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A key Chinese regulator has issued a notice demanding broadcasters distribute programmes that promote core socialist values, and forcefully oppose content that celebrates money worship, hedonism, radical individualism and feudal thought.

The notice, which was issued on Friday by the State Administration of Press, Publication Radio Film and Television, provides further guidance for the creation and broadcast of programme content, particularly for the countrys rapidly growing internet platforms.

Online programmes should vigorously promote Chinas revolutionary culture advance patriotism , extol the motherland and praise heroes, the notice said.

Chinas media regulator vows severe punishment for TV programmes ridiculing state policies

Chinese President Xi Jinping has undertaken an unprecedented campaign to censor media that do not reflect the views of Communist Party leaders, while advancing traditional Chinese values that promote honesty, unity, self-improvement and self-reliance.

The government over the last year has moved to crack down on illicit content in the countrys fast-growing live-streaming market, which produced revenues of more than 30 billion yuan (US$4.4 billion or HK$34 billion) last year, according to investment bank China Renaissance Securities.

Last July, Chinas Culture Ministry announced that it had shut down 4,313 online show rooms, firing or punishing more than 18,000 anchors.

What does China have against Peppa Pig?

Twelve platforms were punished and ordered to make changes after offering illicit content that promotes obscenity, violence, abets crime and damages social morality.

The media administration said in August that it would restrict social and entertainment news that promoted improper values and Western lifestyles.

In Fridays notice, it said that entertainment reports should advocate morality and talent, while variety shows, dramas and movies should oppose wasteful star-chasing, humdrum games and luxurious feasts.

Chinas top colleges to face ideological inspections

Online platforms also were told to establish sound internal accountability controls, and strictly address problems as they arise.

Television, radio and internet distributors are forbidden from broadcasting uncut programmes that have not been first reviewed by authorities, the notice said.

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China's media watchdog, tightening control of content, promotes 'core socialist values' - South China Morning Post

Media rooms and home theaters are an increasingly popular feature in homes. Two major benefits are that they boost a home's entertainment value as well as its potential resale value. If you're planning to install a media room in your home but space is limited, you'll want to explore these small media room design ideas to ensure you maximize the square footage you have to work with and provide a comfortable and entertaining space for family members and guests.

Prior to deciding on the small media room design that's right for your home, you'll need to decide on a location for this entertainment hub. The most important features of a media room are light and soundit's important to place your media room in the space where you'll have as much control as possible over these key elements. For this reason, popular locations for small media rooms are basements, adjacent to living rooms, or in spare guest bedroomsplaces that are self-contained, quiet, and won't interfere with the home's day-to-day operation when in use.

Once you've decided on a location for your small media room, it's time to start thinking about technical, audio-visual (AV) and design requirements. First up, you'll want to investigate your chosen location's suitability for custom wiringyou'll likely need it for lighting, video, audio and internet access. The first three categories are a must for any media room. Internet access is recommended, as streaming video and multiplayer gaming are more popular media room features these days. You'll also want to ensure that you can hide the wiring for lighting and electronics in the room's drywall, or in discreet tubing throughout the room; clumps of wires are an eyesore, and they can be a fire hazard as well.

When the wiring's done, it's time to consider the AV and electronic equipment you'll feature in your media room. Since your space is small, choosing the right size TV or projection screen is a mustyou don't want to overwhelm guests with a screen that's too big for the space, or feature one that's too small and doesn't provide enough cinematic feel. Ultimately, size matters most for small media roomsthe room's dimensions will go a long way toward determining the size of the TV or projection screen needed, the number or speakers required for your sound system, and the scope of the lighting system.

Once you've procured the AV and electronic equipment for your small media room, it's time to think about the interior design and furniture. The scope and layout of the room will be a major consideration when it comes to the amount and type of furniture and accessories you'll choose. While larger media rooms sometimes use a movie-house theme to create a real cinema-style design, smaller rooms are more apt to feel like a traditional family room, with a comfortable configuration of couches and chairs for guests to utilize while they relax and enjoy the show.

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Small Media Room Ideas: Pictures, Options, Tips & Advice ...

But 'The Temple Mount is ours, not yours,' Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub says on Israeli TV

Jibril Rajoub, a senior official in the Palestinian Authority, has said that the Western Wall should remain under Israeli sovereignty.

We understand that the wall he [U.S. President Donald Trump] visited is sacred to the Jews and ultimately it has to remain under Jewish sovereignty, Rajoub said on Channel 2s "Meet the Press."

"There is no argument over this. Obviously, its a holy place for Jews," he added.

Rajoub linked sovereignty over the Western Wall to sovereignty over the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is ours, not yours, and I think you should stop talking as if its yours. Thats the status quo since 1967, as established by [Israeli general] Moshe Dayan, and we both have to strive for that. If you want to create an explosion just say its ours, its ours, he said.

The issue of sovereignty at the Western Wall came up around Trumps visit there last month, a first by a sitting U.S. president. Ahead of the visit, staff at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem refused to discuss media arrangements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus bureau, arguing that Israel has no authority there. The White House later dissociated itself from these comments.Later, Trumps National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster was evasive when asked whether the Western Wall is part of Israel.

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In his interview on Israeli TV, Rajoub talked about Trumps meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Were waiting for a Trump initiative, were ready, he said. Trump is an opportunity for us and for the Israelis. He comes with clear objectives to make an ultimate deal and end the suffering of both peoples. I call on Israelis and tell them: Guys, its time to draw the correct conclusions, lets do business.

Regarding the U.S. administrations decision to defer the transfer of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem Rajoub said: I think its a message to both sides. It signals to the Israeli right that hes not in their pocket, and to us it signals that there is hope and that he intends to make the deal hes aiming for.

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Senior Palestinian Official: 'Obviously' Western Wall Should Remain Under Israeli Control - Haaretz

Accession by Finland has triggered the entry into force of a key international measure for environmental protection that aims to stop the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species in ships ballast water.

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) will enter into force on 8 September 2017, marking a landmark step towards halting the spread of invasive aquatic species, which can cause havoc for local ecosystems, affect biodiversity and lead to substantial economic loss. Under the Conventions terms, ships will be required to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments

This is a truly significant milestone for the health of our planet, said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

The spread of invasive species has been recognized as one of the greatest threats to the ecological and the economic well-being of the planet. These species are causing enormous damage to biodiversity and the valuable natural riches of the earth upon which we depend. Invasive species also cause direct and indirect health effects and the damage to the environment is often irreversible, he said.

He added, The entry into force of the Ballast Water Management Convention will not only minimize the risk of invasions by alien species via ballast water, it will also provide a global level playing field for international shipping, providing clear and robust standards for the management of ballast water on ships.

Her Excellency Mrs. Pivi Luostarinen Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Finland to IMO, handed over the countrys instrument of acceptance to the Ballast Water Management Convention to IMO Secretary-General Lim on Thursday (8 September 2016).

The accession brings the combined tonnage of contracting States to the treaty to 35.1441%, with 52 contracting Parties. The convention stipulates that it will enter into force 12 months after ratification by a minimum of 30 States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage.

The BWM Convention was adopted in 2004 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for developing global standards for ship safety and security and for the protection of the marine environment and the atmosphere from any harmful impacts of shipping.

The ballast water problem Ballast water is routinely taken on by ships for stability and structural integrity. It can contain thousands of aquatic microbes, algae and animals, which are then carried across the worlds oceans and released into ecosystems where they are not native.

Untreated ballast water released at a ships destination could potentially introduce a new invasive aquatic species. Expanded ship trade and traffic volume over the last few decades has increased the likelihood of invasive species being released. Hundreds of invasions have already taken place, sometimes with devastating consequences for the local ecosystem.

The Ballast Water Management Convention will require all ships in international trade to manage their ballast water and sediments to certain standards, according to a ship-specific ballast water management plan. All ships will also have to carry a ballast water record book and an International Ballast Water Management Certificate. The ballast water performance standard will be phased in over a period of time. Most ships will need to install an on-board system to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. More than 60 type-approved systems are already available.

IMO has been addressing the problem of invasive species in ships ballast water since the 1980s, when Member States experiencing particular problems brought their concerns to the attention of IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). Guidelines to address the issue were adopted in 1991 and IMO then worked to develop the Ballast Water Management Convention, which was adopted in 2004.

IMO has worked extensively with the development of guidelines for the uniform implementation of the Convention and to address concerns of various stakeholders, such as with regards to the availability of ballast water management systems and their type approval and testing.

Shipboard ballast water management systems must be approved by national authorities, according to a process developed by IMO. Ballast water management systems have to be tested in a land-based facility and on board ships to prove that they meet the performance standard set out in the treaty. These could, for example, include systems which make use of filters and ultra violet light or electrochlorination.

Ballast water management systems which make use of active substances must undergo a strict approval procedure and be verified by IMO. There is a two-tier process, in order to ensure that the ballast water management system does not pose unreasonable risk to ship safety, human health and the aquatic environment.

GloBallast programme Since 2000, the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-IMO GloBallast Partnerships Project has been assisting developing countries to reduce the risk of aquatic bio-invasions through building the necessary capacity to implement the Convention. More than 70 countries have directly benefitted from the Project, which has received a number of international awards for its work.

GloBallast has recently been developing and running workshops on ballast water sampling and analysis to prepare States for the entry into force of the treaty. Free-to-access online learning tools have been made available, including an e-learning course on the operational aspects of ballast water management. The GloBallast programme also engages with the private sector through the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) and GIA Fund, established with partners from major maritime companies.

GEF CEO and Chairperson, Naoko Ishii, said, The fact that the BWM Convention will enter into force is the result of a long-term productive partnership between GEF, IMO, UNDP and a suite of partners. Its implementation will be instrumental in battling invasive aquatic species, and will lead to healthier marine ecosystems that positively impact both economic opportunity and the livelihoods of millions of people across the globe. Ultimately, the entry into force of the BWM Convention is simply good news for the global environment. (Read GEF/UNDP/IMO/GloBallast press briefing here.)

Examples of invasive species The North American comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi) has travelled in ships' ballast water from the eastern seaboard of the Americas e.g. to the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas. It depletes zooplankton stocks; altering food web and ecosystem function. The species has contributed significantly to the collapse of Azov Sea, Black Sea and Caspian Sea fisheries in the 1990s and 2000s, with massive economic and social impact.

The Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) has been transported from the Black Sea to western and northern Europe, including Ireland and the Baltic Sea, and the eastern half of North America. Travelling in larval form in ballast water, on release it has rapid reproductive growth with no natural predators in North America. The mussel multiplies and fouls all available hard surfaces in mass numbers. Displacing native aquatic life, this species alters habitat, ecosystem and the food web and causes severe fouling problems on infrastructure and vessels. There have been high economic costs involved in unblocking water intake pipes, sluices and irrigation ditches.

The North Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) has been transported in ballast water from the northern Pacific to southern Australia. It reproduces in large numbers, reaching plague proportions rapidly in invaded environments. This invasive species has caused significant economic loss as it feeds on shellfish, including commercially valuable scallop, oyster and clam species.

Other examples are listed here.

Further information on ballast water management can be found here.

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Convention for the Control and Management of Ships ... - IMO

Kigali - Western diplomats in Rwanda voiced their concern on Tuesday over an order that presidential candidates must submit their social media messages to the country's election commission for pre-approval before dissemination.

"We are all concerned about this recent development and I think it is important to really understand what is behind this very, very serious limitation on the freedom of expression," said US ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles.

The envoy was speaking at a panel on human rights organised by the European Union and attended by foreign diplomats as well as Rwanda's justice minister.

The measure giving control over social media use to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will take effect at the start of the official campaign period on July 14 ahead of elections on August 4.

The rule states that all "messages, photographs and other campaign material" to be published on social networks must be submitted to the commission for approval at least 48 hours before they are due to be published.

It is aimed at "avoiding expressions, words, acts that can lead to acts of insecurity, the awakening of divisionism among the Rwandan population," said Kalisa Mbanda, election commission president.

Germany's ambassador Peter Woeste said other countries also faced problems of controlling hate speech, but asked whether "censorship [is] the way to go?" EU ambassador Michael Ryan described the measure as "too limiting".

Rwanda opposition figures have also criticised the move saying it will be used to block any criticism of President Paul Kagame who has been in charge of the country since 1994 and is running for a third term after changing the constitution to permit his candidacy.

Four opposition candidates are hoping to run against Kagame, if they are granted approval by the election commission.

While the constitution enshrines a multiparty system, there is virtually no opposition in the country, with the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) exerting total control over the political, social and economic spheres.

Since the end of the genocide, which killed around 800 000 people mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group in 1994, Rwanda has been praised for its economic performance and stability but criticised for its attacks and limitations on freedom of expression.

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Diplomats concerned over Rwanda social media controls - News24