Both Russia and the UK have to deal with fighting ISIS and the threat of terrorism and it’s about time they understood it’s better to do it united, says journalist and author John Wight commenting on a possible thaw in Moscow-London ties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May at the G20 summit in China next month. In their first phone conversation since May took office, the two leaders agreed Russia and the UK need to work together - meaning a stronger economic partnership, and closer dialogue between the two countries' security agencies.
RT: President Putin met the Turkish President on Tuesday trying to repair a severely damaged relationship. Now a meeting is lined up with Theresa May. Are we seeing a realignment of Russia's relations with key powers?
John Wight: It certainly looks that way. Putin can be proud of his achievement this week in effect in a rapprochement of relations with Turkey vis-à-vis his meeting with Recep Erdogan in Saint Petersburg. So it is very encouraging for him and also it looks like there can be better relations on the way between the UK and Russia.
It is very important if it happens. It is very important for Britain in the sense that Theresa May has assumed the reins of government in Downing Street at a time of deep economic and political uncertainty in the UK in light of the Brexit vote. She will be under no illusions with regard to the significance of Turkey moving closer to Russia again, given the state of their relations over the past nine months since the shooting down of the Russian aircraft by a Turkish aircraft. So there is a lot to play for.
Also Putin will be keen to establish a closer relationship with the UK, given that a new US President is on the way in November. That is likely to be Hillary Clinton, who we know to be very, very hawkish with regards to Russia. There are many, many strands to this, but for both countries it is very important their relations get off to a new start in light of Theresa May’s assumption of power in Downing Street.
RT: David Cameron was highly critical of Putin, especially over Ukraine. Do you think Theresa May will take a different approach?
JW: Yes, she is now prime minister – it is a different role. But events are driving this change in attitude – not really any kind of ideological shift, because of Britain’s new state of post-Brexit crisis (and) the rapprochement between Turkey and Russia. Also they have things in common they need to deal with. They need to deal with events in the Middle East with regards to the ongoing struggle against ISIS, the threat of terrorism, which affects both countries.
Russia will be keen to try and affect some kind of change in attitude vis-à-vis NATO expansion and encirclement. So they both have very, very serious issues to deal with, and it is about time that they understood that it is better to do so united rather than disunited. Putin has been calling for such unity, for better relations between Russia and the European partners for many, many years now. Let’s hope now that is the start of something happening in this regard.
RT: Last year, Cameron threatened to take sanctions against Russia "to a whole different level." Now that he's out, do you expect the sanctions to be lifted by the UK?
JW: I think that will depend on the attitude of Germany and France, which are less keen on the sanctions. These sanctions have been pushed by Washington. And David Cameron has been keen to bonus his own credential to Washington in this regard. That is what fueled his stance. The Obama Presidency is winding down to its end. Obviously, the huge interest will be with regard to….who’s likely to be Hillary Clinton. Her harsh stance will be when she assumes power in the White House. That is going to be the key relationship that Putin will have to deal with. It helps in this regard if he can in the meantime effect better relations with Britain and with other European neighbors. He has already done that with Turkey. So that could only help in that course.
2004 - Member, public council for assisting the development of civil society and human rights institutions under the President of Russia
Today we will talk about the challenges Russia is facing. This week, Russian and U.S. diplomats have begun talks on nuclear arms reduction and European and Russian leaders are also meeting this week to discuss energy and trade. To talk about the threats and opportunities for Russia, our guest today is Sergey Karaganov, the Chairman of the Council of Foreign and Defense Policy.
Smoke alarms save lives. Reports have found that the risk of death in a house fire is reduced by more than half if properly maintained smoke alarms are installed.
The Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Act 2016 (Qld) commenced on 1 January 2017 and imposes additional obligations on property owners/managers with regards to the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms at domestic dwellings.
If the existing smoke alarms were manufactured less than 10 years ago, and are still in good working order, they will comply with the new legislative requirements.
However, it is important for property owners/managers to understand the new requirements and the timeframes that apply.
Existing smoke alarms, manufactured more than 10 years ago, must be replaced (Note: smoke alarms should have the date of manufacture stamped on them).
Existing hardwired smoke alarms, that need replacing, must be replaced with a hardwired photoelectric smoke alarm.
test and clean smoke alarms and replace any flat or nearly flat batteries within 30 days before the start or renewal of a tenancy
not remove a smoke alarm or a battery (other than to replace it), or do anything to reduce the effectiveness of the alarm e.g. paint it.
not remove a smoke alarm or the battery (other than to replace it), or do anything to reduce the effectiveness of the alarm e.g. paint or cover it
You do not need to be qualified or licensed to clean or test a domestic smoke alarm. Some real estate agents may outsource smoke alarm maintenance to another company as part of their processes. Tenancy rules permit entry for the purposes of complying with smoke alarm legislation.
An open house may occur when a property is put up for sale, or rent, and prospective buyers or tenants view the property during a specific advertised period.
Photos used to market the property (e.g. on the ‘for sale/rent’ signs or the internet) should not show the tenant’s possession unless they agree in writing.
If the tenant agrees to an open house, the property manager/owner should negotiate a suitable time. The property manager/owner should try to minimise any disruption to the tenant's quiet enjoyment of the property.
The property manager/owner must also give the tenant an Entry notice (Form 9) giving at least 24 hours’ notice of the open house.
For all other viewings, an entry notice must be given for each entry. Entry must be at a reasonable time and, unless the tenant agrees, must not be on Sundays or public holidays, or any other day before 8am or after 6pm.
We have investigated the possibility that G-protein-like entities may be present in the plasma membrane (PM) of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hypocotyls by examining a number of criteria common to animal and yeast G-proteins. The GTP binding and...