The appointment of Carles Puigdemont drew an immediate rebuke from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. New elected President of the Catalan Government Carles Puigdemont is congratulated by former President Artur Mas.

The appointment of Carles Puigdemont drew an immediate rebuke from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Barcelona: A fiercely secessionist leader was elected president of the wealthy region of Catalonia on Sunday thanks to a last-minute show of unity, giving fresh impetus to attempts to break away from Spain after months of infighting.The appointment of Carles Puigdemont, just hours before a deadline which would have forced fresh regional elections, drew an immediate rebuke from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. "The government won't allow a single act that could harm the unity and sovereignty of Spain," Rajoy warned in a live televised appearance in Madrid.Rajoy's remarks came after Catalonia's pro-independence faction that won regional parliamentary elections in September finally came to an agreement this weekend over who should lead the new local government.The sticking point had been Artur Mas, the incumbent, separatist regional president whom the far-left CUP part of the secessionist faction that topped the polls rejected over his support for austerity and corruption scandals linked to his party.

In a surprise move Mas agreed to step aside on Saturday, naming the relatively unknown politician Puigdemont as his successor and sparing Catalonia its fourth set of elections since 2010. Puigdemont, the 53-year-old mayor of Girona who comes from a fervently pro-independence family, will now appoint his cabinet."We need to start the process to set up an independent state in Catalonia," Puigdemont said in a speech to the northeastern region's parliament ahead of the vote.Puigdemont, a baker's son, has never hidden his separatist tendencies, not even when he joined Mas's CDC party in 1980 at a time when it merely wanted to negotiate greater autonomy for Catalonia — far from the idea of breaking away from Spain. Despite having to step aside, Mas hailed the last-ditch agreement, telling his party on Sunday that in Madrid "all the alarm bells started ringing again"."In the past few weeks (in Madrid), they were saying enthusiastically that Catalonia was sinking, they were so enthusiastic that they had started to relax," he told members of his CDC party.

The formation of a Catalan government stands in stark contrast to the situation in Madrid, where the national government is in limbo following inconclusive December polls. Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) came top in the December 20 elections but lost its absolute majority, leaving him struggling to form a coalition government as other parties refuse to support him."The (separatist) coalition is profiting from the power vacuum in Madrid," headlined online daily El Espanol on Sunday.So wholesale Vacuum Storage Bags far the PP's traditional Socialist rivals PSOE, who came second in the elections, have refused to back the incumbent Prime Minister. But ironically, the newly-reached separatist deal may put pressure on the PSOE to stand united with the PP over its opposition to Catalonia breaking away from Spain."We reiterate our support for the caretaker government to enforce the law and defend the Constitution," Antonio Hernando, a Socialist spokesman, told reporters on Sunday.And Fernando Martinez-Maillo of the PP stressed that there was "no better way to confront secessionism than to see the Popular Party and the Socialist party join forces".One of Spain's 17 semi-autonomous regions with its own language and customs, Catalonia already enjoys a large degree of freedom in education, health and policing.

But fed up after years of demands for greater autonomy on the taxation front — complaining it pays more to Madrid than it gets back — the region veered towards separatism. Polls show most in the 7.5-million-strong region support staging a Scotland-style referendum on independence which Rajoy has categorically refused to allow but in fact are divided over whether to make the break from Spain. In November, separatist lawmakers passed a motion in parliament breaking from Spain and calling for complete independence in 18 months.The move was later ruled illegal by Spain's constitutional court, but Catalonia's secessionist lawmakers quickly rose up in defiance, saying the resolution was here to stay.

Shanghai launched Chiana&Hanging vacuum storage bag039;s most ambitious garbage separation and recycling programme ever. Shanghai is piloting a programme set for eventual nationwide adoption in what would likely be the world's largest waste separation and recycling scheme. ( Photo: AFP)

China: Every day, Shanghai produces around 26,000 tonnes of garbage –- equal in weight to the Statue of LibertyNie Feng used to toss his rubbish outside his Shanghai flat without a thought while rushing to work, but saving China from a garbage crisis now requires him to consult a complex diagram each morning.On July 1, Shanghai launched China's most ambitious garbage separation and recycling programme ever, as the country confronts a rising tide of trash created by increasing consumption.But the programme is the talk of China's biggest city for other reasons as well: confusion over rules and fines for infractions, and thousands of volunteers inspecting citizens' private garbage each day.Nie examines a wall-sized diagram saying fish and pork bones must be separated from each other, and from the plastic bag he carries them in."It's for the good of our homeland, but we keep making mistakes," said Nie, a trading company staffer, laughing as he struggled to separate the bag's contents into various bins."We have to get this right before the fines really start."Shanghai is piloting a programme set for eventual nationwide adoption in what would likely be the world's largest waste separation and recycling scheme -- and it is desperately needed.With its 1.4 billion consumers, China is becoming swamped by trash.

Every day, Shanghai's 25 million people alone produce around 26,000 tonnes –- equal in weight to the Statue of Liberty.The issue is straining municipal services nationwide and prompting unrest.- Growing anger -Last week authorities in the central city of Wuhan sent riot police to quell protests by thousands of citizens against construction of a waste incinerator.China is spending billions of dollars on waste-to-energy incineration plants across the country, but repeated protests have flared over fears they will emit toxins. Wuhan has shelved its plan, for now.China produced just 30 million tonnes of trash in 1980, but that soared to 210 million in 2017, according to World Bank figures.That is still less than the world's trash titan, the United States, which produced 258 million tonnes. But China is gaining fast and the World Bank predicts Chinese garbage could reach a staggering 500 million tonnes annually by 2030.

Several factors are blamed, including rapid growth and the Communist # Party's ongoing push to develop a domestic consumer economy to lessen reliance on the outside world.Led by the likes of Alibaba, Chinese e-commerce has exploded, producing billions of parcel deliveries annually with their associated packaging.The government indicated its alarm last year by banning certain imports of foreign waste that it used to accept for years for recycling, a move that has up-ended global garbage flows."We need a really big push and I think the government realised that. There is really a sense of urgency," said Alizee Buysschaert, founder and director of environmental consultancy Zero Waste Shanghai.With a phased national roll-out set to gain pace next year, Shanghai's experience has become one of the most talked-about topics in the country, though sometimes for the wrong reasons.

Critics have taken aim at seemingly contradictory sorting guidelines and the limited daily hours during which dumping is allowed, which causes problems for those with irregular schedules.Chinese media reports also have indicated that a lot of garbage was still entering bins unsorted.Government officials declined AFP interview requests.- 'So much rubbish' -Previous city-level sorting schemes have fizzled, but Buysschaert sees a difference this time."The big shift is that it is much more centralised and it's incentivised now. That's really a game-changer because now everyone is talking about it and everyone is involved and on their toes," she said.Authorities say strict sorting is crucial, making it far easier to separately process recycled items, hazardous waste, compost and biomass.But tempers have flared.

Chinese media said a 33-year-old woman was detained last week for choking a volunteer sorting inspector unconscious during a rules dispute.Fines range from 200 yuan (USD 29) for household infractions to 50,000 yuan for businesses, though authorities are going easy on imposing them for now.The scheme is a business opportunity for others, with start-ups offering app-based garbage collection and sorting services.

True to form, the Communist Party is pushing obeisance via a public campaign larded with red banners emblazoned with revolutionary exhortations such as "storm the citadel of trash sorting.""We weren't used to it at first. It was really inconvenient," said 67-year-old pensioner Zhou Shenzhu.But she has been won over by a noticeable reduction in flies and odour since sorting started, she says."The propaganda on television says we face great harm if we don't separate.""Shanghai has lots of people, and so much rubbish. So much!"

Washington: The Pentagon has strongly denied the reports that the US spied on India&Vacuum Storage Bag39;s anti-satellite or ASAT missile test by sending a reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to monitor the development.Mr McDowell, who is a staff member at the Chandra X-ray Center and author and editor of Jonathan's Space Report, an e-mail-distributed newsletter documenting satellite launches, said he has not looked into the issue of the aircraft, but it is certainly not surprising that the US would fly a sensor aircraft to try and observe the test.

Thatis the way the world works these days. In fact, the US continues to expand its enduring partnership with India, resulting in enhanced interoperability and stronger economic ties," US Defense Department spokesperson Lt Col David W Eastburn told news agency PTI. Immediately after the test (it struck the target vehicle), the Joint Space Ops Center and USAF 18 Space control Squadron began collecting information about the breakup of the vehicle," Lt Gen Thompson said."Both nations enjoy shared principles regarding our respect of sovereignty, free and fair trade, adherence to international norms, and peaceful resolution of disputes," he said.The test made India only the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to acquire the strategic capability to shoot down enemy satellites.This was interpreted by many that the US spied on India's ASAT test..The Pentagon, however, strongly denied the spying allegation."First of all, we knew it was coming because of flight bans that India had announced and information they published previously.

Aircraft Spots, which monitors military air movements, had said that a US Air Force's reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia went "for a mission in the Bay of Bengal to monitor India's anti-satellite missile test".Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Wednesday announced that India successfully test-fired an anti-satellite missile by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super-powers. It would be surprising if the US were not detecting or observing the launch site and aware of activities preparing for the test."It's a relationship so strong that no topic is off limits," Lt Col Eastburn said."First of all, it was detected, characterised and reported by Air Force Missile Warning systems and Airmen at Buckley AFB."Everybody spies on their friends as well as their enemies."This implies that the US intelligence community were aware of the test in advance because to some extent they're spying on India," he alleged. # Aircraft Spots had said that a US Air Force's reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia went 'for a mission in the Bay of Bengal to monitor India's anti-satellite missile test'. The launch occurred at 1:39 AM EST," he told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces during a Congressional hearing.It is said that the United States was aware of India's first test-fire of an anti-satellite missile. So one assumes that they knew it was coming," he claimed.It, however, said that the United States was aware of India's first test-fire of an anti-satellite missile."I don't think that it implies coordination between India and the US," astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics told news agency PTI on the Aircraft Spots report."No US assets were spying on India.Air Force Space Command Commander Lt Gen David D Thompson told US lawmakers on Thursday that the United States was aware that India's ASAT test was coming

I have a different relationship and equation with them, individually. I went out and bought a luxurious designer bag when I got my first payment. I have known him to an extent since childhood but now I can really say that I ‘know’ him within the professional sphere as well.”About working with Anil Kapoor, she shares, “To be working with Anil sir in just my second movie has been a privilege. The movie is supposed to be a laughter riot and I had a great time shooting for the movie. Also, my dad never really carried the baggage of his work when he was home with us.

So he will give all the advice in the world but he will make sure that I take my own decisions. I think I plan too much and that too way ahead of time. Then a lip balm, my phone, a comb and my iPod. So ask her if she is an out-and-out daddy’s girl or a mama’s angel and she replies, “I am both. She was in the capital to launch the newest store of American high-end brand Coach at DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj. I got to learn from him tremendously. That is how you learn in life and grow. The romantic comedy also stars Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz and is slated to release in July. However, I think, I have become closer to him after growing up. It didn’t matter if he had a hit or a flop. Talking about the same, she says, “It’s a fun movie about a crazy Punjabi family wherein I play a Punjabi girl named Binkle. They both are equally special.”

Lastly, ask her how she plans to take her career forward and she smiles, “Each day as it comes. He was always normal with us, and that sense of normality really made us who we are today. I really don’t know what’s the source of his energy but it was incredibly palpable.”Shetty just wrapped up shooting for Mubarakan, directed by Anees Bazmi. He never brought his work home. But I am equally close to Hand roll vacuum compression bags Factory my father as well. My mother is my best friend. That’s how much I lust over them. “My mother had a very strong principle of not allowing her kids on any film sets in an attempt to keep us grounded. At the end of the day, he tells me, that you are what you are because of your successes as well as failures. As a child, she informs, she wasn’t allowed to go on any film sets. Athiya Shetty Athiya Shetty is simple and grounded unlike many a star kid. There was no Friday fear at home. Now I have decided to not plan so much.”.” 

The actress is also quite the fashionista and confesses that she is crazy about handbags. “Okay, to be specific, a KitKat. I got to see first-hand why he’s called the most hardworking actor in the industry. She structured our (my brother and me) upbringing in such a way that even though we were part of the movie industry, the industry never really became a part of our lives.Athiya Shetty is all geared up for her next release — Mubarakan.” Recently, it was reported that the actress rushed to meet her father, as she had not seen him in a long time due to shooting and travelling.Athiya explains, “I am totally crazy about bags. And it’s a normal childhood that she attributes to moulding her like this. He absolutely takes no shortcuts, and had more energy than all of us put together.” So what are the five things that one will find inside her bag? She whispers “a chocolate” and breaks into laughter.

She is a simple girl but adds to all the chaos and drama. There are certain things that I tell only my dad and not ma… and likewise there’s stuff that I only tell my mom and not dad. We go back and forth about characters that have been offered, the script, the storyline, etc… but he is someone who truly believes in letting one make one’s own decisions.” Talking about her father Suniel Shetty and how involved he gets with her films, the 24-year-old shares, “I always go and ask for his advice. That adds stress to my life. She has a sense of wrong and right and holds her ground

But the problem is that Hamza is member of national assembly and would have to be elected as member of provincial assembly first in order to succeed his father.Party sources said that Sharif proposed name of his younger brother Shehbaz in on Friday&Travel Vacuum Bag039;s meeting.According to party sources, Sharif was conscious that bringing Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz to Islamabad may create political vacuum in the crucial state, which PML-N cannot afford ahead of next year elections.Hence, an interim prime minister would have to be chosen from among Sharif's confidants who will resign once Shehbaz is elected.In case, Shehbaz is elected is premier, then his son Hamza could be a choice for the post of chief minister of Punjab.The party would have to decide a prime minister for interim period in case Shehbaz emerges as the final consensus candidate for top job.

Hence, there is possibility that a permanent prime minister might be elected from the senior party leader for the remaining tenure of the government, which would end in first week of June, 2018.During former military dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf’s time, politician Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was appointed as an interim prime minister until Shaukat Aziz, who was nominated by Musharraf, got elected by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PMLQ).In order to become the prime minister, he would have to be elected first.The Supreme Court on Friday disqualified 67-year-old Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader out of office. Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother # Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister.Senior Pakistan Muslim League leader and former railway minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the party meeting later today.Meanwhile, party sources said that Sharif proposed name of his younger brother Shehbaz in on Friday's meeting and none of the participants raised any objection to the proposal.

Different options were discussed in a similar meeting on Friday but no decision was taken," he said. The meeting is likely to include discussion on candidates for the post of the prime minister, party's new president and members of the Cabinet.But Shehbaz, 65, cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not a member of parliament.Pakistan has seen such arrangements in the past too. Islamabad: Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will chair a crucial meeting to decide his successor, a day after he was disqualified by the Supreme Court.Different names so far considered to become interim prime minister include former defence minister Khawaja Asif, former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former planning minister Ahsan Iqbal and speak national assembly Ayaz Sadiq