Greece has challenged NATO and allies, not Türkiye by locking its air defense systems on Turkish jets carrying out NATO reconnaissance mission, says Turkish president
More than 300-acres of North Dakota farmland could soon be home to a massive corn mill, owned by the Chinese company Fufeng.
Fufeng plans to invest $700 million to open the mill. But the community is weary because state and local officials said the company has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. "I'm not going to say that economic development isn't a good thing. But at what cost?" said Ben Grzadzielewski. The plant would be just 12-miles from the Grand Forks Air Force Base – home to top secret drone technology. The community is fighting back, collecting thousands of signatures on a petition to bring the deal to a vote and suing the city to stop the project. Grzadzielewski is working closely with the legal team. IF BIDEN WON'T STOP LAND GRABS BY CHINA, CONGRESS WILL
"In terms of Grand Forks, its water use, pollution, and smell. In terms of national, it is security. Everyone should be worried nationally about the security issues as well as locally," Grzadzielewski told Fox News. The prime farmland is just across from Frank Matejecks Red River Angus Farm. "This is 370-acres of some of the best farmland in the country," Matejeck said. Wondering why Fufeng chose that land for the mill, he told Fox News that the property would not be located near tons of corn crops. "There will never be enough corn from the growers around here to facilitate that plant, ever," said Matejeck. The land, which is usually full of sugar beets and soybeans, was owned by three local farmers. The property was not for sale when officials said Fufeng offered to buy the land. The Chinese company spent millions to secure the deal, dishing out well over the average price for the land at more than $26,000 an acre. From yard signs, to tense council meetings, the fight against Fufeng rages on. "This is crazy. You people want to bring communist China to Grand Forks. They kill people in communist China," a concerned citizen told the council at a recent meeting.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., walks through the Senate subway in the Capitol on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Now, making its way all the way to Washington D.C. where North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer said the threat of Chinese espionage is very real. "The China of today is not the China of decades ago. China has demonstrated real aggression," said Senator Cramer. Cramer is a member of the Committee on Armed Services. Receiving weekly national security briefings. "Stuff that I can't share, but stuff that people should be concerned about," Senator Cramer said. It's not just here in North Dakota. According to the USDA, Chinese owners control at least $2 billion worth of agricultural land across the country. That number is low compared to other foreign countries but growing. Fufeng would be the largest foreign private sector investment in the history of Grand Forks. The city said the plant would bring in at least 200 jobs and millions in tax revenue. Grand Forks Republican Mayor Brandon Bochenski said he hears the concerns. "We would love to see growth. We'd love to see a corn mill, you know, the whole China thing just makes it more difficult for us," Mayor Bochenski said.
A New York Times guest essay suggested Monday that the Biden administration's posture on China distracts from Russia. (Bikash Dware/The Rising Nepal via AP))
TAIWAN BOASTS OF POWERFUL ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY AMID FEARS OF CHINESE INVASION Mayor Bochenski said Grand Forks is not desperate for investment and he knows there is a possibility the deal could be killed. "There's nobody in the world right now than me that would rather have this be an American company. Because, you know, like I said, nobody is ecstatic about it being a Chinese investment. We're patriotic. I'm a patriotic guy. I would love American companies to invest more in our country instead of investing overseas. But, you know, that's not the environment we're in, unfortunately. We're trying to sort through this," Bochenski told Fox News. The Republican Mayor said it is not a done deal, until the federal government weighs in. "If they truly believe it is a bad project and have the facts and the information to back it up, we'll certainly follow their lead," Mayor Bochenski said. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Right now, the federal government is reviewing Fufeng’s plans to find out if there is any threat to national security. The city expects the review to be done within a month.
Fufeng said they won’t comment until the review is done. So, for now, the plan is still in play.
#North #Dakota #community #fights #stop #Chinese #company #Fufeng #opening #corn #mill #Air #Force #base
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Petersen, a German filmmaker, earned the most awards acclaim in his career for his 1981 World War II epic "Das Boot," but his career is populated by a number of films that hold special places in the hearts of cult action film lovers.
After writing and directing 1984's children's fantasy film "The NeverEnding Story," he went on to make a string of action films with some of the biggest stars of their eras, like "In the Line of Fire" (starring Clint Eastwood and Rene Russo), "Outbreak" (with Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman and Russo) and "Air Force One" (with Harrison Ford and Glenn Close).
In the aughts, he continued the trend, helming "The Perfect Storm" with George Clooney and "Troy" with Brad Pitt and "Poseidon."
"Being directed by Wolfgang on 'Air Force One' remains a special memory," actress Glenn Close said in a statement provided to CNN. "Even though the script was thrilling and incredibly intense, I remember a lot of laughs, especially in the scenes around the huge table in the War Room."
Petersen, she said, would set up a remote-controlled camera that could rotate in place, enabling him to film all the actors and Petersen wiould provide them cues when they were being filmed.
"You knew the camera would pause on you by his hilarious direction while setting up the shot. He would point to us in turn and say, 'Acting...acting...NO acting...NO acting...ACTING... aaaacting!'" she recalled. "He didn't waste anyone's time. My memory is of a man full of joie de vivre who was doing what he most loved to do."
Petersen is survived by his wife, Maria Antoinette, son Daniel and two grandchildren, according to his spokesperson.
The United States will boost trade with Taiwan in response to China's "provocative" behaviour, the White House has said, insisting on the right of air and sea passage through the tense strait.
A new trade plan will be unveiled within days, while US forces will transit the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks, according to Kurt Campbell, White House coordinator for Asia-Pacific issues and an adviser to President Joe Biden.
The statement on Friday came after Beijing raged at last week's trip by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, launching its largest-ever military drills around the self-ruled island.
Taiwan has accused China of using the visit by Pelosi, the highest-ranking elected American official to visit in decades, as an excuse to kickstart drills that Taipei called a rehearsal for invasion.
Campbell said Pelosi's visit was "consistent" with Washington's existing policy and that China had "overreacted."
Beijing used the pretext to "launch an intensified pressure campaign against Taiwan to try to change the status quo, jeopardising peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region," he said. "China has overreacted and its actions continue to be provocative, destabilising and unprecedented."
In response to China's drills, the United States is reasserting its involvement in the area, while reiterating its policy of "strategic ambiguity" — diplomatically recognising China while simultaneously supporting Taiwan's self-rule.
READ MORE: US: China can lower tensions by ending drills around Taiwan
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtzvstznzoA[/embed]
'Ambitious roadmap'
Campbell said the administration would continue to "deepen our ties with Taiwan, including through continuing to advance our economic and trade relationship".
"For example, we're developing an ambitious roadmap for trade negotiations which we intend to announce in the coming days," he said.
Campbell said that the United States would also reassert its right to use international air and sea space between Taiwan and China.
US forces "will continue to fly, sail and operate where international law allows, consistent with our long-standing commitment to freedom of navigation".
"That includes conducting standard air and maritime transits through the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks," he told reporters.
Campbell did not confirm what kind of deployment would be made to support the manoeuvres, saying he had no "comments about either the nature of our crossings or the timings across the Taiwan Strait."
The official noted that Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have asked staff to arrange an in-person summit, but he declined to comment on reports that this could take place during the G20 group meeting in Bali this November.
"We don't have anything further in terms of details on time or location," he said.
Taiwan's foreign ministry, meanwhile, thanked Washington for its "firm support" in a statement on Saturday that pointed to Washington's "concrete action to maintain security in the Taiwan Strait and peace in the region".
READ MORE: Chinese jets, warships detected around Taiwan
Source: AFP
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Tuesday warned the TV channels and issued directives to prevent them from spreading propaganda, misinformation and disinformation against state institutions.
According to the regulatory body, the misinformation and disinformation spread by the news, programme anchors, guests or analysts cast aspersions against the institutions.
The statement issued by PEMRA said that the "airing of such content is in violation of the directives issued by the authority, provisions of PEMRA Electronic Media (programmes and advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 and the principles laid down by the Superior Courts."
“… all satellite TV channel licensees are hereby directed to follow the principles laid down in the constitution as well as the judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan passed in suo moto case no 28 of 2018 and the judgement of the Islamabad High Court passed in Criminal Original No 270/2019 dated 25-11-2019 and ensure strict compliance to the relevant provisions of PEMRA laws,” the statement read.
Section 20(f) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007:
A person who is issued a licence under this Ordinance shall comply with the codes of programmes and advertisements approved by the authority and appoint an in-house monitoring committee, under intimation to the authority, to ensure compliance with the code.
Rule 15(1) PEMRA Rules:
The contents of the programmes and advertisements which are broadcast or distributed by the broadcast media or distribution service operator shall conform to the provisions of Section 20 of the Ordinance, these rules, the code set out in the Schedule-A and the terms and conditions of the licence.
Provisions of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015:
3(1)(i) Fundamental principles:- The licensee shall ensure that no content is aired which is known to be false or that there exist sufficient reasons to believe that the same may be false beyond a reasonable doubt.
4. News and current affairs programmes:- The licensee shall ensure that programmes on sub-judice matters may be aired in an informative manner and shall be handled objectively:
The authority further directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an effective Time Delay Mechanism is put in place and an impartial and independent editorial board be constituted as required under Clause 17 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015 in order to ensure that their platform is not used by anyone (employee or guest) for spreading misinformation, disinformation and propaganda against state institutions.
“In case of any violation observed legal action under Section 27, 29, 30 and 33 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007 shall be initiated,” it warned.
Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) said that it has always supported the freedom of expression and freedom of the media, however, it condemns any disinformation against the institutions.
PBA, in its statement, said that the association is working with the government and other media organisations to formulate rules against disinformation, especially the spread of disinformation on social media which is harming journalism.
"Encouraging responsible use of social media and discouraging disinformation is the most important need of the hour," read the statement.
The association said that disinformation is not only harming the country and institutions but also fuelling insecurity, intolerance and instability.
Israeli air strikes have flattened homes in Gaza, raising fears of an escalation that has killed at least 24 Palestinians, including six children, and injured over 200 others in the besieged area.
The Israeli army has said its military offensive in Gaza could last a week.
Army spokesperson Ran Kochav said on Saturday that the military is preparing for week-long operations in the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli army launched air strikes in Gaza on Friday in a pre-emptive attack to allegedly deter possible retaliation from Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad after Israeli forces arrested two of the group's senior members in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli air strikes have been concentrated across heavily populated residential areas in Gaza.
The Islamic Jihad group said Friday that its senior leader Tayseer al Jabari was among those killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The group launched rockets in retaliation late Friday.
According to the Israeli army, more than 160 rockets were fired by Islamic Jihad group from Gaza into Israel, with 60 of them intercepted.
The spokesman told Israeli Channel 12 that the Israeli response in Gaza is meant "not to drag the Hamas group into the ongoing conflict."
READ MORE: Gaza’s sole power plant shuts down as Israeli air strikes continue
Israeli attacks come amid rising tensions across Palestinian territories since Monday when Israeli forces detained Bassam al Saadi, a senior leader of Islamic Jihad, in raid in occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Our colleague has more pic.twitter.com/Mk0hJGl6NE
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) August 6, 2022
'Devastating consequences'
United Nations Special Envoy Tor Wennesland has warned against the "devastating consequences" of the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Palestinians in Gaza.
The UN envoy described the escalation as "very dangerous" and called on "all sides to avoid further escalation."
"The responsibility is with the parties to avoid this [escalation] from happening," he added.
Egypt’s Al Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, has condemned the Israeli air strikes on Gaza, calling on Arabs and Muslims “to unite to support the Palestinians and their just cause as well as their legitimate struggle.”
A statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Cairo was “conducting intensive communications” to “contain the situation in Gaza” and “preserve lives and property.”
Türkiye, Pakistan, Qatar, Iran and the EU were also among countries to condemn the ongoing violence.
READ MORE: Condemnations pour in after Israel launches deadly strikes on besieged Gaza
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
Israel has hit Gaza with air strikes for a second day, drawing retaliation from an armed Palestinian group, in the territory's worst escalation of violence since a war last year.
Israeli aircraft continued striking the besieged territory on Saturday, a day after the Palestinian Health Ministry said bombardment there killed 10 people, including a child.
Israel says it has launched a "pre-emptive" operation against the Islamic Jihad group. Israel's army estimates that its operations have killed 15 fighters in Gaza, including a senior commander.
Early on Saturday, Israel broadened its operation against Islamic Jihad. The Israeli army announced the arrest of 19 people it said were members of the group in the occupied West Bank, alongside the arrest of one other person.
Israel and Islamic Jihad have both confirmed the killing of Taysir al-Jabari, a key leader of the armed group, in a Friday strike on a building in the west of Gaza city.
The Palestinian Health Ministry also reported "a five-year-old girl, targeted by the Israeli occupation" was among those killed on Friday.
A Western-backed Palestinian Authority official condemned Israel's attacks. "We call on the international community to intervene and provide protection for our people," Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh said on Twitter.
Türkiye and Qatar have strongly condemned the Israeli strikes leading to civilian casualties.
READ MORE: Child and commander among victims of Israeli strikes on Gaza
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4mbz82DY8[/embed]
Spiralling tensions
Islamic Jihad said the initial Israeli bombardment amounted to a "declaration of war", before it unleashed a barrage of rockets towards Israel.
The rocket fire and Israeli strikes were continuing early on Saturday, risking a repeat of an 11-day conflict in May 2021 that left at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel dead.
"Israel isn't interested in a wider conflict in Gaza, but will not shy away from one either," Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a nationally televised address on Friday.
Air raid sirens sounded across southern Israel early on Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, with many rockets intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defence system.
Officials in border areas urged people to stay close to shelters, which have also been opened in Tel Aviv.
Egypt — a historic broker between Israel and groups in Gaza — the United Nations and Qatar had begun mediating an end to the violence, according to a Palestinian official with knowledge of the efforts.
The strikes come four days after Israel closed its two border crossings with Gaza and restricted the movement of Israeli civilians living near the frontier, citing security concerns.
The measures followed the arrest in the occupied West Bank of two senior members of Islamic Jihad, including Bassem al-Saadi, who Israel accuses of orchestrating recent attacks.
READ MORE: Condemnations pour in after Israel launches deadly strikes on besieged Gaza
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
