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G7 agrees measures to respond to hostile Russian activity despite...

2018-07-11T15:40:48Z

NancyP9877:

Divisions over how to deal with Russia have been revealed as the G7 agreed a robust set of measures to counter hostile activity directed by Moscow. Theresa May�s tough line on Russia has been undermined by US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who have suggested that Vladimir Putin should be readmitted to the group of world leaders. The Prime Minister insisted that Russia needs to �change its approach� before any consideration of whether it should resume its place in the group of leading industrialised nations after being thrown out in 2014. Theresa May (Steve Parsons/PA) Shortly before arriving at the summit in Canada Mr Trump said: �Russia should be in the meeting, should be a part of it.� But Mrs May told the BBC: �We should remind ourselves why the G8 became the G7, it was because Russia illegally annexed Crimea. �We have seen malign activity from Russia in a whole variety of ways, of course including on the streets of Salisbury in the UK. �So we need to say, I think, before any such conversations can take place Russia needs to change its approach.� The Prime Minister has been at the forefront of diplomatic [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] efforts to build an alliance against Russia after the Salisbury nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Despite Mr Trump�s comments, the US had signed up to a G7 initiative to establish a new mechanism to respond to hostile activities directed by states such as Russia. Under the plans agreed by the UK, US, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan at the summit in Quebec, there will be greater co-ordination to identify and respond to threats including cyber attacks and other breaches of international rules. Mrs May also pushed for action to tackle Russian �dirty money� and work to curtail the movement of Moscow�s spies. And the Prime Minister urged other countries to back giving the chemical weapons watchdog the power to identify states responsible for attacks such as the nerve agent poisoning in Salisbury. At the summit in La Malbaie, in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, the G7 leaders formally agreed to set up a new rapid response mechanism. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had already preempted the announcement of the measure in a leaked recording of him telling a private dinner that Mrs May would use the summit to set [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html du lịch Bắc Kinh] up the rapid response unit to �identify Russian malfeasance � whether it�s cyber warfare, assassinations, calling it out and identifying it�. At the summit the Prime Minister emphasised that recent events, including the reckless use of NotPetya ransomware and the attempted murder of the Skripals, demonstrated the [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html tour bắc kinh từ hà nội] importance of a unified international response. The new mechanism involves the sharing of threat intelligence and measures to protect physical and digital infrastructure from attack. It also calls for co-ordinated attribution of hostile activity so more countries name and shame perpetrators of cyber attacks and other abuses. In an effort to counter propaganda, the G7 leaders agreed to work together to assert a �common narrative and response� to incidents. At the summit on Friday, Mrs May said: �There is no doubt that foreign interference in our democratic institutions and processes, and other forms of hostile activity, pose a strategic threat to our shared values and interests. �So I welcome today�s agreement that the G7 will exchange information, co-ordinate action, and develop strategies to reinforce our democracies, strengthen our societies� resilience and uphold freedom of expression and a free and independent media in the face of this growing threat. �Today�s announcement shows that the G7 will not tolerate foreign interference in any one of our democracies, that we are getting organised, and that we will take coordinated action against those who seek to violate the rules-based international system. �Calling out malicious activity helps to end hostile states� false sense of impunity, demonstrates our awareness of their activity, and underlines our unwavering willingness to defend ourselves.� A senior UK Government source said despite Mr Trump�s comments �the Americans have been very clear in negotiating they are signed up to the rapid response mechanism�. Mrs May was also pushing the leaders to do more together as the G7 to better understand illicit money flows and then agree concrete actions to stop dirty cash being used to undermine democracy. The Prime Minister also called for G7 countries to share information so that Russians expelled from one state do not simply redeploy to another. Ahead of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) special conference of states parties, expected to take place later this month, Mrs May urged her counterparts to back calls to allow the watchdog to point the finger at states behind chemical weapons attacks rather than simply confirming an incident has taken place and identifying the [http://Search.Huffingtonpost.com/search?q=substance&s_it=header_form_v1 substance]. The UK has called for a special Conference of the State Parties to the OPCW. We call on all states to use this opportunity to defend and strengthen the global ban on chemical weapons. #NoImpunity pic.twitter.com/xHh9Oe07oT - Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) May 30, 2018 Mrs May�s attempts to strengthen the international response against Russia comes ahead of a meeting with Italy�s new prime minister Mr Conte who has called for sanctions against Moscow to be eased. The Prime Minister told reporters accompanying her to the summit: �I�ve had a telephone conversation with the new Italian PM and I�ll be having further discussions with him here at the G7. �I will continue to make the case as I have done within the European Council of the importance of those sanctions against Russia. �They were of course part of the response that the EU gave in relation to Russian activity in Crimea, the importance that we get the full implementation of the Minsk agreement. � Advertisement

A expedition with Indochina Sails 1 June 2008

2018-07-06T08:46:41Z

NancyP9877:

We got off the bus and were greeted by a guide with Indochina sails.� We were taken inside a building to wait for our boat to be ready.� We were given cold towels at the door, you know your entering luxury when you get a towel to freshen up.� We waited for about a half hour, while our luggage was taken to the ship.� We then were put on a small boat or the "tender" and taken to the ship.� As we were drawing close to the ship, one staff member on the boat was playing a drum, it was a bit odd, feeling like your in a King Kong movie or something. We were greeted by a female staff member and were brought to the dining room on the 2nd level of the ship.� There was 13 people including ourselves.� We were given the safety speech and told a bit about our itinerary.� Then we were given our key and told to settle in a bit then return to the dining room for lunch at 1pm.� We had a room on the 2nd floor, which I think would have been better than the 1st level.� We had a fantastic view of the bay and our room was amazing.� Definitely one of the best showers we've seen.� It was like a 4 star hotel room. We settled in and looked at our in tin a bit closer, then headed to the dining room.� We had a set lunch, which included cream of [http://www.Houzz.com/?search=pumpkin pumpkin] soup, papaya salad, prawns, fish, chicken, spring rolls and fruit salad.� Overall it was really good quality.� The prices for drinks wasn't actually too bad and they had a really good selection.� After lunch we were told we would cruise to a fishing village with 400 floating houses.� The bay is as stunning as everyone says it is!� The legend behind it involves a family of dragons that were sent by the gods to help protect the coast during times of war with China, the dragons spit out jade and emerald which turned into the islands around the bay.� After the war the family of dragons decided to stay and the mother settled into Ha Long bay and the children in other near by bays.� The islands do have an amazing dense green to them, like nothing we've ever seen.� I can see why it is a UNESCO world heritage site. We cruised for about an hour and a half before we reached the fishing village.� We all hopped on the tender and were taken around the Cua Van village by the guide.� The village is supported by the government these days and the people are provided with a basic education and health care within the village.� There were a lot of children around, some around 6-9 years old, rowing their own boats.� There was a squid fishing boat, the primary school and even a local cafe for relaxing.� It was really interesting.� After our [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html tour bắc kinh từ hà nội] we headed back to the boat and doubled back to Ti Tov beach.� We opted to go kayaking for $10 each.� We had to wait for them to bring the kayaks to the boat, which set us back a bit on our itinerary.� I've never been kayaking before, so this was going to be interesting. We got in and were on our way, everyone except one couple went.� We ended up going quite a ways to the east of the boat, a good 2km.� We came upon Bat cave, which was a opening to a otherwise closed off section, which the guide called a lake (which it wasn't).� It was cool to just drift though the cave.� The section past it was so serene and peaceful.� We drifted around for about 20 minutes then our guide took off, so we figured we should go too.� Kayaking is hard work, especially when there is a fairly strong current.� We had to pause a lot on our way back, but it was nice to really soak up the experience.� Eventually we made it back and were directly taken by the tender to the beach. The sun wasn't out but we figured we might was well go in the water.� You could climb to the top of the island, some 400 steps, but kayaking was enough for us.� The other two girls who were on our bus told us the water was actually pretty warm, they were both from B.C...� So we swam around for about 20 minutes, chatting with them and a couple from Australia.� Then we were all herded back on the tender to the ship We had some time to get ready for dinner at 7:30.� You could do a wine tasting before dinner, which was tempting but we passed.� We relaxed in our room for a bit and freshened up.� The sun, what sun there was, went down quick and it became pitch black out.� We went out to the top deck, the weather was actually quite pleasant.� Some staff was fishing for squid off the front of the boat, so we watched them catch a few.� Then we headed to the dining room for dinner, which was a set menu as well.� I had a relish glass of red wine, a rarity in Asia I think.� We had vegetable soup, shrimp and grapefruit salad, calamari and beef with potatoes and veggies.� The main course was a bit unimpressive, especially when you are used to Alberta beef.� We had chocolate cake for dessert. After dinner we could watch a movie (which was a Vietnamese dubbed classic), fish for squid or a few other activities.� We opted to try the squid fishing.� We were both unsuccessful, but other people caught a couple.� They use a bright light to attract the fish that the squid eat.� They were pretty cool, they were little and they'd squirt ink when they were caught.� It was funny to watch.� They had a 2 for 1 happy hour on all drinks from 9 [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] to 11pm, so we had a couple beers while fishing.� Then we went up to the top deck and sat in the lounge chairs.� It is so peaceful here.� The manager told us that we were anchored at an exclusive spot.� All the other tour boats anchor somewhere else, there can be up to 50 of them when its busy.� There were 3 other boats around us.� I'm happy we're at the exclusive spot.� We took in the beautiful night, then decided we better head to bed.� We have another early start tomorrow and we were pretty exhausted from the day.� I am so ready for a comfy bed!� Ciao for now! Source: Travelpod

Kenny Dalglish and Emma Thompson lead honours list as Mark Carne´s...

2018-07-03T00:42:16Z

NancyP9877:

Liverpool football great Kenny Dalglish has been knighted and Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson made a dame in the Queen�s Birthday Honours - while Network Rail boss Mark Carne has attracted criticism for his recognition. Mr Carne received a CBE against a backdrop of huge disruption for train passengers in recent weeks, with politicians and rail groups describing the award as a �slap in the face� for commuters. Labour MP Lisa Nandy called for his honour to be withdrawn, saying there was �absolutely no way that the Government should press ahead with this award�. (PA Graphics) She told The World Tonight on BBC Radio 4 that the decision was �just another kick in the teeth� for rail travellers. �It�s the most astonishing thing to have happened in a week when commuters have been suffering from rail chaos�, she added. Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the award �brought the honours system into disrepute�. He told BBC�s Newsnight: �We have the most dysfunctional rail system in the western world, I would argue, certainly when it comes to local and commuter trains, so anybody amongst the rail industry leadership - whether it be Network Rail or the Department for Transport - to be given an honour of this kind�is an insult, a slap in the face to millions of travellers up and down the country who are suffering because of the failure of that leadership.� The Department for Transport admitted the timing of the announcement of the outgoing chief executive�s award for services to the rail industry following timetabling issues was �unfortunate� but added that recent problems should not detract from his overall service. Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy also defended his �tremendous contribution to our railways�. He added: �It is right he is honoured just before he retires from one of the biggest and most challenging jobs in UK industry.� My comment on Mark Carne receiving a CBE in the Queen�s Birthday Honours pic.twitter.com/wXMjiAQ2mT - Sir Peter Hendy (@SirPeterHendy) June 8, 2018 But one union boss likened the timing of the honour to �rewarding the captain of the Titanic for jumping ship�. Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said: �Frustrated passengers will see no honour in that at all.� Network Rail launches digital rail strategy And Emily Yates, of the Association of British Commuters, said: �It is a sign that the rail industry is badly out of touch with the real pain and suffering that people are going through - it is a pantomime.� Meanwhile, also among the honours list in this 100th [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html vtr.org.vn] anniversary year of women�s suffrage are remarkable females including a nun fighting modern slavery and a businesswoman who made her fortune in fake tan - although men outnumber women on the list. As the NHS celebrates 70 years since its foundation, medics are recognised for their dedication, with health sector workers making up 12% of the 1,057 people honoured. Helen Bamber Foundation funding Dame Emma, 59, who is described in the official citation of the honours committee as one of the UK�s most versatile and celebrated actresses, receives her honour for services to drama. The Remains Of The Day and Nanny McPhee star is joined on the list by fellow actor Tom Hardy, who is also recognised for services to drama, receiving a CBE, while Keira Knightley is made an OBE for services to drama and charity. Sir Kenny, who managed Liverpool at the time of the Hillsborough disaster and remained a steadfast support of the families in their lengthy quest for justice, said he was �hugely proud to have accepted the accolade� for services to football, charity and the City of Liverpool. The 67[https://Knoji.com/search/?query=-year-old%20Glaswegian -year-old Glaswegian] and his wife Marina have also helped raise millions of pounds for cancer treatment through the Marina Dalglish Appeal after she successfully battled breast cancer. `The Justice Collective: He Ain�t Heavy...� launch - Liverpool Joking that he thought the letter informing him of the knighthood had been from the taxman, he added of the achievement: �We only set out to do the best we possibly could, even through all the other stuff - the charity or Hillsborough, it was to help people because somebody helped us.� Following a wave of terror attacks which struck the UK in 2017, former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Mark Rowley, who led the national response, is honoured with a knighthood. On his retirement in March after 31 years in policing, Sir Mark was praised by Prime Minister Theresa May for his �dedication to protecting public safety and tackling the evils of terrorism�. Salisbury incident While there are no honours for local heroes involved in the response to the Grenfell Tower fire, the Cabinet has said it expects �acts of bravery and extraordinary community spirit� which emerged from the tragedy to feature on future lists, adding that its approach will be �time-appropriate�. The brother of aid [http://www.vtr.org.vn/cam-nang-du-lich-bac-kinh-5-ngay-4-dem.html tour bắc kinh từ hà nội] worker David Haines, who was murdered by Islamic State extremists, is made an OBE for his work against terrorism. Mike Haines dedicated the honour, for voluntary service to tolerance and education in the UK and abroad, to his younger sibling, who was beheaded by Islamic State extremists in 2014 after being taken hostage in Syria. Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, the boss of chemical company Ineos who this year topped the Sunday Times rich list with �21.05 billion, receives a knighthood for services to business and investment. Projekt Grenadier Sporting stars are well represented among the recipients, with Premier League and England striker Jermain Defoe describing himself as �blessed and humbled� to be recognised with an OBE for his services to the charitable foundation set up in his name. The honour comes almost a year after the death of six-year-old football mascot Bradley Lowery, with whom the player struck up a strong friendship as the little boy battled a rare childhood cancer. Defoe said it was the �proudest moment of my life� and added: �But it isn�t for me or about me. It�s for Bradley and those he loved.� The proudest moment of my life to be awarded an OBE. I�m blessed to have received the honour, but it isn�t for me or about me. It�s for Bradley and those he loved. I�d trade it all for him to be back in our lives, forget the goals and awards, it�s the memories I�ll cherish...💙 pic.twitter.com/Dcxua0t7bC - Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) June 8, 2018 World heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua is made an OBE for services to sport, while 20-year-old alpine skier Menna Fitzpatrick, Britain�s most successful winter Paralympian, is the youngest on this year�s list, picking up an MBE for services to Paralympic sport. In the musical world, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite is honoured with an MBE, under her real name Niomi McLean-Daley, for services to music, while Mobo Awards founder Kanya King receives a CBE for services to music and culture. Japan-born Nobel prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, knighted for his services to literature, said he was �deeply touched to receive this honour from the nation that welcomed me as a small foreign boy�. British Nobel Prize for Literature winner Former Second World War nurse Rosemary Powell, who at 103 is the oldest on the list, is made an MBE for voluntary service to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, having spent 97 years collecting for the charity. Renowned war correspondent Kate Adie is made a CBE for services to media, while Stacey Dooley, known for her BBC Three investigative series covering topics ranging from the fight against Isis to the abortion debate, receives an MBE for services to broadcasting. Among the politicians honoured are Conservative MPs Eleanor Laing and Bernard Jenkin, awarded a damehood and a knighthood respectively for their political and public service, while Labour�s Louise Ellman has also been made a dame for parliamentary and political services. Holocaust survivor Ber Helfgott, also known as Ben, is knighted for services to Holocaust remembrance and education, one of nearly three-quarters of those on the honours list deemed to have undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community. Stacey Dooley Investigates: Young Sex for Sale in Japan In healthcare, Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England Professor Susan Hill is made a dame for services to the 100,000 Genome Project and to NHS Genomic Medicine, while surgeon Nadine Hachach-Haram is awarded a BEM for services to surgery and innovation, having co-founded a company pioneering virtual access to surgery for people in remote areas. Veronica Donovan, a consultant midwife at Birmingham Women and Children�s NHS Foundation Trust, is made an OBE for services to midwifery, while palliative cancer care specialist Debra Smith receives a BEM for services to nursing. In the business sphere, Judy Naake, who made millions selling St Tropez self-tanning products, initially from the back of her car, receives an MBE for services to entrepreneurship, the community and philanthropy. Women: Inspiration & Enterprise Jo Malone, creator of the self-titled luxury perfumery brand who has since started the fragrance-centred Jo Loves business, is awarded a CBE for services to the British economy and the GREAT Britain campaign, which encourages people to visit and invest in the UK. Sister Imelda Poole, president of European anti-trafficking network Renate, receives an MBE for services to combating modern slavery. Howard Tucker is awarded a CBE for services to international justice for his past work as a member of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. A former policeman in South Wales, he went to work in Bosnia to help bring people to trial for war crimes committed during the conflicts there in the 1990s. Of the total number recognised in the Queen�s Birthday Honours list this year, 210 have been made an OBE, 392 an MBE, and 318 awarded a BEM. Forty-nine percent of the honourees are women, while 10% of all those on the list are from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Advertisement

User:NancyP9877

2018-07-03T00:42:08Z

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