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United Islands festival moves to Prague’s Ladronka on 10th birthday

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The three-day United Islands music festival, which gets underway in Prague on Thursday night, is being held this year for the 10th time. Performers will include visiting acts such as U.S. soul artist Aloe Blacc and Irish singer-songwriter Cathy Davey, as well as local outfits like Midi Lidi and the Plastic People of the Universe. However, the free event isnt actually taking place on an island this year. As final preparations were underway, I spoke to United Islands organizer David Gaydeka.

Please the Trees & Elpida, photo: Official website of Elpida Tonight we are starting with the traditional club night. Ten places, 10 clubs in Prague, will present the Czech contemporary scene. We have chosen bands that are new on the scene and are fresh, original and might be something really inspiring.

The first concert will start at the Nostick palace [Nostitz Palace], which is on Maltzsk nmst. Actually, its a Ministry of Culture building but theyve opened it for us. We start there with Please the Trees, a guitar band, playing with the Elpida vocal choir, and Never Sol, a new project.

And its all free?

Yes, the festival is all free. Access to all clubs and festival venues, including the open air part, is for free. No tickets, no limitations, you can take your dogs or kids and come and have a musical picnic.

In recent years, the festival has taken place on [the island] Steleck ostrov, near the National Theatre, but this year youve had to move it?

Yes. We already moved part of the festival in the autumn to the hills of Petn and to Kinskho zahrada [Kinsky Gardens], because we knew that Steleck ostrov was under reconstruction and it wasnt supposed to be done before our festival was supposed to start.

Ladronka, photo: Official website of Ladronka But actually after the floods the situation became so bad with all the parks I think today Kinskho zahrada is still closed to the public. We received information from the mayors office that the city wouldnt allow people into the parts of the park where we were supposed to hold the festival.

So we had to move it and we were very happy to hear that the city council of Prague 6 had welcomed us to Ladronka. They gave us all the permits we needed very quickly, so the festival will happen in Prague 6 at the park Ladronka, which is a beautiful, compact kind of place.

How many stages will you have at Ladronka?

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United Islands festival moves to Prague’s Ladronka on 10th birthday

UN resolution calling for talks disappoints Falkland Islands

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New York (dpa) - Representatives of the Falkland Islands expressed disappointment Thursday after a UN resolution called for talks between Britain and Argentina to settle the dispute over the islands instead of accepting the recent referendum by the islanders.

Elected representatives from the Falkland Islands appealed to the UN special committee on decolonization to acknowledge their decision to remain an overseas territory of Britain. That decision, which came in a referendum in March, was disregarded by Argentina, which claims the islands belong to its territory.

Sharon Halford, a member of the Falklands legislative assembly, said the referendum passed with the approval of 99.8 per cent of the voters - only three residents wanted an alternative political status for the islands.

"We, the people of the Falklands, are happy with our current relationship with the UK," Halford told the UN committee. "It is not an anachronistic colonial situation as characterised by Argentina, but a modern relationship where the UK listens to our wishes and we are responsible for our own internal self-government."

Halford said the referendum was based on a 1970 UN resolution offering people from non-self governing territories the right to self determination, including having any political status they decide.

However, the UN resolution passed Thursday calls for a "peaceful and negotiated settlement" between Argentina and Britain and disregards the Falklands claim to self governance.

Mark Lyall Grant, Britains ambassador to the UN, said the committee failed to recognize the wishes of the people.

"The committees approach is outdated and disconnected from the people its supposed to be helping," Grant said.

Argentinas Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, who also addressed the committee, was pleased with the outcome of the resolution.

"The United Nations found (its) a conflict of national integrity," Timerman said. "A conflict between two countries: the United Kingdom and Argentina."

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UN resolution calling for talks disappoints Falkland Islands

Government of Canada invests in Wood Islands – Caribou ferry service

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CARIBOU, NS, June 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, and the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for Egmont, today announced an investment totaling close to $13 million in the Wood Islands, P.E.I. - Caribou, N.S. ferry service.

"Our government understands the importance of ferry services to the local communities throughout Atlantic Canada," said Minister MacKay. "Ferries support trade and tourism and connect people and business throughout the region and today's investment will ensure that residents and visitors will continue to benefit from the safe and reliable operation of this ferry service."

"Canada needs safe and efficient transportation in all regions and this service helps us to support growth and create jobs and prosperity, both here and across Canada," said Minister Shea. "Since 2006, our government has made significant investments in this ferry service and we remain committed to working with the provinces and local communities to develop a long-term approach for these services."

The main engines on the MV Holiday Island will be replaced to improve efficiency of the vessel and to reduce the risk of unexpected mechanical failures. As well, improvements are being made to shore-based infrastructure including the rehabilitation of the East and West Breakwater and berths for the MV Confederation and the MV Holiday Island in Wood Islands, P.E.I., and the rehabilitation of both ferry berths in Caribou, N.S.

The Government of Canada supports three inter-provincial ferry services in Eastern Canada:

In support of these ferry services, the Government of Canada owns four vessels and six ferry terminals, which are leased to private operators. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has invested approximately $200 million in operating and capital funding for these ferry services.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than one million net new jobs created since July 2009.

For more information about the projects, please see the attached backgrounder.

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada is investing close to $13 million for improvements to the Wood Islands, P.E.I. - Caribou, N.S. ferry service.

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Government of Canada invests in Wood Islands - Caribou ferry service

Wood Islands to Caribou ferry service nets $13-million investment

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An investment totaling almost $13 million was announced Friday for the Wood Islands, P.E.I. to Caribou, N.S. ferry service.

CARIBOU, N.S. An investment totaling almost $13 million was announced here Friday for the Wood Islands, P.E.I. to Caribou, N.S. ferry service.

The main engines on the MV Holiday Island will be replaced to improve efficiency of the vessel and to reduce the risk of unexpected mechanical failures.

As well, improvements are being made to shore-based infrastructure including the rehabilitation of the east and west breakwater.

Berths will also be improved for the MV Confederation and the MV Holiday Island in Wood Islands and the rehabilitation of both ferry berths in Caribou.

The announcement was made by Peter MacKay, minister of National Defence and ACOA Minister Gail Shea.

"Ferries support trade and tourism and connect people and business throughout the region," said MacKay, "and today's investment will ensure that residents and visitors will continue to benefit from the safe and reliable operation of this ferry service."

"Canada needs safe and efficient transportation in all regions and this service helps us to support growth and create jobs and prosperity, both here and across Canada," said Shea.

The ferry service is an important transportation link to Prince Edward Island and was identified as a priority by the provincial government in a number of meetings with the federal government on the province's infrastructure priorities.

The ferry service is used extensively by businesses, truckers and residents in eastern Prince Edward Island and by tourists coming to and leaving the province. Last year, it carried a total of 150,000 vehicles and 380,000 passengers.

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Wood Islands to Caribou ferry service nets $13-million investment

Falkland Islands and Britain rejects Argentina’s Pope Francis hopes

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Just over 30 years later, memories of the conflict remain and Argentine President Cristina Kirchner has mounted a campaign to renegotiate the islands' sovereignty, lobbying Pope Francis on the issue and rejecting a March referendum in which Falkland residents voted to remain a British Overseas Territory.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, said in 2012 when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires that Britain had "usurped" the disputed islands from Argentina. In 2011, he said the islands were "ours," a view most Argentinians share.

Argentine foreign minister Hector Timerman told reporters that London should engage in direct talks with Buenos Aires on the dispute. Lyall Grant said Britain was open to dialogue with Argentina, but only if the Falklanders are involved, a position Timerman dismissed.

"I am the foreign minister of Argentina," Timerman said. "I want to talk with the foreign minister of the United Kingdom."

Timerman and Summers were in New York for an annual meeting of the UN Decolonisation Committee on the Falklands-Malvinas dispute.

Earlier on Thursday, the committee adopted a non-binding resolution sponsored by a number of Latin American states that was similar to ones adopted in previous years. It calls on Argentina and Britain to enter into negotiations on the islands.

The Falklands are among the scattered remnants of the once mighty British Empire, which towered over 19th century history but faded into decline after the Second World War.

Argentina argues it is absurd for Britain to have control of land so far from its own shores, accusing London of maintaining "colonial enclaves."

Edited for Telegraph.co.uk by Barney Henderson

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Falkland Islands and Britain rejects Argentina's Pope Francis hopes

Channel Islands: Channelling two nations

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Nearer to France than England, the Channel Islands in the English Channel, administered by Britain, have a uniqueness about them which is neither British nor French.

FOR centuries, many outsiders, myself included, have been drawn repeatedly to the Channel Islands, and their charm and popularity shows no sign of diminishing, even in the 21st century.

For visitors there are five main islands, all offering different scenery, culture, traditions and activities.

Alderney

Alderney is the third largest Channel Island and possesses a strong individual identity. Many people compare the atmosphere on the island to the England of the 1950s, as there is a real sense of community among the residents.

And time seems to have stood relatively still.

Other quirks include the language, because until relatively recently French and the islands own dialect were spoken. Nowadays English is the first language of residents but place names are still in French.

However, the remnants of a darker recent past are still scattered across the island from World War II when it was occupied by the Nazis. The whole population of the islands was removed by the Germans so that concentration camps could be built there. The remains of the German occupation are scattered everywhere, but are now a popular source of exploration for young children unaware of their sinister past.

Most people who come here are either families looking for a place where the children can freely explore the countryside and forts or play on the beach, or they are are older couples relishing the quiet pace of life. However, if you are seeking more, then Alderney has a relatively lively night scene with many pubs and restaurants, confirming the islands ancient reputation among the other Channel Islands as being populated by drinkers.

While you are there, the one thing not to be missed is a journey on Alderneys railway, the only one on the Channel Islands. The very leisurely ride takes one from the capital of St Annes to the old Mannez Quarry, and for only 3 (RM15) per person, it represents value for money.

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Channel Islands: Channelling two nations

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Joins Peace Islands Institute To Honor New York Law Enforcement

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NEW YORK, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Today, Peace Islands Institute (PII) (www.peaceislands.org), a non-profit organization that promotes peaceful dialogue through social and intellectual interaction, will host its 1st annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Reception with honorary guest Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The reception will acknowledge officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) as well as the New York Court System for their distinguished work and outstanding service.PII will recognize accomplished New York State Law Enforcement Officers, who have exceeded their duty and those who exemplify the virtues of professionalism and dedication.

"Law enforcement is a vital component of society and peace building efforts within our communities," said Zafer Akin, President of Peace Islands Institute. "As such, we must recognize the men and women of law enforcement that work tirelessly to ensure our safety and give us peace of mind."

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will deliver key note remarks and join PII in honoring Supreme Court Judge Bruce Balter; Commanding Officer of Patrol in the Borough of Queens, Assistant Chief Diana L. Pizzuti; as well as Queens FDNY Deputy Chief Nancy Gilligan, all who demonstrate a distinct pattern of service to the State of New York and the nation as whole. The recipients were nominated by their peers before being selected by a PII jury.

"As the state's chief law enforcement officer and a former deputy sheriff, I've witnessed firsthand the dedication and determination of New York's public safety officers," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "These brave men and women not only keep our streets safe and our communities secure, but they also bridge the divide to bring together diverse segments of our state. We cannot thank them enough for their service."

PII has also organized Law Enforcement appreciation receptions in a number of different states including New Jersey before bringing the ceremony to New York for the first time today. The program will be held at the Peace Islands' New York headquarters on Fifth Avenue and will be attended by many of the city's law enforcement officers.

About Peace Islands InstitutePeace Islands Institute is a nonprofit 501c organization dedicated to fostering peaceful human relations by facilitating dialogue between different peoples, ethnicities, religions, and cultures. The organization helps highlight common humanity by promoting intellectual collaboration and social interaction, and implementing social responsibility projects. To further its goals, the organization operates four centers: Center for Global Affairs, Center for Social Affairs, Center for Interfaith Affairs and Center for Education. The organization and its centers host several events including interfaith dialogues, panel discussions, inter-cultural trips, and philanthropic events.

Learn more about Peace Islands Institute atwww.peaceislands.org or on Twitter @Peace_Islands.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Joins Peace Islands Institute To Honor New York Law Enforcement

Apple Safari can’t verify I D warning 4 apr 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 413 – Video

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By: georgegodley

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Apple Safari can't verify I D warning 4 apr 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 413 - Video

U.N. puts area of Solomon Islands on list of endangered sites

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East Rennell in the Solomon Islands

UNITED NATIONS, June 19 (UPI) -- The United Nations says the East Rennell area of the Solomon Islands has been placed on a list of endangered sites due to logging's effect on the ecosystem.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Committee determined logging "is threatening the outstanding universal value of East Rennell," and asked authorities to conduct an impact assessment study of the activity, a U.N. release said Tuesday.

East Rennell, on the World Heritage List since 1998, is the largest raised coral atoll in the world and its dense forest has a canopy averaging more than 60 feet in height.

The forest, which covers most of the land area of the 90,000-acre site, are an essential component of the atoll, considered to be a natural laboratory for scientific study, UNESCO said.

The World Heritage Committee is currently holding its 37th session in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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U.N. puts area of Solomon Islands on list of endangered sites


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