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Vol. 01 Issue 06 November 01, 2019
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60 Burnt and dead in a blast while moving train from Karachi to Rawalpindi TL Bureau & Sources Karachi/Rawalpindi
In any event 60 travelers kicked the bucket when a train going from the Pakistani city of Karachi to Rawalpindi burst into flames, police say. Nearby media said the fire was brought about by the blast of a gas chamber being utilized by travelers preparing nourishment. The blast is thought to have spread to in any event three carriages. As indicated by authorities refered to in nearby media, a large number of the exploited people kicked the bucket as they attempted to bounce off the consuming train. Another 30 individuals have purportedly been harmed and authorities state the quantity of dead may even now rise. “Two concocting stoves blew. They were cooking, they had (cooking) oil which added fuel to fire,” Sheik Rashid Ahmed, serve for railroads, said. Travelers bringing stoves onto prepares so as to prepare suppers on long adventures is a typical issue, the priest included. The mishap occurred close to the town of Rahim Yar Khan
in the south of the Punjab region. Pakistan has a past filled with railroad mishaps with different passings. Setback figures are frequently so high since trains are stuffed with far more prominent numbers than they were
intended for. In July, 11 individuals kicked the bucket in a mishap, with four passing on in another mishap in September. In 2007, in any event 56 individuals were murdered and in excess of 120 harmed
in an accident close Mehrabpur. What’s more, in 2005, in excess of 130 individuals were executed when three trains crashed in Sindh territory in one of the nation’s most exceedingly awful train calamities.
Fire erupts at Japan’s Shuri Castle U.S issued images of before and after attack
in raid on ISIS Leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and confirmed his DNA report about him as well.
TL Bureau, Okinawa
The principle working of Shuri Castle, an UNESCO World Heritage site in Okinawa, Japan, has torched in a predawn fire, specialists said. Neighborhood police said the primary corridor and a close by building have been pulverized, and a third building is as yet consuming, Japan’s national telecaster NHK announced. The Naha city local group of fire-fighters said it got a call that the stronghold had touched off at around 2:40 a.m., Thursday, and hurried to the scene and starting at 9 a.m. were all the while doing combating the blast. There have
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
A side-by-side comparison of the compound before and after the raid. No collateral damage to adjacent structures. Defense
been no reports of damage or passing and the reason for the fire is still under scrutiny. Close by occupants are being cleared, a police representative said. Mikiko Shiroma, the city hall leader of the Okinawa capital of Naha, told journalists she was disheartened by the stronghold’s demolition.
Intelligence Agency DNA laboratory confirms positive identification of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi with a probability of 1 in 104 septillion based upon DNA collected during Baghdadi’s detention in 2004.
2
editorial
Environment again a major concern worldwide
Teenager ecological dissident Greta Thurnberg- who approached world pioneers at the United Nations a month ago for prompt activity to battle environmental change - has declined an honor and $52,000 in prize cash, saying that kind of respect won’t support the reason. In an Instagram post Tuesday, Greta clarified that she is in Los Angeles for the Youth Climate Strike and couldn’t acknowledge the Nordic Council’s Environment Prize. “I have chosen to decay this prize. Here’s the reason: I am at present going through California and in this manner not ready to be available with you today,” she composed. “I need to thank the Nordic Council for this honor. It is a colossal respect. Yet, the atmosphere development needn’t bother with additional honors. What we need is for our government officials and the individuals in power begin to tune in to the current, best accessible science.” In spite of the fact that the Climate report likewise referenced that: 1 billion will face water, nourishment deficiencies by 2050 Nordic Council President Hans Wallmark said in an announcement he regards Greta’s choice. The chamber, which exists for between parliamentary participation among Nordic countries, incorporates Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Two different activists, Sofia and Isabella Axelsson, talked in Greta’s place at the function in Stockholm Tuesday. Greta Thunberg, 15 youthful activists sue five nations over environmental change
“
Greta’s protracted Instagram post is disparaging of Nordic countries, including her local Sweden, for their endeavors in battling environmental change. “The hole between what the science says is expected to confine the expansion of worldwide temperature ascend to beneath 1,5 or even 2 degrees - and governmental issues that run the Nordic nations is immense,” she composed. “Also, there are still no signs at all of the progressions required.” The young person broadly traversed the Atlantic Ocean by vessel a month ago to go to the U.N. General Assembly in New York City - declining to fly because of aircrafts’ carbon outflows. At the U.N. Atmosphere Action
Summit, she scrutinized world pioneers for “bombing us.” Greta Thunberg at atmosphere strike: ‘We request a sheltered future’ “We won’t let you pull off
this,” she cautioned. “Directly here, at the present time is the place we take a stand. The world is awakening. What’s more, change is coming, in any case.”
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3
world
United States Preparation of the export and international Fights Cybercrime growth programme well underway with Contribution to Organization of American States Program TL Bureau, Helsinki
TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
The United States yesterday formalized a contribution of $639,015 to the Organization of American States (OAS) Cybercrime Program, a training and technical assistance initiative carried out in accordance with the mandates of the Meetings of the Ministers of Justice or Other Ministers or Attorneys General of the Americas (REMJA). The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs supports this program to train judges, law enforcement, and prosecutors on investigative and prosecutorial techniques, the admissibility of electronic and digital evidence, and legislative drafting, as well as techniques for legal cooperation across borders.The United States’ contribution, the third since 2015, signifies continued support for the invaluable work of the OAS to combat cybercrime and transnational crime. This partnership between the United States and the OAS demonstrates our shared regional commitment to protecting citizens and businesses from cybercrime across the Western Hemisphere.
More support and investments are needed to drive the internationalization of Finnish companies. With this in mind, a programme for export and international growth, which is included in the Government Programme, will be drawn up in collaboration with business organizations and companies. Nearly a hundred representatives of ministries and business organizations
convened at an event organize by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in Helsinki on 29 October to discuss and address bottlenecks experienced by companies in their internationalization efforts. The opening remarks were made by Minister of Economic Affairs Katri Kulmuni and Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.“This programme is one of the key priorities of the Government Programme because
HRH Crown Prince meets with Meeting of the Brazilian President & delegation President’s
TL Bureau, Riyadh
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, met with President Jair Bolsonaro of the Federal Republic of Brazil on the sidelines of the 3rd version of the Investment Future Initiative 2019, hosted here by the Riyadhbased General Investment Fund.During the meeting, aspects of the Saudi Brazilian relations and fields of bilateral cooperation were reviewed and a number of issues related to investment between the two countries discussed.
The meeting was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy; Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture; Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet; Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture; Bander Al-Khirayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources; Khalid Al-Homaidan, Chief of General Intelligence; and Yasser Al-Ramyan, Supervisor of the General Investment Fund.
HRH the Crown Prince congratulates Alberto Fernandez on winning presidential elections in Argentina TL Bureau, Riyadh
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has sent a cable of congratulations to Alberto Fernandez on his victory in the presidential elections in Argentina.HRH the Crown Prince expressed best wishes to Alberto Fernandez and the people of the Argentine Republic
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Swiss Confederation issue Joint Communiqué TL Bureau, Riyadh
A joint Communiqué was announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Swiss Confederation here today, which reads as follows:”At an invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Ueli Maurer of the Swiss Confederation paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 2729/10/2019. During the visit, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received, at Al-Yamamah Palace, in Riyadh, the President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer, as the two sides held official talks, where they reviewed distinct bilateral relations binding the two friendly countries and peoples and means to promote them, in all fields, and exchanged
Finland depends on exports and on the international competitiveness of our companies. Companies are not yet fully aware of all the internationalization services available, which is why one of the objectives of the programme is to improve the regional, national and international availability and interoperability of internationalization services, and to eliminate any gaps between services,” Minister Kulmuni explained.
points of view on a wide-range regional and international issues of common interest.In this context, the two sides reaffirmed their determination to promote high-level political consultations, in all fields, including human rights, in order to contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and security, in the region and the world. They agreed to intensify contacts and cooperation between government officials and the private sector, in both countries, with a view to deepening and expanding bilateral economic and trade relations and encouraging the private sector and small and medium enterprises, in both countries, to invest and explore opportunities within the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. The two sides welcomed the mutual cooperation between the two countries, in the scientific, cultural, health, tourism, environmen-
tal, technological and technical sectors, which would contribute significantly to boosting the economic partnership between the two countries and pushing their relations to broader horizons. In this context, the two sides stressed the need to continue regular bilateral financial dialogue and activate cooperation within the framework of the Saudi-Swiss Joint Economic Committee.The two sides discussed issues of international peace and security, including extremism and terrorism. In the framework of constructive spirit of the meetings, political issues in the Middle East and the world were reviewed. The Saudi side appreciated the condemnation of the Swiss government and disapproval of the sabotage attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities, in Abqaiq and Khurais, in Saudi Arabia, in order to affect the international supplies of oil and the global economy
Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons TL Bureau, Washington D.C.
Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of StateIt was an honor to chair this Administration’s second meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. I was pleased to be joined by several members of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking – each of them profiles in courage and leadership. I was also honored to present the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons to Truckers Against Trafficking Executive Director Kendis Paris and the Responsible Business Alliance, He added. This Task Force meeting underscores the Administration’s strong commitment to combat human trafficking and inspire engagement across the federal government throughout the following year, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. In today’s meeting, we discussed some key State Department initiatives.I am proud to announce the State Department has expanded coverage of our In-person Registration Program beyond the Washington, D.C. region to workers employed by consular personnel in the New York metropolitan area and in Houston, Texas. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations also launched an In-person Registration Program for domestic workers employed by members of the UN Permanent Mission community. Looking ahead to 2020, the program will expand to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and will cover domestic workers employed by UN personnel. This expansion will allow us to enhance protection and oversight of foreign domestic workers employed by foreign mission and international organization personnel present in the United States.
4
world
‘Real change’ involving women in peace and security, still too slow, Guterres tells Security CouncilImage TL Bureau, New York/ UN HQ
He spoke of “the sad fact” that the commitment “reflected around this table is not translating into real change around the world”, lamenting, “it is not coming fast enough or far enough”.“Change is coming at a pace that is too slow for the women and girls whose lives depend on it, and for the effectiveness of our efforts to maintain international peace and security”, the UN chief said. Mr. Guterres informed the Security Council that nearly two decades since resolution 1325 acknowledged the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls, “women still face exclusion from peace and political processes”.“A pitifully small 0.2 per cent of bilateral aid to fragile and conflict-affected situations goes to women’s organizations”, bemoaned the UN chief, noting the rise of attacks against women human
TL Bureau, Copenhagen
rights defenders, humanitarians and peacebuilders and the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war. A growing number of armed groups use gender inequality as a strategic objective, with “misogyny part of their core ideology”, according to Mr. Guterres. “And, of course, we know that women and girls continue to pay the consequences of conflict
in general”.Turning his attention to northeast Syria, he pointed to thousands of women and children fleeing the latest violence, and vowed not to give up, calling it “an absolute priority” for him.Mr. Guterres elaborated on UN actions to include women in processes, such as the UN-established Women’s Technical Advisory Group in Yemen, to ensure their perspectives.
Counter-Terrorism Center and agreed to enhance cooperation in combating terrorist operations, exchange of information, capacity building and strengthening cooperation in combating cross-border crime within the framework of the existing bilateral security cooperation.The two sides noted the positive economic transformation in both countries, stressed the importance of expanding trade and investment ties in order to push forward strategic cooperation, expressed their happiness for the positive trend in bilateral trade over recent years, and reaffirmed further deepening of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries under Vision 2030. The two sides urged the business community of the two countries to take advantage of investment opportunities in both countries, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, mining, energy including renewable energy sources,
agriculture, technology transfer and areas of skilled human resources in information technology, electronics and communications.Also, during the visit, a number of memorandums of understanding were signed in several areas including energy, civil aviation, medical product regulation, security cooperation and defense and the launch of the RUPAY card to enhance cooperation in various sectors. At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister of India expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of the Kingdom for the hospitality extended to him and the accompanying delegation and reiterated India’s welcome and support for the kingdom’s forthcoming presidency of the G20 Summit in 2020, and looked forward to participating in the upcoming summit of the leaders of the group to be held in Riyadh, noting the kingdom’s great efforts within the framework of the G20
Together with UNHCR Ethiopia and the Government of Ethiopia, Denmark has co-organised a regional conference on comprehensive refugee response in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conference brings government representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, and South Sudan together to take stock of local inclusion of refugees in the region.Local approaches to inclusion of refugees The countries of Eastern and the Horn of Africa are currently hosting some 3.5M refugees. Notably five countries Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti - have committed themselves to implement the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) of the Global Compact on Refugees, and have long been committed to the agenda of inclusion of refugees. Now, it is time to focus on local approaches to inclusion to showcase good practices and discuss how to catalyse them further. Denmark is a partner in the regions refugee response Denmark is an important partner to several of the regions countries in their efforts towards more sustainable refugee response. Committing an estimated 1.5bn Danish Kroner between 2017-2022, the Danish Embassies in the region are implementing several programmes aimed at strengthening resilience, building livelihoods, promoting inclusive education and pushing for socioeconomic empowerment and gender equality – all key activities under the rollout of comprehensive refugee response.Best practices and lessons learnedThe regional conference ‘Delivering the Global Compact on Refugees: Local Approaches to Inclusion’ is held in the spirit of partnerships and sharing of local experiences. Denmark encourages all participating governments to share their best practices and lessons learned, and to collaborate in identifying opportunities and sustainable solutions. The valuable outcomes of the conference has feed directly into the upcoming Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December. The ideas and best practices may serve as inspiration as the whole world convenes at the Forum to pledge further commitment to the inclusion of refugees worldwide.
transactions with compromised credit cards, with an estimated value exceeding €5 million. Europol supported national competent authorities during the operations in their respective countries with analytical support and information exchange. In order to protect customers from fraudulent payments and assure a
safe online environment, Europol also collaborated with banks, payment card schemes European retailers and logistics companies. The private sector supported the action cooperating with national law enforcement authorities, by reporting fraudulent activity. This collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector has proven beneficial and led to the development of best practices. eComm 2019 led to:more than 40 house searched;around 6 500 fraudulent transactions discovered;€5 million in losses reported; €93 000 in losses prevented;a number of surveillance teams deployed;electronic devices, card data and cash confiscated.
Saudi-India joint statement issued in Riyadh TL Bureau, Riyadh
The two sides also agreed on the importance of bilateral participation to enhance ways to ensure the security and safety of waterways in the region of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf region from threats and risks that may affect the interests of the two countries, including their national security. The two sides stressed that extremism and terrorism are a threat to all peoples and societies, rejecting any attempt to link this global phenomenon with a particular race, religion or culture, and expressed their rejection of all terrorist acts, stressing the need to prevent access to weapons, including missiles and drones, to commit acts of terrorism against other countries. The Indian side condemned the terrorist acts against civilian installations in the kingdom and called for closer cooperation at the United Nations
Denmark co-hosted major Conference on refugee response in the Horn of Africa
60 E-commerce busted in international operation
TL Bureau, The Hague
A joint law enforcement operation supported by 19 countries led to the arrest of 60 people suspected of fraud. The main aim of the 2019 e-Commerce Action (eComm 2019) is to target criminal networks suspected of online fraud through coordinated law enforcement action within the European Union, followed by an awareness-raising campaign.The operation, carried out nationally, was coordinated by Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and received direct assistance from national law enforcement authorities and the private sector. E-commerce fraud (electronic commerce fraud) includes
illegal or false transactions made on online platforms, apps and services or over the internet: fraudsters simply use stolen card information to purchase goods on webshops. The suspects arrested during the operation – which ran from 23 September to 4 October 2019 – were responsible for almost 6 500 fraudulent
5
UK
Government proposes enhanced protections for workers facing workplace discrimination TL Bureau, London
Employers could be stopped from withholding references to any employee under new proposals announced by Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom today (Tuesday 29 October). This would mean that employers could, for the first time, be required to provide at least a basic reference for any former employee. Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:I am determined to make the UK the best place to work and grow a business - including levelling the playing field between employees and employers. The overwhelming majority of businesses comply with the law, treating their employees with respect and fairness. But we cannot tolerate the small minority that use nasty tactics like non-disclosure
Government proposes enhanced protections for workers facing workplace discrimination TL Bureau, London Employers could be stopped from withholding references to any employee under new proposals announced by Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom today (Tuesday 29 October). This would mean that employers could, for the first time, be required to provide at least a basic reference for any former employee.Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:I am determined to make the UK the best place to work and grow a business - including levelling the playing field between employees and employers. The overwhelming majority of businesses comply with the law, treating their employees with respect and fairness. But we cannot tolerate the small minority that use nasty tactics like non-disclosure agreements and withholding references to pressure employees into silence, often in cases of serious wrongdoing. These proposals ensure individuals are protected, striking a fair balance between the interests of employers and workers.These proposals form part of the government’s response to an inquiry on nondisclosure agreements conducted by the Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC).Many of the recommendations made by the Committee were addressed in a raft of proposals announced in July to crack down on misuse of non-disclosure agreements, including legislation ensuring that confidentiality clauses cannot prevent individuals disclosing to the police, regulated health and care professionals or legal professionals. Other recently proposed legislation includes:ensuring employers make clear the limitations of a confidentiality clause, in plain English, within a settlement agreement and in a written statement for an employee, so individuals signing them fully understand what they are signing and their rightsextending current legislation so that individuals signing NDAs will get independent legal advice on the limitations of a confidentiality clause– including making clear that information can still be disclosed to police, regulated health and care professionals, or legal professionals regardless of an NDAintroducing new enforcement measures to deal with confidentiality clauses that do not comply with legal requirements for example, an NDA in a settlement agreement that does not follow new legislative requirements will be legally voidThese plans reinforce the government’s commitment to balance the needs of workers and businesses, delivering a UK labour market fit for the modern world of work.
agreements and withholding references to pressure employees into silence, often in cases of serious wrongdoing. These proposals ensure individuals are protected, striking a fair balance between the interests of employers and workers.These proposals form part of the government’s response to an inquiry on non-disclosure agreements conducted by the Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC).Many of the recommendations made by the Committee were addressed in a raft of proposals announced in July to crack down on misuse of non-disclosure agreements, including legislation ensuring that confidentiality clauses cannot prevent individuals disclosing to the police, regulated health and care professionals or legal professionals.
UK leadership in European space telecommunications set to continue as new report shows benefits
TL Bureau, London A new independent report highlights the wideranging benefits the UK enjoys from the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, which has generated an additional £11 billion of income for the UK’s growing space sector over the past decade. ARTES is an ESA initiative that supports the research and development of innovative technology for telecommunications. The UK is Europe’s leading investor in the programme and is looking forward to continuing its commitment in November during the ESA Council of Ministers meeting, Space19+ in Seville, Spain.The report, carried out by Technopolis, reveals the positive impacts the programme has delivered for the UK, including strengthened partnerships between companies, increased
visibility and reputation of UK capabilities, and the encouragement of more UK companies to get involved in the space sector. Every £1 million won in contracts by UK industry has led to £14.4 million in additional income, as well as the creation or safeguarding of 15 high-skilled jobs.Graphic depicting additional income from UK involvement in ESAUK Space Agency CEO Graham Turnock said:The UK is leading the charge across Europe for commercially-focused space programmes which deliver significant value for money and develop our national capabilities.
cases of serious wrongdoing. These proposals ensure individuals are protected, striking a fair balance between the interests of employers and workers.These proposals form part of the government’s response to an inquiry on nondisclosure agreements conducted by the Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC).Many of the recommendations made by the Committee were addressed in a raft of proposals announced in July to crack down on misuse of non-disclosure agreements, including legislation ensuring that confidentiality clauses cannot prevent individuals disclosing to the police, regulated health and care professionals or legal professionals. Other recently proposed legislation includes:ensuring employers make clear the limitations of a confidentiality clause, in plain English, within a settlement
agreement and in a written statement for an employee, so individuals signing them fully understand what they are signing and their rightsextending current legislation so that individuals signing NDAs will get independent legal advice on the limitations of a confidentiality clause – including making clear that information can still be disclosed to police, regulated health and care professionals, or legal professionals regardless of an NDAintroducing new enforcement measures to deal with confidentiality clauses that do not comply with legal requirements for example, an NDA in a settlement agreement that does not follow new legislative requirements will be legally voidThese plans reinforce the government’s commitment to balance the needs of workers and businesses, delivering a UK labour market fit for the modern world of work.
Government proposes enhanced protections for workers facing workplace discrimination TL Bureau, London
Employers could be stopped from withholding references to any employee under new proposals announced by Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom today (Tuesday 29 October). This would mean that employers could, for the first time, be required to provide at least a basic reference for any former employee. Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:I am determined to make the UK the best place to work and grow a business - including levelling the playing field between employees and employers. The overwhelming majority of businesses comply with the law, treating their employees with respect and fairness. But we cannot tolerate the small minority that use nasty tactics like non-disclosure agreements and withholding references to pressure employees into silence, often in
Workers in the North West still £13 a week worse off than 11 years ago, TUC analysis reveals TL Bureau, London
• UK workers suffering the “worst pay squeeze” in 200 years, warns union federation • Government has failed to deal with cost of living crisis, says TUC Workers in the North West are still £13 a week worse off than 11 years ago, according to new TUC analysis published today. The analysis of official figures shows that real wages are still -3% below their 2008 level. By contrast, weekly wages in the North West grew by £84 (+23%) between 1997 and 2008.The TUC says the last decade has been the worst period for wage growth in more than 200 years.Not since the beginning of the 18th century has it taken so long for real wages to recover from a slump. Analysis published by the union
Workers in the North West still £13 a week worse off than 11 years ago, TUC analysis reveals Region
North East North West Yorkshire and the Humber
Change from Change from 1997-2008 in $ 1997-2008 in % Pree Week
+71 +84 +94
+20 +23 +27
Change from 2008 to 2019 in £ per week
-3 -13 -14
Change from 2008 to 2019 in 0/0
-0.7 -3 -3.2
+81 +23 -17 -3.8 East Midlands +73 +20 0 -0.1 West Midlands +75 +19 -9 -2 East of England +143 +27 -43 -6.5 London South East +102 +25 -19 -3.7 South West +90 +25 -19 -4.4 UK +92 +24 -14 -2.8 E The calculations are based on median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. E The figures for weekly earnings (excluding bonuses) are adjusted for inflation using Apr 2019 CPI.
federation in September revealed the impact of Britain’s “cost of living crisis”.Unsecured household debt per household rose to £15,880 in the first quarter of 2019, up £1,160 on a year
earlier. Over half of households now report having unsecured debt, most commonly in the form of credit card debt (60%), overdraft (28%), personal loans (25%) and car finance (25%).
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7
Fresh look at regulation a step in the right direction TL Bureau, Melbourne
The Business Council of Australia welcomes a review of Australia’s environmental protection laws as an opportunity to maintain stringent environmental protections while reducing delays and streamlining our approach to regulation, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said. “This review is a positive step towards more efficient regulation that can protect the environment while allowing businesses do what they do best - create new jobs.“Poorly designed, dated regulation is a constraint on productivity and economic growth. Red and green tape costs Australians jobs. But environmental protection and major project approvals are not mutually exclusive.“The review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is timely and will help strike this critical balance.“We look forward to working with the government and review panel over the next 12 months to ensure the EPBC Act is efficient, relevant and can deliver the environmental standards that are important to businesses, farmers and all Australians while allowing the creation of new jobs.”
BUSINESS
Ombudsman launches Review of Supply Chain Financing TL Bureau, Canberra The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has launched a review of the impact supply chain finance has on the small business and family enterprise sector.The review will examine the ways in which small and family businesses can use supply chain financing to manage cash flow and fund growth.It will also look at the products being used by big business to offset extended payment times. “Supply chain finance is a legitimate and effective tool to free-up cash flow
for small and family businesses,” Ms Carnell says.“However, it is totally unacceptable for big businesses to use supply chain financing arrangements as a replacement for reasonable payment terms being offered, 30 days or less from invoice.“This review will provide a clearer picture on the range of supply chain finance options available on the market and which industries are using these products.“More large businesses are offering supply chain finance to small businesses and we are keen to find out what’s driving that. “The review will investigate whether
supply chain finance is being used by big business as a means to stretch out formal payment terms and as a strategy to manipulate the reporting of working capital and cash reserves.”The full scope of the Review of Supply Chain Financing can be found here.Small businesses and family enterprises who have had experience with supply chain financing can contribute to the Ombudsman’s review via inquiries@asbfeo.gov.auAn interim report is expected to be released by the Ombudsman in March 2020, followed by a full report by the end of April 2020.
TL Bureau, Sydney
“To give customers extra eye watering value, we are offering 3 months free plan fees on new selected mobile plans for a limited time*, including with the Samsung Galaxy Fold. With our award-winning plans**, we offer customers the ability to share data between eligible services on the same bill and the option of enjoying content such as Optus Sport on Samsung’s stunning 7.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex Display***.”Optus will be offering Galaxy Fold on a 36 month My Plan Plus plan for $150 per month (includes $105/ mth My Plan Plus + $45/mth device payment) with 200GB of included monthly data (min. total cost $5400 over 36 months). Optus’ $105 My Plan Plus also offers the following
monthly inclusions:• Unlimited standard international calls and SMS (excl MMS) to 35 selected destinations• A massive 200GB of monthly data which can be shared between eligible Optus mobile plans on the same bill with Optus Data Pool• Unlimited standard national talk and text (to standard Australian mobiles and landlines, 13/1300 numbers and voicemail, standard national SMS and MMS)• Roaming while overseas – 2GB Data & Unlimited standard International Talk & SMS (excl MMS) for use in Zone 1 destinations.The Galaxy Fold will be available to order instore only, with a small selection of experiential Optus retail stores**** displaying the device for customers to experience for themselves.
Something Fold, Something New: Flip out on the Samsung Galaxy Fold with Optus Optus has announced plans and pricing for Samsung’s most innovative handset yet: Galaxy Fold, which is now available on Optus’ premium 4G network.Optus Head of Product Shawn Van Graan said, “Optus is thrilled to be offering Samsung’s latest exciting device yet on super value Optus plans. Galaxy Fold is both a smartphone and a tablet with an immersive screen that folds and slips easily into your pocket.”“The handset offers an array of exciting state-of-the-art and ground-breaking technologies enabling users to multi-task, watch videos, play games and more, that we have not experienced in any handset to date.”
IFC to Help Open Up Ukraine’s Economy to Private Investments In Tbilisi TL Bureau, Kyiv
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Ukrainian government signed a trio of agreements today designed to spur investments in the country and bolster local infrastructure. The partnerships are part of a larger effort by IFC to generate jobs and support economic development in Ukraine. Ukraine ranks 66th among 160 countries in the World Bank’s latest Logistics Performance Index 2018 ranking. Over two-thirds of the country’s infrastructure is outdated due to a lack of modernization since the Soviet era and that has acted like a brake on economic activity. These infrastructure challenges cannot be addressed by the government alone. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help address those gaps. The first agreement will see IFC advise the government as it launches an ambitious public-private partnership program. The initiative will allow the government to partner with private companies to deliver major
infrastructure projects in five key sectors: airports, rail, roads, energy, and healthcare. Ukraine is among the world’s most energy-intensive economies. The country aims to transition to low-carbon economy and integrate its power system with Europe. Energy storage systems can support those efforts. Under the terms of the second agreement signed today, IFC will help review regulations and explore ways to spur private sector investments in energy storage projects. Oleksiy Honcharuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine, said: “The government is committed to accelerating and expanding bold reforms to make Ukraine a more attractive destination for investments. Our cooperation with IFC aims to increase the role of the private sector in the country’s economy, with the ultimate goal of improving living standards for Ukrainians.” Finally, the third agreement will see IFC, in partnership with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland SECO and the Federal Ministry of Finance of Austria, support the city of Zaporizhzhia as it develops a “Smart City” program.
Vietnam Makes Significant Progress in Sustainable Finance Reforms, New Report Finds in Hanoi
TL Bureau, Hanoi
Vietnam is among 38 emerging market economies to have initiated key banking reforms to drive development and fight climate change, according to the second Global Progress Report of the IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking Network (SBN). These reforms require banks to assess, manage, and report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in their lending operations and put market incentives in place for banks to lend to green projects. Of the 38 countries, 22 have adopted national sustainable finance policies and voluntary principles, seven of which were launched in 2019 alone. The report also captures the progress made by 14 countries to actively grow their green bond markets; and data shows increasing innovation by financial institutions to green their lending portfolios. “SBN members have demonstrated that transforming financial markets toward sustainability is possible,” said Georgina Baker, Vice President of IFC, World Bank Group. “Emerging markets are on the forefront of this shift – and SBN’s tools and guidance have laid the groundwork for more countries to follow suit.” In 2018, the State Bank of Vietnam approved the
program on green bank development and an action plan to realize Vietnam’s sustainable development goals by 2030. To enforce the incorporation of ESG risks into lending decisions, the regulator has set two targets by 2025—the setting up of an E&S management system in all financial institutions and integrating environmental and social risk assessment into credit risk assessment. Further, it is a priority to establish specialized units for environmental and social risk management and green finance in at least 10 to 12 banks. A recent survey by the State Bank of Vietnam in early 2019 revealed that 76 percent of participating banks have had sustainable finance strategy in place. Seventeen banks had set up E&S systems to comply with the regulatory requirements and 25 banks had conducted risk-based E&S due diligence for their corporate and project financing transactions. “It is encouraging to see Vietnam’s major progress among its peers in this report— the most comprehensive benchmark of regulatory and industry-led initiatives on sustainable finance across emerging markets,” said Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director at Department of Credit Policies for Economic Sectors, State Bank of Vietnam.
8
Google allegedly misled consumers on collection and use of location data
TL Bureau, Canberra The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Google LLC and Google Australia Pty Ltd (together, Google), alleging they engaged in misleading conduct and made false or misleading representations to consumers about the personal location data Google collects, keeps and uses. The ACCC claims that from at least January 2017, Google breached the Australian Consumer Law when it made on-screen representations on Android mobile phones and tablets that the ACCC alleges misled consumers about the location data Google collected or used when certain Google Account settings were enabled or disabled. The representations were made to consumers setting up a Google Account on their Android mobile phones and tablets, and to consumers who later accessed their Google Account settings through their Android mobile phones and tablets.“We are taking court action against Google because we allege that as a result of these on-screen representations, Google has collected, kept and used highly sensitive and valuable personal information about consumers’ location without them making an informed choice,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.Collection of data representation. The ACCC’s case regarding the collection of location data focuses on two Google Account settings: one labelled ‘Location History’; and another labelled ‘Web & App Activity’. The ACCC alleges that from January 2017 until late 2018, it was misleading for Google to not properly disclose to consumers that both settings had to be switched off if consumers didn’t want Google to collect, keep and use their location data.Instead, the ACCC alleges that when consumers set up a Google Account on their Android phone or tablet, consumers would have incorrectly believed, based on Google’s conduct, that ‘Location History’ was the only Google Account setting that affected whether Google collected, kept or used data about their location.Similarly, if consumers later accessed their Google Account settings on their Android device, Google did not inform them that by leaving ‘Web & App Activity’ switched on, Google would continue to collect
location data.“Our case is that consumers would have understood as a result of this conduct that by switching off their ‘Location History’ setting, Google would stop collecting their location data, plain and simple,” Mr Sims said. “We allege that Google misled consumers by staying silent about the fact that another setting also had to be switched off.”“Many consumers make a conscious decision to turn off settings to stop the collection of their location data, but we allege that Google’s conduct may have prevented consumers from making that choice.”The ACCC also alleges that from around mid-2018 until late 2018, Google represented to consumers that the only way they could prevent Google from collecting, keeping and using their location data was to stop using certain Google services, including Google Search and Google Maps. However, this could be achieved by switching off both ‘Location History’ and ‘Web & App Activity’.Use of data representationThe ACCC also alleges that Google’s on-screen statements explaining how location data would be used when customers accessed their ‘Location History’ and ‘Web & App Activity’ settings were misleading. From March 2017 when a consumer accessed the ‘Web & App Activity’ settings, and from May 2018 when a consumer accessed the ‘Location History’ setting, Google displayed on-screen messages that represented that location data would only be collected and used by Google for the consumer’s use of Google services.Google did not disclose that the data may be used by Google for a number of other purposes unrelated to the consumer’s use of Google’s services.“We consider that because of Google’s failure to disclose this use of data, consumers were and still are deprived of the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether to share their personal location data with Google,” Mr Sims said.“Transparency and inadequate disclosure issues involving digital platforms and consumer data were a major focus of our Digital Platforms Inquiry, and remain one of the ACCC’s top priorities.”By making the collection and use of data representations, the ACCC alleges that Google also engaged in conduct liable to mislead the public
FEATURE about the nature, characteristics and suitability for purpose of the Android operating system, Google services and Google Pixel phones. The ACCC is seeking penalties, declarations and orders requiring the publication of corrective notices and the establishment of a compliance program.Background:Google LLC is a multinational company incorporated in the United States with its headquarters in Mountain View, California. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google Australia Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of Google LLC and conducts certain aspects of Google LLC’s business in Australia, including the distribution of Pixel phones.In addition to its use in providing consumers with Google Services, such as Google Maps, Google also uses location data for advertising purposes, which include:to personalise advertisements for other users;to infer demographic information;to measure the performance of advertisements;to promote, offer to supply or supply advertising services to third parties; and/ orto produce anonymized, aggregated statistics (such as store visit conversions statistics) and share those statistics with advertisers.Google LLC supplies a range of software products and services to Australian consumers, including:the Google Play Store;Google Search;Google Chrome; Google Maps;Gmail; and YouTube.These services are accessed using Google Accounts. Some of them, such as the Google Play Store, can only be accessed if a consumer has signed into a Google Account, while others, such as YouTube, have less functionality if the user has not signed in.The default setting for new Google Accounts is for “Location History” to be turned “off” (or “paused”) and the “Web & App Activity” setting to be turned “on”. If “Location History” is turned “on”, Google regularly collects and keeps personal data relating to the user’s location. However, even if “Location History” is turned off, when the Web & App Activity setting is turned “on”, Google obtains and keeps personal data relating to the user’s activities on Google apps and services, including personal data in relation to the user’s location.The ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry final report recommended that privacy legislation be strengthened, including by:updating the definition of “personal information” in the Privacy Act to clarify that it captures technical data such as IP addresses, device identifiers, location data, and any other online identifiers that may be used to identify an individual; andstrengthening notification and consent requirements to ensure consumers can make informed decisions about the personal data they allow digital platforms to collect.
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life and real estate
An Unrivaled Sleep At Sea TL Bureau, MIAMI A $200,000 Hästens Vividus custom handmade mattress filled with horsetail hair, cushioning flax, slow-growing pine, superior wool and long-fiber cotton. Bed linens made from batiste makò cotton and 100 percent virgin white down from Alaskan geese that keeps bodies at the correct temperature. A Serene Spa & Wellness™ restorative sleep ritual treatment. These are ingredients to a perfectly tranquil sleep experience, and collectively they are only available to Regent Suite guests onboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’® newest luxury ship debuting in February 2020 -- Seven Seas Splendor™.The Regent Suite, also known as the Most Exclusive Address At Sea, is 4,443 square-feet of palatial elegance, complete with an in-suite spa retreat featuring a personal sauna, steam room and treatment area with unlimited spa treatments, unobstructed 270-degree views over Seven Seas Splendor’s bow from the 1,300 square-foot wraparound veranda, and a glass-enclosed solarium sitting area on top of the bridge for a Captain’s view to see the world’s most beautiful destinations. Guests in the Regent Suite also enjoy first-class air accommodations, a dedicated personal butler to manage all the details of the guests’ experience, and a personal car with driver and guide in every port. The price is $11,000 per night, based on double occupancy.But perhaps most impressive is the extravagant sleep experience that enables Regent Suite guests to rejuvenate and reenergize.Hästens Vividus Mattress Guests in the Regent Suite onboard Seven
Seas Splendor sleep on the exquisite, all-natural floating comfort of a custom, $200,000 Vividus bed from the renowned Hästens brand, handcrafted over nine weeks by certified bed artisans in Köping, Sweden.The mattress’ wooden frame is made from slow-growing northern Swedish pine. On top sits a box spring that has pure steel springs and multiple layers of flax for soundproofing. Above that is the mattress, which holds more springs, layers of superior cotton and wool batting, and horsetail hair lining. The mattress pad, or “topper,” has its own layers of cotton, wool, and horsetail hair. The Vividus is constructed in Swedish style, with dovetail joints instead of screws or nails, and the springs are connected to the mattress interior using a step-stitching process, accomplished by hand with an 18-inch long needle.The horsetail hair is braided by hand, then unwound, to give it even more bounce. Every curled strand acts like a tiny spring, providing support and pliability. Unlike human hair, each horsetail hair is a hollow tube, enabling it to function as an airway to wick moisture away. The cumulative effect of all these layers is that Regent Suite guests feel as if they are floating while sleeping with zero gravity, with legs slightly raised, helping circulation and overall heart health.Bellino and Med1994 Bedding SelectionsGuests select their bed linens and pillows from a prestigious Italian bedding menu. Regent Suite’s distinguished bed linen menus come in two categories: Bellino Fine Italian Linens and the Med1994 Aria line.The Bellino Samurai Collection is made from 100 percent pure, crisp,
More than 5,000 test kilometres of preparation for maiden Formula E season
TL Bureau, Riyadh The countdown has started: in 23 days, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will contest its maiden race in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. At the official Formula E Test Drives in Valencia, the team undertook in-depth preparations for its first race. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, like the other teams contesting Formula E, had a total of 15 days of testing available to them between 1 January and 1 October 2019. This was followed by the official Formula E test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valencia in mid-October, where the twelve teams competing in Season 6 had their first encounter on track together.The Porsche 99X Electric completed more than 5,000 test kilometres in the test and development phase. While the main focus in the initial phase was on the reliability of the Porsche powertrain, the crew increasingly focussed on performance as time went on.Malte Huneke (Technical Project Leader Formula E): “With over 5,000 test kilometres, we gained important insights into the Porsche 99X Electric over the past months.
breathable linen. Bellino’s Eleganza Collection is comprised of 600 threadcount sateen and 100 percent long staple cotton, making it exceptionally soft and smooth, as is Bellino’s Adriana Collection, made with 500 thread count percale and 100 percent long staple cotton for an indulgent, sumptuous feel.Med1994’s hypoallergenic Aria line is made with a patented technology called SISTEMA ARIA®, which builds a free layer inside every duvet as an active suspension that helps humid air to be released and replaced with clean, dry air, thereby keeping bodies at the correct temperature. It uses 100 percent virgin white down from Alaskan geese from the harsh Arctic regions in order to get the best results.The type of pillow guests choose to rest their head upon is also critical to a peaceful sleep. Regent Suite guests select from a gel pillow, water pillow, memory foam pillow, buckwheat hull pillow or tri-side anatomic pillow. Serene Spa & WellnessTM Restorative Sleep RitualThe new globally inspired spa Regent unveiled earlier this month, Serene Spa & Wellness™, will offer an exclusive sleep ritual available only to Regent Suite guests. It begins with a transcendent, nourishing milk bath —
a light and gentle milky formula rich in vitamins, amino acids and natural plant collagen from Japanese Camellia oil that reveals satin-soft skin. As guests indulge in the bath, their senses are enticed through touch and aroma with calming lavender and chamomile during this journey of peace and relaxation. Serene Spa & Wellness’ Powered by Flowers face mask with Star Arvensis and Indian Night Jasmine then works to leave thirsty skin looking rehydrated and refreshed. Prior to the sleep ritual, Regent Suite guests may wish to indulge in Serene Spa & Wellness’ calming AroundThe World massage. Performed in the Regent Suite treatment area, this choreographed therapy fuses techniques from the corners of the world for optimal wellness: the earthly scents of Indian cardamom, Egyptian coriander and eucalyptus soothe the mind; Swedish massage movements work freely throughout the body to relax; volcanic rocks release muscle tension and stagnant energy in the legs; bamboo stalks glide over muscles to deeply alleviate discomfort; warmed coconut poultices are delicately worked over the face, neck and shoulders; and argan oil from Morocco conditions the scalp.
Holidaying Aussies Only Willing To Spend Three Days Offline
TL Bureau, Chatswood
With 100 Days to Go until Australia’s First “Smart Ship” Arrives, New Research Reveals the Importance of the Internet on HolidaysA new study into Australians’ internet habits has found a staggering 91 per cent of the people believe it’s important to have access to the internet while on holiday, with close to a quarter nominating internet access as one of their key considerations when choosing a holiday destination.Conducted by YouGov on behalf of Princess Cruises, the survey of more than a 1000 Australians found most people (58 per cent) would only tolerate being offline for a maximum of three days during their holiday, with 27 per cent unwilling to spend more than 24 hours without internet access.However, while holidaymakers want to be online, 81 per cent of those surveyed said there were still barriers to using the internet while on holiday, with most (62 per cent) blaming the high cost of access and slow internet speeds.Meanwhile, more than half (55 per cent) of respondents who are considering choosing a cruise for their next holiday said they would be more likely to sail if they had access to high speed internet at a reasonable cost during their time onboard.The survey findings have been released today as Princess Cruises
celebrates 100 days to go until the first “Smart Ship” sails in Australian waters – a milestone which will be reached when Ruby Princess is enabled with Princess’ groundbreaking MedallionClass Holidays technology on 27 January 2020 during her maiden Australia and New Zealand Summer deployment.“This survey underlines just how important technology now is in our choice of holidays, with 1 in 2 people surveyed saying they would be more likely to take a cruise if they had access to high speed internet,” Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Asia Pacific Stuart Allison said.“It’s clear that Princess Cruises’ new ground-breaking technology will represent a seismic shift in how our guests travel and interact with their ship. In the same way that smart phones have simplified our daily lives, our new “Smart-Ships” will help remove the friction points from travel, allowing us to deliver a more personalised service to our guests and ultimately give our guests more time to relax on their cruise holiday.” Mr Allison added.Princess Cruises’ award-winning OceanMedallion is a complimentary wearable device that elevates the onboard guest experience by enhancing guest–crew interactions and enabling interactive entertainment in order to deliver a high level of service and personalised attention on a large scale.
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SPORTS
Cycling’s Podium Potential Academy Endurance Squad embraces #FindYour30
TL Bureau, BELCONNEN Launched in November 2018 with an inaugural class of thirteen athletes across both endurance and sprint disciplines, the PPA programme focuses on the long term development of athletes orientated around success at the 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.The PPA Endurance riders set to contest the World Cup in Glasgow are Alexandra Martin-Wallace, Sophie Edwards, Conor Leahy and Godfrey Slattery. Sport Australia’s national “Find Your 30” campaign is all about encouraging every Australian to get 30 minutes of heart rate raising sport or physical activity a day to live healthier, happier and more active lives.Sport Australia CEO Kate Palmer said: “It’s fantastic that Cycling Australia and our incredible track cyclists are joining us to encourage all Australians to be more active.”“We take immense pride and joy in supporting our elite athletes to win medals and become world champions, but our ultimate goal at Sport Australia is to be the world’s most active sporting nation.“You don’t have to win a race or even compete in a race, but 30 minutes of physical activity a day can help anyone unlock more of their own potential. Collectively, that can be a game-changer for our nation’s health, economy and productivity.”Australians can get tips on how to ‘Find Your 30’ at the Sport Australia website, sportaus.gov.au.Cycling Australia’s Performance Director Simon Jones: “We are really excited to be in a position to promote such an
inspirational campaign through the performances of these athletes.“Whether it be an international track competition or a walk around the block, we can all relate to and support each other in making positive decisions around our health and
Copenhagen 2021 - Celebrating WorldPride and EuroGames.Image
TL Bureau, Copenhagen
HRH The Crown Princess becomes patron of Copenhagen 2021Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Denmark becomes the patron of Copenhagen 2021, the greatest and most inclusive LGBTI+ event in Denmark ever, celebrating WorldPride and EuroGames simultaneously for the first time.With the patronage, the Crown Princess takes on the task of sharing the message that in 2021, Copenhagen will host the largest international human rights event of that year, that fights to ensure equal rights for LGBTI+ people all around the world.- As a Dane, I’m proud that Copenhagen is hosting WorldPride and Eurogames in the summer of 2021. We cannot accept that people around the world are harassed and discriminated against just because of their sexuality or gender identity. I look forward to celebrating diversity together and ensuring respect for LGBTI rights, in Denmark and internationally. Leading up to and during Copenhagen 2021 there will be many important and festive events, which will be a joy for me, to be a part of; says Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Denmark.Royal InspirationAs patron of Copenhagen 2021, the expectations from the organizers are that Her Royal Highness will sustain the LGBTI+ community in their persistent fight for ensuring equal rights and help set that struggle on the international agenda. All in all, will the engagement of the Crown Princess as patron of Copenhagen 2021 serve as a crucial inspiration for the entire world. Copenhagen 2021 is very excited with
The Crown Princess’s patronage as the international LGBTI+ event works to secure better and equal rights for LGBTI+ people around the world. Copenhagen 2021 is doing that by continuing to draw attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by LGBTI+ people and by making the human rights debate the central topic of Copenhagen 2021, which is going on in Copenhagen and Malmö in August 12-22 in 2021.- We are proud and delighted by the fact that the Crown Princess has agreed to be patron of an international LGBTI+ event as Copenhagen 2021.Today, she already serves as a role model for many people around the world. Her patronage and engagement will only add positively to that impression. I am sure that the Crown Princess’s commitment will inspire others and have a positive effect on not only our Danish community, but all around the world, says Lars Christian Østergreen, CEO of Copenhagen 2021,Copenhagen 2021 will take place in Copenhagen and Malmö from 1222. August 2021FACTS:Copenhagen 2021 takes place on 12-22, August 2021 in Copenhagen and Malmö celebrating WorldPride and EuroGames simultaneously.
wellbeing.”Riders from Australian Cycling Team Podium group in Sam Welsford, Leigh Howard, Annette Edmondson, Georgia Baker, Kristina Clonan and Macey Stewart will also contest the Glasgow round.
SoftCo Host Olympic Qualifiers Squad Announcement TL Bureau, Dublin
Ireland Women’s Hockey head coach, Sean Dancer, has announced the names of the 18 women who will represent the team in the upcoming Olympic qualifiers against Canada on the 2nd and 3rd of November.The two games will take place in front of expected capacity
crowds at Donnybrook’s Energia Park, with the winner over the two legs booking their place at next summer’s Tokyo Olympics.The team are looking to build on their successful run to the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup Final by qualifying for their first-ever Olympics and, in turn, become the first Irish women’s field sport team to qualify for an Olympic Games.
FIBA to organize livestreamed event to announce 3x3 teams qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on November 1
TL Bureau, UTSUNOMIYA FIBA will officially unveil the name of the teams who have qualified (directly or indirectly) to the 3x3 event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Utsunomiya, Japan on November 1, 2019.The wait is over! On the eve of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final in Utsunomiya, Japan, FIBA will host a livestreamed show from 8 to 9.30pm local time (GMT+9), which will be available on youtube.com/FIBA3x3 and facebook. com/FIBA3x3.FIBA will announce:-The 4 teams per gender which will qualify directly to the first-ever 3x3 event of the Olympic Games based on the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking at the November 1, 2019 cut-off date (If Japan does not rank in the Top 4
in any gender, their highest-ranked team will get a spot instead of the 4th best team in that category. Additionally, a maximum of 2 teams per gender can come from the same continent).-The 20 teams per gender which will qualify for the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), which will grant 3 tickets to the Olympics by gender and take place in India on March 18-22, 2020 (including the Indian hosts, Japan if not yet qualified, the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2019 medalists and the highestranked teams in the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking, considering universality criteria (maximum of 10 teams per continent and minimum 30 countries meaning only the top 6 teams in the ranking can have a team in both genders.
11
Latest road toll figures show National Road Safety Strategy has failed
TL Bureau, Canberra Australia’s alarmingly high road toll remains stuck at the levels it was at four years ago. Latest road safety data, for the September Quarter, shows Australia will fail to meet agreed targets to reduce road crash fatalities and serious injuries by 30 per cent between 2011 and the end of 2020.The Australian Automobile Association’s latest road safety quarterly report shows that in the 12 months to 30 September 2019, 1,185 people died on Australian roads. This is a reduction of only 0.2 per cent from the toll of 1,187 deaths in the 12 months to September 2015.Australian Automobile Association Managing Director, Michael Bradley, said the National Road Safety Strategy had begun in 2011 with initial success.“In recent years however, that early success has dissipated,” he said.“Instead of declining, the road toll has plateaued at a level that makes it clear we cannot meet the Strategy’s targets.”The AAA’s report shows that all states except Tasmania recorded a red-light status – meaning their annual road fatality figures remain above the notional milestones that would put them on track to meet the Strategy’s targets.“Our five largest states – and Australia as a whole – are on track to miss the 2020 target,” Mr Bradley said. “It is critical that we take this opportunity to reflect on our current
policy failings to ensure they are not repeated.”The AAA’s National Council last week met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Michael McCormack, as well as the Assistant Minister for Road Safety, Scott Buchholz, to discuss the urgent need to revive, reform and revitalise road safety strategies.“Mr McCormack and Mr Buchholz are acutely aware that governments at all levels – in partnership with the community – can do more to prevent death and injuries on our roads,” Mr Bradley said. “The Federal Government has committed to sizeable investment in land transport infrastructure and that’s something motorists want the next budget to reaffirm.”The AAA’s Reviving Road Safety strategy – developed in partnership with 15 national bodies focused on health, emergency services and transport policy – outlines four key priorities that the Federal Government can act on now to make substantial progress towards saving more lives.“We’ve been very supportive of the Federal Government’s decision to adopt the AAA’s policy to establish a national Office of Road Safety to enhance co-ordination between states on road safety policy and standardise data collection to enable evidence-based investments and decisions,” Mr Bradley said.“The Office of Road Safety must
have genuine authority to oversee the development and progress of the next National Road Safety Strategy, which will take effect from 2021. But at this stage, the Office’s terms of reference, its resourcing, and its authority to drive greater cooperation within federal government and between different levels of government are unclear.”The AAA’s Reviving Road Safety strategy has identified four immediate priorities that the government can act on now. Develop a National Road Safety Data Hub within the Office of Road Safety. This would coordinate and analyse the collection of road safety data to help develop future policy and investments. Link infrastructure funding to road safety outcomes, and use incentive payments, to ensure road funding proposals are tied to safety standards. Encourage the uptake of safer vehicles and work towards targets to lower the average age of Australia’s vehicle fleet. Ensure the new Office of Road Safety has genuine authority to oversee the development and progress of the next National Road Safety Strategy, which will take effect from 2021.“Reviving Road Safety is not a detailed blueprint on everything the government must be doing to help reduce road trauma,” Mr Bradley said.“Instead it advocates the priority steps that the government can take at the beginning of its new term.”
tech/auto
CPI continues to be good news for home buyers and renters TL Bureau, Canberra
CPI figure continues to be good news for home buyers and renters, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA).“The All Groups CPI, increased by 0.5 per cent in the December quarter giving an annual increase of 1.7 per cent,” REIA President of Adrian Kelly said.“The annual changes for the analytical series of trimmed mean and for the weighted median were 1.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively. The annual change in the trimmed mean has been below 2 per cent since December 2015 and for the weighted median since March 2018 ensuring the continuation of historically low official interest rates for some time yet.“The Housing Group increased by 0.3 per cent per cent for the quarter and 0.4 per cent for the year to September 2019. Rents increased by just 0.1 per cent for the quarter and increased by 0.4 per cent for the year. The average annual change has been less than 1.0 per cent since December 2015.“With the RBA meeting next week home buyers can be comfortable in the knowledge that the latest inflation data would suggest that the RBA will not be increasing official interest rates for some time yet,” Mr Kelly concluded.
Qld State Government secures new flights from Tokyo to risbane
TL Bureau, Brisbane
A new Virgin Australia daily service from Tokyo to Brisbane secured by the Palaszczuk Government is expected to generate more than a quarter of a billion dollars and create 2,760 jobs in Queensland over the next three years.Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the new service, commencing in 2020, would provide a welcome boost to the state’s tourism operators.“We’re investing in tourism to create jobs for Queenslanders,” Ms Jones said.“This is a great day for the Queensland tourism industry.“In announcing this new daily service from Haneda Airport to Brisbane, we’re talking about an additional 100,375 seats a year coming into Brisbane.”Ms Jones said the flights announced today would generate $254 million over the next three years.“We know the Japanese love our state, with almost half of all travellers from Japan to Australia coming to Queensland,” she said.“We also know that when Japanese travellers come to Queensland, they spend up big.”Ms Jones said the service announced today would bring a diverse mix of visitors - coming for business, leisure and education - delivering a significant boost for Queensland’s tourism economy.“When the last direct flights from Tokyo to Brisbane came onboard in August 2015, we saw year-on-year growth in Japanese visitors of 22 per cent, from 160,000 in the year ended September 2015
to 195,000 in the year ended September 2016,” Ms Jones said.“That number has continued to steadily grow and in the year to June 2019, Japan has moved up two positions to become Queensland’s third most valuable international tourism market with 212,000 Japanese visitors who spent $463.5m.“Direct aviation access is key to growing our state’s share of the market and these new services are another shot in the arm for the industry.“When it comes to securing new flights, this government has the runs on the board. In total, we’ve secured 28 new flights opening up three million more airline seats to Queensland.“This is worth more than $2 billion to our economy.”Virgin Australia Group Managing Director and CEO Paul
Scurrah said the new service would provide significant benefits.“We’re thrilled to be announcing our new Brisbane – Haneda daily service from 29 March next year and bringing much needed competition to a monopoly market. The Brisbane – Haneda market has a strong growth outlook and our research has shown this route will have significant benefits for business and leisure travellers, the tourism industry, and the Australian economy. “All Australians can enjoy our new Japan service but we’re particularly pleased to be flying out of our home base of Brisbane, and giving local residents even more reasons to visit Japan and enjoy our best value fares and award-winning service.”Brisbane Airport Corporation
Chief Executive Officer Gert-Jan de Graaff said today’s announcement was a great win for the airport.“This new Virgin Australia service will be the first direct connection between Queensland and Haneda Airport, the primary international airport serving Tokyo, and the first new airline capacity between Japan and Queensland since 2015.“We applaud Virgin Australia’s decision to expand long-haul services to and from Brisbane Airport, which not only improves connectivity for travellers in Queensland, but ensures travellers from across their broader network in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific now also have choice and access to competitive and direct international flights to Japan.“Japan is a foundation and a core tourism market and trading partner for Queensland so the benefits of increased access to and from Japan will ripple throughout the state, from the Gold Coast, to Cairns and to the Outback.“This service was only secured through the collective efforts of Brisbane Airport Corporation in close collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland, Trade and Investment Queensland, Destination Gold Coast and the Japanese Chambers of Commerce, among others. It’s been a real teamQueensland effort.”Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said over the years the organisation had cultivated strong relationships with Japanese tourism partners and that the announcement validates the strong investment.
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HRH the Crown Prince meets with Prime Minister of India TL Bureau, Riyadh
H
is Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, today met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries and ways to develop them, in addition to discussing regional and international developments and coordinating the efforts towards them.At the end of the meeting, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Indian Prime Minister signed an agreement establishing the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council.The meeting was attended by a number of officials
One Yemeni soldier killed, 2 injured by rocket in Marib TL Bureau, Marib
Spokesman of the Yemeni Armed Forces said one of the personnel of the Yemeni national army was killed and two others wounded after a rocket fell on one of the military sites of the Defense Ministry in the city of Marib.Brig. Gen. Abdu Mojali, in a statement, told September Net that the rocket landed on the guards’ room at the military site and that one of the officers who was on duty died and two were injured.The spokesman praised Saudi support for the Yemeni people
world
Brexit: European Council adopts decision to extend the period under Article 50
TL Bureau, Brussels
The European Council has adopted a decision to extend the period under Article 50.3 (of the Treaty on the European Union), in the context of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU. The extension will last until 31 January 2020 to allow more time
for the ratification of the withdrawal agreement. The withdrawal can take place earlier on 1 December 2019 or 1 January 2020, if the withdrawal agreement is ratified by both parties. For the duration of the extension the United Kingdom remains a member state with all the rights and obligations set out in the treaties and under EU law.The
U.S. Welcomes FATF Measures to Protect International Financial System from Iranian Threats
TL Bureau, Washington DC Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of StateThe United States welcomes the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) recent re-imposition of additional countermeasures on Iran for its failure to uphold international anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards. Iran has shown a willful failure to address its systemic AML/CFT deficiencies, deliberately ensuring there is no transparency in its economy so it can continue to export terrorism. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
continues to engage in large-scale, illicit, financing schemes to fund its malign activities. This includes support for U.S.-designated terrorist groups like Hizballah and Hamas. The IRGC’s illicit financing schemes are facilitated at the highest levels of Iran’s government. The IRGC controls much of Iran’s economy, and companies around the world should err on the side of caution to avoid financing Iran’s malign activities.The international community has made clear that Iran must live up to its commitments to behave like a normal nation. The FATF warned Iran that it
examples when the acute stage of the conflict has been terminated and even partial reconciliation has taken place. But the main thing did not happen: the return of territories. They remained in
a different status and, unfortunately, did not return to a particular state. Does such an option suit Ukraine? I think not. But the question is rhetorical,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
Ceasefire, reconciliation and safe reintegration: President outlined stages of achieving peace in Ukraine
TL Bureau, Kyiv
International experience of armed conflicts and wars in any part of the globe proves that three integral and sequential stages must be completed in order to successfully end the war and establish peace. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a speech at the opening of the Unity Forum in Mariupol.The Head of State specified that our state, society and every citizen of Ukraine would have to pass all those three stages together.The first stage requires the end of the hot phase of the conflict and the ceasefire.“We are confident that we will achieve this in the near future. We really want that. It is a necessary, important, yet only the first step,” he stressed.The second essential step, according to the President, is the reconciliation of people and the search for consensus.“This is a very complex and sensitive, neurosurgical process. It’s like keeping matches near an open canister of gasoline. One careless move, one wrong statement can derail everything and restore the hot stage of conflict. That is why the role of the media and the rhetoric the media use is crucial in these issues,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.At the same time, according to the President, the third essential step is reintegration - safe and real, not on paper.”There are many world
decision was taken unanimously by the European Council by written procedure, with the agreement of the UK. This agreement was set out in a letter from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to President of the European Council Donald Tusk. The European Council also agreed a declaration accompanying the decision.
SaudiBrazilian Joint Statement Issued 3 Riyadh TL Bureau, Riyadh
Saudi & Brazilian witnessed the exchange of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding in a number of fields of cooperation between the two countries, including defense, energy, customs affairs and visas.His Excellency President Jair Bolsonaro participated as a guest of honor in the works of “Future Investment Initiative 2019” which is annually organized by the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom to discuss the trends of the global economy and the future of the international investment environment. His Excellency President Jair Bolsonaro also participated in the meeting of the Saudi and Brazilian businesspersons and investors held at the Council of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh.The two sides expressed their support for the Public Investment Fund’s aspiration to develop a roadmap aimed at exploring potential investment opportunities benefiting the two countries amounting to 10 billion dollars within the framework of partnership with the Federative Republic of Brazil.At the end of the visit, His Excellency President Jair Bolsonaro, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, expressed his deep thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HRH the Crown Prince and the friendly people of Saudi Arabia for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation. He also affirmed his country’s welcome and support for the Kingdom’s forthcoming chairmanship of Group of Twenty (G20) in 2020. He looks forward to participate in the upcoming summit of the leaders of the Group’s states to be held in Riyadh, hailing the Kingdom’s great efforts in the framework of the G20. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wishes the Brazilian friendly people steady prosperity and progress.This statement is issued in Riyadh on 30/10/2019