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President Barack Obama and President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea shake hands during their press conference at the Blue House in Seoul, Republic of Korea, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Reading the North Korean Tea Leaves: The Perpetual Struggle to Fathom Pyongyang's Motives and Goals
"Brinkmanship" Seen As a "Mainstay of the North's Negotiating Repertoire," Say State Department Records
"This Will Not Be a Situation Like the Iraq War," North Koreans Warned in 1994
National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 421
Posted – April 11, 2013
Edited by Robert A. Wampler, PhD
Robert A. Wampler, PhD 202/994-7000 or nsarchiv@gwu.edu
From ForeignPolicy.com
Will Chinese Troops Cross the Yalu?
By Robert A. Wampler, PhD, April 11, 2013
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Washington, D.C., April 11, 2013 – For decades, the erratic behavior of North Korea's enigmatic leaders has often masked a mix of symbolic and pragmatic motives, according to declassified documents posted today by the National Security Archive. During earlier crises, Kim Jong Un's father and grandfather postured and threatened the region in ways markedly similar to the behavior of the new leader, the records show.
While the current Kim is acting even more stridently in some cases, the documents reveal a past pattern characterized by bellicose conduct. In 1994, for instance, North Korean military officers threatened the U.S. with a possible preemptive strike if circumstances called for it: "This will not be a situation like the Iraq war," U.S. officials were told. "We will not give you time to collect troops around Korea to attack us." Yet American analysts believed during these earlier episodes that Pyongyang's tone was aimed less at stoking hostilities than advancing a combination of practical objectives – from pushing the international community to accept North Korea's position, to playing for time, to bolstering the leader's political position at home.
Today's posting provides a window into prior efforts to penetrate beneath North Korea's shrill rhetoric to understand the logic, political dynamics and ultimate objectives underlying Pyongyang's repeated threats against the U.S. and South Korea. Obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, mostly from the State Department, these records describe events during the 1990s (the Clinton presidency) with notable echoes in the current crisis. Additional cables made public by WikiLeaks (Documents 12-14) take the story up to the Obama administration and provide assessments of Kim Jong Un himself.
The documents from 1994-95, which saw the first nuclear crisis with North Korea and the death of Kim Il Sung, include excerpts from the morning intelligence summaries prepared for the secretary of state that seek to assess the factors and interests driving such developments as:
North Korea's initial response to U.S. plans to station Patriot missiles in North Korea, deemed by Pyongyang to be an "unpardonable grave military challenge." This step was viewed as typical: "to record its strong opposition without committing itself to any particular line of action while it sorts out its options." (Document 1)
The deepening crisis in 1994 over the North's nuclear weapons program, and confrontations over inspections of North Korea's nuclear facilities. One document records a frank warning from North Korean military officials during a meeting at Panmunjon: "this will not be a situation like the Iraq war. We will not give you time to collect troops around Korea to attack us. We will not attack the South first, but if it is clear you are going to attack, then we will attack." Another document provides a fascinating evaluation of how China might respond to the outbreak of war on the peninsula should the nuclear crisis escalate. (Documents 2, 3 and 11)
Pyongyang's withdrawal nearly 20 years ago from the Military Armistice Commission (MAC). The North described the MAC as part of the "useless" armistice. U.S. diplomats saw the issue as possibly tied to the leadership succession in Pyongyang, as Kim Jong Il was North Korea's "supreme commander" and needed to be seen as directing any military negotiations. (Documents 4, 5, 9 and 10); and
The implications for North Korean policies of the death of Kim Il Sung and the prolonged consolidation of Kim Jong Il in power, a delay caused in part by Kim's health problems. This led INR to conclude that "Kim Jong Il will have to make some leadership changes soon, to root out pockets of opposition and to put his own stamp on his regime." (Documents 6, 7 and 8)
Three additional documents from 2009-2010, originally made public by WikiLeaks, provide reports from the U.S. embassy in Seoul about:
The possible motivations and goals behind the "rapid deterioration" in inter-Korea relations since the election of conservative Lee Myung Bak as president. Lee had begun turning away from the policy of engagement with North Korea followed by his predecessors (Documents 12 and 13). As the cables report, Pyongyang was motivated to drive home its conviction that it, not Seoul, called the shots on the peninsula. The embassy stressed, however, "the apathy – even nonchalance – with which the ROK public has reacted to the DPRK's blasts. They see the DPRK as an object of pity, and the heightened North Korea rhetoric as a sign of distress rather than a realistic threat;" and
A discussion between former Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and South Korean officials and scholars on the prospects for the post-Kim Jong Il leadership (Document 14). The latter provides interesting assessments of Kim Jong Un's background and possible challenges to his claim to the leadership position, particularly from his brother-in-law, Jang Song Taek. The State Department viewed these in light of three alleged coup attempts against Kim Jong Il in the late 1990s.
Not since the first Clinton administration, when the U.S. seriously considered military options to counter Pyongyang's nuclear weapons ambitions, have North Korea's rhetoric and actions seemed to carry such potentially grave consequences, intended or not. North Korea has pronounced the 1953 armistice null and void, declared the Korean peninsula in a state of war, closed the Kaesong inter-Korean industrial complex, warned other governments to evacuate their embassies in Pyongyang due to the threat of war, announced it is restarting nuclear processing facilities to support production of nuclear weapons, and making preparations to test a medium-range missile from the east coast of North Korea, possibly on the anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birth. South Korea – all in response to the imposition of new UN economic sanctions on North Korea in retaliation for its recent nuclear weapons test.
While many if not most observers believe these actions are driven at heart by North Korea's persistent demand to be taken seriously by the U.S. and to engage in direct talks with Washington about such key topics as a final peace settlement for the peninsula, political recognition and economic assistance, (not to mention solidifying Kim Jong Un's leadership position with the military), these analysts also stress the potential for miscalculation by the young, untested North Korean leader. Current efforts to assess Kim Jong Un's personality and rationality can be viewed against the background of prior such efforts, discussed in these documents, which provide something of a baseline for seeing how far he may be departing from what has been taken as "normal" for North Korea.
Document 1: DPRK - Reaction to Patriots, The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, January 29, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
Source: FOIA
This assessment looks at how North Korea might react to reports that the U.S. planned to deploy Patriot missiles in South Korea. Pyongyang's initial response is characterized as typical: "to record its strong opposition without committing itself to any particular line of action while it sorts out its options." Looking at an unattributed commentary issued by North Korea, the analysis notes that while the Patriot plan is called an "unpardonable grave military challenge," no direct threats have yet been issued. North Korea's precise reactions will turn on future events, i.e., actual deployment of the missiles, or an announcement of the start of the Team Spirit joint military exercises.
Document 2: China: Potential Response to Korean Contingencies, DIA Special Report, January 31, 1994 (Secret)
This DIA analysis examines possible Chinese responses in different Korean contingencies related to North Korea's nuclear weapons program: the imposition of UN economic sanctions, and a military confrontation with North Korea. The report notes that Beijing faces special problems in dealing with Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. They need to "reconcile their interest in stability on the Korean Peninsula and long-standing ties to Pyongyang with their interests in a denuclearized peninsula, in avoiding isolation among UN Security Council (SC) members, and in maintaining stable relations with the US, Japan and South Korea." In the event of economic sanctions, China would likely work to ameliorate the impact on North Korea, with the primary goal of preventing a political crisis growing out of North Korea's economic collapse. If Pyongyang attacked South Korea, China would likely want to avoid giving military support and would work for an end to hostilities. Finally, if a broader war erupts involving US and South Korean forces, China likely would not respond with aggressive military action, but would take steps to secure its border and might consider deploying Chinese forces across the Yalu River to forestall the loss of all of North Korea to US and South Korea forces.
Document 3: DPRK: Hoping for Best, Bracing for Worst; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, March 29, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
This assessment comes as the crisis over North Korea's nuclear weapons program is deepening. The analysis argues that Pyongyang was surprised at how quickly the situation deteriorated with the US over the nuclear issue, and seemed to believe that the crisis was moving toward war. During what are described as cordial recent talks at Panmunjon, the North Koreans still presented with "remarkable frankness" the possibility of a pre-emptive attack by Pyongyang: "this will not be a situation like the Iraq war. We will not give you time to collect troops around Korea to attack us. We will not attack the South first, but if it is clear you are going to attack, then we will attack." There is also a possible internal political angle, as Kim Jong Il, who is closely associated with the negotiations with the U.S. on the nuclear issue, may be anxious to demonstrate he has not been "taken in" by Washington and can stand up to outside pressure.
Document 4: Cable, Seoul 03560 to SecState, Subject: North Korea Unilaterally Declares Military Armistice Commission (MAC) "Useless," Calls for "New Peace System," April 28, 1994 (Secret)
This cable reports a statement North Korea presented to the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) that declared the armistice had become "useless" and that the Korean People's Army (KPA) was going to cease participation in all MAC activities, would not recognize UNC participation in MAC functions, and that the KPA Supreme Command would deal directly with US Army representatives at Panmunjon to discuss military issues, including a new peace agreement. The South Korean Foreign Ministry's reaction to this announcement was calm, viewing it as a "step in a very familiar pattern." The US embassy in Seoul recommends taking a similarly calm approach, stressing there has been no change in the military situation on the peninsula, rejecting Pyongyang's claim that the armistice was "abrogated" by US actions such as the planned deployment of Patriot missiles, and refusing to negotiate bilaterally with North Korea a new arrangement to replace the armistice.
Document 5: DPRK: New Arrangements; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, April 29, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
Here, INR gives its initial read on North Korea's actions regarding the armistice reported on in the cable above. The move to do away with the armistice is seen as one of Pyongyang's central goals, one which it has pursued with additional diligence since the appointment of an ROK general as the UN Command's MAC member in 1991. The move is also seen as possibly tied to the leadership succession in Pyongyang, as Kim Jong Il is North Korea's "supreme commander" and needs to be seen as directing any military negotiations.
Document 6: DPRK: Death of Kim Il Sung; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, July 9, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
In its early comment on the rise of Kim Jong Il to lead North Korea, INR notes that the new leader is not an unknown factor: he had been in charge of most affairs in North Korea for years, and had been taking credit and "calling the shots" for the third round of US-DPRK talks on the nuclear issue.
Document 7: DPRK: Not Much Movement; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, July 23, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
Here, INR continues its assessments of the power succession in North Korea, examining the usual signs that Kim Jong Il is moving to solidify his position as the new leader, but notes there is no information, positive or negative, to judge the security of his position inside the North Korean leadership. Statements in the party-controlled press have warned against "the slightest attempt to damage" Kim Il Sung's accomplishments, which suggest that the policy of engagement with the U.S. begun under him will continue to receive support from the new leadership. On the other hand, because of South Korea's perceived disrespectful response to the elder Kim's death, prospects for a North-South summit seem diminished, if only for the moment.
Document 8: DPRK: Slow-Motion Succession; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, August 25, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
INR continues to sift the tea leaves on Kim Jong Il's leadership position, as health issues and signs of other "forces at work" seem to be delaying consolidation of his succession. Kim's health issues, reportedly including diabetes, have resulted in his prolonged public absence during a critical time, during which a leadership debate has seemed to reopen on two crucial policy areas: reunification and the economy. All in all, the INR analysts conclude that "Kim Jong Il will have to make some leadership changes soon, to root out pockets of opposition and to put his own stamp on his regime."
Document 9: China/DPRK: MAC "Recall;" The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, September 2, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
INR reports here on Beijing's decision, apparently made with little enthusiasm and only to signal support for Kim Jong Il, to recall its delegation from the Military Armistice Commission, inactive since North Korea rescinded its participation in April 1994 (see Documents 4 and 5 above). In reviewing this step, INR again tries to probe the motivations for North Korea's decision to withdraw from the MAC: while these steps were personally identified with Kim Jong Il, it was unclear whether they were tied into the next round of US-DPRK talks or to a longer-range strategy related to broader questions of peace and security on the peninsula after the nuclear issue has been resolved. Even after withdrawing from the MAC, Pyongyang stressed that it would continue to abide by the essential provisions of the armistice.
Document 10: DPRK: Raising the Armistice Issue; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, September 10, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
INR continues to probe and weigh the likely motivations behind North Korea's decision to replace the 1953 armistice with a new agreement, a step that INR believes is driven by practical and symbolic reasons. In taking this step, Pyongyang seems to be sensitive to South Korea's concerns, being both willing to play on these concerns for tactical reasons and aware that it is not realistic to exclude South Korea from any peace process. Internally, there are signs that the North Korean leadership reasoned that tangible changes in relations with the US would give pragmatists in the leadership leverage to carry out changes in economic and foreign policy. In moving slowly and carefully to dismantle the MAC machinery, it seems that North Korea does not want to destabilize the situation but does want the US to focus on the question of a new peace agreement.
Document 11: North Korea: "No" to Special Inspections; The Secretary's Morning Intelligence Summary, INR, September 28, 1994 (Top Secret/Codeword)
A particularly sharp escalation in North Korean rhetoric, issued in a rare, toughly worded public statement by the Ministry of People's Armed Forces regarding the negotiations over inspection of North Korea's nuclear facilities, provides the occasion for another INR attempt to read the tea leaves. The North Korean broadside accused the U.S. of looking for the opportunity to build up its forces on the peninsula "behind the curtain of talks," and of resorting to military threats, including operations of the USS Kitty Hawk and Independence in the waters around Korea. INR saw this statement as a challenge to members of the leadership who supported talks with the US, as the ministry's statement echoed traditional, hard-line rhetoric referring to the military's mission "to protect the socialist fatherland with guns, not words." While INR saw the tough statement as a reaction to perceived pressure by the US and believed it might be targeted as much at the domestic audience as at the US, analysts thought it might also signify leadership differences coming to a head, and in a more visible fashion given the slow pace of the leadership succession. Regardless of these contending factors, "brinkmanship is a mainstay of the North's negotiating repertoire," and a manufactured crisis may in the end force the US to agree to a better deal.
Document 12: Cable, Seoul 000062 to SecState, Subject: North-South Rhetoric: A Year of Chill, January 13, 2009 (Confidential)
Source: Wikileaks
This cable provides the U.S. embassy's assessment of the "rapid deterioration" in inter-Korea relations since the election of conservative Lee Myung Bak as ROK president a year earlier. (This begs comparison to the situation in 2013 confronting the new South Korea leader Park Geun Hye, daughter of long-time South Korean leader Park Chung Hee.) As the embassy sees it, Lee's decision to rewrite the ground rules of inter-Korea relations (established over the past ten years by his predecessors Roh Moo Hyun and Kim Dae Jung, and marked by the deliberate cutting off of all North-South contacts), demanded a strong response to demonstrate that Pyongyang is still calling the shots. Seoul's response has been "calm, even nonchalant," a position which enjoys significant public support. The cable provides a good summary of the back-and-forth between Seoul and Pyongyang over the past year. In its closing comments, the embassy observes that "The North greeted Lee Myung-bak, as it has done with other past ROK presidents, with hostility and bluster." but the cables author also notes that Pyongyang observed a certain etiquette, such warning Seoul several times before placing restrictions on border crossings.
Document 13: Cable, Seoul 000186 to SecState, Subject: Heated DPRK Rhetoric Gets Cool ROK Reaction, February 5, 2009 (Confidential)
This cable reports on the South Korean reaction to recent North Korean statements "nullifying" past inter-Korean agreements. Pyongyang's comments seemed designed to increase tensions among South Koreans, though that was not the result so far, based on talks at Blue House, the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Unification. Here, Pyongyang's "increasingly shrill" rhetoric is seen as a "desperate, but ineffective" effort to persuade ROK President Lee to change the South's policies on North-South relations (see cable above). The embassy also views the North's statement as a "plea for attention" from the new Obama administration. One concern voiced in the cable is that once the DRPK runs out of "rhetorical cards" to play, it may need to resort to a military provocation at sea or along the DMZ. The embassy also believes it unlikely that Pyongyang will close the Kaesong Industrial Complex, given the North's continued encouragement of business there in late 2008. In its comment, the embassy stresses "the apathy – even nonchalance – with which the ROK public has reacted to the DPRK's blasts. They see the DPRK as an object of pity, and the heightened North Korea rhetoric as a sign of distress rather than a realistic threat."
Document 14: Cable, Seoul 000248 to SecState, Subject: A/S Campbell Discusses DP
RK Future with Experts, February 18, 2010 (C)
This embassy cable reports on a meeting that Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held with five South Korean opinion leaders and experts about future prospects in North Korea, where "regime succession" was fully underway to prepare for the post-Kim Jong Il era. Here, Campbell hears that it is difficult to predict if Kim Jong Un will be able to succeed his father, Kim Jong Il, without "sparking instability" in North Korea. There is disagreement among the experts about Kim Jong Un's ability to secure the support of the ruling elites, with some arguing that his brother-in-law, Jang Song Taek, who has been spearheading the succession drive, could prove a strong rival and would probably be tempted to challenge him. Such coups were not unprecedented, as Kim Jong Il had foiled three such attempts in the late 1990s. Doubts are also expressed about Kim Jong Un's lack of experience, compared to his father who had twenty years of experience as an official of the Korean Worker's Party before his father died, as well as the benefit of years of guidance from Kim Jong Il after being officially named his father's successor in 1980. Finally, the experts agree that a critical factor is Beijing's obsession with North Korean stability at all costs.
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Rogue Sonoma County cannabis grows costing state $1.5M to clean - By Christina Molcillo – Emerald Report
Assembly member Jim Wood (D- Healdsburg) has just announced that the administration is providing $1.5 million in the state budget to fund environmental cleanup of illegal cannabis grow sites in Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino Counties. "Our beautiful pristine forests have become havens for these illegal grow sites," said Mr. Wood, who represents these North Coast counties. "These illegitimate growers have continued to ignore not only state laws for farming cannabis, but have left these sites ravaged by lethal chemicals, clear-cutting and thousands of pounds of trash."
Gov. Brown earmarks $1.5M for cleanup of Emerald Triangle marijuana grow sites – Redwood Times - By Will Houston
California Gov. Jerry Brown is earmarking $1.5 million in his May revise budget for cleanup of environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana farms within the state's cultivation heartland in Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties. "These illegal grow sites do untold damage to forests and wildlife along the North Coast and with Assemblymember [Jim] Wood's leadership, we're doing something about it," Brown said in a Wednesday statement.
State Kicks Down $1.5M for Cleanup of Illegal Weed Grow Operations in the Emerald Triangle – Lost Coast Outpost - Ryan Burns
The Brown administration, a passionate proponent of environmental protection, is providing $1.5 million in the state budget to fund environmental cleanup of illegal cannabis grow sites in Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino Counties. "These illegal grow sites do untold damage to forests and wildlife along the North Coast and with Assemblymember Wood's leadership, we're doing something about it," said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Brown earmarks $1.5M for cleanup of illegal marijuana grows in Emerald Triangle - By Will Houston, Eureka Times
California Gov. Jerry Brown is earmarking $1.5 million in his May revise budget for cleanup of environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana farms within the state's cultivation heartland in Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties. "These illegal grow sites do untold damage to forests and wildlife along the North Coast and with Assemblymember [Jim] Wood's leadership, we're doing something about it," Brown said in a statement Wednesday.
Gov. Brown to budget $1.5 million to clean up after illegal pot farming along North Coast – LA Times - Patrick McGreevy
Gov. Jerry Brown's amended budget to be released Thursday includes $1.5 million to pay for cleanup of environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana grows in the Emerald Triangle — the counties of Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino, officials said Wednesday. Brown's proposal comes just months before the state is expected to begin issuing licenses for growing pot to be sold for recreational and medical uses.
Gov. Brown earmarks $1.5M for cleanup of Emerald Triangle marijuana grow sites - By The Times-Standard
The following is a press release issued by the office of North Coast Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg): The Brown administration, a passionate proponent of environmental protection, is providing $1.5 million in the state budget to fund environmental cleanup of illegal cannabis grow sites in Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino Counties. "These illegal grow sites do untold damage to forests and wildlife along the North Coast and with Assemblymember Wood's leadership, we're doing something about it," said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Wood and Caltrans reach broadband agreement
MENDOCINO VOICE--After more than two years of legislative discussion, the north coast's Assemblyman Jim Wood has announced an agreement with Caltrans over the installation of broadband conduit during Caltrans projects. According to a press release from Wood sent last week, Caltrans has agreed to establish a policy by July 1 that would require the agency to install broadband conduit in priority corridors throughout the state when undertaking trenching projects.
Drug Prices, Opioids, And Obamacare: A Conversation With Assemblyman Jim Wood
California policymakers are facing a busy year, as a Republican-controlled Congress inches closer to rolling back key provisions of the Affordable Care Act and debate over high drug costs continues.
Assemblymember Jim Wood, D–Healdsburg, helps set priorities for health policymaking as chairman of the Assembly Health Committee. The former family dentist represents a 300-mile Northern California coastal stretch that spans from Sonoma County all the way up to the Oregon border.


Home > Newsroom > News archive > 2019 > July > Brexit deal "wasn't imposed" on UK, says Minister
European Union – Climate/Brexit – Interview given by Mme Amélie de Montchalin, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to France 2 (excerpts)
Q. – So European politics has been extremely intense this week, but we're going to begin by talking about the heatwave, which hasn't just been affecting France: several records have been broken all over Europe. One question: what is Europe doing about the climate and global warming? It doesn't feel like much.
THE MINISTER – Actually Europe is already trying to move beyond the notion that this can be dealt with by national emergency plans, and get to the bottom, to the root of these wholly unusual climate patterns – climate change. So in March France proposed that we set a very ambitious target so that in September, at the major global climate meeting at the United Nations, Europe arrives united and puts across a strong message, and above all, proposals. We, four countries, did this in March, there were eight of us in May and we've ended up with 24 countries. So 24 countries out of 28 are today saying that if we aren't carbon neutral by 2050, the phenomena we've experienced this week will be repeated. As regards the solutions, we're trying to set money aside for investment right now.
Q. – Tangible things.
THE MINISTER – Very tangible things as regards mobility, housing, agriculture too, in order to have a genuine transition. When there are times like what has happened, you pool resources. Didier Guillaume negotiated on the CAP, so we could get aid for farmers, and also money, because clearly a lot of crops are going to be lost, and Canadair planes too, because often, with droughts come major fires. And so we're pooling resources.
What matters is for us to have in our European budget, which is going to be negotiated in the next few weeks, the wherewithal for the transition to take place. And clearly there are countries which need to invest on a huge scale – including France. We want to put 1,000 billion [euros] into this ecological, environmental climate transition. This also concerns biodiversity, pollution. It's a huge effort, and what we're doing here is, basically, we're the guarantors of the Paris Agreement. It was signed in Paris, we need to keep the agreement strong and therefore implement it in Europe in full.
Boris Johnson/Brexit
Q. – (…) This week in London, Boris Johnson made his entry into 10 Downing Street, officially Britain's new prime minister, a sensational entry; we're less than 100 days away from the date scheduled for Brexit. He's promising – I quote – "a better deal" for the British, deeming the current terms "unacceptable". Is France prepared to renegotiate the deal?
THE MINISTER – I think we need to reset the terms of the debate a bit. Firstly, I prefer to comment on deeds rather than words – especially what's said during a campaign or what's said on entering government…
Q. – He's Prime Minister now.
THE MINISTER – So I prefer to work with him; I'll be having discussions with my counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian with his, Bruno Le Maire – we're working with the government which is being formed. The President will have a meeting with Boris Johnson in France in the next few weeks.
Q. – It's being said this may be at Brégançon [an official residence of the President]?
THE MINISTER – At the moment I don't know where or when, but at any rate we're looking forward to working with him.
Q. – Does this mean he isn't a bogeyman, as some are saying?
THE MINISTER – Look, above all we need – you know he's a partner who will remain so after Brexit, [the UK] is a country which will remain very close to us. We've always had very strong links when it comes to defence and the economy, and social and cultural ties, so the future relationship will be strong.
Q. – But do you agree on renegotiating the deal that was negotiated with Theresa May, yes or no?
THE MINISTER – We have to be very clear on this. We've always said that if the United Kingdom wants to leave the European Union, and if it wants to do so in an orderly fashion, the best thing we have is the deal. Why is the deal being talked about?
Q. – So no question of renegotiating the deal that is on the table?
THE MINISTER – Look, it wasn't imposed on the British: it was two years of work between Michel Barnier's teams in Brussels and the British teams to tell each other, point by point, pragmatically, realistically, concretely, how we can establish that there's a before and an after. It's not us who want there to be a before and an after.
Q. – It was rejected three times by the British Parliament.
THE MINISTER – Yes, and so what we're trying to say is that – in this agreement we're just trying to say: this is how we separate. But for me the key thing, what I'd like to do in the coming weeks, is for us to get through this stage and negotiate coolly, calmly, under calm conditions, how we work afterwards, how we work tomorrow.
Q. – So you're ready to negotiate the future relationship, but we're not going back on the divorce agreement.
THE MINISTER – That's what we all say, because we think this divorce agreement, if you call it that, was prepared over two years, it wasn't imposed as an obligation on the British.
Q. – Boris Johnson is saying: we'll leave at all costs on 31 October, even if it's what's called a "no deal", even if it's without an agreement.
THE MINISTER – I know he's saying that. The European Council actually set that deadline. What I myself see is that the European project has been a project of trust, a project of responsibility, of understanding that others apply the same standards as me, the same rules as me, and therefore I trust them. It means I trust them to ensure goods and people can move back and forth across borders.
Q. – You'd clearly rather there was an agreement.
THE MINISTER – Yes.
Q. – As for this withdrawal by 31 October, could the 31 October date be postponed or not?
THE MINISTER – We've always said there must be very, very good reasons to postpone the date.
Q. – So you're not ruling it out.
THE MINISTER – In diplomacy, if you have absolute red lines, that often creates tensions. We set 31 October, we have the agreement on the table; what there is to renegotiate and still to negotiate is the future relationship, and we must be responsible. That means we must be clear and predictable – that's what I'm saying to you. And we should also manage to create a working relationship, not get involved in game-playing, posturing and provocation. That's what we're trying to do.
But I want to say, and French people really must understand, that if there's no deal it basically means we'll have no relations of trust. The Swiss and the Norwegians are not in the European Union, but we trust them because we've created a trading relationship with them, a cultural relationship, a calm economic relationship. What we're seeking is to calm things down.
Q. – You want to keep that pact of trust for what comes later.
THE MINISTER – Exactly. (…)./.
UK sovereignty on Brexit must be respected - Minister
Brexit extension: reaction from Europe Minister
France wants EU budget to support ecological transition
Burma: France is "fully mobilized" with its partners regarding Rohingya situation


Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy
Results 22 resources
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Eh, E. (2018). A Confucian Perspective on Tertiary Education for the Common Good. The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 3, 26–34. https://mrijournal.riccimac.org/articles/issue_03/eng/3_MRI_Journal_Issue_Three_(EE_English).pdf
Eh, E. (2021). Aristotle, Lubich And Ratzinger On A New Economic Paradigm. The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 7. http://mrijournal.riccimac.org/index.php/en/issues/issue-7/160-aristotle-lubich-and-ratzinger-on-a-new-economic-paradigm
MONERA, A. (2016). Baptism as Christian Initiation in the New Testament. Orientis Aura, 1(1), 7–30.
McNabb, T., & DeVito, M. (2021). Basic Beliefs, the Embryo Rescue Case, and Single-Issue Voting: A Response to Dustin Crummett. The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, 21(2), 203–208. https://www.pdcnet.org/pdc/bvdb.nsf/purchase?openform&fp=ncbq&id=ncbq_2021_0021_0002_0203_0208
Eh, E. (2017). Chinese Religious Syncretism in Macau | Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies. 2, 61–78. https://journals.usj.edu.mo/index.php/orientisaura/article/view/20/16
Eleutério, J. M. (2017). Church in the Making: An Apophatic Ecclesiology of Consubstantiality. Theological Studies, 4(78), 1007–1008.
DeVito, M., & McNabb, T. D. (2021). Divine foreknowledge and human free will: Embracing the paradox. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11153-021-09791-1
Gassner, F. (2016). Education in Religious Freedom. Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies, 1, 77–99. https://journals.usj.edu.mo/index.php/orientisaura/article/view/10
Gassner, F. (2016). Education in Religious Freedom: Path to Peace and Stability. Orientis Aura, 1, 77–99.
Morgan, S. (2021). 'Em Procissão Solene a Deus Orando, para os Batéis Viemos Caminhando'—The Long Ebb-Tide of Catholic Public Piety in the Former-Portuguese Enclave of Macao. Religions, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12030193
Gassner, F. (2021). Ethical Investment's Visible Hand: Methods And Transformative Potentials. The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 7. http://mrijournal.riccimac.org/index.php/en/issues/issue-7/166-ethical-investment-s-visible-hand-methods-and-transformative-potentials
McNabb, T., & DeVito, M. (2020). Has Oppy Done Away with the Aristotelian Proof? The Heythrop Journal, 61(5), 723–731. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13604
McIntosh, C. A., & McNabb, T. D. (2021). Houston, Do We Have a Problem? Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life and Christian Belief. Philosophia Christi, 23(1), 101–124. https://doi.org/10.5840/pc202123110
Morgan, S. (2021). 'Navigation for an ocean of interminable scepticism' revisited: John Henry Newman and the place of theology in the university. International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church, 21(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/1474225X.2021.1997030
McNabb, T. D. (2020). Pestilent Popes or a Pestilent Church? Judaism, Catholicism, and Skeptical Theism. The Heythrop Journal, 61(4), 671–676. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13571
Gassner, F. (2018). Science and Laudato Si' on the Paradigm Shift towards Sustainable Development. The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2. https://mrijournal.riccimac.org/index.php/en/issues/issue-2/24-science-and-laudato-si-on-the-paradigmshifttowards-sustainable-development
Stilwell, P. (2013). Signos de los tiempos: desafío a la Nueva Evangelización. El Concilo Vaticano II. Uma Perspectiva teológia. Vicente Vide - José R. Villar (Eds.) San Pablo: Madrid, 2013: 545–559.
Gomez, F. (2016). Vatican II. Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives In Religious Studies, 1. https://journals.usj.edu.mo/index.php/orientisaura/article/view/9
Sivin, N., Akasoy, A., Anderson, W., Colas, G., & Eh, E. (2018). What Kinds of Comparison Are Most Useful in the Study of World Philosophies? Journal of World Philosophies, 3(2), 75–97. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/iupjournals/index.php/jwp/article/view/2156/192
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Africa Social
Is the US Warming Up to Working at Berbera?
Odindo Ayeko,
In yet another clear indication that the United States is warming up to Somaliland with interest in the port city of Berbera, a US Air Force plane over the weekend landed in the port city of the Horn of Africa nation for an undisclosed mission.
Reports emanating from Somaliland indicate the United States Air Force C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport plane landed in Berbera airport, the first military plane from the country to land at the base since it was upgraded and opened in June.
Sources close to Somaliland leadership indicate has approached President Muse Bihi Abdi through a third party for a potential alternative aid corridor to Djibouti.
While reports show no agreement has been reached, the US has previously indicated it was ready to work with Somaliland after it supported the newfound partnership between the East African nation and Taiwan last year against to the chagrin of Asian superpower China.
The United States is indicated is interested in using the Berbera airport and port. Both facilities have been recently upgraded to international standards.
Conflict in Ethiopia's northern regions Tigray, Afar, and Amhara is also creating a potential chokepoint that may hamper humanitarian aid delivery to the people of Tigray through Djibouti. Most imports to Ethiopia come via this rail system.
Somaliland which remains unrecognized since parting with Somalia in May 1991, has operated as an independent state and a rare bastion of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
The country with its own government, military, police and currency has primed itself into a position where it can challenge Djibouti's dominance as the region's military and shipping hub.
The Horn of Africa is one of the most strategic regions on earth and Somaliland's Port of Berbera will be able to mount a challenge against Djibouti's dominance in the region as a hub for shipping and military bases for foreign countries.
Somaliland's development is also tied to Ethiopia's economic and population boom and the significant Chinese investment in that part of the Horn of Africa.
Tanzania Fuel Shortages – African Energy Chamber Hopeful for a Quick Resolution
7th July 2020 Godfrey Ivudria
The African Energy Chamber is calling for the respect of the rule of law, and asking that they be afforded all due processes as required by Tanzanian law JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 6, 2020/ — The African Energy Chamber expresses its concerns over the alleged arrest and detention of three energy executives in Tanzania last […]
Africa needs policies to protect its economies from vulnerabilities – ECA
21st March 2019 EABW Editor
African countries need policies that can help build resilience, raise potential growth and inclusiveness if the continent is to achieve the sustainable development goals and aspirations of Africa's Agenda 2063. This was said Wednesday by Adam Elhiraika, Director of the Macroeconomics and Governance Division of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in his presentation to […]
Trade Misinvoicing Leads to Massive Revenue Losses in South Africa – Study
Analysis of trade misinvoicing in South Africa from 2010 – 2014 shows that the potential average loss of revenue to the government was approximately $7.4 billion per year or $37 billion during the period studied, according to a new study by Global Financial Integrity. The report, titled South Africa: Potential Revenue Losses Associated with Trade Misinvoicing, […]
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Telemedicine market may touch Rs 200 cr-mark by 2020: Assocham
By: PTI |
New Delhi | Updated: June 5, 2016 10:57:50 AM
The country's telemedicine sector is expected to double to USD 32 million (about Rs 210 crore) by 2020, industry body Assocham has said.
"With limited resources and much of the population living in remote, rural areas (68 per cent), telemedicine has the potential to revolutionise delivery of healthcare in India," it said. (PTI)
The country's telemedicine sector is expected to double to USD 32 million (about Rs 210 crore) by 2020, industry body Assocham has said.
Currently, the sector's market size stands at USD 15 million (about Rs 100 crore), it said.
"With limited resources and much of the population living in remote, rural areas (68 per cent), telemedicine has the potential to revolutionise delivery of healthcare in India," it said.
Telemedicine involves use of telecommunication and IT in extending healthcare facilities particularly in remote areas.
The chamber said efforts are needed to create an overarching framework from primary to district healthcare centres and issues like bandwidth and connectivity need to be fixed to boost the sector's growth.
"Growth of a sustainable telemedicine network in India depends upon introduction of legal frameworks, development of national e-health policies, trained human resource and regular funding," it added.
Improved access to specialists, increased patient satisfaction with care, improved clinical outcomes, reduction in emergency room utilisation, cost savings are certain key benefits of telemedicine, it said.
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ASSOCHAM hails India growth story; advocates investments for job growth


The new Dao Ming Si
ojpy / September 4, 2018
Dao Ming Si/Domyouji has always been my favorite character in the manga and live drama.
As a character, Dao Ming Si is spoiled, rude, violent. Not really positive traits and enough to make girls run very, very fast to very, very far (though when it comes to the girl he loves, Ah Si is both a fighter and a lover.) Obviously, he's not exactly a politically correct character. We all know that. Yet we still swooned over his many resurrections anyway from Jerry Yan to Matsumoto Jun to Lee Min Ho and now, Dylan Wang He Di.
But relax. This is just a drama character (thank goodness).
What I like about the latest adaptation, Meteor Garden 2018, is that it was able to flesh out and make room for substantial character development. It's obviously because they had many episodes to do that so Dao Ming Si's emotional and mental growth from a spoiled boy to a grown man felt organic.
At the root of Dao Ming Si's immaturity is a poor little rich boy who grew up with money and not much else. But this Dao Ming Si was also different. He's got the smarts (earned his first million from stock trading when he was 18) and didn't mix up his idioms though this was the root of many things funny about the character in the first place. In fact, this was one thing I missed most in Dylan's version because this made for such genuine comedic moments in the previous Dao Ming Si/Domyouji.
And while previous portrayals made Ah Si such an overbearing classist, it was toned down in this version (in accordance with censorship guidelines in China). Sure, he still commented on how small the Dongs' house was and even attempted to transform Shan Cai into a woman of class by giving her a makeover he thought she'd appreciate. Most of this snobbishness came from the fact that he has been surrounded by wealth since he was young (he's puzzled why Shan Cai can't afford to go to Hawaii for a vacation) so he hasn't known of any other world but that of luxury and comfort and he thought that everything can be bought or compensated with money and influence. Poverty and mundane concerns of regular folks were alien to him. To his credit, he did not dwell or obsess over these details and realized that being insensitive was not going to win her over.
Sure, it took him a long time to understand this but when he begrudgingly started to pursue Shan Cai seriously instead of playing childish pranks on her, he did it in the most endearing ways. He tried to adjust to her lifestyle (such as moving in to the apartment next to her that had a lot of bugs and a small bed his tall frame couldn't fit in), be friends with her friends (he accompanied Shan Cai to karaoke to cheer up Xiao You even if he wasn't really keen on it) and be a reliable support she and her family could rely on (he offered his black card without any second thoughts to help out Shan Cai's father when he got into trouble, and even stated with pride that it's money he earned). He also tried to see things from her perspective. For instance, in that scene where he bought her shoes, he didn't take her to his usual playground of signature shops (the old Dao Ming Si would have done so) but instead they went to the small shop where she's been buying her shoes since grade school, and in the end, even declared that the shoes were "surprisingly okay." He tried out commoners' food, attempted to go on a commoners' date and remained polite in dealing with them (unless provoked); and maybe, to a certain extent, all these new experiences represented an adventure for him.
Let's not forget that Ah Si is just a child at heart, wrought by a lonely childhood where his authority figure was his older sister. The way he behaved towards his friends and Shan Cai was akin to a grade schooler in a playground fight. In his sister's words: "Ah Si is actually a kind person. He's not mean at all. He just doesn't know how to express himself. Actually he's just a big kid that wants to be loved."
As a newbie actor, Didi did very well. On the surface it may seem that the Dao Ming Si role is easy to play. Just act like a brat and bully and that's it. But the truth is, Dao Ming Si is wrapped in many layers of complexities: a kid who did not get the attention of his parents growing up, a kid who was used to have his way and if he didn't, getting his way by means of force, and yet, buried deeper within was a boy who has built all these walls to protect himself from loneliness, and who just wanted to be loved.
The range that Didi exhibited to express all these layers was very impressive, considering that this is his first acting role. These are some of the scenes that stood out and displayed his thespic talent: that bridge game when he looked at Shan Cai with the hurt and fear of losing her to his best friend and rival; that drunk scene where he cried yet pretended to be very happy; that hotpot scene in London where he put a brave front while letting her go; and basically just every scene where Shan Cai rejected him and you could see the pain, confusion, frustration and anger all mirrored palpably in his eyes.
That's why when Shan Cai finally accepted and loved him unconditionally the same way that he did, and despite her fears of only being able to return 10 percent of his feelings, you couldn't blame her. Because despite Ah Si's personality flaws, he has endeared himself at this point not only to her but to the audience, including me who has watched two other drama adaptations with equally convincing and memorable Dao Ming Si and Domyouji.
An article has described Dylan's Dao Ming Si as endearing, and this is so true. It would seem that Didi has studied the manga so thoroughly that he perfectly translated his facial expressions from the comics pages to the small screen. His chiseled looks made it look like the manga had come to life indeed; but even if he's the best looking actor in the entire universe, the portrayal would have fallen flat like when Dao Ming Si was kicked by Shan Cai, if he couldn't act. Dylan's looks may be the first thing that gets people's attention but it's his effective portrayal as Dao Ming Si that they'd remember. And more than his height and looks, it's his eyes that are his primary asset. And as an actor, this would propel him to greater heights if used and developed properly. Rest assured he will be able to hone that talent further in future projects.
I'm looking forward to how Dylan will chart his course from hereon. Thank you for giving us a Dao Ming Si that was simple yet complex, that captured the essence of a man-child and his journey to self-discovery, love and happiness.
September 4, 2018 in blog, popasia. Tags: China, Drama, Dylan Wang, MeteorGarden
Meteor Garden, and 17 years in between
pandas, shui zhu yu and Dylan Wang
Domyouji returns…
← Meteor Garden, and 17 years in between
notes from a battle-scarred fan →
2 thoughts on "The new Dao Ming Si"
101% agreed!!! I am so happy I stumbled upon this adaptation as I was introduced to this awesome newbie… and now I am a fan. I pray for more successes and all that he deserves
ojpy says:
Amen! Looking forward to him reaching his full potential. He is still young, I hope he sustains and nurtures the gains he has made from his debut role.


Book/Printed Material Consolidation of rural schools and transportation of pupils at public expense
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Consolidation of rural schools and transportation of pupils at public expense
Monahan, A. C. (Arthur Coleman), 1877-
Washington : G.P.O., 1914.
- Schools--Centralization
- Rural schools
- School children--Transportation
- Includes index.
- L111.A6 with: Agricultural teaching / American Association for the Advancement of Agricultural Teaching. Washington : Govt. Print. Off., 1914. Bound together subsequent to publication.
- Bibliography: p. 101-104.
- Also available in digital form.
108 p., 17 p. of plates : ill. ; 23 cm.
L111 .A6 1914, no. 30
LB2861 .M6
https://lccn.loc.gov/e15000098
General Collections (133,368)
Selected Digitized Books (152,688)
Monahan, A. C. (Arthur Coleman)
The books in this collection are in the public domain and are free to use and reuse.
Credit Line: Library of Congress
More about Copyright and other Restrictions.
Monahan, A. C. Consolidation of Rural Schools and Transportation of Pupils at Public Expense . Washington: G.P.O, 1914. Image. https://www.loc.gov/item/e15000098/.
Monahan, A. C. (1914) Consolidation of Rural Schools and Transportation of Pupils at Public Expense . Washington: G.P.O. [Image] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/e15000098/.
Monahan, A. C. Consolidation of Rural Schools and Transportation of Pupils at Public Expense . Washington: G.P.O, 1914. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/e15000098/>.
Essential features of laws concerning transportation of pupils Caption title. At head of title: ... Department of the interior. Bureau of education. Washington, D. C. Also available in digital form.
Contributor: Lathrop, Edith A. (Edith Anna)
Rural school situation in Tennessee; bulletin of information regarding consolidation of schools and transportation of pupils. Also available in digital form.
Contributor: Tennessee. Department of Public Instruction
Consolidation of rural schools. State of Nebraska, Department of public instruction... E. C. Bishop, state superintendent. Also available in digital form.
Contributor: Nebraska. Department of Public Instructon
Possible consolidations of rural schools in Delaware, Also available in digital form.
Contributor: Strayer, George D. (George Drayton) - Hart, F. W. - Engelhardt, N. L. (Nickolaus Louis)
Rural school consolidation in Missouri Bibliography: p. 35-36. Also available in digital form.
Contributor: Kunkel, L. O. (Louis Otto) - Charters, Werrett Wallace
[Smiling young school children running out the entrance of a school building in the Kiangsu Province ... 1 photographic print : gelatin silver.
Contributor: Rothstein, Arthur
Inch by inch 1 drawing on layered paper board : crayon, ink, blue pencil and white out over pencil. | Cartoon shows three schoolchildren pushing against the door of "School segregation." They have managed to...
Contributor: Mauldin, Bill
Caesar Mt. School, - one of the remote rural schools in Pocahontas Co. An average school ... 1 photographic print.
Contributor: Hine, Lewis Wickes
The first day at school - one of the Pocahontas County rural schools. Location: Pocahontas County, ... 1 photographic print.


Otis December 16, 2022 No Comments
Russian forces fired 60 missiles and carried out drone attacks across Ukraine on Friday, officials said, striking the capital Kyiv and cities in the north, south, west and centre.
Two people were killed when a residential building was hit in Kryvyi Rih and a third died in Kherson.
Attacks have intensified this week as Russia targets Ukraine's civilian infrastructure.
Power was completely down in Kharkiv in the north and several other regions.
The alarm was raised across Ukraine and air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said in total 60 missiles had been fired. Earlier reports said drones were also involved.
One rocket hit a residential building in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, leaving at least two people dead and eight wounded, authorities said.
And in the southern city of Kherson, a third death was announced by prosecutors in an attack that set a block of flats alight before dawn on Friday. Two people were killed in shelling in the centre of Kherson on Thursday.
The attacks cut power throughout Ukraine's second biggest city Kharkiv as well as in the Sumy region close to the northern border with Russia and in the central cities of Poltava and Kremenchuk. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the presidential office, said emergency power outages were taking place across the country.
Ukraine has accused Russia of "weaponising winter" by striking essential facilities as temperatures plummet. Defence ministry adviser Yuriy Sak told the BBC that emergency services were working to restore supplies but the situation was "still difficult".
Russia has launched more than 1,000 missiles and Iranian-made attack drones since mid-October, although most of them have been intercepted by air defence.
UN human rights commissioner Volker Turk warned on Thursday that further attacks on power facilities could "lead to a further serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation and spark more displacement".
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this week that Russian strikes had damaged "all thermal and hydroelectric power plants", leading to widespread blackouts and interruptions in heating and water supplies.
In some areas, electricity is only available a few hours per day.
Fifteen rockets were reportedly fired at Zaporizhzhia in the south while Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said several areas of the city were hit. Damage to energy infrastructure had affected the capital's water supplies and city metro lines were for the moment not running, he said.
The head of the regional administration, Oleksiy Kuleba, said Russia was "massively attacking Ukraine".
Authorities say Russia is responding to military setbacks on the battlefield, following Ukraine's recent successes in retaking occupied territory, including Kherson a month ago.
"They need to compensate for it. They're trying to create conditions to force Ukraine to negotiate. This will not happen. This is not going to work," Mr Sak told the BBC. He said Russia's Vladimir Putin still wanted to control the whole of Ukraine and the message was that the war was far from over.
It is unclear why Russia has intensified its strikes this week, but US President Joe Biden is reportedly finalising plans to send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine, after months of requests from Kyiv.
Ukraine's air defences have had considerable success in limiting casualties from Russian air attack and Kyiv authorities said all 13 drones launched at Kyiv on Wednesday were successfully shot down.
Russia's war in Ukraine has been losing momentum, almost 10 months into its invasion. But Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov warned there was mounting evidence that Russia was planning a broad new offensive, possibly early next year.
"The Russians are preparing some 200,000 fresh troops. I have no doubt they will have another go at Kyiv," the head of the armed forces, Gen Valery Zaluzhny, told the Economist.
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The Augmented Reality Game Grows In Australia And Asia-Pacific
Simon Lockington, Director of Global Solutions Enablement, Equinix Asia-Pacific, reviews the growth and effectiveness of Augmented Reality.
by Women Love Tech 29/08/2019, 9:59 am
A couple of years ago, people went crazy over Pokémon Go, an Augmented Reality mobile game which sent gamers from all walks of life and of different ages, on to the streets with their smart phones in hand to capture Pokémon as they appeared.
Using the phone's camera with mobile location services, a Pokémon overlay video would appear on the phone display as if seen in a real-world environment. This proved to be a winning mix for gamers in search of a truly interactive experience.
Pokemon Go used Augmented Reality to enrich the gaming experience
The game introduced AR to consumers and mainstream businesses alike. It took a technology that had been deemed 'difficult' and 'expensive' and showed the revolutionary impact it could have on consumer experiences.
According to IDC, spending in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) on augmented reality and virtual reality will reach approximately AU$10.15 billion in 2019, representing an increase of 75.2% on the previous year. On top of this, consumer and enterprise/commercial spend on AR/VR products and services is expected to grow at a five-year CAGR of 70.7% between 2017 and 2022.
This rapid growth is hardly surprising. AR gives a user an interactive and immersive experience in a real-world environment, by adding layers of data and virtual objects onto a live view. Today, it's not only gaming that is embracing AR. Different sectors are also applying it to enrich customer experience and interactivity with apps as they seek to gain competitive advantage.
AR in action in Australia
According to PayPal's 2018 mobile commerce Trends Report around a third of Australian SMB retailers with online stores are currently developing, or intending to develop, an AR experience for their customers. AR is expected to be a huge trend for retailers in 2019, with the AR market expected to reach AU$215 billion by 2021.
Sweep Augmented Reality Retail app : https://womenlovetech.com/shopping-apps-to-help-you-save-money-sweep-and-shping/
In 2016, Specsavers launched Virtual Try On; an app that allows its customers to upload an image of their face and try on glasses using mobile devices – whether it's a tablet, laptop or smartphone. The feature allows shoppers to see themselves in the hundreds of styles of glasses and sunglasses Specsavers has on offer. In a similar move, IKEA launched the IKEA Place app that enables customers to virtually place a full range of IKEA products – including sofas, lamps, rugs and tables – into their space to ensure it's right for their room.
Augmented Reality is now used effectively by Ikea
AR is an exciting innovation for the tourism industry, allowing travellers access to more information about the destinations they want to visit to better plan their trips. Airlines and hotels are starting to provide AR apps offering virtual tours to explore different rooms and other facilities before making a booking. For example, Airbus iflyA380 is an iOS app with AR incorporated to let passengers take a virtual tour of the jetliner, including a peak into the cockpit.
Tourist hotspots such as museums, theme parks and historical sites are adopting AR to create interactive maps and direct visitors to interesting locations. For example, indigital uses drones, 4D mapping software, image recognition software and cultural law to bring Indigenous Australian cultural sites to life.
Education and Workforce Training
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is particularly true when it comes to education. When a student can see, touch and interact with an object, the lesson becomes far more engaging. As a result, AR has made its way into workforce training programs, particularly in specialised industries due to its cost-effectiveness, safety and reach.
In 2018, The NSW Department of Education and the Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate launched Australia's first augmented reality and digital skills initiative, The Njulgang Project. The program helped 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to learn about local culture and language from a group of Dharawal Elders and bring to life what they learned by creating an AR language learning resource based on the Dharawal Dreaming Story – 'How the Animals Came to Dharawal Country'.
AR's ability to combine reality with digital content is proving beneficial to car manufacturers on a variety of fronts, including allowing sales staff to demonstrate safety features in dealerships before customers make a purchase.
Hyundai rolled out an AR tool in 2017 to dealerships across Australia to help sales staff demonstrate the features of its new 'Reinvented i30' hatchback. The AR app enables sales staff to show potential buyers a car's built in safety features as well as colour and accessory options.
AR is also a powerful technology for those in the healthcare sector, providing immersive training for surgical procedures and offering a way to practice without risk.
Scans are a key diagnostic tool for today's doctors, but MRIs and CT reports are one-dimensional. Using AR, a surgeon can layer virtual three-dimensional images of the same scans to produce an overview of the inside of the patient – complete with organs, blood vessels, and muscles – to understand any potential complications before surgery.
Interconnection: Speeding up AR
The successful applications of AR highly depend on the rapid transfer of real-time data generated from multiple touchpoints, such as customers, enterprises and service providers. The increased use of mobile and IoT devices also demands the processing of big data to make AR apps feasible for practical use.
The data involved in these apps includes images, visuals and audio, which need to be stored, analysed and transmitted constantly and instantaneously to enable users of AR apps to react and interact in real-time.
While cloud and network service providers play an important role in supporting the use of AR, enterprises need scalable storage and high interconnectivity between multiple parties to ensure the seamless delivery of AR-enabled experiences to app users and customers. How can they achieve this? Through Interconnection, also known as the private data exchange between businesses.
The second annual Global Interconnection Index, a market study published by Equinix, reveals Asia-Pacific's Interconnection Bandwidth is expected to grow at a 51% CAGR to 2,200+ Tbps by 2021, meaning that interconnection is becoming the defacto method for companies to operate in today's digital world. Businesses need to adopt an interconnection-first approach in order to directly and securely interconnect partners and service providers as well as users, analyse data and engage with customers in real time.
AR is transforming the way we work. With interconnection, the potential of AR can be fully unlocked to further enhance customer experience and offer more benefits to enterprises in the digital era.
Women Love Tech would like to thank Simon Lockington, Director of Global Solutions Enablement, Equinix Asia-Pacific for his article.
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Why hasn't Michigan set PFAS limits for drinking water yet?
Updated Jan 29, 2019; Posted Oct 17, 2018
Inside Plainfield Township's new PFAS water treatment
Gallery: Inside Plainfield Township's new PFAS water treatment
By Garret Ellison | gellison@mlive.com
In a state where toxic chemicals from both military and industrial sources are found at dozens of sites and in water serving thousands of people, regulators soon will propose hard, enforceable limits for how much of those contaminants can be in drinking water.
That state is not Michigan.
The Republican-led government in New Hampshire is joining the state of New Jersey in taking a logical next step in PFAS response: Namely, establishing a legally enforceable standard for the chemicals in drinking water that public supply operators would be required to comply with under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Starting Jan. 1, New Hampshire will begin setting an MCL, or maximum contaminant level, for PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS -- four PFAS compounds which are now regularly being found in both public and private drinking water supplies across Michigan.
Despite Michigan's widely praised effort to find PFAS contamination, state leaders have moved slowly toward setting a drinking water standard to regulate the persistent, toxic and pervasive "forever chemicals." This failure to act swiftly comes despite data showing that nearly 1.9 million people have been drinking some level of PFAS chemicals -- and statewide testing isn't even done yet.
What is stopping Michigan, which lauds itself as a national leader in tackling PFAS pollution, from doing what other states already are?
The question has been raised with increasing urgency.
"I think it's imperative that states pass a drinking water standard for these chemicals and they do it quickly," said Judith Enck, a former regional administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency under the Obama Administration.
Slow to take next step
Experts who are watching and waiting to see how Michigan will act say the next step is obvious: Pass a drinking water standard, preferably a strict one set at low concentration levels adequate to protect infants and unborn children from developmental effects of PFAS exposure.
But Michigan has been reluctant to make that move.
Throughout the spring and summer, Michigan Democrats kept asking why a House bill proposing a very low standard was languishing in committee, unable to get any acknowledgement from Republicans even as contamination was found in ever more places.
As of Oct. 16, 55 municipal systems in Michigan have found at least traces of PFAS their supply. The list includes cities like Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Bay City, Saginaw, Port Huron, Monroe, Escanaba, Grand Haven and many others.
Republicans finally answered this month, saying they will hold PFAS hearings after the election that will, among other things, consider a statewide PFAS standard of 5 parts-per-trillion in drinking water proposed by Rep. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids.
"We need to determine what our standard is going to be," said Rep. Gary Howell, R-Lapeer, chair of the Natural Resources Committee, where the bill sits. "I don't know if the standard in Rep. Brinks' bill is the right one, but I want to get to the bottom of it."
Ari Adler, communications director for the governor, said that Snyder would support a PFAS drinking water standard "if it is done based on sound science and not soundbites."
"This is an easy issue to politicize and we have heard of instances where states have passed laws prematurely and then had to deal with unintended consequences," he said.
Adler said state regulators will recommend whether to pursue a standard after getting formal input this fall from a panel of science advisors led by Brown University epidemiologist David Savitz, who says his team is distilling the scientific evidence related to health impacts into a report that won't include recommended actions.
On setting an MCL through legislation, Adler said "any time we can do something through the Legislature and state statute is preferred."
In the wake of Flint's water crisis, the governor's office has been sensitive to criticism about its response to PFAS contamination. Snyder's team has responded to calls for investigation into early internal Department of Environmental Quality reports about PFAS that were largely ignored by declaring that Michigan is "leading the nation" on multiple fronts related to the issue.
The talking point has been repeated in reference to the creation of MPART, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team that Snyder started in November in response to a mushrooming PFAS contamination problem in northern Kent County.
What MPART has done so far has indeed garnered praise, from critics and peer state regulators alike. Other states credit Michigan for aggressively seeking out PFAS in drinking water and sewage plants. The testing effort is pointing to the manufacturing sector as a significant source of PFAS-tainted wastewater getting into waterways like the Huron River, which is the primary source of drinking water for 118,000 people in and around Ann Arbor.
Nonetheless, David Andrews, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, which tracks PFAS emergence and regulations, said reducing exposure through rule-setting is a critical step that can happen concurrently with testing efforts.
"Testing is an important step, but it's not the be-all, end-all," Andrews said. "It's not the step that necessarily formalizes or ensures clean drinking water. Just being a leader on that first step doesn't necessarily make you a leader across the board."
Chris Kolb, president of the Michigan Environmental Council, called MPART's testing "good triage," but said "we need to do more."
"Once you start to test for these compounds, you are going to find them," Kolb said. "Then, the question becomes: What next?"
Waiting for the EPA
Michigan officials have repeatedly pointed to Washington, D.C., when asked about passing a drinking water standard. Snyder and the DEQ wants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pass national rules, which is something federal officials say they're "considering" but have not firmly committed to doing.
The state has been vocal about getting national standards in place, both in public meetings and in private, where Snyder's team is pushing lawmakers and groups like the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators to pressure EPA on the issue.
Michigan hopes Congress can put its thumb on EPA and, perhaps, get the federal agency to do what it hasn't done since 1996 -- pass a national drinking water standard.
"That's what we're hoping for, is some political pressure," said Eric Oswald, director of the drinking water division at the Michigan DEQ.
Oswald estimated it could take up to two years for Michigan to set an MCL through administrative rule-making "depending on how much push it got." The process would involve public input, but would likely settle on a level that water utilities felt they could achieve through treatment technology like activated carbon, which Ann Arbor is moving toward and Plainfield Township has installed.
There's appetite for a standard among utilities. Ann Arbor's water treatment manager Brian Steglitz told EPA that during a public roundtable in Kalamazoo on Oct. 5.
"They want a number," said Oswald.
Bonnifer Ballard, director of the American Water Works Association in Michigan, said utilities are struggling to figure out how best to treat PFAS. Technologies like granular activated carbon don't remove all PFAS compounds with equal effectiveness.
Utility operators and drinking water regulators are quick to highlight scientific uncertainty around the risk posed by exposure to low levels of different PFAS compounds, arguing that requiring expensive treatment may not be the best use of limited funds.
Ballard said utilities want to see a "better understanding" of PFAS, but acknowledged that the science around health and engineering is "never going to be wrapped up in a bow."
"I don't know what the critical point is, but we have to do our due diligence before we can answer that question," she said.
A national leader: New Jersey
Nationally, whenever talk of standards comes up -- particularly in the context of establishing a strict one that sets maximum parts-per-trillion levels in the single digits or teens -- one state in particular is often cited as being the national leader: New Jersey.
Rob Bilott, an attorney instrumental in bringing PFAS contamination to light nationwide through a high-profile class action lawsuit against DuPont, cited New Jersey's deep knowledge of PFAS as a good example of how significant expertise exists at the state level.
"I think some of the states have some of the best people," Bilott said during a panel appearance in Flint this month. "New Jersey, in particular, is leading the country on really understanding comprehensively not only individual chemicals, but the whole class."
"Some of the states are leading on this much more so than the federal government," Bilott said.
In 2006 -- years before the federal government began nationwide sampling -- the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection began testing for two PFAS compounds, PFOS and PFOA, in some drinking water systems after being alerted to contaminants found in Delaware River samples. Shortly afterward, state toxicologists analyzed health studies and developed a non-binding safety guidance number of 40 parts-per-trillion (ppt).
By contrast, the EPA was using much higher provisional numbers. In 2009, the EPA's interim advisory level was set at 400-ppt -- about five times the eventual advisory level set at 70-ppt in 2016.
Like Michigan, New Jersey is not shackled by laws that prohibit state rules from being more stringent than federal regulations. State scientists reviewed animal studies which showed PFAS exposure caused increased liver weight, liver toxicity and delayed mammary gland development. They concluded EPA's level was too high.
"We looked at literally thousands of papers on these PFAS -- or PFCs, as they were called then -- and saw some more subtle effects than EPA, including low-dose developmental effects," said Gary Buchanan, who heads the New Jersey DEP Office of Science.
New Jersey scientists even went to Washington to argue their case. "We pointed out where they weren't even following their own guidance for risk assessment," said Buchanan.
In September, the state formally passed a standard for PFNA, a lesser-known PFAS compound, of 13-ppt. The state is poised to set similarly low standards for PFOS and PFOA.
ALL MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS WITH PFAS DETECTION
Other states are adopting New Jersey's work.
California took a step toward developing PFAS drinking water standards this summer by using New Jersey's work to set notification levels of 13-ppt for PFOS and 14-ppt for PFOA.
Darrin Polhemus, California water board deputy director for drinking water, said he asked the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to look at the analysis other states had done on PFAS when water systems there began to detect the chemicals.
The state plans to do its own analysis for a standard-setting process, but Polhemus said New Jersey's work offered a good leg to stand on in the meantime. The administrative process in California is slow and it could take several years to pass a standard. If the EPA were to pass a national rule, California could likely adopt it within one year.
But he's not optimistic.
"I think we (peers in other states) all kind of understand that we're on our own at the moment," Polhemus said. "None of us are holding our breath for EPA to step in."
What is the right safety level?
New Jersey's standards have been seized on by public health advocates who want to see either state or national PFAS standards set as low as possible.
Yet, were Michigan officials to even acknowledge New Jersey's low PFAS numbers in a meaningful way at this point, some say the state would face not just embarrassment because of the lengths to which it has defended the adequacy of 70-ppt as a safe water threshold, but also big questions about emergency decisions made thus far.
Snyder's team says 70-ppt is the action level used for "decision-making purposes." In public meetings, state toxicologists routinely give lengthy, esoteric explanations about how EPA developed its level.
Official literature and FAQ sheets sent to schools where the well is being tested call 70-ppt safe water. Michigan even enshrined the level into state law this year when it passed a PFAS cleanup criteria of 70-ppt for groundwater used as drinking water.
But all of that was undercut when the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released toxicological profiles for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA this summer with risk levels that mirror the lower thresholds New Jersey is formalizing into law.
In New Jersey, Buchanan called the ATSDR's numbers an "affirmation of the science we found by looking at what's out in the literature."
Michigan officials have lauded their emergency response in Parchment, where PFOS and PFOA at 1,520-ppt was found in city water in July. The statewide testing regimen helped get 3,000 people there off contaminated water, officials say.
But if Michigan were using New Jersey's pending standard for PFOS and PFOA, the water now pushed into Parchment pipes from the city of Kalamazoo system -- water already being drank daily by about 190,000 people -- would, itself, be considered unsafe. In June, finished Kalamazoo water tested at 19-ppt for PFOS and PFOA.
Other Michigan cities have moderate levels of Total PFAS, which is the sum of all PFAS compounds -- not just PFOS and PFOA -- in a given sample. Some systems have only found detections of these other compounds, putting them in a kind of regulatory netherworld where there's neither rules that require any action, nor solid health guidance from the federal government on how to act.
Nonetheless, the chemicals are there.
Grand Haven -- which pulls from a Lake Michigan intake right next to the Grand River mouth -- tested at 20-ppt for Total PFAS in August. Their PFOS and PFOA number is 8-ppt. Kalamazoo's Total PFAS, found in a groundwater peaking station this summer, is 72-ppt.
The city of Evart in Osceola County recently tested at 20-ppt Total PFAS. In Calhoun County, Albion also tested at 20-ppt Total PFAS. The commonly-known compounds PFOS and PFOA -- the basis of the EPA advisory level -- were not found in either of those samples.
Kolb, the Michigan Environmental Council president, said whether a standard moves forward through administrative rule-making or in the legislature, it's high time to get the ball rolling.
"At some point, the legislature and the administration need to recognize the severity of the situation and put forward a process that's going to establish a drinking water standard. We need to make sure we're protecting the public, whether through filtration and treatment, dollars to clean up sites and plans to address the next contaminant of concern."
"I'm not sure what we're waiting for."


BOUSTEAD: Real estate spin-off is a double-edged sword?
Excerpts of report by Lim & Tan Securities
Boustead Singapore ($1.795, up 8.0 cents) released more details of its real estate division - Boustead Projects (BP) spin-off, by distributing no more than 49% of its BP subsidiary via listing on the SGX Mainboard by way of introduction. The proposed distribution will be subject to, interalia, the approval of shareholders at an EGM and upon completion, Boustead will still have a direct interest of at least 51% stake in BP.
BP presently has three key businesses with core engineering expertise in the design-and-build and development of build-to-suit projects comprising industrial facilities, industrial parks and business parks for MNCs and local enterprises. The 14 wholly-owned industrial properties that BP will retain are currently valued in its books at S$162.5mln as at end-Sept 2014, where 13 are in Singapore with the remaining one located in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. According to the latest independent valuation, these assets have an estimated aggregate market valuation of approximately S$367.5 mln.
In addition, BP part-owns four joint investments worth S$21.6mln, based on their costs. These will be adjusted upwards to their market valuation of S$53mln pending the spin off. BP had reported FY14 revenue and net profi t at S$209.2mln and S$35.8mln respectively while its NAV was S$164.9mln. For 1H15, revenue and net profit stood at S$107.3mln and S$14.2mln respectively.
We understand that there are also plans for BP to form an industrial REIT, although no specifics were given. Boustead added that the number of BP distribution shares entitled to shareholders has not yet been determined but assured shareholders they will not be required to pay for the shares received through the proposed distribution. Assuming this demerger was completed in FY14, Boustead's NAV would decrease to S$0.541 from S$0.684 while EPS would decline to S$0.104 from S$0.139.
One of the rationales for the proposed demerger is to unlock shareholders' value so that the market can better appraise the underlying business and even trades at a higher valuation by reducing any possible conglomerate discount. However, we think this could be a double-edged sword as investors generally like Boustead due to the diversified nature of its three different segments and hence, countercyclical that helps to buffer each other in terms of earnings volatility.
Recent story: BOUSTEAD: Value has emerged after share price decline, says UOB KH
CIMB's small-cap alpha picks for 2H17: AEM, Best World, CSE, Boustead Projects, etc
BOUSTEAD: "We like it as it is cheap..."
BOUSTEAD: Value has emerged after share price decline, says UOB KH
NAM CHEONG -- buy, target 48 c, BOUSTEAD --- hold, $2.00 target


Cowgirl Basketball
Cowgirls Win Sixth Straight Against Tech
Brittney Martin puts in another monster performance as the Cowgirls just made another BIG accomplishment - just days after sweeping Bedlam, winning six straight for the first time since 1992.
By Caroline Lee@AMNewsEditor Feb 7, 2016, 5:43pm CST
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Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn't a pretty win, but as they say, "a win is a win," as Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech, 70-57.
In the first quarter, the Cowgirls (18-4) had no sign of trouble as they went on a 10-0 run and didn't fall behind throughout most of the game. However, Texas Tech showed signs of life by shooting 67 percent from the beyond the arc to stay close within the game. At the end of the first half, OSU had a slim lead over the Red Raiders, 34-30.
In the second half, the Cowgirls cooled Texas Tech's three-point performance down, but the Red Raiders were not far from the Cowgirls. Senior All-American Brittney Martin recorded her eighth double-double of the season (had 18 points and nine rebounds at half) and would end up with 32 shooting 11-of-19 from the field. Sophmore Kaylee Jensen helped the Cowgirls stay on top by scoring 14-out-16 attempts - most of them in the fourth quarter. However, Sophmore Mandy Coleman had an impressive performance scoring 14 points - in large part due to Jensen getting into foul trouble. Senior Roddricka Patton recorded double-double assists for the fourth time in the last five games.
Martin finished the game with 32 points and 15 rebounds. Despite the gutsy win, Oklahoma State moves to 18-4 overall and 8-3 in Big 12 play. For the first time since 1992, the Cowgirls have won six straight in conference play and have a one game lead for third place in the Big 12 over West Virginia. With this victory, OSU is likely to be a certain lock for this year's NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma State has a tough road test ahead as they travel to Austin to face No. 4 Texas on Wednesday.
Next Game: Wednesday, February 10th @ 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Texas Longhorns (21-1,10-1)
TV: Longhorn Network


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Susquehanna Off-Limits To Tournaments?
12y • MLF • Archives
October 20, 2010 • MLF • Archives
Pennsylvania fishery managers plan to tighten restrictions on the harvest of smallmouth bass in the famed Susquehanna River, citing a decline in the quantity and quality of fish in the waterway. Pollution and overharvest are blamed for the declining numbers of bass.
If approved by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at its meeting in April, the Susquehanna will become a catch-and-release fishery throughout much of its range. The Juniata River, from the Route 75 bridge at Port Royal downriver 32 miles to where it enters the Susquehanna above Harrisburg at Duncannon, also will be included in the catch-and-release zone. In the Susquehanna, catch-and-release regulations will be imposed from the dam site at Sunbury downriver 98 miles to the Holtwood Dam in York County.
Bass tournament also will be affected by the ruling, as tournaments will be banned during the spring spawning season, and because of the catch-and-release restrictions, weigh-ins will not be allowed.
"What does tournament fishing have to do with poor water quality, disease and decreases in young of the year [bass], which is supposedly why the regulation was instituted?" asked Carlisle tournament angler Mick Schulkins at the meeting where the management changes were announced. "Also, I don't think they have realized the impact that it is going to have on the economic side. They have just put the bait business out of business, the sale of tackle, licenses, gas, boats and motors. And the list could go on."
Schulkins also noted that many organizations from fire companies and youth organizations to charity groups benefit from money raised through bass tournaments on the river.
"They [state fishery managers] have no data to support that tournaments have any impact on a fishery, since they have done no studies," noted Schulkins. "And, if tournament fishing is the problem, how is it that the river at Sunbury and Williamsport, where there are three times more tournaments being held than Goldsboro and Harrisburg, has no problem with young of the year?"
Schulkins believes the new regulations will bring an end to most tournaments on the river because "paper [catch-and-release] tournaments are a joke and nobody will participate, other than small club tournaments." He suggested that the Fish and Boat Commission could have employed alternatives to the restriction on tournaments, including special permits to "the good catch-and-release tournaments groups," experimenting with the emergency regulations on a smaller area of the river and closing the season entirely during the smallmouth spawning season.