China asserts claims to disputed islands

Published: Nov. 7, 2012 at 6:11 AM

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- China Wednesday reasserted its sovereignty claims over a group of East China Sea islands while reacting to reports about jointly managing them with Japan.

The uninhabited islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been an issue between the countries but tensions escalated when Japan brought the islands under its control in September.

The underlying issue isn't the small land masses but the rights to natural resources, believed to be extensive, in waters near to islands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China opposes Japan's so-called "actual control" of the Diaoyu Islands and the waters surrounding them, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Hong said the islands and their affiliated islets have been part of China's inherent territory since ancient times and China holds indisputable sovereignty over them.

"China has repeated its position regarding the Diaoyu Islands during all consultations with Japan on the issue and stressed its strong opposition to any acts that could undermine China's territorial sovereignty," Hong said, adding his government will continue to firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xinhua reported.

Earlier this week, the South China Morning Post quoted the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell as telling a seminar in Washington that Japan and China should "step back from the brink," adding their territorial dispute can only be managed but not resolved because of the complexities involved.

Japan's Kyodo News reported that senior Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministry officials had agreed in their talks through Monday to continue dialogue over the dispute.

Quoting the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Kyodo said in their meeting on Sunday and Monday in China, the officials confirmed that the two sides would continue to communicate and made arrangements for the next round of vice-ministerial talks.

Read the rest here:

China asserts claims to disputed islands

Islands voting in Children's Referendum

Residents of 12 islands around Ireland have voted in the Children's Referendum.

Islanders off the coasts of Donegal, Mayo and Galway traditionally vote ahead of the mainland to make sure bad weather does not hamper the return of boxes on time for the count.

The Aer Corps brought the ballot box by helicopter to Tory Island, while ferries and boats transported the boxes to other islands.

Earlier, turnout on most islands was reported to have been slow.

However, reports from Inisturk say that that over 50% of the islanders on the register have cast their votes.

The presiding officer said that all of the people who were eligible to vote had done so and the people who had not voted missed the poll because they were on the mainland and could not get back to vote on a week day.

He said the turnout would have been higher if voting was on a Saturday like the rest of the country.

The King of Tory,Patsy Dan Rodgers, was one of the first people to cast his vote.

He said he felt islanders had not been given enough information in advance of the referendum.

Over 1,100 people are registered to vote on the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway.

Follow this link:

Islands voting in Children's Referendum

Pacific islands go 100 percent solar

Tokelau's islands, a territory of New Zealand, are going on a sun-juice diet, and Crave's Eric Mack is jealous.

Now visitors to Nukunono Resort won't be disturbed by the roar of diesel generators.

I can relate to the energy woes of folks in the Pacific island nation of Tokelau (technically a territory of New Zealand), and I'm a bit jealous of their solution.

Tokelau and the roughly 1,500 residents of the coral atolls about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand have become the world's first completely energy-independent territory/nation/whatever, thanks to a solar energy project that's just been completed with funding from the New Zealand government.

"Until now, Tokelau has been 100 percent dependent upon diesel for electricity generation, with heavy economic and environmental costs," New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said in a news release from the government.

When I lived in a remote rural Alaskan village, we faced a similar situation, with all diesel fuel and gasoline flown or barged in to heat homes and run vehicles at ridiculous expense -- prices for a gallon of unleaded can be double or even triple what's seen in the lower 48. You'd think the Land of the Midnight Sun might be a great place for solar energy, except for winter months when it becomes the land of nearly no sun.

So let's hope the folks of Tokelau appreciate how good they've got it, being able to ditch those noisy, stinky generators for a photovoltaic alternative that's a little more reliable closer to the equator.

Samsung had a similar idea recently with its solar-powered South African school project, as did the U.S. Department of Defense. The Navy plans to deploy a half billion dollars worth of solar power systems on its bases in Hawaii that could eventually dwarf the Tokelau project.

Not to be outdone, the nearby island nation of Tonga says it's aiming to get 50 percent of its energy from renewables by 2015, and the Cook Islands are shooting for matching Tokelau's achievement by 2020.

As for me, I've ditched Alaska and have a solar panel on my portable reporting trailer for tooling around the Southwest and West Coast, not to mention a handful of solar calculators in a drawer somewhere. Looks like I'm going to have to up my game if I want to show my face in the South Pacfific by the end of the decade.

View original post here:

Pacific islands go 100 percent solar

Bonin Petrel – Wiki Article – Video


Bonin Petrel - Wiki Article
The Bonin Petrel, Pterodroma hypoleuca, is a seabird in the family Procellariidae. It is a small gadfly petrel that lives in the waters of the north west Pacific and nests on islands south of Japa... Bonin Petrel - Wiki Article - wikiplays.org Original @ http All Information Derived from Wikipedia using Creative Commons License: en.wikipedia.org Author: Duncan Wright Image URL: en.wikipedia.org ( This work is in the Public Domain. ) Author: US Fish and Wildlife Sevice (photo by Pete Leary/USFWS) Image URL: en.wikipedia.org ( This work is in the Public Domain. ) Author: Forest amp; Kim Starr Image URL: en.wikipedia.org ( Creative Commons ASA 3.0 )From:WikiPlaysViews:0 0ratingsTime:08:10More inEducation

Go here to read the rest:

Bonin Petrel - Wiki Article - Video

B2K ft Terror Squad- Tell me (Solomon Islands Music) – Video


B2K ft Terror Squad- Tell me (Solomon Islands Music)
Music from the Solomon Islands of the South Pacific.......Copyright disclaimer! I do NOT own this song nor the image featured in the video. All rights belong to it #39;s rightful owner/owner #39;s. No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposesFrom:Kotas BlackViews:2 0ratingsTime:04:48More inMusic

See more here:

B2K ft Terror Squad- Tell me (Solomon Islands Music) - Video

Vote – 2012 – WestEnd – Video


Vote - 2012 - WestEnd
After voting at my local polling place I took out one of my video cameras and asked fellow resident which presidential candidate they voted for and why; in all I interviewed about 30 of the 60000+ residences that live in the neighborhood. 11/07/2012 Quick History Of The WestEnd: West 7th Street, also known as Fort Road is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of St.Paul, MN and is a working class #39;Blue Collar #39; community; but that being said is a strong hold of the Democratic Party. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dillon Bakke dillonbakke.com http ----------------------------------------------------------------- NDAA: en.wikipedia.org Obama #39;s Kill List: http://www.nytimes.com Romney #39;s Cayman Islands Bank Accounts: http://www.vanityfair.comFrom:Dillon BakkeViews:1 0ratingsTime:15:04More inNews Politics

Originally posted here:

Vote - 2012 - WestEnd - Video

The Bay Bali – Oceanfront Cuisine


The Bay Bali - Oceanfront Cuisine Excellent Experience
Exclusively nestled at secluded cove in the heart of Nusa Dua Bay and surrounded and complemented by 5 stars well-reputable hotels and beautiful greenery, THE BAY BALI becomes the must -- be-visited place while you are in Bali. Stretching in an area of more than 31000 sqm, between two most beautiful islands of Nusa Dua, these cozy magnificent buildings with a luxurious touch of Balinese traditional style become the only place which offers you oceanfront facilities and is dedicated to those who love world-class taste of culinary and excellent experience. From the exciting outdoor activities on the golden sandy beach during the sunny days to the romantic dinner under the stars and spoiled by the mystic sounds of the breeze at the beach , will give you an unforgettable and heart-warming impression to take home with you. The Bay Bali assures you to deliver great and memorable hospitality from all tenants to embrace you. THE BAY BALI BTDC Area, Lot C0 Tel +62 361 894 8200 Website: http://www.thebaybali.com Fb: The Bay Bali | Twitter: @thebaybali | Instagram: @TheBayBaliFrom:DebeweiViews:0 0ratingsTime:04:29More inTravel Events

See the rest here:

The Bay Bali - Oceanfront Cuisine

Kekene ft Jay-Me


Kekene ft Jay-Me Paeva- E sei mama ia (Solomon Islands Music)
Music from the Solomon Islands of the South Pacific.......Copyright disclaimer! I do NOT own this song nor the image featured in the video. All rights belong to it #39;s rightful owner/owner #39;s. No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposesFrom:Kotas BlackViews:1 1ratingsTime:03:47More inMusic

Here is the original post:

Kekene ft Jay-Me

Peacebuilding through Education Conference New York, September 24, 2012 – Video


Peacebuilding through Education Conference New York, September 24, 2012
The Fountain and Peace Islands Institute organized "Peacebuilding through Education: Challenges, Opportunities, Cases" conference on September 24, 2012, in New York. This video is a brief footage of highlights from the event.From:Hakan YesilovaViews:0 0ratingsTime:13:41More inEducation

Read the original:

Peacebuilding through Education Conference New York, September 24, 2012 - Video

Dj Flyer ft Bsmaal- Tell Dem_The Pyramid Song (2012) – Video


Dj Flyer ft Bsmaal- Tell Dem_The Pyramid Song (2012)
Music from the Solomon Islands of the South Pacific.......Copyright disclaimer! I do NOT own this song nor the image featured in the video. All rights belong to it #39;s rightful owner/owner #39;s. No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposesFrom:Kotas BlackViews:0 0ratingsTime:02:21More inMusic

Excerpt from:

Dj Flyer ft Bsmaal- Tell Dem_The Pyramid Song (2012) - Video