Worldwide events; zarb e jamhoor newspaper; 139 issue; 01 07 sep, 2013

Constitution Day Slovakia - Sep 01

On September 1, Slovakia commemorates the 14th anniversary of the adoption of the country’s Constitution and celebrates it as a national holiday.

The binding document was adopted by the Slovak parliament on September 1, 1992, thereby establishing the independent Slovak Republic. The Czechoslovak Federation was officially disbanded on January 1, 1993.

History During the peaceful Velvet Revolution in 1989, the Communist rule

HUNGARY U N r e c ognize d 5 Se pt e m be r a s Int ’l D a y of C ha r it y : C s a ba K őr ös i

National interests can be protected in a peaceful way: Orban

in Czechoslovakia ended. What followed the end of Communism was the country’s dissolution into two successor states. In July 1992, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Vladimír Mečiar, declared that his country is now a sovereign state. Its laws prevailed over those of the federal government. All throughout the autumn of 1992, Mečiar and his Czech counterpart Prime Minister Václav Klaus ironed out the details for dissolving the federation. The federal parliament voted in November, that the country would be officially dissolved on December 31, 1992. Slovakia and the Czech Republic separated for good after January 1, 1993. This event came to be known as the Velvet Divorce. Slovakia remains to be a close partner of the Czech Republic.

In 1991, the process of drafting the Constitution began. The Parliament later adopted a resolution to set up a commission of MPs from the different parties to prepare a joint draft of the Constitution for soon-to-be Slovak Republic.

The draft of the constitution was debated by the Parliamentary on August 31 and September 1. The legislature held an open vote on the final text following a demonstrative walkout by MPs representing the Hungarian minority. The Constitution took effect on October 1, 1992. Slovakia adopted the Euro as its national currency on January 1, 2009.

Celebrations

On Constitution Day on the hill of Bratislava’s castle, people discover traditional manufacturers and folk handicrafts in this annual event. In this occasion, there is a presentation of traditional items made by Slovak artisans and folk artists. There are events presented by the handicraft schools and there are folk music programs for children as well.

Independence Day Uzbekistan - Sep 01

Uzbekistan officially the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbek:O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси, Üzbekiston Respublikasi) is adoubly landlocked country in Central Asia. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south. Prior to 1991, it was part of the Soviet Union.

Once part of the Persian Samanid and later Timurid empires, the region was conquered in the early 16th century by Uzbek nomads, who spoke an Eastern Turkic language. Most of Uzbekistan’s population today belong to the Uzbek ethnic group and speak the Uzbek language, one of the family of Turkic languages.

Uzbekistan was incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th century and in 1924 became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, known as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (Uzbek SSR). It has been an independent republic since December 1991.

Uzbekistan's economy relies mainly on commodity production, including cotton, gold,uranium, potassium, and natural gas. Despite the declared objective of transition to a market economy, Uzbekistan continues to maintain rigid economic controls, which often repel foreign investors. The policy of gradual, strictly controlled transition has nevertheless produced beneficial results in the form of economic recovery after 1995. Uzbekistan's domestic policies on human rights and individual freedoms are often criticised by international organizations.

History

The earliest Bronze Age colonists of the Tarim Basin were people of Caucasoid physical type who entered probably from the north and west and probably spoke languages that could be classified as Pre- or Proto-Tocharian, ancestral to the Indo-European Tocharian languages documented later in the Tarim Basin. These early settlers occupied the northern and eastern parts of the Tarim Basin, where their graves have yielded mummies dated about 1800 BC. They participated in a cultural world centered on the eastern steppes of central Eurasia, including modern northeastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

At the eastern end of the Tarim Basin, people of Mongoloid physical type began to be buried in cemeteries such as Yanbulaq some centuries later, during the later second or early first millennium BC. About the same time, Iranianspeaking people moved into the Tarim Basin from the steppes to the west. Their linguistic heritage and perhaps their physical remains are found in the southern and western portions of the Tarim. These three populations interacted, as the linguistic and archaeological evidence reviewed by Mallory and Mair makes clear, and then Turkic people arrived and were added to the mix.

The first people known to inhabit Central Asia were Iranian nomads who arrived from the northern grasslands of what is now Uzbekistan sometime in the first millennium BC. These nomads, who spoke Iranian dialects, settled in Central Asia and began to build an extensive irrigation system along the rivers of the region. At this time, cities such as Bukhoro (Bukhara) and Samarqand (Samarkand) began to appear as centers of government and culture. By the 5th century BC, the Bactrian, Soghdian, and Tokharian states dominated the region.

As China began to develop its silk trade with the West, Iranian cities took advantage of this commerce by becoming centers of trade. Using an extensive network of cities and settlements in the province of Mawarannahr (a name given the region after the Arab conquest) in Uzbekistan and farther east in what is today China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Soghdian intermediaries became the wealthiest of these Iranian merchants. Because of this trade on what became known as the Silk Route, Bukhoro and Samarqand eventually became extremely wealthy cities, and at times Mawarannahr was one of the most influential and powerful Persian provinces of antiquity.

Alexander the Great conquered Sogdiana and Bactria in 327 BC, marrying Roxana, daughter of a local Bactrian chieftain. The conquest was supposedly of little help to Alexander as popular resistance was fierce, causing Alexander's army to be bogged down in the region that became the northern part of Hellenistic Greco-Bactrian Kingdom.

For many centuries the region of Uzbekistan was ruled by Persian empires, including the Parthian and Sassanid Empires.

In the 8th century Transoxiana (territory between the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers) was conquered by Arabs.

In the 9th – 10th centuries Transoxiana was included into Samanid State.

The Mongol conquest under Genghis Khan during the 13th century, would bring about a dramatic change to the region. The brutal conquest and widespread genocide characteristic of the Mongols almost entirely exterminated the indigenous Indo-Persian (Scythian) people of the region, their culture and heritage being superseded by that of the Mongolian-Turkic peoples who settled the region thereafter.

Following the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, his empire was divided among his four sons and his family members.

Despite the potential for serious fragmentation, Mongol law of the Mongol Empire maintained orderly succession for several more generations, and control of most of Mawarannahr stayed in the hands of direct descendants of Chagatai Khan, the second son of Genghis Khan. Orderly succession, prosperity, and internal peace prevailed in the Chaghatai lands, and the Mongol Empire as a whole remained strong and united.

In the early fourteenth century, however, as the empire began to break up into its constituent parts, the Chaghatai territory also was disrupted as the princes of various tribal groups competed for influence. One tribal chieftain, Timur (Tamerlane), emerged from these struggles in the 1380s as the dominant force in Mawarannahr. Although he was not a descendant of Chinggis, Timur became the de facto ruler of Mawarannahr and proceeded to conquer all of western Central Asia, Iran, Asia Minor, and the southern steppe region north of the Aral Sea. He also invaded Russia and India before dying during an invasion of China in 1405.

Timur initiated the last flowering of Mawarannahr by gathering in his capital, Samarqand, numerous artisans and scholars from the lands he had conquered. By supporting such people, Timur imbued his empire with a very rich culture. During Timur's reign and the reigns of his immediate descendants, a wide range of religious and palatial construction projects were undertaken in Samarqand and other population centres. Timur also initiated exchange of medical thoughts and patronized physicians, scientists and artists from the neighboring countries like India.; his grandson Ulugh Beg was one of the world's first great astronomers. It was during the Timurid dynasty that Turkish, in the form of the Chaghatai dialect, became a literary language in its own right in Mawarannahr—although the Timurids also patronized writing in Persian. Until then only Persian had been used in the region. The greatest Chaghataid writer, Ali-Shir Nava'i, was active in the city of Herat, now in northwestern Afghanistan, in the second half of the fifteenth century.

The Timurid state quickly broke into two halves after the death of Timur. The chronic internal fighting of the Timurids attracted the attention of the Uzbek nomadic tribes living to the north of the Aral Sea. In 1501 the Uzbeks began a wholesale invasion of Mawarannahr. The slave trade in the Khanate of Bukhara became prominent and was firmly established. Estimates from 1821 suggest that between 25,000 and 40,000 Persian slaves were working in Bukhara at the time.

In the nineteenth century, the Russian Empire began to expand and spread into Central Asia. By 1912, Russians living in Uzbekistan numbered 210,306. The "Great Game" period is generally regarded as running from approximately 1813 to the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, a second, less intensive phase followed. At the start of the nineteenth century, there were some 2,000 miles (3,200 km) separating British India and the outlying regions of Tsarist Russia. Much of the land in between was unmapped.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, Central Asia was firmly in the hands of Russia and, despite some early resistance to Bolsheviks, Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia became a part of the Soviet Union. On October 27, 1924 the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was created. On August 31, 1991, Uzbekistan declared independence, marking September 1 as a national holiday.

The country is now the world's third-largest exporter of cotton, and it is developing its mineral and petroleum reserves.

National Day Vietnam - Sep 02

Vietnam, formally the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia.

With an estimated 91.5 million inhabitants as of 2012, it is the world's13th-most-populous country, and the eighth-most-populous Asian country. The name Vietnam translates as "South Viet", and was officially adopted in 1945. The country is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east. Its capital city has been Hanoi since the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1976.

The Vietnamese became independent from Imperial China in 938 AD, following the Battle of Bạch Đằng River. Successive Vietnamese royal dynasties flourished as the nation expanded geographically and politically into Southeast Asia, until the Indochina Peninsula was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century.

The First Indochina War eventually led to the expulsion of the French in 1954, leaving Vietnam divided politically into two states, North and South Vietnam. Conflict between the two sides intensified, with heavy foreign intervention, during the Vietnam War, which ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.

After the war, Vietnam was unified under a Communist government, but was politically isolated and economically backward. In 1986, the government initiated a series of economic and political reforms, which began Vietnam's path towards integration into the world economy. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Its economic growth has been among the highest in the world since 2000, and according to Citigroup, such high growth is set to continue. Vietnam has the highest Global Growth Generators Index among 11 major economies, and its successful economic reforms resulted in it joining the World Trade Organization in 2007. However, the country still suffers from relatively high levels of income inequality, disparities in healthcare provision, and poor gender equality.

History

French Vietnam:

Vietnam's independence was gradually eroded by France – aided by large Catholic collaborator militias – in a series of military conquests between 1859 and 1885, after which the entire country became part of French Indochina. The French administration imposed significant political and cultural changes on Vietnamese society. A Western-style system of modern education was developed, and Roman Catholicism was propagated widely in Vietnamese society.

Most of the French settlers in Indochina were concentrated in Cochinchina – the southern third of Vietnam – based around the city of Saigon.

Developing a plantation economy to promote the export of tobacco, indigo, tea and coffee, the French largely ignored increasing calls for Vietnamese self-government and civil rights. A nationalist political movement soon emerged, with leaders such as Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Phan Dinh Phung, Emperor Hàm Nghi and Ho Chi Minh fighting or calling for independence. However, the royalist Can Vuong was defeated in the 1890s after a decade of resistance, and the 1930 Yen Bai mutiny of the Viet Nam Quoc Dan Dang was put down easily. The French maintained control of their colonies until World War II, when the war in the Pacific led to the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in 1941.

With the defeat of France in Europe in 1940, the French Third Republic was replaced by theVichy Regime, to which the colony remained loyal. Heavily dependent on Nazi Germany, Vichy France was forced to surrender control of French Indochina to Germany's ally, Japan. The natural resources of Vietnam were exploited for the purposes of the Japanese Empire's military campaigns into the British Indochinese colonies of Burma, the Malay Peninsula and India. The Japanese occupation was a key cause of the Vietnamese Famine of 1945, which caused around two million deaths, equivalent to as much as 10% of the contemporary population.

First Indochina War:

In 1941, the Viet Minh – a communist and nationalist liberation movement – emerged under the Marxist-Leninist revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, who sought independence for Vietnam from France and the end of the Japanese occupation. Following the military defeat of Japan and the fall of its puppet Empire of Vietnam in August 1945, the Viet Minh occupied Hanoi and proclaimed a provisional government, which asserted national independence on 2 September.

In the same year, the Provisional French Republic sent the French Far East Expeditionary Corps – originally created to fight the Japanese occupation forces – to pacify the Vietnamese liberation movement and to restore French colonial rule. On 23 November 1946, French vessels bombarded the port city of Hai Phong, and the Viet Minh's guerrilla campaign against French forces began soon after. The resulting First Indochina War lasted until 20 July 1954.

Despite taking fewer losses during the course of the war – the Expeditionary Corps suffered one-third of the casualties of the Chinese and Soviet-backed Viet Minh – the French and Vietnamese loyalists eventually suffered a major strategic setback at theSiege of Dien Bien Phu, which allowed Ho Chi Minh to negotiate a ceasefire from a favorable position at the Geneva Conference of 1954. The colonial administration ended and French Indochina was dissolved under the Geneva Accords of 1954, which separated the forces of former French supporters and communist nationalists at the17th parallel north with the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. A 300-day period of free movement was given, during which almost a million northerners, mainly Catholic, moved south, fearing persecution by the communists.

The partition of Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam in North Vietnam, and Emperor Bảo Đại's State of Vietnam in South Vietnam, was not intended to be permanent by the Geneva Accords, and the Accords expressly forbade the interference of third powers. However, in 1955, the State of Vietnam's Prime Minister, Ngo Dinh Diem, toppled Bảo Đại in a fraudulent referendum organised by his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu, and proclaimed himself president of the Republic of Vietnam. The Accords mandated nationwide elections by 1956, which Diem refused to hold, despite repeated calls from the North for talks to discuss elections.

National Flag Day Australia - Sep 03

The flag of Australia is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the canton (upper hoist quarter), and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter. The fly contains a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars – one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars.

The flag's original design was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide competition held following Federation. It was first flown in Melbourne on 3 September 1901. A slightly different design was approved by King Edward VII in 1902. Over the next few years, the exact specifications of the flag were changed several times both intentionally and as a result of confusion. The current specifications were formally gazetted in 1934, and in 1954 the flag became recognised by, and legally defined in, the Flags Act 1953, as the "Australian National Flag".

In addition, there are other official flags representing Australia, its people and core functions of government.

Devices The Australian flag uses three prominent symbols: the Union Flag, the Commonwealth Star (also the Federation

Star) and the Southern Cross (or Crux).

The Union Flag is thought locally to symbolise Australia's history as six British colonies and the principles upon which the Australian Federation is based, although a more historic view sees its inclusion in the design as demonstrating loyalty to the British Empire.

The Commonwealth Star originally had only six points, representing the six federating colonies. However, this changed in 1908 when a seventh point was added to symbolise the Territory of Papua and any future territories. Another rationale for the change was to match the star used on the Coat of Arms, which was created in the same year.

The star is also known as the Federation Star. The Commonwealth Star does not have any relation to Beta Centauri, despite that star's coincidental location in the sky and its brightness.

The Southern Cross is one of the most distinctive constellations visible in the Southern Hemisphere, and has been used to represent Australia since the early days of British settlement. Ivor Evans, one of the flag's designers, intended the Southern Cross to refer also to the four moral virtues ascribed to the four main stars by Dante: justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude. The number of points on the stars of the Southern Cross on today's Australian flag differs from the original competition-winning design, on which they ranged between five and nine points each, representing their relative brightness in the night sky. In order to simplify manufacture, the British Admiralty standardised the four larger outer stars at seven points each, leaving the smaller middle star with five points. This change was officially gazetted on 23 February 1903.

A complete specification for the current design was published in the Commonwealth Gazette in 1934.

Foundation of the Republic Day San Marino - Sep 03

On 3 September, the tiny state of San Marino celebrates its patron saint and the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic.

History In the year 301, San Marino was founded by a Christian stone-

mason, Marinus. Marinus fled the island of Arbe off the Dalmation coast to escape the anti-Christian persecution of the Roman Empire. Marinus founded a small community of Christians on Mount Titano. The area was named the Land of San Marino, in memory of Marinus. Later it was named the Community of San Marino. Finally, it was formally known as the Republic of San Marino. Despite frequent invasions by the rulers of Rimini, the state of San Marino maintained its independence. Pope Nicholas IV recognized San Marino’s independence In 1291.

San Marino has been invaded and occupied twice but both for short periods. Cesare Borgia, known as Duca Valentino, occupied the country in 1503 and remained there until the death of his father Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI, the same year. Cesare Borgia was forced to withdraw his forces from San Marino following the political unrest after the Pope’s death.

Cardinal Alberoni, in an attempt to gain more political power, used military force to occupy San Marino in 1739. However, civil disobedience and secret communications with the current Pope, Clement XII, ensured the recognition of San Marino’s rights and the restoration of its independence. San Marino has had an official treaty of friendship since 1862 and had it revised several times, with Italy.

Celebrations The reading of the “Bando” (proclamation) in the streets starts the celebration of San Marino’s Day. A holy mass

inside the Basilica del Santo is then followed by a street procession carrying the relics of San Marinus. In the afternoon, events take on a more popular appearance – a crossbow competition is held at the Cava dei Balestrieri. Meanwhile in the Piazzale lo Stradone a concert and fireworks conclude the celebrations.

Day of Charity Worldwide - Sep 05

The International Day of Charity is observed annually on 5 September.

It was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2012 and is dedicated to commemorate the common desire to help the most disadvantaged members of society and to promote charitable activities around the world. Charity, like the notions of volunteerism and philanthropy, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. The prime purpose of the International Day of Charity is to raise awareness and provide a common platform for charity related activities all over the world for individuals, charitable, philanthropic and volunteer organizations for their own purposes on the local, national, regional and international level.

History The idea:

The idea to establish the International Day of Charity was born as a Hungarian civil society initiative supported by the Hungarian Parliament and Government in 2010. The initiative creates a universal platform to enhance visibility, organize special events, create synergies and thereby further increase solidarity, social responsibility and public support for charity.

The date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace."

Recognition efforts by Hungary:

On December 17 of 2012, at the initiative of Hungary, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to designate 5 September as the International Day of Charity. Presented under the agenda item “Culture of Peace”, the adoption of the resolution reaffirms the role of charity in promoting peace and the universal principles of human dignity and solidarity. The resolution was co-sponsored by 44 UN Member States (Albania, Angola, Australia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malta, Montenegro, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine) representing all five Regional Groups of the United Nations. The cross-regional support of the initiative reflects the universal recognition of charity and the enduring relevance of selfless giving.

In its resolution, the General Assembly invited Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, stakeholders, as well as NGOs of the civil society to commemorate the International Day of Charity in an appropriate manner, by encouraging charity, including through education and public awareness-raising activities.

Charity, as a way of thinking, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.

Theme The International Day of Charity was established with the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs, and

stakeholders all around the world to act benevolently, to help others through volunteer, philanthropic activities. The day is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the importance and role of selfless giving and assistance. From individual good deeds to fundraising every idea is more than welcome to show the world that everybody can make a difference. This international day can only get traction and appreciation through the action of all kinds of stakeholders (be it charity, philanthropic, or volunteer organizations or individuals) around the world that are willing to make use of it for their own purposes on a local, regional national or even international level.

First celebration

Hungary organizes panel discussion at the NYC Headquarter of the UN to highlight the importance of non-profit organizations in the development. The two discussions are going to concentrate on the role of charity in water and sanitation and poverty alleviation, eradication issues.

(Online 23 Aug) I have the honor to introduce, under agenda item 15, draft resolution A/67/L.45, entitled “International Day of Charity”.

Presented under the agenda item “Culture of Peace”, the adoption of the resolution reaffirms the role of charity in promoting peace and the universal principles of human dignity and solidarity. This relationship is well-recognized by the world. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose day of death fifteen years ago, is to be designated as the International Day of Charity, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Our societies are fortunate to learn from outstanding and emblematic representatives of charitable thinking and their way of life.

More recently, in 2012 Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi of Pakistan was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifetime achievements that run parallel to that of Mother Teresa.

While we recognize the work of outstanding individuals and their legacy of bridging cultures, religions, civilizations and nations serve as a beacon for all of us, the prime purpose of the present draft resolution is to remind ourselves that charity is mainly carried out all over the world by countless individuals, charitable and volunteer organizations of all kind.

No part of this work could happen without the devotion of millions

whose names may not be known to us.

The authors of the present draft resolution did not aim at giving a clearcut definition for charity, since it may take different forms and shapes in different cultures. Nonetheless, charity can be universally understood as stakeholders uniting in the principle of solidarity and the act of benevolent giving. Interestingly, and contrary to some perceptions, the vast majority of all charitable activities are done within the boundaries of the respective countries; most charitable deeds originate from all sections of our societies – and are not limited to donations by the very rich to the very poor.

Therefore, it is common in different cultures and religions that charity is a way of thinking, and it is our common desire to help. Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations. Charity, like the notion of volunteerism, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient

societies. Charity remains as relevant today and in the future, as ever.

The draft resolution before the General Assembly is short, simple, but significant. The designation of the International Day of Charity will create a universal platform to enhance visibility, organize special events, create synergies and thereby further increase public support. While the initiative provides a universal framework for, and new focus on charity, its concrete utilization on the local, national, regional and international levels will remain in the hands of the different stakeholders, based on their special circumstances, needs and priorities.

In conclusion, Mr. President, I would like to thank Member States for their support and constructive participation in the open and transparent consultations. I thank all colleagues for their valuable contributions that helped to accommodate the desires of broad range of actors. The crossregional co-sponsorship of the resolution reflects the universal recognition of charity and the enduring relevance of selfless giving in today’s world. In this spirit, the cosponsors respectfully call on all Member States to support the draft resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President.

In Sao Tome, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on September 6th. Armed Forces Day is celebrated to recognize and honor the valor of their military force.

History São Tomé’s armed forces are the smallest in Africa. The

armed forces retain a stealthy influence in the political scene of the country, and that at times the military has become blatant and has provoked political crises. A program of internationally funded restructuring since late 2003 has sought to reduce the influence of the army and plans put it under civilian authorities has began. There has been progress in recent years to improve the capabilities of the armed forces and police forces and to augment national security. There are serious concerns over the reality that São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) has a history of political instability. Coup d’états were attempted in 1995 and 2003.

STP has the possibility of becoming a major oil producer since the discovery of oil reserves. This has also elevated the small island state into a state with potential strategic importance in the Gulf of Guinea. The US consistently upholds friendly relations with STP since STP is steeped in Catholic traditions and it is not an Islamist threat. The US is providing training to São Toméan military officers.

The policy of the armed forces in the late 1970s and 1980s centered on defeating foreign-backed invasion forces of mercenaries or rebel forces that were attacking by land or sea. By the late 1980s and 1990s, the set of guidelines of the armed forces turned to internal security and paramilitary duties. Upon the discovery of offshore oil, the concentration of the armed forces has changed to improving the country’s coast guard capabilities. STP will depend on its ties to Angola and Nigeria, and its warm relations with Portugal, France and the US, for its external security needs.

Celebrations There are military parades through the streets of the capital of São Tomé on Armed Forces Day.

Defense Day Pakistan - Sep 06

Defence Day is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day on 6 September in memory of those who died in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and successful defence of Lahore, Sialkot and other important areas of the country.

Indo-Pakistani war of 1965

On 6 September, both countries openly went to war following a series of minor skirmishes that preceded the 6th, when Pakistan was attacked by India from the Lahore-Burki sector during the dead of night (at 5 am). The war began following Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which was designed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency against rule by India. The five-week war caused thousands of casualties on both sides. It ended in a United Nations (UN) mandated ceasefire and the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent Declaration.

September 6 is marked by the President, Prime Minister and members of the government paying respect to the armed forces.

Notable decorations

Army officers like Captain Sarwar Shaheed, Major Tufail Shaheed, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed, Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed, Lance Naik Muhammad Mehfooz Shaheed,and Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed gave sacrifices of their life and were awarded with "Nishan-eHaider" for their acts of exceptional bravery. Nishan-e-Haideris a highest military award given to brave martyres of Pakistan army those who left remarkable examples of bravery and sacrifice for nation and country.

Celebrations and parade

Army of Pakistan displays the latest missiles, tanks, guns, army aviation helicopters and armament being used by Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Corps, Army Air Defence, Signals, Army Service Corps and Army Medical Corps live on various places.Everyone is allowed to watch such functions live by going to the specific places. These shows are displayed on national channels as well. National songs and special documents about 6 September 1965 and martyred people of 6 September are displayed on TV. It is told to people how people gave sacrifices for the defense of the country and what is the responsibility of young generation now.

The change of guard ceremony takes place at Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi, where the cadets of Pakistan Air Force Academy present Guard of Honour and take the charge.

Lusaka Agreement Day Mozambique - Sep 07

The Lusaka Accord was signed in Lusaka (Zambia) on 7 September 1974, between the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) and the Portuguese government installed after the Carnation Revolution in Lisbon. In the agreement, Portugal formally recognized the right of the Mozambican people to independence and agreed with FRELIMO the terms of the transference of powers. The agreement established that independence would be proclaimed after a transition period when administration of the country would be shared between the two parties.

Mozambique became independent on 25 June 1975.

Successful Enterprises” will be presented each month in three categories. In August, the Teva Group received the “Investor of the Month” award; ChocoMe Ltd was awarded the title “SME of the Month”, while in the category of “Start-up of the Month” Mihály Varga presented the award to Clariton Ltd. The awards are adjudicated by a three-member jury composed of Chariman of MPF Group Board of Directors Zsolt Felcsúti, President-CEO of Commerzbank Hungary Ltd András Kozma and Business Development Director at EQUILOR Investment Ltd Balázs Szegner.

Mihály Varga emphasised that the Award signals recognition and respect, and that these companies are

role models for other enterprises. He also added that it is difficult to decide which start-up will be successful, but this award may inspire other budding enterprises to keep on working.

The Minister for National Economy said that determination and courage are both essential for creating a successful enterprise. Enterprises –be they small or large – always take a risk when they decide on an investment; this award is intended to acknowledge this courage and inspire all stakeholders of the Hungarian economy to believe in themselves and the performance of the Hungarian economy when they are planning to start a business.

Economic achievements must be h o n o u r e d : M i n i s t e r Va r g a

Wintermantel meets Israeli young ambassadors

Photo:Ministry for National Economy (Online 29 Aug) Economic achievements need to be acknowledged and enterprises must be encouraged to continue their activities in Hungary, Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga said at the presentation ceremony of the “Award for Successful Enterprises” in Budapest.

The Minister emphasised that he has initiated the establishment of the award with the aim of focusing atten-

Photo: Endre Véssey (Online 29 Aug) Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs Péter Wintermantel received the participants of the Israeli Young Ambassadors program on Tuesday.

The Deputy State Secretary spoke about bilateral relations between

Hungary and Israel, the Hungarian Jewish community as well as about the steps taken by the Government to combat anti-Semitism.

At the meeting, he also informed the Israeli group about the importance of education and the strengthening of

Successful Enterprises” will be presented each month in three categories. In August, the Teva Group received the “Investor of the Month” award; ChocoMe Ltd was awarded the title “SME of the Month”, while in the category of “Start-up of the Month” Mihály Varga presented the award to Clariton Ltd. The awards are adjudicated by a three-member jury composed of Cha-

role models for other enterprises. He also added that it is difficult to decide which start-up will be successful, but this award may inspire other budding enterprises to keep on working.

The Minister for National Economy said that determination and courage are both essential for creating a successful enterprise. Enterprises –be they small or large – always take a risk when they decide on an invest-

NGOs, since these are the fields in which significant progress can be made to deepen relations between the two countries and combat antiSemitism.

Hungary committed to fighting racism and anti-Semitism (Online 28 Aug) Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs Péter Wintermantel gave a speech at the Fourth Conference of Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Associations, which was held in Zalaegerszeg on 24-26 August. Foreign Minister János Martonyi and State Secretary János Lázár were the chief patrons of the conference.

In his speech, Péter Wintermantel

declared that the Hungarian Government greatly appreciated the work of the Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Associations since they play an indispensable role in fostering the Jewish community in Hungary and in promoting bilateral relations between Hungary and Israel. Hungary regards Israel as a friendly country and a major partner in the Middle East.

The Hungarian Deputy State Secre-

tary stressed that the Hungarian Government remained committed to fighting all forms of racism and antiSemitism, and would take all necessary action to prevent them. Péter Wintermantel stated that Hungary had undertaken to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Holocaust in Hungary in a worthy manner during the course of 2014.

Independence Day Swaziland - Sep 06

Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland (Umbuso weSwatini), and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west

by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique. The nation, as well as its people, are named after the 19th century king Mswati II. Swaziland is a small country, no more than 200 kilometres (120 mi) north to south and 130 kilometres (81 mi) east to west. The western half is mountainous, descending to a lowveld region to the east. The eastern border with Mozambique and South Africa is dominated by the escarpment of the Lebombo Mountains. The climate is temperate in the west, but may reach40 °C (104 °F) in summer in the lowveld. Rainfall occurs mainly in the summer and may reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in the west.

The area that Swaziland now covers has been continuously inhabited since prehistory. Today, the population is primarily ethnic Swazis whose language is siSwati, though English is spoken as a second language. The Swazi people descend from the southern Bantu who migrated from Central Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Anglo Boer war saw the United Kingdom make Swaziland a protectorate under its direct control. Swaziland gained independence in 1968. Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations. The head of state is the king, who appoints the prime minister and a small number of representatives for both chambers of parliament. Elections are held every five years to determine the majority of the representatives. A new constitution was adopted in 2005.

Some 75% of the population is employed in subsistence farming, and 60% of the population lives on less than the equivalent of US$1.25 per day. Swaziland's main trading partner is South Africa, and its currency is pegged to the South African rand. Swaziland's economic growth and societal integrity is highly endangered by its disastrous HIV epidemic, to an extent where the United Nations Development Program has written that if it continues unabated, the "longer term existence of Swaziland as a country will be seriously threatened." The infection rate in the country is unprecedented and the highest in the world at 26.1% of adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s.

Photo:Ministry for National Economy tion onto the Hungarian economy through the achievements of enterprises. One of the key objectives of the Government has been to turn the Hungarian economy into one of the most competitive ones in the region, and to promote the country as an investment destination of great economic potential. The “Award for

riman of MPF Group Board of Directors Zsolt Felcsúti, President-CEO of Commerzbank Hungary Ltd András Kozma and Business Development Director at EQUILOR Investment Ltd Balázs Szegner.

Mihály Varga emphasised that the Award signals recognition and respect, and that these companies are

ment; this award is intended to acknowledge this courage and inspire all stakeholders of the Hungarian economy to believe in themselves and the performance of the Hungarian economy when they are planning to start a business.

World's largest river expedition along the Danube

History

Artifacts indicating human activity dating back to the early Stone Age 200,000 years ago have been found in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Prehistoric rock art paintings date from ca. 25,000 B.C. and continue up to the 19th century.

The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisanhunter-gatherers. They were largely replaced by the Bantu tribes during Bantu migrations who hailed from the Great Lakes regions of Eastern Africa. Evidence of agriculture and iron use dates from about the 4th century and people speaking languages ancestral to current Sotho and Nguni languages began settling no later than the 11th century. The Bantu people known as the Swazis established ironworking and settled farming colonies in the 15th century after crossing the Limpopo river. They experienced great economic pressure from the rival Ndwandwe clans from the south.

The country derives its name from a later king, Mswati I. However, Ngwane is an alternative name for Swaziland and Dlamini remains the surname of the royal house, while Nkosi means "king". Scholarly history of Swaziland shows that independent chiefdoms and small kingdoms dominated by various clans were initially conquered and incorporated into the growing Ngwane kingdom ruled by members of the Dlamini clan sometime in the 18th and 19th centuries, long before British colonisation.

According to Swazi royalist tradition, these clans came to be classified in the Dlamini kingdom as the Emakhandzambile category of clans ("those found ahead", e.g. the Gamedze), meaning that they were on the land prior to Dlamini immigration and conquest, as opposed to theBomdzabuko ("true Swazi") who accompanied the Dlamini kings, and the Emafikemuva ("those who came behind") who joined the kingdom later. Emakhandzambile clans initially were incorporated with wide autonomy, and often in part by granting them special ritual and political status (cf. mediatisation), but the extent of their autonomy was drastically curtailed by King Mswati II, who attacked and subdued some of the clans in the 1850s.

The autonomy of the Swaziland Nation was dictated by British rule of southern Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In 1881 the British government signed a convention recognizing Swazi independence. However, controversial land and mineral rights concessions were made under the authority of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act of 1890 in terms of which the administration of Swaziland was also placed under that of the then South African Republic (Transvaal).

Swaziland was indirectly involved in the Second Boer War (1899–1902).

The Swaziland independence Constitution was promulgated by Britain in November 1963 in terms of which a legislative Council and an Executive Council were established. This development was opposed by the Swazi National Council (liqoqo).

Despite such opposition, elections took place and the first Legislative Council of Swaziland was constituted on 9 September 1964. Changes to the original constitution proposed by the Legislative Council were accepted by Britain and a new Constitution providing for a House of Assembly and Senate was drawn up. Elections under this Constitution were held in 1967. Since 1973, Swaziland has seen a rather quiet struggle between pro-multiparty activists and supporters of the current Tinkhundla (constituencies) System of governance or Grass Roots Democracy System.

Labor Day Marshall Islands - Sep 06

Rijerbal Day (Worker’s Day) is the Labor Day in Marshall Islands.

This day falls under one of the most important Holidays of Marshall Islands. Labor Day is a public holiday held on the first Friday in September.

History The three social classes in the Marshalls are the iroij (chief), the

alap (owner or elder) and rijerbal (worker or commoner). Every family in the Marshall Islands belongs to one of these classes and therefore has ownership or use of land rights somewhere in the islands. Although a families may be an iroij or alap in one or more islands and they maybe a rijerbal on other islands as well.

The Marshall Islands joined the International Labor Organization in 2007. This means that its labor laws will have to comply with international labor standards. This will no doubt impact labor practices in the islands.

Celebrations Rijerbal Day honors the workers (Rijerbal) of the Marshall Islands. The Rijerbal is one of the three social classes in

the Marshall Islands. The rijerbals are mostly responsible for all daily manual labor in the land.

Unification Day Bulgaria - Sep 06

Unification Day (Bulgarian: Ден на Съединението, Den na Saedinenieto) on 6 September is anational holiday of Bulgaria. It commemorates the unification of Eastern Rumelia and Bulgaria in 1885.

By the terms of the Treaty of Berlin (1878), Southern Bulgaria (named Eastern Roumelia) was separated from the newly formed Bulgarian state and returned to the Ottoman Empire with partial autonomy. Bulgarian citizens considered the decisions of the Berlin Treaty to be unfair and began a peaceful demonstration against them. At first the plan was to annex all territories that Bulgaria had gained after the Treaty of San Stefano but later it became clear that was impossible because of the unsuitable international situation. The Bulgarians had to leave Macedonia and the rest of Thrace and concentrate on the East Roumelian issue. The first actions were taken in 1880 but the sharpened political situation, economic instability and the low prestige of the Bulgarian country delayed the resolution of the so-called "national question". In 1884 the "Macedonian committees" were the main body working on the unsolved problem. On 10 February, 1885 led by Zahari Stoyanov a group of former revolutionaries founded in Plovdiv (the capital of Eastern Roumelia) a secret committee known as BSCRC – Bulgarian Secret Central Revolutionary Committee (Bulgarian: БТЦРК – Български Таен Централен Революционен Комитет). It had regulations and programs which were connected to the organisation led by Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev and Lyuben Karavelov before the Liberation. After a few months BSCRC had improved their plan for actions and organised some public events on dates significant to Bulgarians. The conference in Dermendare (Parvanets) on the 24th-26th of July and the next meeting on the 23rd of August declared what should be done and exactly how to proceed. On 5 September 1885 the people rose in Goliamo Konare (Saedinenie) and after arresting the prefect of Plodiv the militia advanced toward the capital. On the 6th of September the palace in Plovdiv was surrounded. The governor Gavril Krastevich did not alert the Turks in Istanbul and proclaimed his support of the people's cause. A temporary government headed by Georgi Stranski took control of the situation and armed forces were commanded by major Danail Nikolaev who began preparation for war with the Ottoman Empire. On the 8th of September knyaz Alexander received a telegram in the old capital Tarnovo which he was already expecting. His army was prepared and waiting for a signal. He agreed to become a leader of the Unified Bulgaria. On the next day (9 September) the knyaz arrived in Plovdiv and the temporary government was dismissed. Diplomatic efforts failed and Bulgaria had to defend its interests on the battlefield in the Serbo-Bulgarian War where the Bulgarians were victorious.

Independence Day Brazil - Sep 07

Brazil officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil), is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas and the largest lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world.

Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of over 7,491 km (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas region of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos form part of Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile.

Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until 1815, when it was elevated to the rank of kingdom and the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was formed. The colonial bond was in fact broken in 1808, when the capital of the Portuguese colonial Empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, after Napoleon invaded Portugal. The independence from Portugal was achieved in 1822. Initially independent as the Empire of Brazil, the country has been a republic since 1889, although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to 1824, when the first constitution was ratified. Its current Constitution defines Brazil as a Federal Republic. The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities.

The Brazilian economy is the world's seventh largest economy by nominal GDP and the eighth largest by purchasing power parity. Brazil is one of the world's fastest growing major economies. Economic reforms have given the country new international recognition. Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, CPLP, Latin Union, the Organization of Ibero-American States, Mercosul and the Union of South American Nations, and is one of the BRIC countries. Brazil is also home to a diversity of wildlife, natural environments, and extensive natural resources in a variety of protected habitats.

History

Portuguese colonization:

The land now called Brazil was claimed by Portugal in April 1500, on the arrival of the Portuguese fleet commanded by Pedro Álvares Cabral. The Portuguese encountered stone age natives divided into several tribes, most of whom spoke languages of the Tupi–Guarani family, and fought among themselves.

Though the first settlement was founded in 1532, colonization was effectively begun in 1534, when Dom João III divided the territory into twelve hereditary captaincies, but this arrangement proved problematic and in 1549 the king assigned a Governor-General to administer the entire colony. The Portuguese assimilated some of the native tribes while others were enslaved or exterminated in long wars or by European diseases to which they had no immunity.

By the mid-16th century, sugar had become Brazil's most important exportand the Portuguese imported African slaves to cope The first Christian mass in Brazil, with the increasing international demand.

Through wars against the French, the Portuguese slowly ex- 1500 panded their territory to the southeast, taking Rio de Janeiro in 1567, and to the northwest, taking São Luís in 1615. They sent military expeditions to the Amazon rainforest and conquered British and Dutch strongholds, founding villages and forts from 1669. In 1680 they reached the far south and founded Sacramento on the bank of the Rio de la Plata, in the Eastern Strip region (present-day Uruguay).

At the end of the 17th century, sugar exports started to decline but beginning in the 1690s, the discovery of gold by explorers in the region that would later be called Minas Gerais (General Mines) in current Mato Grosso and Goiás, saved the colony from imminent collapse. From all over Brazil, as well as from Portugal, thousands of immigrants came to the mines.

The Spanish tried to prevent Portuguese expansion into the territory that belonged to them according to the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas, and succeeded in conquering the Eastern Strip in 1777. However, this was in vain as the Treaty of San Ildefonso, signed in the same year, confirmed Portuguese sovereignty over all lands proceeding from its territorial expansion, thus creating most of the current Brazilian borders.

In 1808, the Portuguese royal family, fleeing the troops of the French Emperor Napoleon I that were invading Portugal and most of Central Europe, established themselves in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which thus became the seat of the entire Portuguese Empire. In 1815 Dom João VI, then regent on behalf of his incapacitated mother, elevated Brazil from colony to sovereign Kingdom united with Portugal. In 1809 the Portuguese invaded French Guiana (which was returned to France in 1817) and in 1816 the Eastern Strip, subsequently renamed Cisplatina (but Brazil lost it in 1828 when it became an independent nation known as Uruguay).

THIS ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY PERMANENT MISSION OF HUNGARY TO THE UNITED NATIONS Independence and Empire:

Armed Forces Day Sao Tome & Principe - Sep 06

(Online 29 Aug) Economic achievements need to be acknowledged and enterprises must be encouraged to continue their activities in Hungary, Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga said at the presentation ceremony of the “Award for Successful Enterprises” in Budapest.

The Minister emphasised that he has initiated the establishment of the award with the aim of focusing attention onto the Hungarian economy through the achievements of enterprises. One of the key objectives of the Government has been to turn the Hungarian economy into one of the most competitive ones in the region, and to promote the country as an investment destination of great economic potential. The “Award for

King João VI returned to Europe on 26 April 1821, leaving his elder son Prince Pedro de Alcântaraas regent to rule Brazil. The Portuguese government attempted to turn Brazil into a colony once again, thus depriving it of its achievements since 1808. The Brazilians refused to yield and Prince Pedro stood by them declaring the country's independence from Portugal on 7 September 1822. On 12 October 1822, Pedro was declared the first Emperor of Brazil and crowned Dom Pedro I on 1 December 1822.

At that time most Brazilians were in favour of a monarchy and republicanism had little support.The subsequent Brazilian War of Independence spread through almost the entire territory, with battles in the northern, northeastern, and southern regions. The last Portuguese soldiers surrendered on 8 March 1824 and independence Declaration of the Brazilian indewas recognized by Portugal on 29 August 1825.

The first Brazilian constitution was promulgated on 25 March 1824, pendence by the later Emperor Dom after its acceptance by the municipal councils across the country. Pedro I on 7 September 1822 Pedro I abdicated on 7 April 1831 and went to Europe to reclaim his daughter’s crown, leaving behind his five year old son and heir, who was to become Dom Pedro II. As the new emperor could not exert his constitutional prerogatives until he reached maturity, a regency was created.

Disputes between political factions led to rebellions and an unstable, almost anarchical, regency. It is estimated that from 30 to 40% of the population of the Province of Grão-Pará died during the Cabanagem revolt. The rebellious factions, however, were not in revolt against the monarchy, even though some declared the secession of the provinces as independent republics, but only so long as Pedro II was a minor. Because of this, Pedro II was prematurely declared of age and "Brazil was to enjoy nearly half a century of internal peace and rapid material progress."

Brazil won three international wars during the 58-year reign of Pedro II (the Platine War, theUruguayan War and the War of the Triple Alliance, which left over 50,000 dead) and witnessed the consolidation of representative democracy, mainly due to successive elections and unrestricted freedom of the press. Most importantly, slavery was extinguished after a slow but steady process that began with the end of the international traffic in slaves in 1850 and ended with the complete abolition of slavery in 1888. The slave population had been in decline since Brazil's independence: in 1823, 29% of the Brazilian population were slaves but by 1887 this had fallen to 5%.

When the monarchy was overthrown on 15 November 1889 there was little desire in Brazil to change the form of government and Pedro II was at the height of his popularity among his subjects. However, he "bore prime, perhaps sole, responsibility for his own overthrow."After the death of his two sons, Pedro believed that "the imperial regime was destined to end with him." He cared little for the regime's fate and so neither did anything, nor allowed anyone else to do anything, to prevent the military coup, backed by former slave owners who resented the abolition of slavery.

Photo: Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development (Online 27 Aug) The current International Danube Expedition (JDS3) is the world's largest river research expedition in 2013, the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, stated Executive Secretary of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Ivan Zavadsky at a press conference in Budapest.

The Expedition arrived in Budapest on Monday. The ships of the JDS3 would travel a total of 2400 kilometres through 10 countries between 13 August and 26 September moving downriver all the way to the Danube delta, Executive Secretary Zavadsky explained. The work of the JDS3 is coordinated by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube. For example, an international research team of scientists is taking water samples, which it then tests and studies, processing the acquired information on board.

The International Danube Expedition is organised every six years, Mr.

Zavadsky added. The current research facilitates international cooperation between the 14 countries with the most significant Danube water catchment areas and the European Commission.

In reply to a question from Hungarian news agency MTI, the Executive Secretary said that the exact budget of the Expedition is at yet unknown, but would probably be in the region of some 2.5 million euros, the majority of which would be provided in kind.

Government Commissioner Balázs Medgyesy said that the current expedition, which was preceded by others in 2001 and 2007, is a priority project of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. The research results are also of special importance for the states of the region, including Hungary, with reference to, among others, the development of water catchment management plans and drought protection.

Active participation in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region is also impor-

tant to Hungary because 112 million EU citizens live in the region and it is important that they all have access to clean drinking water. Several Hungarian researchers and scientists are active participants of the current Expedition.

The Ministry of Rural Development's Deputy State Secretary for Water Péter Kovács stressed that as a downstream nation, meaning a country with water catchment areas outside its borders, international cooperation is of extreme importance to Hungary not just with regard to border water catchment areas but also in relation to the region, within the whole area of the Danube basin.

Béla Csányi, the Expedition's scientific director spoke about the fact that information on the Danube's wildlife, its environment and possible dangers such as pollution, can best be gained through research of this kind. This is one of the reasons why the Expedition is especially interested in the river's deepwater wildlife and fish.

Amendment to public education act passed by parliament (Online 27 Aug) Parliament has adopted an amendment to the Hungarian Public Education Act, introducing career models and ensuring a pay rise to all teachers as of September 2013. Alongside the career models, the legislation also introduces a quality assurance system to eliminate differing ways of calculating teachers' salaries.

Minister for Human Resources Zoltán Balog said that the pay rise would require a budget surplus of HUF 32.5 billion (EUR 108 million) this year and HUF 152.9 billion (EUR 509.7 million)

next year. Its financial basis has been created by the Hungarian economy, without need for international loans.

Under the new rules, teachers will receive 60 percent of the salary increase the government had set out to give teachers in 2011 now; meaning an average immediate pay rise of 34 percent, with further 10 percent increases granted each year until the originally planned full increase is achieved. HUF 200.6 billion (EUR 668.7 million) will be earmarked for this purpose until January 2016, the Minister said. As of September 2015,

the pay rise will be expanded to also include teaching assistants.

Increasing the prestige of the teaching profession and the quality of education is a priority for the Government, Minister Balog said.

Providing suitable career models was an "old debt": the new law fulfils a long-held requirement of people working in public service. This overall reform is a great achievement, providing the most remarkable change in teachers’ careers since the regime change.

Discussions on the suspension of EU funding to resume very soon: Enikő Győri (Online 27 Aug) Minister of State in charge of the Prime Minister's Office, who also heads the National Development Agency as a Government Commissioner, will meet European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn again in September Minister of State in charge of European Affairs Enikő Győri responded at a press conference held after a meeting of the State Secretaries for European Affairs of the Visegrád Group countries on August 26, 2013.

She added that experts of both the European Commission and Hungary are working to prevent the loss of these funds.

Speaking at the press conference, Enikő Győri stated that efforts have to be made to come to an agreement with the European Commission, because if they waited for the European Court to resolve the issue, the country could lose the funds in question by the time a final ruling is made. The current EU multiannual financial framework, which began in 2007, is to

end this year, and this was why the Commission decided to “tidy up the house” with respect to projects in process, so the decision on the suspension of the funding was not unexpected.

Polish State Secretary for European Affairs Piotr Serafin declared that it could happen to any member state that payment of their EU funds is suspended, and that the cooperation of the V4 countries – Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – was also important when it came to transposing legal regulations on cohesion policy.

Peter Javorcik, State Secretary for European Affairs of Slovakia, also emphasised that the suspension of funds also occurs from time to time with older member states, and there was nothing surprising in this.

Vojtech Belling, State Secretary for European Affairs of the Czech Republic, said that the four Visegrád countries were struggling with the same problems with respect to the

distribution of EU funds. The EU suspended some operative programs in the Czech Republic last year and a long series of discussions were needed at the time to develop an action plan for re-launching them.

Enikő Győri explained that the State Secretaries meeting in Balatonfüred organised within the framework of the Hungarian V4 Presidency discussed the most important issues of the Lithuanian EU Presidency, in which regional cooperation could play an important role. They also discussed their positions on the agreement regarding the coordinated development of transport infrastructure between the V4 countries adopted during the Polish Presidency and on the EU Climate Protection Agreement, which is currently under development. The State Secretaries for European Affairs of the Visegrád Group countries met in Balatonfüred in preparation for the two-day meeting of the EU General Affairs Council that is to convene in Vilnius on Thursday.

Employment rate improving on year basis (Online 27 Aug) In the second half of 2010, the downward employment trend was reversed and since then the number of people in employment has been steadily on the rise on a year-on-year basis. The latest statistics also underpin this positive tendency. The latest flash report from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) reveals that in the period MayJuly 2013 the number of people aged 15-74 years in employment was up by 56 thousand, to 3 million 964 thousand compared to the same period of 2012, which constitutes an increase of 1.4 percent year-on-year. Thus the employment rate edged up to 51.9 percent, the best figure since 1998.

The number of economically active people has also risen to a peak of 4 million 409 thousand, a level also last seen in 1998.

In light of the latest KSH labour market statistics, in the period May-July 2013 the employment rate among those aged 15-74 years increased to 51.9 percent, 0.9 percentage points higher than one year ago. In the 15-

64 year age bracket, the employment rate edged up from 57.6 percent in the same period of last year to 58.7 percent, an increase of 1.1 percentage points.

In May-July 2013, as far as the gender aspect of employment is concerned, the employment rate for men aged 15-64 years increased by 2.1 percentage points to 64.9 percent, while that of women was 52.8 percent. Trends have also been encouraging with regard to the employment indicators of various age brackets.

Among young people within the 1524 year age group, 225 thousand were in employment in the observed period; the respective employment rate of 19.8 percent for this age bracket was up by 1.6 percentage points in comparison to the level of one year ago. The employment rate for 25-54 year prime working age group increased by 0.7 percentage points, while that of people aged 5564 years improved by 1.1 percentage points compared to the figures registered one year ago.

Positive trends have also continued concerning unemployment. According to KSH data, in the observed period the number of unemployed people decreased by 13 thousand to 446 thousand, and the unemployment rate improved by 0.4 percentage points falling to 10.1 percent compared to the same period of 2012. The unemployment rate for people of prime working age – 25-54 years – was down by 0.6 percentage points to 9.0 percent in May-July 2013.

The favourable labour market data reflects the achievements of the Government’s innovative employment policies launched over the past years – such as the Job Protection Action Plan, free entrepreneurial zones or the First Job Guarantee Programme.

The trend reversal in economic growth is expected to speed up the pace of job creation and, consequently, further improvement on the labour market is anticipated for the upcoming period.

Hungarian Art on display in China

Photo: Tibor Mester, Magyar Nemzeti Galéria (Online 29 Aug) On Thursday in Budapest, the Directors of the Hungarian Museum of Fine Art and the Shanghai Art Museum in China signed an agreement on the organisation of a large-scale exhibition of the works of Mihály Munkácsy and other 20th century Hungarian artists in Shanghai in 2014.

Deputy State Secretary for Culture Judit Hammerstein stressed that cultural relations between China and Hungary have been especially intensive since 2010 and that despite the huge geographical distance there is clear interest among the two peoples with respect to each other's culture.

This is underscored by several, largescale exhibitions: the was an exhibition of Hungarian fine art in Beijing in

2011, after which the Hungarian public had the opportunity to view a wide selection of modern Chinese works at a large exhibition hosted by the Museum of Fine Art in Budapest.

One of Hungary's most significant artistic periods will be present not only in China but also in one of the world's largest and most important metropolises, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts László Baán said after signing the declaration of intent on cooperation regarding the exhibition.

The exhibition entitled Mihály Munkácsy and his Era, which includes over a hundred paintings, would be presented in Shanghai between 1 October and 31 December 2014, he added.

Providing an overview of his institute,

Deputy Director of the Shanghai Art Museum Li Lei said that the Museum, which had been established through the reconstruction of the Chinese pavilion built for the 2010 World Exhibition in Shanghai, had since become one of China's most important art institutions. Munkácsy's work was already exhibited in China in the 1950s and at the time, the Hungarian artist had a profound effect on the development of Chinese realist art. It is time to organise an exhibition of the works of Munkácsy and his contemporaries, which will contribute to greater awareness of Hungarian art in China, he pointed out, adding that hopefully a large-scale exhibition of Chinese art will also be organised in Hungary in the near future.

H u n g a r y, I n d i a p l e d g e t o b o o s t economic ties

Early republic:

Although the beginning of the republican government has been little more than a military dictatorship, the then newly constitution despite its content still held severe restrictions as e.g. about voting rights, provided direct elections for 1894. However, already in 1891, from the unfoldings of the encilhamento bubble and of the 1st naval revolt, the country entered in a prolonged cycle of financial, social and polital instability, that would extend until the 1920s keeping the country plagued by several rebellions, both civilian as military, which little by little undermined the regime in a such extent, that by 1930 it was possible to the defeated presidential candidate Getúlio Vargas, supported by the majority of military, lead a coup d'étatand assume the presidency.

Vargas and the military, who were supposed to assume the government temporarily to implement democratic reforms related to 1891's Constitution, closed the Congress and ruled with emergency powers, replacing the states' governors with their supporters. Under the Claiming of the broken promises of changing, in 1932 the oligarchy of São Paulo tried to regain the power and in 1935 the Communists rebelled, having both been defeated. However, the communist threat served as an excuse for Vargas to preclude elections launching another coup d'état in 1937, creating a full dictatorship In May 1938, there was another failed attempt to takeover the power by local fascists.

In foreign policy, the success in resolving border disputes with neighboring countries in the early years of this period, was followed by a failed attempt to permanently exert a prominent role in the League of Nations after military involvement in World War I. Not with standing, Brazil remained neutral at the beginning of World War II until the PanAmerican Conference of January 1942 when Brazil stood alongside the U.S.A. severing diplomatic relations with the Axis powers. In retaliation, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy extended their submarine warfare against Brazil, which led the country to enter the war on the allied side in August of that year.

With the allied victory in 1945 and the end of the Nazi-fascist regimes in Europe, Vargas's position became unsustainable and he was swiftly overthrown in another military coup. Democracy was reinstated and General Eurico Gaspar Dutra was elected president taking office in 1946. Having returned to power democratically elected at the end of 1950, Vargas committed suicide in August 1954 amid a political crisis.

Contemporary era:

Several brief interim governments succeeded after Vargas's suicide. Juscelino Kubitscheckbecame president in 1956 and assumed a conciliatory posture towards the political opposition that allowed him to govern without major crises. The economy and industrial sector grew remarkably, but his greatest achievement was the construction of the new capital city of Brasília, inaugurated in 1960. His successor was Jânio Quadros, who resigned in 1961 less than a year after taking office. His vice-president, João Goulart, assumed the presidency, but aroused strong political opposition and was deposed in April 1964 by a coup that resulted in amilitary regime.

The new regime was intended to be transitory but it gradually closed in on itself and became a full dictatorship with the promulgation of the Fifth Institutional Act in 1968. The repression of the The Brazilian coup d'état of 1930 dictatorship's opponents, including urban guerrillas, was harsh, but raised Getúlio Vargas (center with not as brutal as in other Latin American countries. Due to the extraordinary economic growth, known as an "economic miracle", the military uniform but no hat) to regime reached its highest level of popularity in the years of re- power. He ruled the country for fifteen years pression.

General Ernesto Geisel became president in 1974 and began his project of re-democratization through a process that he said would be "slow, gradual and safe." Geisel ended the military indiscipline that had plagued the country since 1889, as well as the torture of political prisoners, censorship of the press, and finally, the dictatorship itself, after he extinguished the Fifth Institutional Act.However, the military regime continued, under his chosen successor General João Figueiredo, to complete the transition to full democracy.

The civilians fully returned to power in 1985 when José Sarney assumed the presidency but, by the end of his term, he had become extremely unpopular due to the uncontrollable economic crisis and unusually high inflation. Sarney's unsuccessful government allowed the election in 1989 of the almost unknown Fernando Collor, who was subsequently impeached by the National Congress in 1992. Collor was succeeded by his Vice-President Itamar Franco, who appointed Fernando Henrique Cardoso as Minister of Finance.

Cardoso produced a highly successful Plano Real (Royal or Real Plan) that granted stability to the Brazilian economy and he was elected as president in 1994 and again in 1998. The peaceful transition of power to Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, who was elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, proved that Brazil had finally succeeded in achieving its longsought political stability. Lula was succeeded in 2011 by the current president, Dilma Rousseff.

Military The armed forces of Brazil consist of the Brazilian Army, the Brazilian Navy, and the Brazilian Air Force. With a total

of 371,199 active personnel, they comprise the largest armed force in Latin America. The Army is responsible for land-based military operations and has 235,978 active personnel.

The Military Police (States' Military Police) is described as an ancillary force of the Army by the constitution, but is under the control of each state's governor. The Navy is responsible for naval operations and for guarding Brazilian territorial waters. It is the oldest of the Brazilian armed forces and the only navy in Latin America to operate an aircraft carrier, the NAe São Paulo (formerly FS Foch of the French Navy). The Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Brazilian armed forces, and the largest air force in Latin America, with about 700 manned aircraft in service.

Photo: Prime Minister’s Office (Online 29 Aug) Hungarian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó agreed with Indian officials on Thursday to explore setting up a joint financial fund to support cooperation between the countries' small and medium-sized firms.

The sides also agreed to step up cooperation on vehicle parts manufacturing, farm technology and

renewable energy research.

The State Secretary met the co-chairman of the Hungarian-Indian Joint Economic Committee Saurabh Chandra in Delhi, as well as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Preneet Kaur and Executive Director of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) Vinnie Mehta.

On Friday, Mr Szijjártó will continue talks in Mumbai with Neera Saggi,

President of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), CEO of the city's stock exchange Ashishkumar Chauhan and B. Muthuraman, Vice-chairman of the TATA group.

State Secretary Szijjártó is performing the groundwork for an official visit to India by Prime Minister Viktor Orban in October.

Hungary condemns chemical attacks in Syria (Online 27 Aug) Hungary strongly condemns the attack using chemical weapons carried out in Syria on 21 August 2013, as a consequence of which many civilians lost their lives.

The uprising that has been going on for more than two years and the brutal actions of the Assad regime against its own people has caused a grave humanitarian crisis with over a hundred thousand casualties, a great number of wounded and a some two

million displaced refugees. The recent chemical attack, however, definitely represents a watershed in the Syrian conflict.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary welcomes the fact that UN chemical weapons inspectors – following an initial obstruction on the part of the Assad regime – have finally been allowed to investigate who was responsible for this terrible and unjustifiable action. We attach great

importance to the fact that the UN inspectors should be able to conduct their investigation efficiently and without hindrance. Hungary was among the first countries to sever ties with the Assad regime; the tragic developments of the Syrian conflict and the great number of civilian casualties have demonstrated that this was a well-founded decision.

Hungary reopens embassy in Santiago de Chile (Online 29 Aug) The Hungarian Government, as proposed by Foreign Minister János Martonyi, has made the decision to reopen the Hungarian embassy in Santiago de Chile. The mission was closed by the previous government in 2009.

The Ministry of Foreign Af-

fairs of Hungary has begun the preparations so that the embassy can already begin operating in 2013. In agreement with the policy of global opening announced b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t e a r l i e r, the aim of reopening the embassy is to boost Hungary’s presence in Latin

America. Opportunities for the Hungarian economy will increase through setting up t h i s e m b a s s y, s i n c e d i r e c t contacts will be developed with Chile, which is a significant country with one of the most robust economies in South America.