The Life News March 1, 2019

The United States Sanctions Illegitimate Maduro Regime Security Officials Associated With Violence and Obstruction of International Humanitarian Assistance

TL Bureau Washington, DC: Today, the United States took action against six security officials of the illegitimate Maduro regime associated with obstruction of the entry of international humanitarian aid into Venezuela or violence against those who attempted to deliver this assistance.

Sanctions were imposed on Richard Jesus Lopez Vargas, Commanding General of the Venezuelan National Guard, Jesus Maria Mantilla Oliveros, Commander of Strategic Integral Defense Region Guayana, Alberto Mirtiliano Bermudez Valderrey, Division General for the Integral Defense Zone in Bolivar State, Jose Leonardo Norono Torres, Division General and Commander for the Integral Defense Zone in Tachira State, Jose Miguel Dominguez Ramirez, Chief Commissioner of the FAES (police special forces) in Tachira, and Cristhiam Abelardo Morales Zambrano, National Police Director.

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Secretary Pompeo’s Call With Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa of the Republic of Korea TL Bureau Washington, DC: Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Foreign Minister Kang of the Republic of Korea. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang discussed the U.S.-DPRK summit in Hanoi. The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate on the denuclearization of the DPRK.

KSA, strongly, Condemns, Disapproves Two Attacks, in Iraq, Somalia

TL Bureau Riyadh: An official source, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed here today the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) condemnation and disapproval, in strong wordings, of the two attacks which have taken place, in Mosul, Iraq, and Somali capital of Mogadishu, resulting in scores of dead and injured. The source reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of these acts of terrorism and its solidarity with the two brotherly countries against all manifestations of violence, terrorism and extremism, expressing condolences to the families of the victims, the governments and peoples of the two sisterly Republic of Iraq and Republic of Somalia.

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Pakistan finally after 58 plus hours released Indian Air Force Official who crashed on Pak Land Karamjit Singh Parwana Foreign Correspondent New Delhi/Wagah Border: Ultimately Pakistan has released the Indian Airforce Pilot Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after probably 58 plus hours. The Pilot was released on March 1, 2019 on India Pakistan Wagah Border with Punjab state of India and Pakistan at late evening where he was escorted and accompanied by top Airforce officials and took directly to New Delhi.

The pilot reportedly said he was harassed mentally, but not physically Pak maintains he was treated well, in keeping with Geneva Convention Initial images showed him blindfolded and handcuffed by Pak military.

Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has disclosed Indian government that Pakistani authorities did not physically torture him during the nearly 60 hours he spent in their

custody but subjected him to considerable “mental harassment”, news agency ANI quoted sources as saying on Saturday.

The IAF pilot was captured by the Pakistani military on Wednesday, after his fighter -- a MiG-21 Bison -- was shot down during a dogfight with F-16 jets

Conclusion of the Fifth Round of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty

Venezuela must guarantee judicial impartiality - UN human rights expert

TL Bureau Washington, DC: The United States and Canada held the fifth round of negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime February 27-28 in Washington, D.C. Building on information shared during previous rounds, the U.S. and Canadian negotiators discussed U.S. priorities, including continued careful flood risk management, maintaining a reliable and economical power supply, and ecosystem benefit improvement. U.S. negotiators continued to take into account the views of the people who live and work in the Columbia River Basin. The U.S. negotiating team is led by the Department of State and is comprised of representatives from the Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division, the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The next round of negotiations will take place April 10-11 in Victoria, British Columbia.

The meals that make a difference

from the neighbouring country at a time of mounting tension between the two countries. Pakistani officials maintained that although Wing Commander Varthaman was initially assaulted by local residents upon parashooting into their territory, he was treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention after being taken into custody.

Initial photographs of the captured pilot showed him blindfolded and handcuffed by the Pakistani military in an injured condition. A video released later, however, had the pilot sipping tea and saying that his captors were treating him well.

The videography process, however, was far from over. News agency PTI reported that just before the pilot was about to be released, he was forced to record a video statement praising the Pakistani military. The clip, which had the Wing Commander saying that the Pakistani Army saved him from the mob, is said to have delayed his handover by three hours.

TL Bureau.

UN HQ : “All Venezuelan State institutions must respect, promote and guarantee the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, including judges and prosecutors, so that that they can maintain their independence in the face of undue pressure,” said the expert, Diego García-Sayán, who specializes in safeguarding the independence of judges and lawyers around the world. “It is essential that the Constitution and human rights treaties are respected,” he added. “I am concerned that pressure is being put on the judicial system to act against the political opposition.” Tensions started escalating at the end of January, when Mr. Guaidó, head of the country’s National Assembly, challenged the legitimacy of the sitting President, Nicolás Maduro, and was declared interim president by the National Assembly. President Maduro has been in power since 2013 and was sworn in again for a second term on 10 January. “The measures taken against Guaidó and the pressure being exerted on him are unacceptable,” stated the UN human rights expert, deploring the criminal investigation that is being conducted, “as this could be politically motivated,” he explained.

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EDITORIAL

HERO RETURNS TO INDIA

O

hk so ultimately an Air Force officer from Indian Defence finally arrived at home in India after couple of days when his fighter jet crashed in Pakistan jurisdiction and arrested by Pakistan Army. But because of lot of tensions were already prevailed between these two countries from last many days and lot of operations small and big some of from Pakistan to India and some are from India towards Pakistan.

Let me introduce you something about the tensions between two nations. Couple of weeks ago Pakistan

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based terrorists attacked some more than 50 officials of the Central Reserve Police Force in Jammu and Kashmir in India and took lives of all soldiers and then on that responds Indian government attacked the camps based in Pakistan which are hold by terrorists. And more than 300 militants and terrorists attacked by Indian Air Force. And finished them.

So that’s why tensions took place between nations. Pakistan is holding bombings onto India on India and Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir from last 10 days contin-

uously.

Today Air Force Chief and Defence minister hold meetings with that Air Force Officials Abhinandan.

So although that was really unfortunate event by India and Pakistan.

But in real sense Pakistan done the best thing about this official and send him back safely. So it’s a good thing about humanity, whatsoever the reason may be.

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WORLD Prime Minister announces UK aid to boost Jordan’s prosperity

TL Bureau.

London : Prime Minister Theresa May will today (28 February) set out an increased UK aid package of support to help Jordan’s economy become more self-sufficient at a major international conference in London.

The Prime Minister will use the ‘Jordan: Growth and Opportunity’ conference to call on global leaders and businesses to follow the UK’s lead and invest in Jordan’s future.

Today’s announcement will provide new investment grants to create new jobs, boost productivity and increase the country’s economic resilience.

The package will be tied to Jordan’s own ambitious plans, with most grants linked to delivery of reform. It will help to stabilise Jordan’s economy and support the country’s promising entrepreneurs as they build small and medium sized businesses. The UK sees Jordan as a critical partner at the heart of an unstable region and will continue working closely with its key ally in the interest of mutual security, stability and prosperity.

US. Deputy Secretary Sullivan and USAID Administrator Green’s Meeting With Humanitarian Organizations on Yemen TL Bureau.

Washington DC : Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan and USAID Administrator Mark Green met today with representatives from international and non-governmental organizations on the situation in Yemen. The participants discussed progress on the political front since their last meeting. The Deputy Secretary reiterated the United States’ calls for the Republic of Yemen government and the Houthis to swiftly implement agreements made in Sweden and continue working with UN Special Envoy Martin

Griffiths on advancing the political process. The participants agreed that all parties must take steps to implement the Sweden agreements and noted the importance of the UN regaining access to the Red Sea Mills. The participants discussed the latest efforts to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation, including the February 26 UN High-Level Pledging Conference, at which the United States announced nearly $24 million in funding for the response, bringing total U.S. humanitarian assistance to nearly $721 million since FY 2018. The representatives reiterated

their calls for all parties to improve humanitarian and commercial access to Hudaydah and Aden ports, the re-opening of Sana’a airport to commercial flights, and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles imposed on humanitarian workers. Participants discussed the importance of continued support from the United States and other UN Security Council members in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The Deputy Secretary and the Administrator thanked the representatives for continuing to engage regularly to help provide important information on conditions on the ground.

Combating Online Fraud: Perseuss and Europol strengthen cooperation

Photo/Europol

Official visit to Bern by Tunisian foreign minister Khemaies Jhinaoui TL Bureau.

Bern: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Khemaies Jhinaoui during an official working visit to Bern. The two chief diplomats discussed international development cooperation and economic relations between Switzerland and Tunisia. The issue of migration was also addressed.

International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification working group meeting in Finland TL Bureau Helsinki : The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland will host a working group meeting of the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) in Finlandia Hall from 5 to 7 March 2019.

The IPNDV is based on a US initiative. Its first meeting was held in Washington DC in spring 2015. The Partnership’s goal is to promote nuclear disarmament. More than 25 countries, both non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear weapon states, participate in the IPNDV. Nuclear disarmament is not possible without strong verification. The importance of verification for nuclear disarmament is growing and participation of nonnuclear weapon states in the work enhances its credibility. The verification of arms control agreements has so far concentrated on the monitoring and verification of compliance with regulations relating to the limitation of the number of nuclear weapons and their means of delivery.

TL Bureau.

The Hague : Today, Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Perseuss, a global platform in sharing fraud intelligence. The MoU was signed

by Maarten Alleman, CEO of Perseuss and the Head of EC3, Steven Wilson, at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague.

Perseuss takes part in the annual Global Airline Action Days (GAAD), a major international law enforcement operation targeting airline fraudsters. During this action, Perseuss detects fraud patterns and provides relevant data to facilitate Europol-coordinated cross-border investigations.

On the signing of the MoU, the Head of Europol’s EC3, Steven Wilson, commented: “Public-private partnership initiatives such as the Global Airline Action Days are of crucial importance in helping us fight organised criminality. Perse-

uss has been one of our closest partners in this area and this Memorandum of Understanding is a great opportunity to further strengthen our cooperation. Only together can we tackle this highly lucrative, and equally dangerous type of crime.”

Maarten Alleman, CEO of Perseuss, said: “Working with Europol has been a great synergy: combining our data and technology has accelerated our work enormously.” He also added: “We’ve been working with Europol for over 5 years now and we’re happy to play a key role in operations like the Global Airline Action Days. It is truly inspiring to see how so many institutions in both the private and public sector manage to work together on such a large scale. Although we have seen a slight decrease in fraud over these last years, there is still a lot to do. This partnership is a great step for-

ward in our joint mission to fight fraud. We’re excited to continue our work with Europol and local authorities in the future.”

Europol is the European Union’s law enforcement agency. Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol supports the 28 EU Member States in their fight against terrorism, cybercrime and other serious and organised forms of crime.

With over 1 100 staff members, Europol uses state-of-the art tools to support some 40 000 international investigations each year, serving as a centre for law enforcement cooperation, analytical expertise and criminal intelligence.

Perseuss is a global database used for fraud prevention and conversion optimisation by a global community of online merchants.

When data sharing wasn’t as common as it is today, Perseuss was founded by a community of merchants who were victims of fraud.

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WORLD

Vesa Vihriälä appointed as State Secretary to the Prime Minister TL Bureau Helsinki : On Thursday 28 February, the Government appointed Mr Vesa Vihriälä, Doctor of Social Sciences, as State Secretary to the Prime Minister from 13 March 2019. The current State Secretary to the Prime Minister Paula Lehtomäki will start as Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers in March.

Vihriälä currently holds the position of Managing Director at the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy ETLA and the Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA. He has also worked as advisor to Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the European Commission, and as State UnderSecretary for Economic Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office. Before that he worked as the Managing Director of the Pellervo Economic Research Institute, and he has also served in various positions in the Bank of Finland and as an economist in the OECD.

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas on the 2018 economic growth indicators TL Bureau Stenbock House: Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, “Today, Statistics Estonia published comprehensive data on last year’s economic growth. Our hard-working entrepreneurs and employees are to thank for an economic growth of 3.9 per cent, which is even more extensive than we estimated. The increase in the last quarter was 4.2 per cent. Added value increased in most of our important sectors, such as manufacturing, information technology, transportation, and construction.

I would especially like to stress the fact that investments increased at the end of the year, which is a highly positive factor in terms of long-term development. Over the course of the year, investments increased by 3.3 per cent, which is a great result compared to previous years.

Strong economic growth shows that Estonian enterprises were able to expand their activities and that Estonian people are becoming wealthier. Nearly 70% of the working-age population is actively involved in the labour market and labour income has increased rapidly. Information on the average wage of 2018 will be revealed tomorrow.

Crimea is Ukraine TL Bureau Washington, DC: Five years ago, Russia’s occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula fueled an escalation of Russian aggression. Russia attempted to upend the international order, undermined basic human freedoms, and weakened our common security. The world has not forgotten the cynical lies Russia employed to justify its aggression and mask its attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory. Russia’s use of force against a peaceful neighbor must not be tolerated by reputable states. The United States reiterates its unwavering position: Crimea is Ukraine and must be returned to Ukraine’s control.

President on Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO: We have definitively determined our path - the path of development TL Bureau Kiev: President Petro Poroshenko stresses that Ukraine has determined its path and the task of moving resolutely towards the EU and NATO. “Our task is to move forward resolutely. Forward to the European Union. Why the EU? This is the rule of law, justice, democracy, freedom and ultimately the living standards.

Look at how workers, pensioners live in Europe, and look how they live in the zone of Russian influence, in the occupied Donbas, Abkhazia, Ossetia and Transnistria. That’s the answer to the question where we should go,” the Head of State emphasized during the conversation with residents of the city of Oleksandriia in Kirovohrad region.

He added: “NATO is security.

Bringing our boys and girls home from the frontline to parents, wives and men, to their children. NATO is security on our streets. These are absolutely clear standards for the police, the National Guard, for everyone. Everyone should feel safe and there should be order in the country.

And we will do it”.

The President emphasized that over the last 5 years, thanks to reforms, a solid foundation was built,

including the restoration of the army, the conclusion of the Association Agreement with the EU, the visa-free travel, the Tomos, gas independence.

“We are closer to the EU and NATO than ever ... Reforms bring their first results. We have definitively determined our path - the path of development. We are on our way to the EU and NATO. This is the path of breakup with the colonial past of

Ukraine, with the Russian yoke, the Soviet yoke,” he emphasized.

The President stressed that in 2023 it would be possible to apply for membership in the EU and get a NATO Membership Action Plan.

“Why 2023? Because there is a clear program and a plan on how we must reform the country in order to meet the criteria necessary for joining these alliances,” he said.

World Wildlife Day 2019 established by United Nation TL Bureau.

Washington, DC he United Nations established March 3 as World Wildlife Day to raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. This year will mark the sixth anniversary of World Wildlife Day, and for the first time will highlight marine species and the unique threats they face. Wildlife has ecological, social, economic, and cultural value, and its conservation is important to sustainable development and human well-being.

T

The U.S. Department of State is proud to work closely with interagency partners, foreign governments, NGOs, and the private sector around the world to protect wildlife and ensure these species continue to thrive in the wild for generations to come. Recognizing the strong ties between wildlife trafficking and other forms of transnational crime, Kirsten Madison, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), will host a roundtable February 28 to discuss

next steps for making an impact on global wildlife crime. Later that day, Marcia S. Bernicat, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), will host a showcase of speakers featuring innovative solutions to conservation challenges. The U.S. Department of State (through INL and OES) plays an important role in the development and implementation of programs, partnerships, and policies around the world that counter wildlife trafficking.

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs addresses 40th Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva 2

TL Bureau Geneva : Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed AlJubeir pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the Palestinian cause is firm and it categorically rejects any prejudice to the historical and legal status of the city of Jerusalem (Al-Quds). The Kingdom calls on the relevant United Nations organs and mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, to fulfill their responsibilities to defend the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem (AlQuds)

as its capital, he added.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stressed the Kingdom’s stand with the brotherly Syrian people and their right to territorial integrity, independence, unity, and free from any foreign forces. It also stresses the importance of finding an urgent solution to this crisis under Security Council resolution 2254, looking forward to continuing support for the efforts of the United Nations envoy.

Minister Al-Jubeir said that the Kingdom’s government condemns gross and systematic violations of human rights being committed against the Rohingya minority, and calls for concerted efforts to put an end to

these violations, return refugees to their lands and provide them with humanitarian assistance.

He affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s stance is consistent in supporting Yemen, its people and legitimate government in confronting the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia, which is the main cause of the conflict in Yemen. “The Kingdom continues to provide all forms of support and assistance to the brotherly people of Yemen,” Al-Jubeir said, referring to assistance amounting to more than 13 billion US dollars by January 2019 and providing $ 500 million for 2019 at Pledging Conference on Yemen on Tuesday.

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AUSTRALIA $1 million funding for Swan and Canning river foreshore restoration TL Bureau.

Perth: Expressions of interest invited for 2019-20 Riverbank funding Applications for Riverbank funding that focus on foreshore restoration projects along the Swan and Canning rivers are now open.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is calling for expressions of interest to share $1 million in Riverbank funding for 201920. A matched 50/50 funding model with foreshore land managers (largely local governments) will result in a minimum $2 million investment in the Riverpark this year. This will support about 15 foreshore stabilisation, restoration and improvement projects. Riverbank funding is supported by the Burswood Park Board and DBCA, and is guided by river-wide condition assessments of foreshore assets and services such as built assets, natural shorelines, vegetation and the Swan Canning Riverpark’s public amenity.

Adelaide man arrested on child exploitation offences TL Bureau.

Adelade: Detectives from the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (a partnership between the Australian Federal Police and SA Police’s Public Protection Branch) arrested a 34-year-old man from the North Eastern suburbs of Adelaide for three counts of Making a Child Amenable to Sexual Activity. The arrested man was granted police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrate Court on 17 April. Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers. Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ actually benefits child sex abusers: It indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser It conjures up images of children posing in provocative positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

Navratri festival dance spectacular comes to Elizabeth Quay TL Bureau.

Perth: Traditional festival celebrates and salutes the power of women Supported by the McGowan Government with $14,500 A dance and music spectacular that everyone can join in with, comes to Elizabeth Quay on Sunday (March 3).

The Navratri Dance Festival, which originated in the Indian state of Gujarat, is dedicated to the celebration and empowerment of women, and is being presented by the Gujarati Samaj of Western Australia.

The vibrant and colourful family festival brings people together with rhythmic and energetic dance moves that can be enjoyed by everyone.

This year’s event will include children’s games, food vans, live music, a marketplace and, most importantly, free dance lessons.

The McGowan Government is supporting this festival with $5,000 from the Office of Multicultural Interests, $5,000 from Healthway, and $4,500 from Lotterywest.

Silo Art Bringing Tourists To Town TL Bureau Melbourne : The Andrews Labor Government’s iconic Silo Art Trail in Victoria’s Wimmera Southern Mallee region is attracting more than 570 extra visitors to the region every month, delivering tourist dollars to small towns across the area.

Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes today visited Rupanyup at the southern end of the 200km art trail to hear how the town’s painted grain silo is bringing more tourists to the area and boosting the local economy.

Russian street artist Julia Volchkova painted the Rupanyup silos over two weeks in April 2017,

one of six silo projects coordinated by street art specialists Juddy Roller, working with local councils. Economic analysis of the Silo Art Trail has shown an extra spend of at least $260,000 over 11 months, which equates to an extra 576 visitors each month.

The analysis is part of the Labor Government’s plan to boost visitors, diversify the economy and make more of everything the Grampians, Mallee and Wimmera has to offer.

Yarriambiack Shire Council has also employed a new staff member, through Visit Victoria, to help promote the Silo Art Trail Australia’s largest outdoor gal-

Making things fairer for labour hire workers

TL Bureau Melbourne : Victoria’s first ever Labour Hire Licensing Scheme, which protects workers and cracks down on dodgy operators, will come into force on 29 April – with contractors given six months to sign up or else face significant penalties.

Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas today said the scheme will bring a new level of integrity and scrutiny to the labour hire sector and ensure vulnerable workers are kept safe from exploitation and being underpaid. The scheme is in response to the independent Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work – a key election promise – which uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of workers across Victoria. Under the scheme, providers of labour hire services will be required to hold a licence and hosts will only be allowed to use licensed providers. To obtain a licence, providers will be required to pass a “fit and proper person test” and show compliance with workplace laws, labour hire laws and minimum accommodation standards, as well as report annually on their activities.

lery, showcasing the work of renowned street artists on the sides of huge grain silos. The Labor Government is supporting the trail to continue growing and cementing Victoria’s place as the home of Silo Art, with three new artworks due to be installed this year thanks to funding through the Pick My Project program. The Government also provided $500,000 in 2017 to help promote the trail and develop a tourism plan to attract even more visitors to the region, famous not only for its silo art, but the iconic Grampians Peak Trail, award winning wineries and world class fisheries.

Inauguration of the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center TL Bureau Manila: Law enforcement agencies joined in Southeast Asia today to inaugurate the first Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) at Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Center is a collective law enforcement effort to combat child exploitation across the Philippines, including representatives from the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It involves the PNP Women and Children’s Protection Center, National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI AHTRAD), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK NCA), and International Justice Mission (IJM).

The vision of the PICACC is built on achieving a single aim – striving for a world where children are free from online exploitation. Online sexual exploitation of children is one of the most alarming forms of human trafficking in the Philippines today. Sex offenders and predators anywhere in the world can search online and pay to direct live sexual abuse of children.

New ABF patrol vessel for New South Wales

TL Bureau.

Sydney : The Australian Border Force (ABF) has today launched a new Port, Harbour and Coastal (PHC) vessel to strengthen its maritime capabilities across New South Wales.

Based in Sydney, the 12.4 metre Lord Howe Island is one of a suite of vessels launched across the country to provide the ABF with a greater range and maritime operational capability.

ABF Regional Commander for New South Wales, Danielle Yannopoulos, said the vessel Lord Howe Island will help ABF officers maintain a strong and continuous presence along the New South Wales coast. “This vessel will be used to support our officers in Sydney as well as Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Port Kembla and Eden,” Commander Yannopoulos said. “The Lord Howe Island will support the ABF maritime unit in New South

Wales to deploy and respond rapidly to combat border and customs-related crimes when they are identified.” The ABF maritime unit engages in vessel boardings and patrols to monitor and combat border threats such as illicit drugs, firearm importations and wildlife

smuggling.

The vessel is one of 13 new PHC vessels deployed across Australia.

Eight of the vessels, including Lord Howe Island, have been constructed in Yamba in northern NSW with the other five built in Adelaide.

6 NZ and Fiji to hold regular talks TL Bureau.

Wellington : Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand and Fiji will establish Joint Ministerial Consultations to allow regular discussions on issues and events in the region.

Mr Peters is making his first visit to Fiji since becoming the current Foreign Minister, and held talks in Suva today.

“This visit is a welcome opportunity to discuss the bilateral relationship as well as how we can give effect to the values of mutual respect which are at the core of New Zealand’s Pacific Reset policy,” said Mr Peters.

“For that reason it is a positive step that Fiji and New Zealand have agreed to regular Joint Ministerial consultations,” he said.

Mr Peters’ meetings today included a call on his Excellency, the President, Jioji Konrote, and meetings with Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Inia Seruiratu. Mr Peters also met Leader of the Opposition Sitiveni Rabuka.

Package of support for Kiribati announced TL Bureau.

Wellington: Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced a package of support that will improve the health and education outcomes for hundreds of people in Kiribati today, and pledged continued support to help the island nation deal with climate change.

Mr Peters made the announcements while in Tarawa with a New Zealand delegation which is visiting the Pacific to continue building partnerships in the region.

In a meeting with the Kiribati President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, H.E Taneti Maamau, Mr Peters discussed the effects of climate change in the Pacific region and the important role of fisheries in the Kiribati economy.

“New Zealand has a strong and longstanding relationship with Kiribati and has historically close cultural links. This is a partnership that we are continuing to build on,” Mr Peters said.

Youth Parliament 2019 Ready to Launch TL Bureau.

Wellington: Minister for Youth and Chairperson of the Youth Parliament Multi-Party Steering Committee (MPSC), has today launched the six-month Youth Parliament 2019 Programme.

The programme runs from 01 March to 31 August 2019, and includes 120 Youth Members of Parliament and 20 Youth Press Gallery members attending a two-day Youth Parliament event in Wellington on 16 and 17 July.

“Youth Parliament is a collaborative cross-party initiative and I want to thank my fellow MPSC members for the input and guidance they have provided in the lead-up to the launch of the six-month programme.

NZ AND OTHER OCEANIA

Police shootings in NZ TL Bureau Wellington : Police Minister Stuart Nash has extended his sympathies to the Police and residents of Richmond in Christchurch who were caught up in the overnight shooting.

“The shooting in Christchurch and another in Kawerau last week are distressing for Police who put themselves in harm’s way in order to keep the public safe,” Mr Nash says.

“It has also been frightening for members of the public caught up in both events, and upsetting for the whanau and family of the offenders who have been shot. I extend my sympathies to them also.

“Police is one of the few organisations where the very nature of your job means you must be prepared

to run towards danger. Every day the 13,000 members of the organisation go to work focussed on preventing crime and keeping communities safe.

“I won’t comment on the detail of the incidents, as an offender is in custody in Christchurch and official investigations by Police and the IPCA have begun for each shooting.

“However the Coalition Government is providing Police with the resources they need to deal with crimes involving firearms and with the wider problem of gangs and organised crime. Just last month Police announced a $20-million programme to improve the body armour for all Police, and officers are already being supplied with the new protection.

“The rollout of 1800 additional officers is also proceeding at pace, and we are already about a third of our way towards meeting this target. Canterbury District will receive an extra 121 frontline officers, an increase of 14 per cent above current numbers. Bay of Plenty District, which includes Kawerau, will receive 125 additional officers, an increase of 19 per cent.

“We are also tackling organised crime in order to prevent associated crimes such as violence, burglaries, and firearms offending. An extra 700 Police, from within the 1800 allocation, will be dedicated to organised crime initiatives.

NZ Ambassador to chair WTO dispute settlement body TL Bureau.

Wellington : Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker has welcomed the appointment of Ambassador David Walker to chair the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB).

David Walker is New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

The DSB is one of the most important bodies at the WTO. It has overall authority to manage trade disputes between WTO Members, from establishing panels to hear disputes through to overseeing implementation and compliance with recommendations and rulings. ”Having a New Zealander appointed to this role demonstrates the esteem in which New Zealand and David Walker are held by fellow WTO Members. It also re-

flects our willingness to contribute to the effective functioning of the organisation, especially in the face of current challenges,” David Parker said.

In January David Walker was also appointed as facilitator of the separate informal General Council process to address issues raised by WTO Members related to the functioning of the Appellate Body. Its aim is to overcome the current impasse on the selection of Appellate Body members.

“The proper functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement system is critical to New Zealand’s interests. With the Appellate Body down to just three members out of seven, the establishment of the informal General Council process is an important step to advance discussions on reforms,” David Parker said.

Visit to strengthen trade links with Mexico TL Bureau.

Wellington: Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker heads to Mexico this weekend for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening trade links with the Latin American nation. A focus of the visit is to promote new trade opportunities that have opened up with the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), New Zealand’s first free trade agreement with Mexico. “As a G20 member and major economy, Mexico is a key partner for New Zealand. I look forward to discussing how New Zealand and Mexico can work together on an inclusive approach to international trade, and where we can deepen our bilateral cooperation.

5G on track for 2020: 3.5 GHz spectrum the first available TL Bureau.

Wellington : The first allocation of 5G spectrum will be the 3.5 GHz band, with national rights to this portion of the spectrum expected to be auctioned early in 2020, Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Hon Kris Faafoi announced today.

“We are on track and keeping pace with other countries: with the spectrum being progressively allocated, companies can start rolling out 5G from 2020.

“While spectrum allocations oc-

cur, we will concurrently be working with Māori to address the radio spectrum-related Treaty of Waitangi issues. Until this work has been completed, we will not be able to provide details of the 3.5 GHz spectrum that will be available for auction,” Kris Faafoi says.

National spectrum rights in the 3.5 GHz band will be available to use from November 2022 when the existing rights in this band expire. With the agreement of the existing rights holder, an operator may be able to use the rights earlier.

Interested parties will be able to have their say on the auction process for the 3.5 GHz band through consultation, expected in the second half of 2019.

“Spectrum in this band will also be available to regional wireless broadband service providers. In the future, national spectrum rights will open the door to higher connection speeds and greater network capacity, while regional providers will be key to helping rural communities access higher quality wireless broadband,” Kris Faafoi says.

Korean Peninsula diplomacy will require patience TL Bureau.

Wellington: Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said that the outcome of this week’s summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un underlines the complexity of the issues to be resolved on the Korean Peninsula. The summit in Hanoi concluded last night without an agreement, but with the expectation of further meetings in the future. “The conflict on the Korean Peninsula has been unresolved for decades”, Mr Peters said. “We have welcomed the initiative of President Trump and Chairman Kim to engage in summit meetings this week in Hanoi, and the earlier meeting in Singapore in June 2018.

7

BUSINESS

Bulgaria Emerges as Champion in Women Legal Rights Affecting Work TL Bureau.

SOFIA ulgaria, an EU member-state with a population of 7.1 million, is among the highest performing economies in women’s legal rights affecting work, according to a new index presented by the World Bank today.

The index, introduced in the study Women, Business and the Law 2019: A Decade of Reform, looks at milestones in a woman’s working life, from starting a job through to getting a pension, and legal protections associated with each of these stages. The data spans a ten-year period where 187 countries are scored according to eight indicators.

Bulgaria has come a long way in ensuring that a person’s ability determines the job you get, not your gender. This is reflected in the index, with Bulgaria scoring 93.75. It is one of six economies that removed all job restrictions on women over the ten-year period.

Globally, women are accorded only three-quarters of the legal rights that men enjoy according to the index. This

B

is constraining their ability to get jobs or start businesses and make economic decisions that are best for them and their families.

“If women have equal opportunities to reach their full potential, the world would not only be fairer, it would be more prosperous as well,” said World Bank Group Interim President Kristalina Georgieva. “Change is happening, but not fast enough, and 2.7 billion women are still legally barred from having the same choice of jobs as men.

It is paramount that we remove the barriers that hold women back, and with this report we aim to demonstrate that reforms are possible, and to accelerate change.”

“Proud to serve a country with one of the best legal environment for women. We have a lot of female politicians who contribute for reaching balanced and pragmatic decisions - the President of our Parliament, the Mayor of our capital city, and two deputy prime ministers are women, said Ekaterina Zaharieva, Deputy prime minister for judi-

cial reform and minister of foreign affairs. “Bulgarian government is committed to continue creating equal opportunities for women and men. Recent data shows that women are more flexible and adaptable to the needs of the labor market than men – only 39.7% among the jobless Bulgarians are women. We hold the first place in the EU of women in the IT sector – 30%. Nearly one-third of Bulgarian businesses are owned by women entrepreneurs.”

Progress over the last ten years in the areas measured by the index has been significant. During this time, the global average has risen from 70 to 75. 131 economies have made 274 reforms to laws and regulations that improve women’s economic inclusion.

35 countries implemented legal protections against sexual harassment at work, protecting nearly two billion more women than a decade ago. 22 economies, including Bulgaria removed restrictions on women’s work, reducing the likelihood that women are kept out of working in certain sec-

ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations welcomed

TL Bureau.

Melbourne : Business welcomes the release today of the fourth edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Principles and Recommendations, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“We welcome today’s release of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Principles and Recommendations following extensive consultation and making measured changes to keep the guidelines workable into the future.

“Good corporate governance builds trust in the community and lays the foundation for Australian businesses to be competitive and invest, create jobs and grow our economy.

“The amended principles provide useful ad-

vice to businesses across a range of issues including the role of management and the board, culture and values, and managing risks.

“After thorough consultation with the sector the governance guidelines maintain the nonbinding ‘if not, why not’ approach which is crucial to giving businesses the flexibility they need to respond to their own specific circumstances. “The ASX Corporate Guidance Council should be congratulated for incorporating feedback from the sector and ensuring that the Principles and Recommendations remain a useful tool for Australian businesses and the wider community into the future.”

Opportunities for business and jobs open up with Australia-Indonesia Deal TL Bureau Canberra : Australia’s largest network of businesses, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will join Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham and Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita at the signing ceremony for the Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) next Monday 4 March in Jakarta.

Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson will join the Chamber’s Indonesian and Australian partners at the event, to celebrate their joint efforts with the Australian and Indonesian Governments over the past eight years in negotiating this successful outcome for businesses and jobs in both countries.

“The Australian Chamber has strongly supported the negotiation process initiated by then-Labor Trade Minister Craig Emerson in 2012. We originally worked with our Indonesian counterparts Kamar Dagang Dan Industri Indonesia (KADIN), the Indonesia – Australia Business Council (IABC), and subsequently the Indonesian employers’ group, Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia (APINDO). We acknowledge the contribution of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) and the Australian Industry Group in the Indonesia-Australia Business Partnership Group,” Mr Pearson, said today.

tors of the economy. And 13 economies introduced laws mandating equal remuneration for work of equal value.

Six economies – Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg, and Sweden – now hold perfect scores of 100, meaning they give women and men equal legal rights in the measured areas. A decade ago, no economy could make that claim. Under this index, economies that conducted reforms experienced bigger increases in the percentage of women working overall, leading to women’s economic empowerment. Despite these efforts, women in many parts of the world still face discriminatory laws and regulations at every point in their working life. Fifty-six countries – spanning all regions and income levels – enacted no reforms at all to improve women’s equality of opportunity over the ten-year period. The pace of reform was the slowest in the category of managing assets – examining gender differences in property rights.

Clutch Releases Their List of Emerging Technology Leaders In 4 Major U.S. Cities TL Bureau WASHINGTON, DC: Clutch.co, a B2B ratings and reviews site, has experienced a rapid growth in their development research segments, including an influx of companies offering cutting-edge services such as AR/VR, AI, IoT, and blockchain development.

Increasingly more people use these technologies. According to Clutch’s research, 27% of people own an AI-powered virtual assistant such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home. Similarly, 35% of people use wearables such as Apple Watches and Fitbits, either independently or as part of a larger IoT ecosystem.

As part of their annual report on the leading service providers in major U.S. cities, Clutch identified the top emerging technology developers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco to draw attention to their innovative techniques and transformational technologies.

The leaders for each category are listed in alphabetical order below: Blockchain: ArcTouch, IdeaSoft.io, Intellectsoft, JAKT, JetBridge Software, Loadsys Solutions, Natsoft Corporation

Australians deserve more from their postsecondary education and skills system TL Bureau.

Melbourne: Business welcomes the release of Tanya Plibersek’s terms of reference for a national inquiry into Australia’s post-secondary education and skills system.

Australian learners and workers deserve more from our post-secondary education system. They need to be able to rapidly gain the skills they need to adapt to a changing world, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“We are pleased the terms of reference reflect concerns about our current flawed system. The current system is plagued by distorted and unfair

funding, a lack of market information and confused responsibilities between federal and state governments.

“As participants in the opposition’s consultation process, we strongly support the breadth of the terms of reference which will give the inquiry the scope for a thorough examination of Australia’s needs into the future. “In particular we are pleased to see the inquiry’s terms include the importance of an equitable and transparent funding model. “Taxpayers contribute $20 billion annually to fund the post-secondary education and skills system but

the current approach to funding is distorted and unfair, favouring higher education at the expense of vocational education and training. “Getting this right doesn’t just mean giving learners the best chance, it also means value for money for taxpayers.” The Business Council’s Future-Proof post-secondary education and skills reform plan identified changes to our post-secondary and education skills system which would place the learner in charge and promote a culture of lifelong learning by letting people rapidly upskill and reskill throughout their working lives, with the skills businesses need.

8

FEATURE

STANFORD RENAMES BUILDINGS FOR SALLY RIDE AND CAROLYN LEWIS ATTNEAVE Based on a process that relied on suggestions and research from the university community, the former Serra undergraduate dormitory and Serra House academic building will now honor two graduates who became world leaders in their fields.

BY CHRIS PEACOCK. California : Stanford is honoring two distinguished alumnae – Sally Ride, a physicist and the first American woman in space, and Carolyn Lewis Attneave, an internationally renowned scholar and psychologist who was instrumental in creating the field of Native American mental health – by renaming two campus buildings currently named for Father Junipero Serra.

Effective immediately, Serra House, home to the Clayman Institute for Gender Research, is being renamed Carolyn Lewis Attneave House, and the Serra House in the Stern Hall undergraduate residence complex is becoming Sally Ride House.

The new names honor two scholars who studied at Stanford and went on to make profound contributions as world leaders in their fields.

President Marc TessierLavigne and Provost Persis Drell approved recommendations for the new names from two campus groups, which were appointed by the vice provost for student affairs and the dean of humanities and sciences, who are the campus leaders responsible for the respective buildings.

The renamings follow a decision last year by the Board of Trustees to accept a recommendation to rename some, but not all, campus features previously named for Serra. In addition to Sally Ride House and Carolyn Lewis Attneave House, the university is seeking to rename Serra Mall, which runs along the front of the Main Quad, as Jane Stanford Way in honor of the university’s co-founder. However, Serra Street, which begins at the eastern end of Serra Mall and runs from there to El Camino Real, will retain its current name.

“With this step we recognize, in a lasting, visible fashion, two exceptional members of the Stanford family,” Tessier-Lavigne said. “Carolyn Attneave and Sally Ride took their talents and commitments far beyond Stanford and, in Sally’s case, literally around and beyond the globe, and explored new

Image Courtesy: Courtesy NASA

(Image credit: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, UW39802)

Sally Ride

Carolyn Lewis Attneave

ways of learning about our society and making it better.

They serve as powerful examples for all of us at Stanford today. We are grateful to the students and committee members for the rigorous, deliberate discussions that led to these outstanding recommendations.”

In recommending Ride’s name for the dorm, students emphasized her four Stanford degrees and career as a “professor, researcher, investigator, advisor, entrepreneur [and] author.” Ride, who died in 2012, was a physicist, athlete, science writer and leader in science education, and was best known for her historic flight aboard the space shuttle Challenger. She earned two undergraduate degrees, in English and physics, and two graduate degrees in physics from Stanford between 1970 and 1978.

In 1983, she became the first American woman and, to this day, the youngest American ever to fly in space. She flew a second Challenger

mission in 1984 and served on the panels that investigated the Challenger and Columbia shuttle tragedies.

After retiring from NASA in 1987, Ride spent two years as a science fellow at Stanford’s Center for International Security and Arms Control.

She then became a physics professor at the University of California, San Diego, and with her life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, an awardwinning writer of science books for young people.

She subsequently joined with O’Shaughnessy and three friends to found Sally Ride Science, to inspire young people in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and to promote STEM literacy.

Their goal is to motivate more students – especially girls and minorities – to stick with STEM as they go through school. Today Sally Ride Science carries on her legacy as part of UC San Diego. In 2013, Ride was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Carolyn Lewis Attneave (Image credit: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, UW39802) The committee that recommended Attneave’s name for the academic building known as Serra House called her “an inspiring role model who, in her pursuit of scholarly knowledge for the public good, embodies the ideals of Stanford University to the highest degree” and noted that “she largely created the field of Native American mental health, which was virtually nonexistent when she began her professional career in the 1950s.”

In recognition of her work, the American Psychological Association created an award in her name that honors the “the promotion of diversity in family psychology or special contributions to the lives of diverse families.”

Attneave was born of mixed Lenni-Lenape and Scandinavian heritage and dedicated her professional life to cross-cultural understanding. After becoming interested in psychol-

ogy while in the Coast Guard, she enrolled at Stanford and earned two degrees in education: her MA in 1947 and PhD in 1952. She taught at two Texas colleges before joining the Oklahoma State Department of Health, where she provided mental health services to American Indian tribes.

Attneave’s focus on Native Americans took her to Philadelphia and Boston, where she founded the organizations now known as the Society of Indian Psychologists and North American Indian Center of Boston. She also explored, as a Stanford doctoral student, the educational needs of JapaneseAmericans interned during World War II and, later, the counseling needs of AfricanAmerican communities in Philadelphia. She taught at the Boston University School of Medicine and the University of Washington, worked with the Harvard School of Public Health and conducted research at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. She died in 1992.

9 REINSW President makes Sydney’s top 100 most powerful list – calls for industry change LIFE & REAL ESTATE

TL Bureau.

Sydney: REINSW President and Managing Director of Laing+Simmons Leanne Pilkington has been listed in the top 100 most powerful people in Sydney, in The Daily Telegraph’s inaugural Sydney Power 100 list. She is also calling for a major change to the real estate industry.

As President of REINSW, Leanne represents a powerful industry group, which turns over an estimated $107 billion annually and with 38,000 workers.

Leanne was elected as REINSW President in 2017 for a two-year term – serving as the second female President since the establishment of the Institute in 1910 – following a decade on the Board of Directors. Leanne is also a founder of the Real Women in Real Estate Group, a global women’s network group that connects professionals in the property industry.

Leanne says: “I’m thrilled to have my dedication to the industry acknowl-

edged. I became involved in the REINSW Board, because I was concerned about the declining standards across the industry, and I’ve strongly advocated for women in the profession.

“I’m now working further to improve the industry by lobbying with REINSW for the NSW Government to appoint at Property Services Commissioner who can manage and prioritise

the regulatory framework of, and individual cases within, the industry. The NSW Government has appointed a Building Commissioner – we need the same for the $107 billion property services industry.”

REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin says: “We are extremely proud of everything Leanne has done for the industry – particularly during her time serving for us

on the REINSW Board of Directors – and we know she will continue to accomplish great things in the future. Leanne has a major strength in her ability to connect with people and her power to influence and create change. Anyone who has ever met Leanne will understand this and would echo me in saying that she deserves this recognition in the Sydney Power 100 list.”

Home values 18% higher than five years ago

C

TL Bureau. oreLogic’s February home value index shows the pace of declining values is slowing but average home values remain 18% higher than five years ago.

CoreLogic’s hedonic home value index recorded a fall of 0.7% in national home values in February, however, the trend of decline is slowing. Since the market peak in October 2017, values have declined a cumulative 6.8% but remain 18% higher than five years ago – highlighting that most homeowners remain in a strong equity position.

Generally speaking, regional home values are holding more firmly and the largest value declines are mainly restricted to the upper quartile of the market, led by Sydney & Melbourne.

Monthly change in capital city home valueScreen Shot 2019-03-01 at 11.35.18 am Over the three months to February, the best performing capital city was once again Hobart at (+1.1%). The weakest capital was Darwin (-5.1%).

The highest rental yields reside in Darwin (6%) while the lowest are in Sydney (3.4%).

Tighter credit conditions slow regions The fact that we are seeing weakening housing market conditions across regions where values were previously rising at a sustainable pace, and economic conditions are relatively healthy, is a sign that tighter credit conditions are having a broad dampening effect on buyer activity.

Sales activity sharply down Buyers lamenting a perceived shortage of homes for sale may find it illuminating to learn that national sales activity is down 12.8% year-on-year, with the sharpest reduction of homes for sale in Sydney (-20.6%) and Mel-

bourne (-22.1%).

Perth and Darwin soften again While the annual pace of declines in Perth and Darwin were previously showing signs of improvement, their markets have now worsened. The renewed downward pressure on prices appears to be related to softening labour market conditions and credit scarcity.

Affordable properties more resilient It’s the most expensive end of the market that continues to lead the greatest price falls. The top quartile has seen values fall by 10.7% over the past 12 months whereas the most affordable quartile is down just 2.6%. This is why cities such as Hobart and Adelaide have put in such strong performances over the past year, while Sydney and Melbourne have seen the weakest performances.

Elders announces platinum partnership with evokeAG, AgriFutures Australia’s international agrifood tech event

E

TL Bureau. lders are pleased to announce joining with AgriFutures Australia’s international agrifood tech event, evokeAG as the Platinum Partner. Following the recent launch of a new specialist agricultural consulting business, Thomas Elder Consulting, and a leading R&D division, Thomas Elder Institute, the partnership is an ideal fit. “We’re thrilled to be supporting this cuttingedge event that will bring the world and Australia’s brightest agriculture and technology minds together,” said Managing Director for Elders, Mark Allison.

“We are in an exciting growth period as a business so it’s important for us to support initiatives that will nurture our industry and help to move Australian agriculture into the future.”

In February 2019 AgriFutures Australia will host evokeAG in Melbourne, an unprecedented, large scale event that will herald the first event of its kind in Australia and provide a common plat-

form for the food and agriculture sector to exchange information and share best practices on how technology can and will shape the future. evokeAG will position Australia’s, New Zealand’s and the Asia Pacific’s agrifood tech industries on the global stage and involve experts and delegates from around the world.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey praised the willingness of Elders to take the lead in partnering with the unique event.

“Elders is a truly iconic and respected brand in rural and regional Australia, with a long history of supporting farming families for 179 years. Along with this impressive legacy, Elders has a modern and future-driven focus, investing in innovations and technology to positively impact Australian agriculture and productivity, which makes them the perfect partner for our event,” said Mr Harvey.

The partnership further signifies the importance of collaboration to generate and disseminate new ideas across the country.

Led by an expert steering committee and senior industry leaders, the two-day event will act as a global meeting place to showcase and demonstrate leading-edge agrifood technologies, case studies, and innovations both nationally and overseas. “evokeAG is a rare opportunity for the agrifood tech sector to have the conversations required to mature the innovation ecosystem and take the industry to new heights. We need to consider what it is that we can do in Australia that no one else can, how best to grow the sector and expedite technology outcomes”, concluded Mr Harvey.

Pitched at entrepreneurs, farmers, investors, producers, startups, and those working in agribusiness, finance, and IT, the conference will explore the challenges ahead for the industry of technology and agriculture, and generate conversations around technology commercialisation and the enormous transformation that the food and agricultural sector is undergoing.

10

SPORTS

Rugby Sevens welcomed to Las Vegas TL Bureau.

Las Vegas : Thousands of fans packed into downtown Las Vegas tonight for the ‘Parade of Nations’ that welcomed the 16 competing teams and set the scene for three days of worldclass sevens action at the HSBC USA Sevens.

Lining Fremont Street, rugby supporters from across the globe applauded the teams as they took to the stage in a celebration of sevens and it’s international culture, music, dance and of course Las Vegas.

As part of the HSBC USA Sevens Adopt A Country Programme, Clark County School District (CCSD) students led their adopted nation’s team along the red carpet and onto the stage while waving their country’s national flag.

While fans enjoyed the bright lights of sin city, it was the teams who entered into the

party spirit with singing Kenya and Japan teams, a traditional Samoan dance and bull fighting Spanish players. One of the biggest cheers of the night was

2019 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL RULE MODIFICATIONS

TL Bureau.

Sydney: Suncorp Super Netball teams will be able to begin contract discussions with free agents during the 2019 season as part of the new rule changes announced by Netball Australia.

Following the mid-season hiatus, taking place during the 2019 Netball World Cup, Suncorp Super Netball clubs can begin approaching athletes with contracts set to expire at the completion of the 2019 season but cannot officially sign these athletes until the official Suncorp Super Netball signing period – 16 September (day after Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final) to 14 October 2019.

The new league rules also specify that, from 1 March 2019, clubs have the exclusive right to re-sign any of their existing athletes to become one of their 10 contracted final squad players for the 2020 or 2021 seasons. From 1 March, clubs may also sign any athlete who is not currently contracted to another team, either as a final squad member, replacement player or training partner.

Netball Australia Executive General Manager Chris Symington says the rule changes will contribute to the ongoing evolution and competitive balance of the Suncorp Super Netball league. “The Competition Committee consulted widely with the games key stakeholders and there was an overwhelming agreement that a change in the parameters and timing around player contract discussions was a positive step forward,” he said.

heard for the home team as the joint series leaders and 2018 Las Vegas winners USA took to the stage with Rookie The Eagle.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019’s 32-team field complete after Qualifiers come to an end

TL Bureau.

MIES (Switzerland) - All 32 teams that will compete at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China this summer (August 31-September 15) are known following the conclusion on Monday of the sixth and final window of the Qualifiers.

This brings to a close the 15-month qualifying campaign that began in November 2017 as a way of establishing a clear Road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and, with it, mark the beginning of a new era for basketball worldwide.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Tournament hosts: China Africa (5): Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia Americas (7): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela Asia (7): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand, Philippines Europe (12): Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey FIBA President Horacio Muratore said: “On FIBA’s behalf, we wish to congratulate all 32 teams that have qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. We also want to take the time to acknowledge and thank the 48 teams - and their national federations - that will not play in China but who gave their best efforts during the Qualifiers. We now very much look forward to seeing history being made with the biggest FIBA Basketball World Cup taking center stage from August 31-September 15.” FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said: “These Qualifiers - the first of their kind for the FIBA Basketball World Cup - have made it possible for 80 national teams all over the world to regularly play official games in front of their fans for the right to compete on the biggest stage.

ASOIF launches report on the Future of Global Sport

TL Bureau.

Lausanne: After almost 12 months’ work, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) today launched its report on the “Future of Global Sport”. The document aggregates the views of thought leaders and decision-makers from sport, business and government. It addresses political, social, technological, legal and economic influences, all of which are impacting International Federation (IF) decision-making and the model under which sport will be managed going forward. It also provides a historical overview of the foundations that underpin organised

sport as we know it today and delves into the challenges currently being faced. The report concludes by laying out a vision for the future of sport over the next 20 years including key recommendations for the IFs and for ASOIF itself.

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said on the occasion of today’s launch: “ASOIF has invested significant resources

in this project and we believe the results will help IFs to better understand, anticipate and react to the changes and trends confronting them. In fact, some of the outlined future scenarios may serve as a wake-up call.

This report invites us all to challenge our thinking at ASOIF and encourage our members to challenge their own.”

Final squads announced ahead of HSBC USA Sevens TL Bureau.

Dublin: The final squads for the HSBC USA Sevens at the Sam Boyd Stadium on 1-3 March have been announced.

The HSBC USA Sevens is the fifth round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and marks the halfway point in the season.

New Zealand and USA sit joint top of the standings, the USA

making history becoming series leaders after Cape Town for the first time in the world series.

The Eagles are current Las Vegas champions, defeating Argentina 21-0 in the final last year, and having featured in all four finals of the world series this season Mike Friday’s side will be eager for victory in front of a home crowd.

There is everything

to play for this season as teams compete not only to take home the coveted series title but also secure their place at Tokyo 2020 with the world series acting as principle route for Olympic qualification.

Defending HSBC Sydney Sevens champions New Zealand will join Spain, Canada and Samoa in Pool A in Las Vegas.

Pool B features the USA,

France, Argentina and Kenya.

Sydney bronze medallists England head Pool C and will face South Africa, Japan and invitational side Chile. Pool D includes Fiji, currently third in the series standings, Australia, Wales and Scotland. Wales will open the competition, which kicks off at 15:00 local time (GMT -8) on Friday 1 March, when they take on Australia.

11

TECH/AUTO

The Design DNA of the Bugatti Hyper Sports Cars Bugatti has been synonymous to extraordinary vehicles for 110 years TL Bureau.

Molsheim: Perfection, according to Ettore Bugatti, can never be achieved.

But the company founder, designer and manufacturer aimed to reach as close as possible to perfection when it came to construction, technical aesthetics, sophistication, quality and design of his vehicles. This led to the legendary automobiles such as Type 35, Type 41 and Type 57 to name a few.

One car in particular, the coupe Type 57 SC Atlantic, that was produced a mere four times stands out.

It’s a medley of power, sportiness, luxury and elegance – the design of a century and one of the most valuable vehicles in the world. About eighty

years ago the Atlantic set the base for the current Bugatti hyper super sports cars Chiron1, Chiron Sport and Divo2.

The Type 57 SC Atlantic is one of the models that has the French company looking back with great pride and awe, referring to it in the company’s current hyper sports car. “Ettore and Jean Bugatti were perfectionists and pioneers in the quest for superior power-to-weight ratio and sophisticated refinement. That can be seen in every model, the Atlantic in particular. We are continuing this tradition”, says Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. “It has always been our aspiration to approach perfection as much as humanly possible,

in the spirit of Ettore Bugatti. As a French luxury brand, we owe it to our tradition and to our customers,” explains Stephan Winkelmann.

Bugatti is a Brand of Revolutionary Concepts Bugatti was and remains a brand whose vehicles evolved from revolutionary technical concepts and are unrivalled in luxury and exceptional design. Modern, sleek lines and stylistic elegance make up the designs of Bugatti. The performance, speed and elaborate processing can be found once again in the current hyper sports car models of the Bugatti in the French headquarters in Molsheim.

The Type 35 was what Bugatti presented in 1924 as the racing car that was

powerful, fast and above all, beautiful.

The for-those-days wide track and long, tapering tail gives it a sporty look even for today’s standards. Up until the mid1930s, the Type 35 won nearly 2000 races, making it the most successful racing car of all time. However, Bugatti did not only build extremely sporty vehicles, but also highly exclusive ones. The Type 41 Royale to this day ranks among the most luxurious and comfortable cars in the world. His handcrafted bodies, some by Jean Bugatti, were and still remain the most beautiful brass works. Only six models were created between 1928 and 1933; each a unique design masterpiece with a 12.8 litre eight-cylinder in-line engine and a power output of 300 hp.

Automobili Lamborghini unveils Huracán EVO Spyder at Geneva Motor Show 2019: Breath-taking performance and presence TL Bureau.

Sant’Agata Bolognese: Automobili Lamborghini presents the new Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder at Geneva Motor Show: the open-top car joins its coupé counterpart launched earlier this year, as the second model in the V10 Huracán EVO line-up.

The Spyder adopts the next-generation vehicle dynamic control and aerodynamics developed for the coupé, with the 5.2 liter naturally-aspirated Lamborghini V10 engine uprated for a higher power output and incorporating Titanium intake valves.

The Huracán EVO Spyder outputs 640 hp (470 kW) at 8,000 rpm with 600 Nm of torque delivered at 6,500 rpm.

With a dry weight of 1,542 kg the car reaches a weight-to-power ratio of 2.41 kg/hp, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0-200 km/h in 9.3 seconds. Braking from 100 km/h to 0 is achieved in just 32.2 m, with a top speed of 325 km/h.

“The Huracán EVO Spyder incorporates all the performance, next-generation vehicle control and aerodynamic features of the EVO coupé, with its own unique personality and a driving excitement that only an open-top car can offer,” says Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini. “The Spyder continues the Huracán EVO’s evolutionary charge: extremely easy to drive while excelling as a highly responsive, fun super sports car. Particularly with the roof open, the emotive sound of the naturally aspirated engine and the refined, lightweight exhaust system take the sensory experience to a new level.

The Huracán EVO Spyder’s design, performance and exhilarating open-air drive experience is literally breath-taking.”

Next generation vehicle dynamics The Huracán EVO Spyder combines the option of open-air driving with the prowess of the Huracán EVO’s evolu-

tionary technologies. Rear-wheel steering and a four-wheel torque vectoring system are controlled centrally by Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI): the Central Processing Unit integrating and controlling every aspect of the car’s set-up and dynamic behavior, anticipating the next move and needs of the driver and interpreting this through a ‘feed forward logic’.

Processing data in real time, the LDVI system monitors and analyses external conditions through its active suspension and all-wheel drive. It also recognizes the driver’s intentions through steering wheel, braking, acceleration, the gear and driving mode selected. Precise inputs are given to the vehicle dynamic system, creating a super-agile and responsive car with unparalleled level of control: the car

doesn’t just react, but predicts the best driving set-up for the next moment.

Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI) version 2.0, launched on the EVO coupé, is a comprehensive set of accelerators and gyroscope sensors located in the car’s center of gravity, monitoring real-time lateral, longitudinal and vertical accelerations, as well as roll, pitch and yaw rate. The magneto rheological suspension, also upgraded to version 2.0, instantaneously adapts the damping following inputs from the LPI. The new advanced traction control system together with enhanced all-wheel drive and torque vectoring, allows traction to be directed to a single wheel as required. Modified Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS), provides higher responsiveness in

corners while requiring the lowest steering angles. Coupled with rearwheel steering, agility is ensured at low speed with maximum stability in high-speed cornering and under severe braking.

Driving the Huracán EVO Spyder is as refined or exciting as the occupants desire. The preferred driving mode is selected via the ANIMA system, with STRADA especially calibrated via the LDVI system for road-driving comfort.

In SPORT it adopts a fun and exciting persona, with the ability to drift. In CORSA the Huracán EVO Spyder demonstrates its Performante heritage: race-track ready and exhilarating, for the most extreme driving environments.

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WORLD

Leaders of 17 EU countries emphasise the development of the Single Market in a letter to President Tusk TL Bureau.

Helsinki : At the initiative of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, the leaders of 17 EU countries have sent to Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, a letter which emphasises the comprehensive development of the Single Market as a key means of improving the Union’s sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

The letter contains the common view of the countries on where the development of the Single Market should be focused over the next five years. This work should, in a balanced way, take into account economic, environmental and social sustainability issues as well as links between different policy areas. Of particular importance is the development of the digital economy and the service economy.

The leaders believe that the EU should also promote international trade agreements and rules, and create conditions for European businesses to succeed and grow in the global market. It is also important that the Union is a strong global player in, for example, the field of artificial intelligence, while at the same time setting ethical standards.

The letter also encourages the upcoming Commission to step up the implementation of jointly agreed decisions at all levels. The development of the Single Market will be a key theme in Finland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Head of State: If there are facts - to the prison. No facts, then stop destabilizing the situation

TL Bureau Kiev: President Petro Poroshenko told on the frontline that he would not allow attacking the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“The attack on the army that is currently being carried out - I will definitely do my best to prevent it. The army was created by the efforts of the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers,” Petro Poroshenko noted at the fortified tactical locality of the 79th separate assault brigade in Pryazovia, located 1800 meters from the enemy trenches.

“Today, politicians have flocked as vultures, including the politicians directly involved in plundering, sale and destruction of the army. Or corrupt officials who have already pissed everyone off. Pardon my French,” the President said.

“Let them watch and ask us about the conditions in which we have taken the army in 2014, or rather the absence of the army,” he added.

Petro Poroshenko also emphasized: “My principled position as of President - I want to turn to the law enforcement agencies, to the Prosecutor General’s Office, NABU and SAP, if there are facts - neither surnames, nor posts will protect anyone”. The President called on the law enforcers to provide an effective and transparent investigation and immediately inform the public of the information revealed in mass media, in particular regarding the information leak from the law enforcement agencies, since the case has been under investigation for several years. “This is the best time to inform society,” he said.

Marking Sir Brian Urquhart’s 100th birthday, UN honours life-long servant of ‘we the peoples’ TL Bureau.

UN HQ. Sir Brian’s imprint on the United Nations has been as profound as that of anyone in the Organization’s history,” said Mr. Guterres in a birthday message, adding that as one of the UN’s earliest employees, “he set the standard for the international civil service: principled, dedicated, impartial.”

Sir Brian, a British national, was present at the birth of the UN in 1945 and was witness to many of the Organization’s – and the world’s – most historic 20th Century moments.

Throughout his four decades of service to the UN, starting as one of its very first staff members and ending as an Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, he also helped shape history himself.

“As an aide to Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, he helped to define the UN’s scope of action in addressing armed conflict and other global challenges,” Mr. Guterres said,

adding that as a close associate of Ralph Bunche, an illustrious figure in his own right, “Sir Brian helped to establish and then propel international peacekeeping into wide-ranging use as a flagship UN activity.”

Mr. Guterres said Sir Brian’s commitment to peace was forged in part during the Second World War, where he was among the Allied soldiers present shortly after the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen death camp.

“Across the decades, in service to several of my predecessors, he was at the centre of formative global events, from the Congo to the Middle East,” said the Secretary-General.

He noted that Sir Brian also wrote extensively about international affairs, definitive biographies of Hammarskjöld and Bunche, as well as highly engaging and insightful sketches of major figures with whom he dealt over the years, prepared for the UN News site.

“With warmth, generosity and encouragement, Sir Brian has been an inspirational figure for UN staff and countless young people as they pursued their careers,” stated Mr. Guterres, adding that Sir Brian’s, A Life in Peace and War, should be required reading for all who work for the United Nations and for all who wish to understand the Organization’s work.

“Writing in it about the earliest days of his career, Sir Brian noted that ‘We were all optimists… who believed in the possibility of organizing a peaceful and just world,’ said the Secretary-General, adding that Sir Brian maintained that optimism across his life, shaping the United Nations and history itself.

“As we mark this milestone, we are grateful for his brilliant and incomparable contributions as a stalwart servant of ‘we the peoples’,” concluded Mr. Guterres.

New UN Syria envoy pledges to work ‘impartially and diligently’ towards peace TL Bureau UN HQ: Special Envoy Geir O. Pedersen pointed to the importance of trust- and confidence-building between the Government and opposition, saying that Syrians from all walks of life “need to be engaged and involved in the effort to build confidence and trust, and search for peace”.

“There will be no sustainable peace in Syria unless all Syrians are included in shaping the future of their country,” he said, echoing the words of the Women’s Advisory Board to the UN envoy, set up in 2016.

Syria remains volatile for those who remain inside and for those who wish to return – UN Envoy for Syria Recalling the Sochi peace talks that established the Constitutional Committee, and the agreed-upon agenda of the UN-led Syrian political negotiations, known as the intra-Syrian talks, Mr. Pedersen asserted: “We are not starting from scratch”, but “it will require the

readiness of all to deal seriously with the realities of the conflict and to work together to move things step-by-step in a positive direction”.

The UN envoy said that he sensed “a wide acceptance” that a credible, inclusive Constitutional Committee, once established, could be “a door opener to a deeper dialogue and genuine negotiations”.

He highlighted resolution 2254, which provides for a Syrian-led, UN-facilitated process to establish credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance, saying that it contains all the “vital” elements for a political solution.

“It addresses issues of governance, a constitutional process and UN supervised elections”, which, he spelled out, was how “the Syrians, and no one else, should determine their future.”

Speaking to and cooperating with the Government and the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Syria’s umbrella opposition group, is the new UN Special Envoy’s “first and most important priority”. Mr. Pedersen took over at the end of December from the veteran ItalianSwedish diplomat, Staffan de Mistura, who had held the complex and demanding job of Syria envoy, since July 2014. Mr. Pedersen told council members he had already had “frank, practical and constructive engagements” with a host of different parties involved in the process, including the Syrian Government - with visits also to Moscow, Cairo, Ankara, Tehran, Paris, Berlin, and Brussels - and meetings with senior officials of key countries in Geneva, at the Davos World Economic Forum, and in Munich.

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A joint Australian, state and territory government initiative.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.