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LONDONHenry Kissinger once tried to come between the National Security Agency (NSA) and Britains GCHQ, their signals intelligence (SIGINT) brothers from the other side of the pond, and the response from the U.S. intelligence agency was short and swift.

The NSA simply said, Drop dead, says the author of a new authorized history of GCHQ, who explains that the two intelligence agencies have a closer relationship with each other than they do with their own governments.

The worlds two leading signals intelligence agencies are so tightly bound together that they share virtually all of the material they gather with no questions asked. Over the years, GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) has frequently protected the NSA from rivals within the U.S. including the CIA and Naval intelligence unitsand even their respective presidents and prime ministers come second in the hierarchy of loyalty, according to Behind the Enigma: The Authorized History of GCHQ, Britains Secret Cyber-Intelligence Agency by John Ferris.

I say in the bookand both GCHQ and NSA allowed me to say itthat at some point or another, every director of GCHQ and NSA colludes with each other in order to do something which their own national authority might try to impede, Ferris told The Daily Beast.

One such clash arose in 1973 when Kissinger, who was President Nixons national security adviser at the time, ordered the NSA to stop sharing signals intelligence with Britain in order to pressure London to support Nixons Israel policy.

The NSA refused to comply, challenging Kissingers authority despite his key role at the White House. Ironically, under the shared intelligence agreement between the agencies, Kissingers move would have left the U.S. flying blind in the Middle East because collecting signals intelligence in the region was entirely the domain of the British who funnelled the intel back to Fort Meade.

One of the most bizarre aspects of this unparalleled intelligence sharing partnership is that it is not enshrined in any treaty; its a subnational, totally non-binding agreement, which makes the NSAs willingness to stand up to Kissinger even more extraordinary.

If Jeremy Corbyn had been elected with a majority, I think he would have broken it and he could have done so. And if Donald Trump wanted to break it, he could do so. Any British prime minister or American president is free to choose. The problem is theyre so closely intertwined that it would cause massive immediate problems, or huge amounts of expenditure to overcome. That wouldnt have bothered Corbyn, said Ferris.

The relationship was also entirely secret for 25 years after World War II. It wasnt until 2010 that the documents behind the agreement were put into the public domain. This comprehensive book uses unprecedented access to GCHQ files to chart the full history of the agreement, which is called UKUSA (pronounced yoo-kusa, a bit like the Japanese mafia, by those in the know).

The only organization I can think of which in any way comes close is NORAD, the North American air defense system where the Canadian and American air defense systems are integrated. But thats much more narrow and specific than UKUSA, but thats the only other thing that comes close. So, yes, this is really unique, said Ferris, who is a professor of history at the University of Calgary in Canada.

At the end of the Cold War, during which British expertise on intercepting Russian communications had been instrumental, there was a fear that GCHQs influence would wane, but the agency, which is based in Cheltenham, southwest England, bucked expectations and repositioned itself as a trailblazer in modern signals intelligence.

With the resources freed from exhaustively covering the Soviet Union, GCHQ was able to start doing what its really good at, which is exploring new territoriesin this case, the early days of the internet, mapping it out for themselves and the Americans and then coming up with new methods of interception and cryptography to suit the new environment.

British paymasters recognized the outsized diplomatic clout they maintained in Fort Meade and in Washington, where GCHQ intel product remains highly respected, so long as the intelligence agency was allowed to thrive, and so investment in the agency remained relatively high despite the end of the Cold War.

Ferris was not allowed to detail current intel methods in the book for obvious reasons, but the documents published by Edward Snowden, who was employed by a contractor to work at an NSA facility, give an unmistakable insight into the current balance of the relationship between GCHQ and the NSA.

If Im judging simply by material which has been leaked, mostly by Snowden in the past five or six years, my sense is that the British are relatively much more significant than they were at any point since the 1960s, said Ferris. If you go through the Snowden material, youll find that a huge number of the technical innovations clearly are British, and, in fact, the Americans pay GCHQ to develop them.

The book argues that regular NSA efforts to subsidize GCHQ, which has a much smaller budget and staff, is a sign not of GCHQs weakness but of its strength. The British SIGINTers are seen as valuable scouts and innovators who routinely deliver a good return on investment. As the former director of GCHQ, David Omand, once joked, We have the brains. They have the money.

This is not to say, the NSA is not filled with brilliant people in itself, and their capacity for intelligence gathering is unparalleled. The Americans have this raw power, which once focused is overwhelming, said Ferris. I would personally say that NSA is one of the most technologically disruptive organizations in history. So, the two of them together are very formidable.

The relationship between the American and British signals intelligence communities blossomed during World War II, when U.S. pioneers were invited over to Bletchley Park, the legendary home of the codebreakers who cracked Germanys secret wartime communications.

Genuinely, they were astounded by the quality of every branch of British SIGINT and, in fact, came to understand that what the British were doing was very ahead of us in every single way, said Ferris.

NSA could trust GCHQ to have its back in a way that it cannot trust any other American agency to have its back.

John Ferris

Anglo-American relations were complicated during the course of the war, with Washington initially reluctant to become embroiled in another predominantly European conflict. After the war, American SIGINTers, with the help of GCHQ input, succeeded in convincing President Harry Truman that a large-scale peacetime SIGINT operation was necessary to ensure there was never a Nuclear Pearl Harbor.

UKUSA was established in 1946, linking American and British SIGINT efforts ever since. The agreement also took in Britains recent Dominions; Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Together they formed a global network which is now known as Five Eyes.

The relative merits of NSA and GCHQ have fluctuated over the decades. In the 50s and even early 60s, GCHQ was still seen as the more impressive intelligence producer. American internal memos bemoaned the supremacy of GCHQs final product, which was often deemed better written and more fully analysed.

In the latter decades of the 20th century, big American investments in supercomputing and expensive advances, including satellite technology, ensured NSA was in the ascendancy.

The agreement was founded on individual personal relationships between SIGINTers, and sometimes those were rocky. There were complaints that GCHQ was hogging the most prestigious roles; British assessments of American product were sometimes deemed too rude to share; and in the mid-80s NSA Director William Odom complained that GCHQ did not carry out its share of the work given how much authority it demanded.

The British clearly cant accept happily their own loss of pre-eminence in this business, Odom wrote in his remarkably frank diary. Socially I no longer find the British amusing, merely a pain in the ass.

But throughout it all, NSA and GCHQ, two largely civilian organizations, maintained their togetherness. All of the Five Eyes countries would send senior liaison officers and up-and-coming integrees to work at the other agencies, sharing intel techniques and honing each others skills. A no-poach policy ensures that the agencies are willing to let their best and their brightest take part in the exchanges. In Behind the Enigma, Ferris writes:

In one legendary moment, an American integree at Cheltenham and a British one at Fort Meade conducted negotiations between GCHQ and NSA on behalf of their adopted services; in another, every member of a Sigint conference between Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States held a British passport.

GCHQ is also part of American decision-making. There are lots of interagency meetings and important issues where GCHQ representatives are part of the decision-making process right on U.S. soil. On Sept. 12, 2001, the head of GCHQ was on the only aircraft allowed into the United States immediately after 9/11. General Michael Hayden, former director of the NSA, has since said it was decided in the aftermath that GCHQ would assume command of all American SIGINT if Fort Meade was compromised.

NSA could trust GCHQ to have its back in a way that it cannot trust any other American agency to have its back. And GCHQ and NSA provide each other with state secrets, which only a handful of other people would see. It is one of the most unusual arrangements Ive ever seen, Ferris said.

If the agreement does eventually collapse it will cost the U.S. billions of dollars to replace the input from Britain.

General Hayden, who was director of both the NSA and CIA, was an exception, but there has often been a rivalry between the two agencies which dates back to the 1950s when NSA was created: CIA operatives around the world had previously been responsible for foreign SIGINT collection.

There was a huge amount of blood on the floor, said Ferris, and relations were often tough over the decades to come. There are moments when CIAfor good reasons or badis not doing what NSA would like. And GCHQ helps NSA avoid some of those problems. GCHQ has perfectly civil relations with CIA. So, its actually easier for GCHQ to get CIA to help NSA than it is for NSA to get CIA to help NSA.

Many SIGINTers believe UKUSA will eventually fall apart now that the unifying threat of the Cold War has faded away and there is no guarantee that new generations of political leaders will share common foreign policy goals. The strength of the agreement was tested in the Middle East in the 70s when British and American governments disagreed over Israel, and similarly two decades before when Washington did not support British policy during the 1956 Suez crisis. On that occasion GCHQ actually hampered British government policy by refusing to cooperate with French intelligence.

If the agreement does eventually collapse it will cost the U.S. billions of dollarsFerris believes the NSA budget would have to increase by around a thirdto replace the input from Britain. But even more than that, one of the greatest intelligence-gathering partnerships the world has ever seen would be permanently damaged.

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Why the NSA Told Henry Kissinger to Drop Dead When He Tried to Cut Intel Links with Britain - The Daily Beast

We live in a world of a beehive of online activities, with many individuals happily sharing their private information on the Internet. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam is constantly looking over your shoulder. Unknown to most people, a lot of data is collected via the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) PRISM surveillance program. Once youre the target, a massive amount of data about you can be collected and forwarded to the government. Whenever the government is caught with its hands in the privacy jar, two platitudes are always given: If you have not done something wrong, youve nothing to hide, and you have to trust the government it has your best interests at heart.

Basically, the governments nothing-to-hide notion implies that its only criminals who may want to hide. But is that true? Besides, we all have something that we want to hide. Just ask anybody to show you their credit card bill or even their emails what would be the response?

If theres nothing that should be hidden and you can trust the government with your data, think about this scenario: What will happen if someone gains access into the governments database? Since you are here, we assume you are one of those folks who want to escape NSA spying. If so, it is time for you to be smart and be a ghost!

Online activities should be private, but unfortunately, thats not the case. In 2013, the NSA outlined how data can be collected via the PRISM program. The technology is merely based on the optical fiber wiretaps. PRISM is meant to track the activities of potential foreign terrorists. Just like in criminal investigations, the NSA is probably not intentionally spying on you, but the fact that they can when they want to is a breach of privacy.

There are several ways you stay out of the omnipresent eyes of the government and the NSAs PRISM. Below are some simple measures to minimize the likelihood of the NSA PRISM program monitoring your Internet activities.

One of the surest ways of beating the NSAs PRISM surveillance trap is by encrypting your Internet traffic. Its simply that all the encrypted data is useless to the PRISM program without the decryption key. Your conversations may not be private unless you encrypt. First, you can encrypt the hard drive and all the existing files. All the data stored on the cloud should be encrypted before being submitted to Internet service providers. The last thing you want is entirely trusting Google, Microsoft, or Apple to encrypt data for you. As an individual, avoid storing unencrypted personal data in clouds like OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive.

Using a good VPN will help keep the NSA from sniffing around your personal space and your business. A VPN merely helps establish a private network thats private to the Internet and allows you to surf anonymously (although there are many caveats here). It conceals the user identity by masking the devices IP address and then directing traffic via VPN servers in a location that you may choose.

However, a VPN should not be just a VPN but should be a VPN that doesnt keep logs. A VPN without logs means that the VPN provider cannot reveal your identity even if it gets a court order. Thats because it wont be recording any of your web activities details in the first place. Moreover, a VPN will ensure that you easily bypass Internet restrictions, as well as getting access to blocked websites.

Each time you visit a new site, a trail of footprints are left behind that can tell so much about you. Most advertising networks use those digital footprints for targeted ads, meaning that the NSA is most probably watching every keystroke you make.

Therefore, to ensure that you block web tracking, simply visit your browsers settings and then disable third-party cookies so that they do not load on the current web page.

Secondly, you need to privately search the web by activating private incognito mode in the browser. Alternatively, you can opt to use browser extensions like Ghostery that prevent ad agencies and search engines from tracking web pages.

Furthermore, you can disable JavaScript from the browser setting to help avoid web tracking. And masking your IP address via a VPN is another excellent way of staying out of the radar of tracking cookies.

Sometimes connecting to free hotspots can prove to be a channel through which someone can access your device. However, wandering from the library to the coffee shop and the free caf down the street can provide a security protection layer. Why? Because your IP address keeps on varying by location. However, you should be very careful about such hotspots as they are the real hotspots of malware invasion.

After doing everything right, youll also want to tie all your encrypted services with hard-to-crack passwords. You need to find the best password manager and then create your unique password.

The NSA can tap into all cellular networks across the globe. Therefore, theres every reason to protect your communications. Your instant messaging services can be protected from the NSA surveillance program using an Off-the-Record (OTR) chat extension. It helps in encrypting all messages on IM networks.

Another reigning king for anonymous browsing is the Onion Router (TOR). It allows you to browse anonymously as it conceals user identity by encrypting and bouncing communications over a plethora of servers. Therefore, it makes it difficult for spy agencies to trace the traffic source or the recipient easily. All they see is traffic originating from a plethora of random nodes and not your PC.

Ultimately, keeping off the NSAs PRISM is not a walk in the park. While all these tips do not mean that youre entirely PRISM-proof, theyll minimize the risk of NSA snooping on your online activities. You just have to pray that you dont give them enough evidence to suspect you because then all privacy bets are off.

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PRISM and privacy: Ways to avoid being spied on by the government - TechGenix

FAIR HILL, Md., Oct. 22, 2020With COVID-19 eliminating, or severely limiting, live spectators at fall steeplechase races from Pennsylvania to Georgia, race organizers were struggling with decisions on whether or not to continue with their race plans. Since the pandemic, and with events not allowed to have spectators in much of the U.S., there has been a large decrease in equestrian events. Many of those employed in the industry face potential unemployment and financial hardship. Additionally, many non-profits usually receive funding and increased awareness through relationships with steeplechase race meets.

In an effort to help alleviate the hardship on the industry and their partners, the National Steeplechase Association has stepped up and is livestreaming several fall race meets. These efforts by NSA allow the horses to race, while spectators enjoy the sport from their homes, and associated non-profits including land conservation organizations, community hospitals and food banks continue to have a spotlight on their great work.

Over the past years, steeplechase events have contributed millions to community nonprofits. We wanted to provide a venue for the steeplechase/racing industry to be able to get horses out and receive some financial support in the form of purse money while continuing to create exposure for non-profit beneficiaries, explained Dr. William Allison, co-chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, the organization that oversees the Virginia Gold Cup and the International Gold Cup. Thanks to the NSA, horsemen have been able to continue training their equine athletes and fans can still enjoy the racing through Live Stream viewing.

Race fans and equestrian enthusiasts can easily Jump into Fall! and view the Live Stream at http://nsa.network.video/ on the following dates:

Race day start times generally kick off at 12:30 pm; final start times will be posted on the NSA website 48 hours before each race meet. Expert commentary will be provided by industry insiders Megan Connolly and Joe Clancy, with guest appearances from other sporting notables.

Unlike flat track racing, steeplechase racing provides the thrills and excitement of Thoroughbred horses racing over fences. By most accounts, the first steeplechase race was held in 1752 in Ireland. Todays sport is a true celebration of the long and close relationship between man and the horse. Riders depend on the athleticism, strength, speed and sure-footedness of their horses to carry them safely over varied fences.

While COVID restrictions have made race meets challenging this year, we hope to be able to bring in new spectators who may want to see and learn about steeplechase racing, said Al Griffin, president of the NSA. Its an exciting sport that relies on a partnership between riders and horsesnot something you see with other sports. The live stream provides an opportunity for the public to see what its all about, free of charge.

This year, the Live Stream will capture that excitement as well as gorgeous fall scenery in some of the countrys most beautiful equestrian regions. The complimentary Live Stream productions have been sponsored by Brown Advisory, Charlestons The Post & Courier, Bruton Street-US and the Virginia Equine Alliance.

Press Release/Photo National Steeplechase Association

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Jump into Fall! with the National Steeplechase Association - Past The Wire

Twitter criticized by regulator, NSA ranks vulnerabilities, cybercrooks pretend to be good guys and more.

Welcome to Cyber Security Today. Its Wednesday October 21st. Im Howard Solomon, contributing reporter on cybersecurity for ITWorldCanada.com. To hear the podcast click on the arrow below:

Remember the big Twitter hack last July? Thats when attackers took over the accounts of celebrities and promoted a double your bitcoin scam. Well, New York States financial regulator has criticized Twitter for poor security in letting the attackers get away with it. There were no special tricks used by the attackers, the report said. A few employees fell for a phone call from someone pretending to be from Twitters IT department, and that led to the infiltration. Just as bad, Twitter didnt have a chief information security officer for seven months before the hack. That sends a message cybersecurity wasnt a top priority, the report said.

Ive often talked of the importance of having two-factor authentication to strengthen employee logins. Well, Twitter had it. But hackers got around that by tricking staff into logging into lookalike company sites. Then when they added their two-factor codes, the hackers copied them. The lesson here is some staff who can access sensitive things should use a special USB key for their two-factor codes for better protection instead of numbers.

Its not easy for IT departments to prioritize which software patches that they should install. Updates are issued almost daily from companies around the world. The U.S. National Security Agency wants to help. On Tuesday it issued a list of the 25 most commonly used vulnerabilities exploited by Chinese state-sponsored cyber attackers. Most either exploit holes allowing hackers to remotely get into computer networks, or to attack web services. The list includes holes in products from Pulse Secure, F5 Networks, Citrix, Microsoft, Adobe, Oracle, Cisco Systems and others. The NSA says U.S. government systems and companies that sell to the Defence department should see this list as a priority. Other companies should, too. Theres a link to the list here.

Everybody wants to be a Good Guy, including cybercriminals. After bad publicity two years ago, some ransomware gangs swore they dont target hospitals, only evil capitalist companies. Last week one went further, saying it has started donating some of the money it has forced victims to pay to two charities. Lets make the world a better place, the Darkside gang apparently said on its website. Well, one of the charities that got the equivalent of $10,000 in bitcoin, a non-profit for sponsoring children in extreme poverty, isnt fooled. If the donation comes from a hacker, it told the BBC, we wont keep it. As the ZDNet news service pointed out, its illegal in most countries to receive funds obtained by crime.

This being Cyber Security Awareness Month its a good time to think about whether the cyber training offered at work and in schools is worthwhile. So a management consulting firm called Oliver Wyman created a scoring system to rate countries cyber risk literacy. Its based on public motivation to practice good cybersecurity, government policies to improve cyber literacy, education systems, how well businesses raise employees cyber skills and the degree to which digital access and skills are shared across the population. The best country is Switzerland, followed closely by Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands. Canada ranks sixth, the U.S., 10th. South Africa is last out of 50 countries rated, just after China.

Finally, theres a report that a ransomware group called Nefilim has begun publishing stolen data that appears to come from Luxottica, a company that makes eyeglass frames like RayBan and owns a number of eyeglass retailers around the world like LensCrafters. According to Security Affairs, an Italian researcher discovered the documents, which are said to be corporate financial files. Nefilim is one of the ransomware groups that steals and encrypts data, and threatens to publicly release the files unless victim organizations pay up.

Thats it for Cyber Security Today. Links to details about these stories can be found in the text version of each podcast at ITWorldCanada.com. Thats where youll also find my news stories aimed at businesses and cybersecurity professionals. Cyber Security Today can be heard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or add us to your Flash Briefing on your smart speaker.

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Cyber Security Today Twitter criticized by regulator, NSA ranks vulnerabilities, cybercrooks pretend to be good guys, and more - IT World Canada

THE National Sheep Association (NSA) was very disappointed to cancel its sheep events this summer, but is now proceeding with plans for its line-up of spring and summer events for 2021.

The NSA 2021 diary is already looking full with the main regional events NSA Welsh Sheep, NSA Scotsheep, NSA North Sheep, NSA Sheep South West and NSA Sheep Northern Ireland all set to take place between May and July, offering visitors a much-needed day out meeting with fellow sheep farmers and industry experts. Bookings for events will now open very soon.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: Of course, we were left with no choice but to cancel our 2020 events. Now, despite some uncertainty about the situation we will find ourselves in next year, we must proceed with optimism that our line-up of events will be able to take place once again next year.

As an organisation that acts as the voice of the UKs sheep sector, a sector likely to be considerably affected in 2021 by our imminent departure from Europe, there will never be a more important time for us to be able to meet with members and colleagues face-to-face to discuss the changes upon us and the steps needed for our industry to move forward into a new era for the countrys farmers.

"We sincerely hope that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will have subsided sufficiently to allow this to happen.

NSA is formed of nine regions that each has involvement with or organises its own regional sheep event for members in that area. As business to business events, NSA Sheep Events offer visitors opportunity to hear from industry leaders in informative seminars, take part in practical workshops, discuss an array of products both new and existing with sheep farming trade stands, view competitions and much more.

Events are planned include: NSA Scotsheep, Thursday, May 27, Over Finlarg Farm, Tealing, Dundee; and NSA North Sheep, Wednesday, June 2, Bradford House Farm, Ponteland, Northumberland.

It is anticipated that event trade and breed society bookings will open from Monday, November 2, for exhibitors to secure their place at the 2021 events. All measures will be put in place to ensure events will be Covid-19 safe and operate to current Government guidance on the day.

For more information, see the NSA website at http://www.nationalsheep.org.uk.

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NSA looks to future with events planned for 2021 - Darlington and Stockton Times

The National Security Agency said it is redefining the academic path to jobs in cybersecurity with a new program offering minority students interested in the field access to paid internships and training facilities.

The Cybersecurity Education Diversity InitiativeCEDImakes officials and resources such as virtual cyber ranges available to minority-serving institutions through NSAs National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, according to a press release on Thursday. The Office of Industrial Policys Small Business Program and the Mentor Protg Program at the Defense Department would participate, and students can receive stipends for working with companies in their geographic areas, the release said.

This partnership is a revolutionary approach to developing the cybersecurity workforce of the future, said Diane M. Janosek, the commandant of NSAs National Cryptologic School, which houses the NCAE-C program. CEDI is the future model for developing well-qualified and trained cybersecurity professionals across all industrial sectors, in all 50 states. Thank you DoDs Office of Small Business Programs for creatively addressing the critical need for cybersecurity professionals in the Defense Industrial Base.

Tapping Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions to fill what is now hundreds of thousands of related vacancies makes sense to politicians and cybersecurity officials, alike.

During a town hall event Thursday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the availability of cybersecurity jobs provides an opportunity for young Black voters to start generating wealth. He touted his efforts while serving as vice president during the Obama administration, which included the announcement of a $25 million grant for cybersecurity education at HBCUs.

That will enable those schools to produce young Black women and men who are going to go into a field of the future that's burgeoning; cybersecurity, he said. And that's what's going to help a great deal.

Biden said he plans to put another $70 billion toward HBCUs, if elected. Simultaneously, in a separate town hall, President Donald Trump also emphasized his commitment to HBCUs.

But there are also cybersecurity benefits to be had from making the industry more diverse, according to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Christopher Krebs.

Theres an advantage of U.S.-centric cybersecurity defense against what is generally adversaries that are fairly homogeneous, he said this summer. We have a distinct advantage in diversifying our workforce and having a more inclusive environment. Thats going to give us perspectives our adversaries dont have. I think innately the American experience can set us up for greater success in the cybersecurity game.

Eight minority-serving institutions have already received grants to build their capacity, according to a factsheet on the initiative. The document lists participating NCAE-C institutions, including those from regions around the country, and provides contact information for learning about the application process.

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NSA Launches Diversity Initiative to Grow Bench of Job-Ready Cybersecurity Talent - Nextgov

Karan Thapar: Hello and welcome to a special interview for The Wire, supported by Glenlivet Books. Today, we present an exclusive interview from Islamabad on India-Pakistan relations. My guest is the Pakistan prime ministers advisor on national security and strategic policy planning, Moeed Yusuf. This is Dr. Yusufs first interview to the Indian media, its also the first interview by any official in Pakistan after the constitution changes in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

Dr. Yusuf, lets start with August 2019. Why is Pakistan so worked up by the internal constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir? First of all, this is a strictly internal Indian matter its of no concern to Pakistan and secondly, youre reported to be attempting something very similar in Gilgit Baltistan.

Moeed Yusuf: Thank you for having me on your show, Karan. So, lets take these separately because GB is a separate issue, Ill come to that. As far as the 5th of August, 2019 is concerned, quite frankly, India scored an own-goal. You know, there was never a doubt what the Kashmiris of occupied Kashmir believed in what they thought of India but, if there was any doubt left, its gone now.

Dont accept what Im saying; Farooq Abdullah came to your programme very recently I heard him, what did he say? No Kashmiri sees him or herself as Indian, theyd much rather be ruled by Chinese of course, he couldnt say Pakistan, he has to survive in India but, the Chinese. What does the ICJ report saying? What is Yashwant Sinhas report saying? The world is calling India out. Karan, thats the reality. Kashmiris cant bear the thought of being Indian. Kashmiri Hindustan se nafrat kartein hain, Karan and, when thats the reality, what internal arrangement are you talking about?

KT: But see, youre confusing two things. Whatever the Kashmiri feeling toward India may be is another matter; but what has happened

MY: No, no! *chuckles*

KT: is an internal constitutional change. It doesnt affect Pakistan in any way, it doesnt affect the UN referendum or plebiscite requirement in any way. Its internal its simply a constitutional, administrative measure and precisely the same thing is being

MY: Let me correct you, Karan.

KT: talked about for

MY: Let me correct.

KT: Gilgit Baltistan.

MY: Let me correct you. If Indias taking a stance that its actions of August 5th a permanent change to the territory which is disputed if India is arguing that a forced domicile law, change of demography of that territory, is not against the UN Charter, well, India is then priding itself at being a rogue state, Karan. Let me tell you why. The UN Charter and the UN resolutions are very clear; Indias never obeyed them, but now you have formally stated youre going to violate them. And, let me also tell you, your foreign minister was very recently I think last year, perhaps in the US. I heard him say that India will now resolve all its problems unilaterally. So, let me tell you whats happening, its very important

KT: Let me come back to this point

MY: Just give me one second.

KT: Let me come back

MY: Karan, one second

KT: One quick point

MY: Let me just finish

KT: You made

MY: Karan, just let me finish

KT: a point of talking

MY: No, no, no

KT: about demographic changes. Pakistan has been making demographic changes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, by bringing in Punjabi settlers, for decades

MY: No

KT: At the moment, what demographic changes happen, its only made possible by the domicile law and, secondly, this is equally important if you can change the administrative structure of Gilgit Baltistan, India can certainly do the same in Jammu and Kashmir.

MY: Karan. Karan, I told you Ill come to Gilgit Baltistan but let me just finish this topic. You know, there are three levels you know, I have a background in scholarship. There are three levels at which the state can operate in the international community of nations. Theres the multilateral international, which is the UN we know what India thinks of the UN resolutions, we know what India said about the plebiscite after going to the UN itself and then pulling back from it. The second level is bilateral; for years, for decades since 1972 Shimla, India told the world its a bilateral matter well use Shimla. What happened on the 5th of August? A unilateral decision that Shimla explicitly says you cannot do. And dont take my words for it, take A.G. Nooranis words what did he say in a recent article? The foul deeds of August 5th destroyed the Shimla agreement, or the Shimla pact, totally. And the third level is unilateral; youve done something unilateral, when you did something unilateral you had to bring in a 180,000 troops, lie to the world that there was a terrorist threat, and then you perpetrated Indian government perpetrated terrorism on the 5th of August

KT: Can I respond?

MY: And then, a year later

KT: Can I respond?

MY: You had to impose curfew

KT: Dr. Yusuf

MY: And when you say, Karan, that the

KT: You must let me respond

MY: wishes of the people dont matter, thats where you go wrong.

KT: You began, first of all

MY: All that matters is the wishes of the people.

KT: Dr. Yusuf, you must let me respond. You began, first of all, by referring to the UN requirements of a plebiscite that is conditioned by a Pakistani withdrawal which didnt happen. So, lets be honest

MY: *chuckles*

KT: the first step was from your side, it didnt happen, thats why the plebiscite didnt never happened. Secondly, youre talking about the world believing that India has done the wrong thing with the exception of Turkey and Malaysia, no other country supports Pakistans position on 370. In fact, youre aware better than me that your attempt to create a special OIC meeting annoyed the Saudis and has strained your relationship with them. Actually, your obsession with Kashmir is becoming an own goal against yourself.

MY: Youre actually packing too many questions so Im going to write so I dont forget. So, Karan, first of all, here is where India goes wrong the only thing that matters is the wishes of the people because the UN resolutions are about the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris you dont believe me? And, Ill come to GB now you think what Im saying about occupied Kashmir is wrong? Even though everybody on your programme, in New York Times andThe Economist have said what they have to say? Lets hold a UN-administered plebiscite tomorrow. Lets bring the UN in, ask them what needs to be done

KT: Youre changing the subject

MY: Just do it.

KT: Were not talking about a UN plebiscite, were talking about the fact that Pakistan for reasons that have no warranty or justification is finding fault with Indias internal decision to change the constitutional arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir. Youve done the same in Gilgit Baltistan. Secondly, youve been changing the demography of P0K by bringing in Punjabi settlers for decades that hasnt happened in India.

MY: Yeah. So, let me come to the Pakistan side by adding just one sentence to what I was saying. The day India recognises that only the wishes of people of Kashmiris matter, this issue can be resolved. And today, Karan, I sit here, on the instructions of my prime minister, to talk to you about the future to talk to you how we can move forward, how we can get over our problems, not to litigate the past.

But since youre there, Gilgit Baltistan first of all, no decision has been made. What is happening in Gilgit Baltistan? Theres a public debate? Yes. Why is there a public debate? For the polar opposite reason to what is happening in Illegally Occupied Kashmir. Whats the reason? People of Gilgit Baltistan want to be fully integrated into Pakistan that is the reason of this public debate. Now

KT:Can I interrupt you?

MY: what is Pakistans response?

Indus River at Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan region. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

KT: I have to interrupt you because youve made, I think, according to your papers, a factual error. Dawn, one of Pakistans best-known papers, on the 22nd of September, reported that at a meeting with several senior cabinet ministers present, members of the PPP, and the army chief a decision was taken to confer provincial status on Gilgit Baltistan. And that was confirmed to Dawn thereafter by your railway minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and by the minister in charge of Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan affairs, Ali Amin Gandapur. Im quoting Dawn! They say the decision

MY: My friend. My friend, the proof is in the pudding. If it was so confirmed and so done, where is the act? Now, please let me finish this answer. You asked me two or three times, I want to clarify this. One, no decision has been made; two, there is a public debate the public debate is not being generated by the Government of Pakistan, its being generated by the people of Gilgit Baltistan. Theyve been saying this for two or three years now. What are they saying? We want to be fully integrated with Pakistan. Now, you tell me, Karan, if a people is not treated well, would they ever want that? Ive never heard the Kashmiri Muslims talk about this in the occupied territories

KT: Youre deliberately missing the point.

MY: Third, whatever

KT: Just as you say

MS: Sorry, Karan just let me finish.

KT: Just as you say the people of Gilgit Baltistan

MS: Karan, this is not fair.You ask me a question, you dont let me finish.

KT: people of Ladakh wanted to be separated from Jammu and Kashmir, they wanted union territory status as well, they asked for it.

MY: Karan, not fair. You asked me a question, let me finish please have the patience to hear me out. The third part of that is most important. Whatever decision is ultimately taken will be within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions. If the resolutions bar permanent change of territorial status, there will be no permanent change and there may be no change. This is a debate, this is how democratic societies debate; democratic societies, by the way, Karan, do not bring in a 180,000 troops to change the status of a territory. Thats the difference between Pakistan and India right now.

KT: Let me repost to some of the things youve said. First of all, you said the change in Gilgit Baltistan is happening because the people have requested it that is equally true of Ladakh, the people of Ladakh have been wanting to be separated from Jammu and Kashmir for decades, they wanted union territory status, theyve now got it. So, the same criteria apply in both instances. Secondly

MY: Within the constraints of the UN.

KT: You have to let me finish, you have to let me finish.

MY: Sure.

KT: Secondly, you said that, in fact, what is happening is not a violation of the Shimla agreement in the case of Gilgit Baltistan, it is, you claim, a violation of Shimla in the case of Jammu and Kashmir. Actually, its the same thing happening on both sides; you are changing the nature of the

MY: But nothing has happened!

KT: Youre changing the nature

MY: Nothing has happened! 5th of August has happened. In Pakistan theres a public debate and one thing I can guarantee you on your programme whenever that debate settles, there will be no question of going outside any multilateral or bilateral framework that Pakistan has agreed to.

KT: Doctor, when you say nothing has happened

MY: Karan, thats the difference.

KT: youre forgetting the fact

MY: Karan, that

KT: that changing the provincial nature of Gilgit Baltistan is a campaign promise of Imran Khans party. Mr. Gandapur had said so, Im quoting Mr. Gandapur, just listen to the minister

MY: Yeah, you quote him.

KT: Our government has decided to deliver on the promise it made to the people there. Hes saying so, its a campaign promise

MY: The promise made to people in Gilgit Baltistan is to ensure that they get more development, even more rights within the framework of the UN Security Council resolution. If the UN Security Council resolutions allow the word provisional to be added, maybe the public debate goes there; if it doesnt allow it, it wont go there. Karan, we are talking of Kashmir, right? This is a disputed territory, internationally recognised

KT: Both sides of it! Both sides of it! Do not forget to include PoK-Gilgit Baltistan; its disputed, India believes

MY: Absolutely. It will be included in the plebiscite the day the plebiscite happens. My map, behind me, Pakistans official political map, all of it in one colour for that very reason. Now, youve talked of Kashmir, but Karan, let me say one thing this is no longer, unfortunately, an India focused on Pakistan doing things that are illegal and wrong. Unfortunately, we are now seeing at least, sitting on this side of the border we are seeing an ideology that you who knows better than you?

KT: Forgive me, just a moment

MY: Weve seen expansionism

KT: Just a moment! Before you start branching into an ideology and making claims, like your Prime Minister has made with the UN, that Mr. Modi

MY: Karan, youve written about it! For god sakes, youve written about it.

KT: Lets not become polemical, lets stick to details

MY: No!

KT: otherwise, we

MY: No, no I was going to

KT: will not have a discussion, we will have a tu tu, main main which will serve no ones purpose.

MY: No, no Im here to talk of the future.

KT: Let me come back to the issue

MY:Lets talk of the future, lets talk peace.

KT: I will definitely talk to you about the future

MY: Lets talk peace.

KT: but lets talk about the present first.

MY: Okay.

KT: Lets come back to Article 370. I want to point out the paradox. One, while Article 370 existed, Pakistan dismissed it as a sham. Your high commissioners repeatedly refused to meet the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir they wouldnt recognise them. Now that Article 370 has been scrapped, youre clamouring for its restoration. You seem to be contradicting yourselves.

MY: First of all, Karan, Pakistan does not recognise cannot recognise Article 370 because Pakistans quarrel is with the actual instrument of accession; an instrument of accession that was signed under duress

KT: *chuckles* Youve just given the game away. If you cant recognise 370, why worry when its scrapped? Why make such a protest about its scrapping? Thats the point Im making.

MY: Oh, its not my issue. Im not making a protest about 370, lets be clear

KT: Your government is.

MY: No, no not at all. Show me one place where weve said 370 good or bad. We are raising an issue because you have formally gone outside the UN Charter and the resolutions by making a permanent change in the territory I rightfully claim as mine, to people who cant bear the thought of being under Indian occupation. Thats my quarrel. My quarrel is the domicile law which is thrusting people on a Muslim-majority territory to change its character.

KT: Dr. Yusuf, everything youre saying will apply to Gilgit Baltistan a campaign manifesto promise of your government, a commitment made in public by your railway minister and the Kashmir minister to the Dawn newspaper you can apply your arguments to yourself. What Im saying is

MY: So, Ive said two things to you, Karan

Read the original post:
Full Text: Interview with Imran Khans NSA on Kashmir, Uighurs, Jadhav, Terror and Talks - The Wire

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has formalized the accreditation of Philippine Electronic Sports Organization (PESO) as the official National Sports Association (NSA) for esports in the Philippines.

An NSA is the officially appointed regulatory body of a sport in the country. For a refresher of how NSAs work, read this:

In a certificate issued on October 9, 2020, the POC declared PESO as an associate member of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Philippine Olympic Committee.

As such, PESO is the sole recognized National Sports Association and governing body for the sport of ESPORTS in the Philippines, the certificate reads.

The certificate also bears the names of PESO officials who will serve the term of two years from their election last February 2019: Brian Benjamin Lim, president; Eric Redulfin, vice president; Jess Tamboboy, secretary general; and Michael Gatchalian, corporate secretary.

The news comes after reports surfaced this week that esports would return to next years SEA Games.

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PESOs member-organizations include Bren Esports, Gariath Concepts, Mineski Philippines, The Nationals, PlayBook Esports, Tier One Entertainment, TV5, and TNC Holdings. These groups were key in last years debut of esports as a medal event in the 30th SEA Games.

They also worked, variously, as technical officials for the production and streaming of the event, as well as coaches and managers for Sibol, the Philippines esports team.

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We are honored and grateful for the trust that the POC placed in us. We embrace this huge responsibility as we continue to support our athletes and push the growth and development of Esports in the country, said PESO President Brian Lim.

We also echo POCs call for unity among esports groups and communities as we all share the same goal to showcase the skills and abilities of Filipino gamers in the world arena and ultimately bring glory to our country, he adds.

PESO went through a rigorous accreditation process by the POC, which took into consideration its years of experience in organizing esport events and programs, as well as its linkages with reputable esport organizations.

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Since 2012, PESO has been a member in good standing of the International Esports Federation (IESF).

Last March, IESF and Asian Esports Federation (AESF) signed a milestone agreement to promote and advance esports globally, and across the Asian continent.

Under the agreement, the IESF recognizes the AESF as the sole federation for esports in Asia, while the AESF recognizes IESF as the sole federation for esports on the international level.

Spin fans unite at the Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now and complete the experience by subscribing to the Spin Chatbot.

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PESO named official national sports association for esports in the Philippines - Sports Interactive Network Philippines

THE National Sheep Association (NSA) has voiced concerns following the rejection by the House of Commons on a Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill that would force future trade deals to meet UK animal welfare and food safety rules.

The vote, which saw MPs reject the amendment by 332 votes to 279, will potentially allow food products with lower standards than that produced in the UK to be accepted into the country once new trade deals are secured following the UKs departure from the EU.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: This amendment provided an opportunity to uphold and protect our animal welfare standards, some of the highest in the world.

"With this being rejected by MPs last night, there is now the very real risk, despite Governments assurances, that the UKs standards that our nations farmers are proud to work to, could be undermined by lower standard imports.

The Government may have already given a verbal commitment to farmers and consumers that the current high UK standards will not be threatened by imported goods but even if this commitment is upheld, it comes from the current Government only and therefore is for the present Parliamentary term, four years down the line there is a risk this commitment could be lost and the UK farming sector could be left to fight this battle again.

Farming Minister George Eustice has said that the amendment was unnecessary and would be opposed by ministers as it could cause technical issues and disrupt existing trade deals with countries such as South America that already bring small amounts of product into the UK.

Mr Stocker said: Any suggestion by the Government that importing just relatively small quantities of lower standard products is worth it in order to safeguard other trade flies in the face of the UKs stated aim to see animal welfare standards increase across the world.

"We simply will not achieve this if we allow our markets to support standards we wouldnt find acceptable here.

We sincerely hope the British public will get behind the countrys farmers more than ever now in supporting their hard work producing the highest quality, good value farm produce, while caring for their livestock and upholding animal welfare standards at all times.

"As we leave the EU and further trade deals are secured, it will be more important than ever to support UK agriculture and buy British to be assured of food traceability and quality.

See the rest here:
'Risk' that food standards will be lowered by imports, says NSA - Darlington and Stockton Times

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "5G: The Greatest Show on Earth! Vol 13: Needle in a Haystack" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The publisher just completed their thirteenth 5G benchmark study, this time with a focus on the T-Mobile Band n71 5G NR Standalone (SA) network and how it compares with the operator's 5G NR Non-Standalone (NSA) network. They tested in the Dallas area, as well as rural areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Highlights of the Report include the following:

Improved Coverage and Performance: Although it wasn't easy to find locations where the smartphone used [needed] SA, in those regions, the publisher observed 5G NR coverage which didn't exist with the NSA-capable smartphone. They also documented meaningful increases in end-user data speeds, even in cases when the NSA smartphone was using both LTE and 5G NR.

Latency Results were Mixed: The publisher measured handover times, acquisition times, RTT and web page load times. The results were mixed, at best.

Related Challenges: PDCP packet losses, especially with poor LTE coverage remain a big problem that isn't specific to any operator or vendor. Furthermore, they continue to observe smartphones camping on a low-band LTE frequency (i.e., Band 12) instead of leveraging 5G NR in another low-band frequency. The publisher is very familiar with the airplane mode feature which can trigger a different response and the desired outcome.

Sidebar Study: The publisher covered the majority of Wisconsin while testing the top three operator networks. AT&T had the fastest network (by far) while the T-Mobile network had the greatest use of 5G NR. They also captured scanner data to look at operator low-/mid-band LTE coverage and 5G NR coverage.

Key Topics Covered:

1.0 Executive Summary

2.0 Key Observations

3.0 Latency-Related Metrics

4.0 5G NR SA Coverage and Performance

4.1 Wisconsin

4.2 Minnesota

5.0 Test Methodology

6.0 Final Thoughts

7.0 Appendix

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/36q5ic

Go here to see the original:
United States 5G Benchmark Study 2020: T-Mobile Band n71 5G NR Standalone (SA) Network and how it Compares with the Operator's 5G NR Non-Standalone...