Jun92017
The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 51.95 per barrel (bbl) on 05.09.2017
Jun92017
PM’s gift to Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Jun92017
The National Fostering Agency Group (NFA) and Acorn Care and Education Group (Acorn) are 2 of the largest national providers of independent fostering placement services to local authorities across Scotland, England and Wales, helping them match vulnerable children with foster carers.
In January 2017, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that the deal would face an in-depth investigation unless NFA could address concerns over a reduction in competition in 3 areas in the UK in which the companies overlap within the framework agreements put in place by groups of local authorities – Wales, Norfolk and Luton (including the wider Central Bedfordshire/Bedford area).
The CMA had found that less competition would make it more difficult for the local authorities involved to ensure value for money in framework tenders.
To avoid being referred for an in-depth phase 2 investigation, NFA proposed selling Acorn businesses in Wales, Norfolk and Luton (including the wider Central Bedfordshire/Bedford area) to another provider, BSN Social Care. This would include transferring all relevant carers and associated staff to enable BSN Social Care to replicate the competitive constraint provided by Acorn prior to its purchase by NFA.
After consulting on these undertakings, the CMA is satisfied that the sales will protect competition in the affected areas and the ability of the local authorities concerned to obtain good value when tendering for fostering services.
All information on this merger can be found on the case page.
Jun92017
A number of online accounts have been shut down this week for posting vulgar content, according to the Beijing cyberspace administration.
The administration on Wednesday urged major online platforms to enforce the shutdowns to contribute to a healthier online environment. The platforms with closed accounts include the Twitter-like social media service Weibo, and WeChat, an instant messaging app.
Most of the banned accounts posted entertainment industry gossip, while some were owned by famous paparazzi. The administration accused them of vulgarity and invading the piracy of celebrities among other issues.
The shutdowns were enabled by the country’s new cyber security law that was passed in November 2016 at the bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee after a third reading, and went into effect on June 1.
The administration released another statement Thursday, calling on the public to report vulgar content on the Internet to provide a safer online environment for teenagers, with summer vacation approaching.
According to the statement, as of Thursday, a total of 11,798 pieces of vulgar content have been removed by the center for illegal and harmful online content in Beijing in 2017.
The shutdown has aroused mixed reactions from the Internet users, with some applauding the action.
“I cannot stand the constant invasion of celebrities’ privacy, and some of the gossip is completely made up,” said “Weierxiaojie” on Weibo. “It’s so good to know that it has finally been taken down.”
Others were concerned about the potential concealment of misconduct in the entertainment industry. “Now it is ‘safer’ for celebrities to misbehave,” said Weibo user “jilongfei”.
Users also pointed out many more accounts posting vulgar content have not yet been shut down, asking for further action to clean up the online environment.
Jun92017
China has explored numerous means, including information disclosure and lawmaking, to tackle the increasing commercialization in places of worship across the country.
New forms of infringement of religious rights and interests have sprung up, making it more urgent to protect and promote these rights, said Jiang Jianyong, deputy head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
Jiang made the remarks at a meeting of the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) held in the city of Changsha in central China’s Hunan Province this week, with delegates from 14 provinces and municipalities in attendance.
According to some delegates, companies and individuals in some regions are increasingly exploiting Buddhism for commercial interests under the guise of Buddhist cultural parks or theme parks, and even eliciting donations to support false applications for world heritage status.
Some religious figures have illegally accumulated wealth using Buddhism as a cover to rent out temples for commercial use.
A prominent monk in the Hunan city of Hengyang arbitrarily approved a 5-million-yuan (730,000 U.S. dollars) procurement of 18 pine trees from Japan, said Huai Hui, secretary-general of the provincial Buddhist association
Another monk in the city of Loudi, also in Hunan, raised over 8 million yuan in the name of temple construction, which was actually for personal use, he added.
“Some ancient temples have been encompassed by so-called ‘cultural parks’, with non-religious buildings constructed around them for commercial use,” said Sheng Hui, deputy director of the BAC.
A number of “fake Buddhists” have been carrying out illegal religious activities, extorting money and luring followers, harming the reputation of the religion.
A living-Buddha authentication database was launched last year to confirm the identity of living Buddhas. With roots traceable to the 13th century AD, the reincarnation of Buddhas is a unique inheritance system within Tibetan Buddhism. The BAC has issued certificates to living Buddhas since 2010.
“To protect religious rights and uphold dignity, Buddhist associations across China have been asked to tighten their management of personnel and strictly prohibit any commercial activities,” Sheng said.