Sunday 8 March 2015

  1. Australia detains 2 teenage ISIS recruits at Sydney Airport

    Two teenage brothers were detained by authorities at Sydney Airport on suspicion of preparing to travel to the Middle East to join Islamic State militants, Australia's Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said. The official did not reveal the exact flight plans of the brothers, aged 16 and 17, saying only that their parents were unaware of their plan. The names of the brothers have not been released.
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  2.  BRICS Agriculture minister’s meeting on 11-13 March 2015
    Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister for Agriculture shall participate in the IVth Meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, S. Africa) Ministers of Agriculture and Agrarian Development, to be held in Brasilia, on 11- 13 March 2015. Additional Secretary for Agriculture, Government of India Shri Avinash Srivastava and delegation of other officials will also present there.
    On 11th March seminar on Public Policy for Food and Nutrition Security and Strengthening Family Farming will be organized and also meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Agricultural Cooperation (discussion of priority areas and writing of Ministerial Declaration) will he held.
    On 12th March meeting of the BRICS Working Group will be continued and after the meeting Shri Radha Mohan Singh will visit to Brazil’s supreme institution of agricultural research “Embrapa Cerrados”.
    Ministerial meeting and bilateral meetings will be held on 13th March 2015.
    Agricultural cooperation, one of the most traditional and promising areas of the BRICS, is guided by the 2012-2016 Action Plan, adopted in 2011, In Chengdu(China), which chose priority sectors such as exchange of information, food security, climate change, innovation and agricultural technology, and trade and investments.
    The scope of this cooperation highlights the opportunities and challenges faced by the five countries. The BRICS are countries engaged with the guarantee of food security in their own countries and the world; are key actors m the production and trade of food in the world, and are holders of cutting-edge technology in varied agricultural sectors. 
    The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
    cordially invites you to a Seminar
    at 3.00 pm on Monday, 9th March, 2015
    in the Seminar Room, First Floor, Library Building
    on
    ‘Tigers, Tribes, and Bureaucrats:
    Relocations from Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra’
    by
    Dr. Nitin Sekar,
    Princeton University,
    New Jersey, USA.
    Abstract:
    Relocations of forest-reliant peoples from protected areas to promote wildlife conservation has typically resulted in negative socioeconomic results for those displaced. India’s 2006 Forest Rights Act endeavors to improve outcomes of relocations for conservation by mandating that relocations only occur if villages provide their free informed consent; in theory, the socioeconomic results of such voluntary relocations should be generally positive. The speaker conducted a field study in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra—site of India’s most extensive programme for voluntary relocations of Adivasi communities—to examine a) the extent to which such relocations are truly voluntary, and b) how such relocations affect socioeconomic metrics and overall quality of life for those relocated. Using qualitative and quantitative surveys of villagers from nine villages (two yet-to-be-relocated), State officials, and non-governmental organization leaders, the speaker found that while consent to relocate was arguably free, it was not fully informed across the villages examined. Thus, while relocations may have been voluntary based on the prevailing legal interpretation of Gram Sabha resolutions, the relocations did not fully meet the standard of consent described in the Forest Rights Act. Furthermore, the process of attaining Gram Sabha consent was found to be un-inclusive, under-representing the views of women and other marginalized individuals; this institutional problem is not specific to the relocations. The socioeconomic results indicate that relocated villagers make a trade-off, leaving a familiar, healthier environment and partially-monetized economic system for higher incomes and better access to modern services and employment. The median respondent in each village believed their overall quality of life was about the same or better post-relocation, suggesting the Melghat relocations were more successful than prior relocations of Adivasis for conservation. However, many households still faced preventable and unacceptable losses over the course of the relocation. The talk will conclude with recommendations as to how better communication by State officials, involvement by non-governmental organizations, and inclusiveness in Gram Sabha decision-making could improve voluntary relocations. The scalability of such a program, however, is uncertain.
    Speaker:
    Dr. Nitin Sekar is a conservation scientist with a focus on South Asia. He is broadly interested in conservation oriented towards social justice, ecological function, and culturally significant species. He recently received his PhD in ecology from Princeton University, USA, for his work on the role of Asian elephants in dispersing seeds of large-fruited species. While at Princeton, Nitin also earned a certificate in environmental policy from the Woodrow Wilson School, where he researched village relocations for conservation and the international ivory trade.
    All are welcome.
    Those wishing to have their names added to the email list may please email us atnmmldirector@gmail.com/eventsatnmml@gmail.com
    Audio links of Public Lectures:
    Mukesh Kumar’s team wins Pro-Am event of PGTI Cochin Masters presented by CIAL Golf & Country Club
    Kochi, March 8, 2015: The Pro-Am event of the PGTI Cochin Masters presented by CIAL Golf & Country Club 2015 was won by professional Mukesh Kumar’s team.
    The Pro-Am was played in the Team Scramble format where the team’s best ball was chosen on every shot including the putting green. After the best ball was chosen all other players were to place their ball within one score card length before continuing play.
    PGTI member Mukesh Kumar of Mhow, who won the main event on Saturday, led his team to victory in the Pro-Am event as well with a score of 53.5 points. Mukesh’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Sabu Thomas, Mr. Lijo Jose and Mr. T M Shaji.
    PGTI member N Thangaraja of Sri Lanka helped his team finish second with a score of 55.2 points. Thangaraja’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Symon, Mr. Joe Kallivelil and Mr. Alexander K J.
    The prize for the longest drive on hole no. 9 was won by Mr. Vivek George whose drive landed at a distance of 280 yards.
    The prize for the closest to the pin on hole no. 5 was won by Mrs. Shergil whose shot landed six metres and 20 centimetres from the hole.
    The prize for the straightest drive on hole no. 18 was won by Mr. Alexander K J who landed it at a distance of 20 cms from the centre of the fairway.
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  3. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav admitted to hospital
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  4. 2nd Note to Volunteers - again from the heart

    Dear Volunteers, Supporters and donors,

    Since the NE meeting, thousands of you have been asking about the difference between AAP and other parties. I want to tell the country that there is a huge difference and in the next few weeks, we volunteers shall demonstrate the same. As a disciplined worker, I am generally non-confrontational and have never spoken a word against the movement nor party since the past four years outside the appropriate forum. But now is the time to take a stand. This is not to weaken the party nor our leadership, but to strengthen AAP and the principles that we have espoused.

    It always has to be nation first, party next and individuals last. Party is only a vehicle to serve the nation and individuals, merely tools. The blogs are an exhortation to our volunteers, supporters and donors, not to disengage nor become negative, but to engage more with the party and force the leaders to truly build AAP into a party of our dreams. A model party based on principles of participation, accountability, transparency, decentralization and integrity. A party that will force other political parties to follow our example and improve governance and political activity in the nation. AAP volunteers need to demonstrate how we are the real owners of the party and bring back the founding principles in the party.

    If you had read my earlier blog carefully, it was my personal challenge to the gag order on informing the volunteers about this most important NE meeting. Thousands from all over the world were waiting – some crying, some sleepless and most worried. A gag order was completely wrong. And hence I challenged the same. Having heard AK speak hundreds of times on transparency, participation, accountability and the need to stay away from arrogance, it has built a strong conscience in me. We must follow this higher consciousness, as a party. My blogs are not against any individual nor a challenge to the leadership. That is not how I function.

    A volunteer identifies and considers AAP as part of their existence, but the walls built between them, the Committees and their non-transparent decisions have alienated them. Volunteers must propose that all NE meetings be video recorded and volunteers allowed to view the same. All committee members are finally just representatives of volunteers, nothing more. Remember, video recording was one of our demands during the joint draft committee meetings on Janlokpal in 2011. All minutes of the meeting signed by all members in all committees in the country should be released on the next day of the meeting to volunteers and supporters.

    I am hoping that the minutes of the 4th March NE is published soon. In my blog, I have given some glimpses of the happenings in the NE, but the complete minutes should be in the public domain. My description could have some shortcomings and may contain some probable bias, but the minutes will be authentic records. The volunteers should request for the same. This will strengthen the party and volunteers will become privy to the decisions taken.

    After the 4th March meeting, it was my well thought out and conscious decision to write the blogs to uphold the higher principle of transparency. A price may have to be paid. A small group of party decision makers in Delhi have already removed me from the informal BBM group. Attacks have begun against me from Ashish Khetan and others. Some dissatisfied members from Maharashtra have started giving interviews against me, some old cases are being re-opened. A concerted attempt is being made in social media to call me anti-party and anti-AK. The party may decide not to fight BMC elections or delay the decision for the same, leadership of Maharashtra will be challenged and discredited by some individuals, media leaks will be made. More will come and I will be finally humiliated so much that I will quit.  That was what was planned for YY and PB, but they overturned that plan by staying inside the party. Let me see if I can withstand the muck that will be thrown. But, my being in the party or not is immaterial, if by then, I am able to bring in some changes in the functioning of the party and empowered the volunteers.

    In 2013, Iceland became the first country to crowd source its constitution by allowing citizen to create its constitution. Similarly, volunteers need to propose to the NE about processes and systems on subjects of inner party democracy, volunteer management and communication, reconstitution of PAC and NE, code of conduct for volunteers and leaders, gender justice, conflict resolution mechanisms, policy stands on various subjects etc.In my next blog, I shall propose some concrete ideas on the principle of participation of volunteers in the working of the party and seek your ideas and suggestions.

    Friends, it is time to participate in the party functioning in the best tradition of Swaraj. It should be non-confrontational, graceful, respectful to the leadership and constructive. We are all learning. 

    Let me reiterate, this is not any rebellion, nor against our leadership, nor to seek personal attention. I truly believe that AK is the hope for the country and I have learnt almost everything from him.  I will continue to avoid going to the press.

    Jai Hind!

    Love
    Mayank Gandhi




    Wednesday, March 4, 2015

    Note to volunteers-NE on 4th March

    Dear Volunteers,

    I am extremely sorry that I am breaking the diktat of not speaking to anyone outside on what transpired in the National Executive meeting, yesterday. Generally, I am a disciplined soldier of the party.

    Arvind used to say that when they were coming out of the joint draft committee meeting of the Lokpal in 2011, Kapil Sibal used to ask them not to reveal anything to the outside world. Arvind used to answer that it was his primary duty to inform the nation about the proceedings, as he was not a leader but a representative of the people. Truth and transparency was all that he had.

    My presence in the National Executive is only as a representative of the volunteers. And I would be dishonest to accept the gag order. The volunteers cannot be removed from the equation; they are the source of the party. Rather than get information from selective leaks and stray statements, I have decided to give some factual details of the meeting in the public domain.

    Last night I was told that disciplinary action would be taken against me, if I revealed anything. So be it – my first allegiance is to the higher truth. Here is an essence of the meeting with regards to removal of YY and PB, based on my understanding. I would request NE to release the minutes of the meeting.

    Short background
    During the Delhi campaign, Prashant Bhushan had threatened multiple times that he will hold press conference against the party, because of his concerns on candidate selection. Some of us were successful in somehow or other to stave off the threat till the elections. It was alleged that Yogendra Yadav was conspiring against Arvind and some evidences were produced. There were also operational irreconcilable differences and trust deficit between AK, PB and YY 

    On 26th Feb night when members of the NE went to meet him, Arvind conveyed that he will not be able to work as Convenor, if these two members were part of the PAC. That was the background of the NE on 4th March.

    NE meeting
    Yogendra said that he understood that Arvind did not want them in PAC, as it was difficult to him to work together. He and Prashant would be happy to stay out of PAC, but they should not be singled out. Two formulas were put forward by him.

    ·         That the PAC be reconstituted and new PAC members be elected through voting. PB and YY will not put their candidature.

    ·         That PAC continue to function in the present form and YY and PB would not attend any of the meetings.

    The meeting broke for some time and Manish and others conferred with the Delhi team of Ashish Khetan, Asutosh, Dilip Pandey and others. After reassembling, Manish proposed a resolution that YY and PB be removed from the PAC and it was seconded by Sanjay Singh.

    I abstained to vote, because of two contrary reasons

    1. Arvind needs a smooth working in the PAC. So, I agreed that PB and YY may be out of PAC and take some alternate important roles. 

    2. I was taken aback by the resolution of removing them publicly, especially as they themselves were willing to leave.Also, this decision to sack them was against the overwhelming sentiments of volunteers from all over the world.

    So, while I agreed that they can step down from the PAC, the manner and intention behind the resolution was not acceptable. Hence, the decision to abstain.

    The other details may come when the minutes of meeting is released.

    This is not a revolt, nor is this some publicity ploy. I will not go to the press. There may be some repercussions overt and covert against me. So be it. 

    Jai Hind

    Love

    Mayank Gandhi

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  5. IMPROVED DESTINATION WEBSITE SET TO INSPIRE MORE VISITS TO ABU DHABI
    - Mobile-friendly design and mash-up map technology improvements to visitabudhabi.ae -
     
    All India, 5th March 2015 : Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is hoping to inspire more travellers to experience Abu Dhabi's expanding tourism products portfolio with a revamped visitabudhabi.ae website showcasing many of the emirate’s best experiences, hotels and restaurants.
    The online facelift was revealed today at the Abu Dhabi pavilion at ITB Berlin, the largest travel trade show in the world.
    Developed by TCA Abu Dhabi, the website’s new design includes around 300,000 words and 4,000 images in support of different products and experiences that can be enjoyed across a number of the most commonly requested information categories.
    TCA Abu Dhabi Acting Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, Mouza Al Shamsi, said the website's overhaul would help better connect the consumer with the emirate by providing 'inspirational experiences' which consumers could enjoy and book.
    We constantly strive to make our digital marketing platforms engaging and informative, and with these latest improvements, have now become much more responsive to our customers.
    With this new site we can now showcase the destination through thematic experiences that reflect our diversity in landscape, culture, heritage, attractions and accommodation referring consumers directly to our industry partners. From the outset, the brief was to make the site more inspiring and visually appealing, and capitalise on the latest trends in digital engagement, she said.
    The exciting new online look, incorporating a mobile-friendly, responsive design also features the latest user interface techniques, and TripAdvisor reviews are embedded to attraction and hotel listings information to reflect user generated content allowing users to share impartial advice on the site.
    A new Mash-up map - a single graphical interface that uses content from more than one source to create a single information reference - collates nearby points of interests, hotels, restaurants and attractions, spas and events allowing users to learn and experience more when visiting or researching things to see and do.
    The new information architecture highlighting what to see and do, where to stay and how to explore the emirate has been rolled out in nine language versions (Arabic, English, Brazilian-Portuguese, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese,  and Russian) and also features a social media wall linking directly to the Authority’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest and Foursquare).
    The website's multilingual hotel, flight and car rental search engine with real-time results from multiple booking engines remains, along with its trip planner facility which allows travellers to plan their journey to Abu Dhabi in advance, and share their itinerary ideas with their friends.
    An Arabic phrasebook, downloadable guides & maps, currency converter, weather forecast and detailed Frequently Asked Questions sections rounds off the new and exciting features, all of which will be on display at the ITB Berlin Abu Dhabi pavilion in an interactive iPad-based competition and 'cloud-biking' experiential booth, just one of 90 product experiences participating at the exhibition.
    Reaching over four million visits a year and more than 40,000 daily clicks during peak periods, further planned visitor experience enhancements include responsive language version landing page interfaces and improvements to the existingvisitabudhabi.ae mobile applications on all key platforms.
    Conceived with travellers' needs in mind, VisitAbuDhabi.ae is a one-stop-shop for tourists who want to explore the emirate, giving them easy access to interact with extensive, dynamic information on Abu Dhabi’s attractions and experiences, culture and heritage, events and recreation activities.
    Supported by a comprehensive on- and offline mobile application featuring location-based functionality and detailed attraction, listings and experience information, visitabudhabi.ae is one of a number of informative websites operated by TCA Abu Dhabi, which include AbuDhabiEvents.ae - the authoritative online resource bringing together all event happenings in the emirate, and AbuDhabi-cb.ae, a portal for the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.
    Dedicated social media accounts support the destination’s sites and encourage travellers to become active contributors, to post, comment, get inspired and share their experience, promoting the use of #InAbuDhabi throughout all digital destination promotion.
    Stay in touch with the latest information on Abu Dhabi at:
    visitabudhabi.ae
    facebook.com/visitabudhabi
    twitter.com/visitabudhabi
    gplus.to/visitabudhabi
    youtube.com/visitabudhabi
    pinterest.com/visitabudhabi
    foursquare.com/visitabudhabi
    instagram.com/visitabudhabi
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  7. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
    Following are key excerpts from  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the General Assembly High-level Debate:  Advancing Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls for a Transformative Post-2015 Agenda, in New York on 6 March:
    ·        We should look forward to significant further progress by 2020, and gender equality by 2030.  Let our rallying cry be “50-50 by 2030!”  
    ·        We cannot successfully address sustainable development challenges if we constrain the potential of half of the world’s population.  They are women.  That is why the Special Summit on Sustainable Development in September should adopt a bold agenda that fully recognizes and values the role of women and girls.
    ·        The struggle goes on for millions of women and girls around the world.  There are still five countries where not a single woman is represented in the parliament.  There are eight countries in the world where not a single woman is in the Cabinet.  
    ·        The attitudes of societies -- the attitudes of men -- in all regions are still stacked against women.  Rape continues as a vile weapon of war and we see too many examples of violent extremists suppressing and abusing women and girls.  Early and forced marriages continue to violate the rights of girls, trapping them in ignorance and ill-health, and exposing them to violence.
    ·        Women still do most of the unpaid and low-paid work.  Their economic contributions, particularly in agriculture, go unnoticed.  They are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.  Many women around the world are still denied their sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the right to safe motherhood.
    ·        There are still relatively few women in power and in decision-making positions.  We have around 20 Heads of State and Government around the world and just around one in five of women are parliamentarians around the world.  In all countries, gender stereotypes, exclusion and discrimination continue to perpetuate inequality.
    ·       Today, as we observe International Women’s Day, let us commit to a life of dignity and opportunity for all.  Let us work together to secure a sustainable future, where women and girls, men and boys are equally empowered and enjoy shared prosperity.

    Description: Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CA2C88.ADE04150
    RAJIV CHANDRAN
    National Information Officer
    United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan
    55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110003, INDIA
    Phone:  91-11-4653-2237
    mobile:  98106-06833
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  8. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (RIA Novosti / Yury Kochetkov)


    Russian President Vladimir Putin, has cut his own salary, the earnings of Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev and a number of other high-ranking officials by 10 per cent due to economic hardships experienced by the country.
    According to the decree, which the President signed on Friday, the salaries will be cut from March 1 to December 31, 2015.
    The reduction of wages will also affect Prosecutor General, Yury Chaika, and Investigative Committee head, Aleksandr Bastrykin as well as all members of the government including foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, and Defense minister, Sergey Shoigu.
    The 10 per cent salary cuts may be well be extended into 2016, Putin’s press-secretary, Dmitry Peskov, told RIA-Novosti news agency.
    “This is a temporary ruling, caused by the current economic situation. If the conditions do not change significantly, this period will be extended. If there will be a change for the better then there will be no more reason for the extension,” he said.
    The press-secretary also stressed that the reduction of salaries in the Kremlin should not be regarded as a signal to employers across the country.
    The earning of MPs in the Russian parliament will also be decreased by 10 per cent as part of the Russian government’s budget optimization.
    “The President’s decree in this regard extends to the State Duma” as the salaries of the deputies are equivalent to those of federal ministers, according to Russian law, Igor Shuvalov, deputy prime minister, said.
    In late February, Putin also ordered salary cuts of 10 percent for all members of the presidential administration.
    According to the Russian-language business daily Vedomosti, Putin earned around 3.6 million roubles in 2013 (back then it was $120,000), but the President’s salary was increased by 2.65 times in April 2014.
    The Russian economy was hard hit by Western sanctions over Ukraine and falling oil prices, which saw the ruble lose half its value against the dollar in December.
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  9. ​Iran leader lambasts Israel as “warmongering regime”

    Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the US Congress, calling Israel a “warmongering nation.” Rouhani said that the American people are “too smart”to take advice from “an aggressive and occupier regime” which has its own vast arsenal of nuclear weapons, adding that the world is happy at the progress being made in the Iran and P5+1 nuclear negotiations. The leader of the Islamic republic stressed that negotiation was the only way to settle the longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear program which has resulted in US mandated sanctions. Rouhani has said that although Iran is ready to demonstrate further transparency over its nuclear program, it will not agree to any deal which violates its right to nuclear technology.

    Ukraine's ex finance minister arrested in Spain

    Yury Kolobov, who served as finance minister in Ukraine from 2012 until 2014, was detained in Spain on Wednesday, Spanish news agency Europa Press reported, citing the country's investigative authorities. The Ukrainian general prosecutor's office is immediately working on documents to extradite Kolobov from Spain, the general prosecutor Viktor Shokin told Ukrainskaya Pravda. The former finance minister is wanted for allegedly misappropriating large amounts of state funds, and was reportedly detained on an Interpol international arrest warrant. Kolobov is among a number of other former Ukrainian top officials wanted by Kiev on graft allegations.

    Prosecutors appeal dismissal of case against Argentine president

    Argentine prosecutors said on Wednesday that they have appealed a decision by a judge to dismiss their case again President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Prosecutors allege the president is protecting the Iranian officials accused of organizing a 1994 bombing in exchange for lucrative oil and trade benefits. The case was originally brought about by Alberto Nisman who died in mysterious circumstances in January. Nisman had accused Iran of orchestrating the bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center via the militant group Hezbollah. The bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association killed 85 and wounded 300, and has never been solved.
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  10. US, Iran resume talks after Netanyahu warning

    The US and Iranian foreign ministers began a third day of talks over Iran’s nuclear program on Wednesday, Reuters reported. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran’s Mohammad Javad Zarif resumed the meeting just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned that the deal being negotiated was a serious mistake. The US-Iranian discussions are being held in the Swiss lakeside town of Montreux, with an aim to work out a framework deal by late March.
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  11. China to hike defence budget by 10 per cent this year
    Mar 4
    China will raise its defence budget by around 10 percent this year, a spokeswoman for the annual session of the country's top legislature said today. Speaking to reporters at a press conference a day ahead of the Third Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), Fu Ying said, the exact figure will be published in a budget report tomorrow.
    China had increased its defence budget by 12.2 percent last year.
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  12. Netanyahu failed to offer any viable alternatives to Iran talks: Obama
    Mar 4
    US President Barack Obama has dismissed warnings about Iran's nuclear programme made by the Israeli prime minister during a controversial speech to the US Congress. Mr Obama said, Benjamin Netanyahu had failed to offer any viable alternatives. Mr Netanyahu strongly criticized the deal being negotiated between western powers and Iran, claiming it could pave its way to the bomb rather than block it.

    The US Secretary of State, John Kerry is to travel to Saudi Arabia to reassure gulf states that any deal would not strengthen Iran's position in the region.

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EU leaders express concern over US-China trade war  European Union have expressed concern over the intensifying trade friction between ...