This record of educational opportunity resonates strongly with the Shia Ismaili belief in the transformative power of the human intellect, a conviction that underscores AKDN's massive commitment to education wherever we are present, not only education for our faith but also education for our world. To do this, we are engaged in all levels of education.

36. Believes strongly that the EU can gain great strategic benefits through enlargement policy; emphasises that EU membership provides stability in the swiftly changing international environment, and that belonging to the European Union continues to offer the perspective of social development and prosperity; is of the opinion that enlargement is a long-term strategic interest of the EU, which cannot necessarily be measured in terms of short-term balance sheets; considers it important to take due account of its substantial and lasting value as representing soft but nevertheless essential power for the EU;

I think we've seen a similar set of challenges play out in dealing with North Korea, as an illustration, which is a nuclear power, not an aspiring one but an actual nuclear power, which has one of the worst human rights and humanitarian records in the world today.

Recent academic studies show, that the large majority of mergers and acquisitions in the last two decades have failed to create economic value or profitable market power, and that total returns are negative, both for jobs and share values.

The death toll is indeed terrible, but is much lower than it might have been, given the unbelievable force of the explosion and the huge damage caused by this explosion in a heavily populated area.