China Says It Followed the Law in Approving 38 Trump Trademarks In ‘Unusually Quick’ Fashion

China on Thursday defended its handling of 38 trademarks it recently approved provisionally for President Donald Trump, saying it followed the law in processing the applications at a pace that some experts view as unusually quick. Democrats in Congress were critical of Trump after The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the potentially valuable trademarks had been granted, raising questions of conflict of interest and political favoritism.

China says it followed law in approving 38 Trump trademarks

China on Thursday defended its handling of 38 trademarks it recently approved provisionally for President Donald Trump, saying it followed the law in processing the applications at a pace that some experts view as unusually quick. Democrats in Congress were critical of Trump after The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the potentially valuable trademarks had been granted, raising questions of conflict of interest and political Trump has sometimes struggled to win trademarks from China; he secured one recently after a 10-year fight that turned his way only after he declared his candidacy for the presidency.

American artist displays his works in Baku [PHOTO]

Entitled “The OBSERVER is the OBSERVED”, the expo was co-organized by art agency Marika Parkdale and Carpentier Art Paris, with the support of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the U.S Embassy in Baku and Arts Council Azerbaijan. Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Artists Union, People’s Artist Farhad Khalilov addressed the opening ceremony and stressed that the exhibition will attract the attention of art critics and a wide audience of art lovers.

US to Send Admiral to Thailand for Military Exercises

Royal Thai armed forces General Sommai Kaoteera and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies shake hands during the opening ceremony for Cobra Gold military exercise in Chonburi, east of Bangkok, Feb. 9, 2016. The highest ranking U.S. officer to visit Thailand since a 2014 coup will attend a military exercise next month in what the Thai army hailed Wednesday as a sign of improving relations.

Taiwan leader heads to Americas; US stops set to irk China

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech before traveling to visit Central American allies including a U.S. transit, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taouyuan, Taiwan. Tsai pledged to bolster Taiwan’s presence on the international stage on her visit four Central American allies on a trip that includes U.S. transits and looks set to raise China’s ire.

Taiwan leader heads to Americas; US stops set to irk China

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech before traveling to visit Central American allies including a U.S. transit, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taouyuan, Taiwan. Tsai pledged to bolster Taiwan’s presence on the international stage on her visit four Central American allies on a trip that includes U.S. transits and looks set to raise China’s ire.

Should you say Myanmar or Burma?

“FOLLOW local practice when a country expressly changes its name,” advises “The Economist Style Book”, the Bible of this newspaper. Among the list of examples that follow only two rate authorial interjections: ” Myanmar , not Burma ” and ” Yangon , not Rangoon “.

‘Info leak not by security forces’

Kuala Lumpur: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan bin Kassim assured that there was no leak of information from law enforcement agencies and security forces in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone . He said the leak of information was currently focused on “tali barut” , especially among the illegal immigrants in Sabah.