Ninth cross-strait forum opens in Xiamen

The ninth Strait Forum started Saturday in east China’s Fujian Province to boost grassroots exchange between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

During the week-long forum, 21 activities on youth exchange, grassroots communities and trade will be held, as well as 15 parallel activities across the province.

Topics of common concern for people across the Taiwan Strait, including cultural inheritance, employment, entrepreneurship, tourism, health care and vocational education will be covered in the discussions, according to the forum calendar.

The forum will also feature a group wedding for 50 cross-strait couples and a traditional martial arts competition.

This year marks the 30th anniversary since the two sides started people-to-people communication across the Strait.




Mamdouh’s testimony, successfully relocated from Greece to Lithuania

Mamdouh studies Pharmacy in Lithuania, he is a Syrian successfully relocated from Greece, who found in this Baltic country a second home and new friends.
He learnt to smile again, to dream again, to hope again in this incredible place, peaceful with friendly people.

Mamdouh was helped by the authorities from the very first moment he stepped on Lithuanian soil, and he considers the EU Relocation Programme the only safe and legal way for all the people in need in international protection, currently residing in Greece and Italy.

His story, his words, his smile depict the journey from darkness to light.

Share his testimony!

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Delivering for Scotland

This week we learned unemployment in Scotland has hit a 25-year low, Scotland has achieved its annual carbon emissions reduction target, new money was pledged for house-building across the country, and radical new education reforms were unveiled.




News story: Defence Secretary agrees stronger partnership with Netherlands

Sir Michael Fallon agreed the joint vision statement – a commitment to strengthen co-operation in areas including hybrid and cyber warfare and counter-terrorism – with Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister of Defence for the Netherlands.

The agreement will include a pledge to work more closely across defence and security policy, intelligence and joint exercises. It will also see the exchange of personnel and work towards a UK-Netherlands Amphibious Force.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

Today, the UK has stepped up its relationship with the Netherlands – one of our closest and most reliable European allies. We have committed to working more closely to tackle common threats, from cyber security to terrorism, and will be united in our drive for the EU and NATO to work better together.

The UK is stepping forward not back from the global stage and will continue to defend our continent before and after Brexit.

The UK and Netherlands have a long history working together through the UN, NATO, Joint Expeditionary Force and, most recently, in the Counter Daesh Global Coalition. The Dutch have also committed a company of Marines to the UK-led NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land) this year.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister of Defence for the Netherlands said:

I very much value the strong military ties between the UK and the Netherlands. Clearly, our collective security is at stake, and I am convinced that we can only face today’s and tomorrow’s challenges by joining forces. We need each other more than ever. Military cooperation, either bilateral or within NATO-EU, is crucial in securing and safeguarding peace and stability at home and abroad.

Sir Michael and Dutch Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met at Admiralty House after attending the Queen’s Birthday Parade.




Temporary Traffic Order – Guthrie Street

From the City Council :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984  :  SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of BT manhole repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Guthrie Street (between Horsewater Wynd and Blinshall Street), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 18 June 2017 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Horsewater Wynd / Hawkhill / Brown Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433082.

Executive Director of City Development
Dundee City Council