017, with those deaths most commonly occurring in males aged in their early 60s and caused by alcoholic liver diseases,” said Justine Boland, Program Manager of the Health and Disability Branch at the ABS.

Ninth Ministerial Plenary Meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) TL Bureau.

New York: The Ninth Ministerial Plenary Meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), co-chaired by the Netherlands and Morocco, took place today in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan represented the United States, and introduced two new U.S. co-led initiatives on terrorist travel and unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats.

The United States and Morocco will colead the “Initiative on Improving Capabilities for Detecting and Interdicting Terrorist Travel through Enhanced Terrorist Screening and Information Sharing.” This terrorist travel initiative will address border security and information sharing, including the use of watchlists, biometrics, Advance Passenger Information (API), and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. It aims to help countries implement their obligations under UNSCR 2396 to combat terrorist travel. The United States and Germany will co-lead the “Initiative to Counter Unmanned Aerial System Threats” to raise awareness of the growing UAS threat and help formulate plans to address it. Both initiatives will produce a set of non-binding good practice documents for endorsement at the GCTF Ministerial in 2019.

WORLD

Serial Rapist Wanted by Belgium is caught in Poland He was in Europe’s wanted list

TL Bureau.

Szczecin: An Armenian criminal, who committed several aggravated rapes and assaults in the Belgian coastal town of Oostende, was arrested last week in Szczecin, Poland. At the time of arrest the 30 year old was in possession of counterfeit Romanian, Belgian and Greek documents. Polish police officers immed iately checked Europe’s Most Wanted website and recognised him as the fugitive wanted by Belgium.

The suspect was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by a court in Bruges (Belgium). He was found guilty of violently raping several women, threatening his victims with a

weapon, and numerous other assaults in Oostende (Belgium) in 2011 and 2012. He fled abroad and his whereabouts were unknown until last week.

The criminal was featured on both Belgium’s and Europe’s Most Wanted websites.

Prime Minister Sipilä to Portugal and Spain TL Bureau.

Helsinki: Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipilä will make a Team Finland export promotion visit to Portugal and Spain on 2-4 October. During the visit Prime Minister Sipilä will have bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez.

The focus will be on topical EU affairs and international questions. Also on the agenda will be the themes of the Team Finland sales promotion mission, i.e. the bioeconomy and circular economy and, in Portugal, forestry issues. Finland, Portugal and Spain will adopt a joint declaration on promoting the bioeconomy and circular economy.

A business seminar will be organised in both Portugal and Spain. In Portugal Prime Minister Sipilä will also attend the inauguration of the new Nokia Head Office.

The Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) of the Belgian federal police was contacted by their Polish colleagues after they recognised him on Europe’s Most Wanted website. They were quickly able to confirm his identify by comparing fingerprints.

Singapore Successfully Completes Command of Multinational Counter-Piracy Task Force TL Bureau.

Singapore : Singapore has successfully completed its fifth command of the multinational Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, as part of the international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden (GoA). Rear-Admiral (RADM) Saw Shi Tat from the Republic of Singapore Navy handed over command of CTF 151 to Captain Ali Alrashidi of the Kuwait Naval Force earlier today at the Naval Support Activity in Bahrain.

The ceremony was witnessed by Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Vice Admiral (VADM) Scott A. Stearney.

Singapore’s Chief of Staff - Naval Staff RADM Timothy Lo attended the ceremony.

The CTF 151 command team comprised 53 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel, and 11 international officers from Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Over the past three months, the CTF 151 command team coordinated operations to deter and disrupt piracy in the GoA. This included overseeing the operations of naval forces deployed under the ambit of CTF 151, as well as the sharing of CTF 151’s fused counter-piracy picture with CMF task forces, partners such as the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) CTF 465, and independently deployed navies from China and India.

In UN address, Afghan leader lays out vision of peaceful, prosperous State in talks with Taliban

(Photo Courtesy-UN)

TL Bureau.

New York Afghanistan starts with thanks, “I want to express my sincere thanks to all nations, especially the United States, concerned nations and parties, including the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia… the UN and others for encouraging all sides to set the stage for a process that would lead to talks and a Just and comprehensive negotiated settlement,” he told the UN General Assembly on the second day of its annual general debate.

Mr. Abdullah called on neighbouring States, especially Pakistan, to help deal with the terrorism and extremism threatening the region.

“Since we last met (at last year’s annual debate), Afghanistan has turned a page and made unprecedented overtures to the Taliban to be part of a cred-

ible Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process that could lead to a just and comprehensive political settlement

through talks and reconciliation,” he told the scores of Heads of State and Government,” he said.