Apr92017
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that India is keen to see the conclusion of convention on the suppression of international terrorism, which is threatening world peace.
Apr92017
Trade unions are set to face new fines of up to £20,000 for breaking governance laws under plans being consulted on by the government.
Under the proposals, the union regulator, the Certification Officer, will be able to issue fines of up to £20,000 for breaking the law including serious breaches of election rules or mismanagement of their political funds.
Currently the Certification Officer cannot impose a financial penalty, instead issuing a declaration or an enforcement order if a union breaches its statutory obligations under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act.
The new proposed powers the Certification Officer will be able to fine unions for breaches like:
A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said:
Trade unions exist to represent workers’ interests and make decisions which can affect millions of people’s lives, so it is right for the government to ensure they are run responsibly.
The proposed powers will make sure unions are properly regulated in the future to ensure they truly represent the interests of their members.
The government is consulting on these powers as agreed during the passage of the Trade Union Act last year.
The majority of the Act’s new powers came into force on 1 March, bringing in tougher ballot requirements for industrial action – particularly for important public services like health, education and transport.
This will save more than 1.5 million working hours a year from being lost to undemocratic strike action.
The consultation on the Certification Officer’s powers will run for 6 weeks from 9 April until 21 May.
Apr92017
Apr92017
Xiang Junbo, chairman of China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC), is currently under probe, according to China’s top anti-graft authority.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China said in an online statement Sunday that Xiang was being investigated for suspected serious violation of the Party’s code of conduct.
Xiang is also Party chief of CIRC.
Apr92017
Tibet’s first original cartoon series will hit TV screens in May, featuring stories about legendary Tibetan folk hero Agu Dainba, a Nasreddin-like figure.
The Tibet Tianli Company will produce the cartoon, which will be broadcast via Tibetan media, including Tibet TV Station and Lhasa TV Station, over 52 episodes. The series will use puppet animation and be dubbed in the Tibetan language.
Agu Dainba, or Uncle Dainba, is a household name in Tibet. In Tibetan folklore, he is noted for his intelligence and helping free the poor from their feudal rulers.
The cartoon will retell over 20 stories about the wise man, known for his funny stories and anecdotes.
The producer will also publish a series of cartoon books and other related products to roll-out nationwide.
The folk figure appeared in Tibet’s first comedy in 1983. Playwright Soinam Cering said that he had collected more than 200 stories about Uncle Dainba from local people.
Another cartoon production was launched in Tibet Autonomous Region last year, featuring Gesar, another Tibetan legend.
Based on “The Epic of King Gesar,” a World Intangible Cultural Heritage item listed by UNESCO, the cartoon is still under production.
The masterpiece of Tibetan folk literature has been preserved by local singers and storytellers since the 12th century.
Tibet started a census on intangible cultural heritage in 2006 to preserve and promote traditional cultural resources. Over 1,000 forms of intangible cultural heritage, including music, dance, craftsmanship,medicine and folkways, were recorded in the census.
“The Epic of King Gesar” and Tibetan opera were among 89 items recognized as national-level intangible cultural heritage.