THE CHIEF electoral officer has moved to assure signatories to the petition which could unseat Ian Paisley that their identities will remain secret.Virginia McVea also refuted claims that people seeking to sign the first recall petition in UK parliamentary history were being intimidated. She said no complaints of intimidation had been received by her office.Ms McVea's comments came as the petition which requires the signatures of 10 per cent of Mr Paisley's constituents to trigger a by-election entered its second week. Venues in Ballymena, Ballycastle and Ballymoney are open until September 19 to allow people registered to vote in North Antrim the opportunity to sign the petition. Constituents can also sign by post, however, applications must be submitted by September 4.Mr Paisley was suspended from the House of Commons for 30-sitting days last month for failing to register two luxury holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.He later lobbied on behalf of the south Asian island's … [Read more...] about Electoral Office defends handling of Ian Paisley recall petition
Minnesota will elect its first Native American lieutenant governor in November — regardless of who wins
As Democrat Tim Walz and Republican Jeff Johnson gear their campaigns for governor toward the November election, the women running alongside them are chasing a major milestone: becoming Minnesota’s first Native American lieutenant governor. Both running mates — DFL state Rep. Peggy Flanagan and Republican Donna Bergstrom — are among what has been widely reported as a record number of Native Americans running for office around the country this year. Flanagan is a member of White Earth Nation and Bergstrom is a member of Red Lake Nation, both bands of Ojibwe. “I think it’s really a testament to the strength of our people,” Bergstrom said. “We survive, we adapt. We know how to overcome. And I’m just really proud to be part of that heritage.” Fresh off their respective Tuesday primary victories, the Walz-Flanagan and Johnson-Bergstrom campaigns are now shifting their focus toward to the Nov. 6 general election. GREATER REPRESENTATION … [Read more...] about Minnesota will elect its first Native American lieutenant governor in November — regardless of who wins
The Latest: Brennan calls Trump action ‘abuse of power’
Updated 5:53 pm PDT, Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Now Playing: White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders reads prepared statement about President Donald Trump revoking the security clearance of former Obama administration CIA director John Brennan, a vocal critic of the president. Media: White House WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the revocation of former CIA director John Brennan's security clearance (all times local): 5:10 p.m. Former CIA director John Brennan says President Donald Trump's move to strip him of his national security clearance is "an abuse of power" by the president. Brennan is reacting to the news in a phone interview with MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace. He tells Wallace he believes the president's action is aimed at trying to intimidate and suppress critics of him and his administration. But Brennan says the move "is not going to deter" him. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced during Wednesday's press briefing that … [Read more...] about The Latest: Brennan calls Trump action ‘abuse of power’
Lucky 11-digit simcards as expensive as gold
VietNamNet Bridge - The conversion of 11-digit mobile phone numbers to 10-digit numbers will begin in mid-September. However, the simcard market is already scorching hot with the prices of 11-digit simcards increasing by 5-10 times over the last several months. The simcard market is scorching hot In late May, the price of simcards with numbers 0121***7979 suddenly soared by 2-3 times because of news that the subscription numbers beginning with 0121 would be changed to 079. If so, the simcards would be 079***7979, easy to remember. The simcard with phone number 0909999999 has been sold to Thai Minh Phuong, a well-known simcard dealer, at the price of $1 million, the figure which shocks everybody. As the day of converting 11-digit into 10-digit simcards is nearing, simcard dealers have increased their speculation, buying lucky simcards at high prices, and pushing up simcard prices to sky-high levels. VinaPhone’s 11-digit mobile phone numbers will be converted to a … [Read more...] about Lucky 11-digit simcards as expensive as gold
Unlicensed hydropower projects damaging environment in Sa Pa
VietNamNet Bridge - Sa Pa in northwestern Vietnam has carried out dozens of hydropower projects which are now seriously devastating the environment. Sa Pa is a favorite destination point for travelers In 2000, Ban Ho, with its scenery and culture of ethnic minorities, was the ideal destination for travelers who came to Sa Pa. There were nearly 30 homestays in Ban Ho at that time. Despite strong protest from locals, small hydropower plants are still being built. Viet Long plans to increase plant capacity from 5 MW to 9 MW, which means nearly 30 hectares of land in Ban Ho commune will be taken away. According to Khoi, on December 1, 2017, the commune authorities received a dispatch from the Lao Cai provincial planning and investment department about Ban Ho project. RELATED NEWS Trees frozen over in Sapa Fansipan covered in frost Thien Nhien … [Read more...] about Unlicensed hydropower projects damaging environment in Sa Pa